The missing piece

[helios137]

We are missing our place in nature. 99% of us are far removed from the rhythm of nature.  More than anything else, this is a source of lonliness and a sense of being disconnected.  This loss also dulls our senses and causes us to look for security over adventure. We fear and are stressed and sometimes forget altogether what it is to be alive.

"I

Comments

[karena]

This is why I like walking to and from work. It grounds me.

[helios137]

That's a great blessing to be able to commute to work by walking. Wonderful!

[bobby1933]

So true. We have imagined for far to long that our "place in nature" is to dominate it and put it to our "use." Nature is what it is, and our place is within it, not above it.

We are all alive..

[13masquerade]

But we have become blinded to what is freely given. We are now accustomed to commercialized beauty that brings in superficial highs. We think that what is beautiful has a tag. Nobody can endure even the beauty of your own surroundings. You have to go places for that!

Re: We are all alive..

[helios137]

I couldn't agree with you more. Here's a zen story that my friend p_bug shared with me recently on percisely that point:

A thief entered the little hut of a Zen Master,
but discovered there was nothing to steal.
The Zen Master discovered the thief.
"You have come a long way to visit me," he told the prowler,
"and you should not return empty-handed.
Please take my clothes as a gift."
The thief was bewildered,
but he took the clothes and slunk away.
The Zen Master sat naked, watching the moon.
"Poor fellow," he mused,
"I wish I could have given him this beautiful moon."
- Traditional Zen Koan

[bennybunny]

I really liked this so I added you, hope that's ok.

[helios137]

Thanks, I added you too.

[tjoel2]

Ah, Thoreau... One of my favorites. I am very fortunate to live where I do. I'm in a very small community in the Sierra Nevada's. We're 5 minutes down the road from Big Trees State Park, and 30 minutes from Bear Valley ski area. Love it here, and I wouldn't be anywhere else.

[helios137]

Oh, you live in Heaven! When I was about 12, my family visited Yosemite National Park. I will never forget the pristine beauty, great old ent trees that could almost speak to you, the crystal clear streams and the unbelievably fresh air. A true heaven. So I don't blame you one bit for wanting to stick around. :)