I’ll keep this simple and just jot down questions that portray or ask about different ways of connecting with nature. I like to engage most of these! I am wanting to name them to broaden horizons and possiblity because so often when we are invited on a hike the assumption is that exercise and a destination are the goal. That is just one orientation, direction, and compass. We can also remember we are amidst so many alive beings such as trees, soil, and birds and we can intentionally hear and feel both there vocal and energetic communications. It is good to keep in mind that we can listen, exercise, play, adventure, observe, educate, learn, skill-build, unite, commune, ritual, harvest, eat, and so on. It is worth remembering that we are of nature and there are endless fun and necessary relational options with and amongst the beings present! And these options and practices feel even that much more significant and worth appreciating given climates of amplified ecocide and changes that have many places and beings dying, exploited, or on fire.
Do you want to hike at a steady pace with me?
Do you want to slowly meander on this mountain trail with me?
Do you want to learn about these butterflies, flowers, mushrooms, or birds with me?
Do you want to dance or move however authentically our bodies want on this land with me?
Do you want to play an instrument next to the river with me?
Do you want to microdose and in turn open to more receptivity to the voices present here other than ours?
Do you want to observe which element calls and draws you in most?
Do you want to feel and see which being is pulling at you to simply connect or to share messaging?
Do you want to hug a tree with me?
Do you want to cry tears into the earth?
Do you want to talk and laugh a lot under the open sky?
Do you want to simply breathe and sit quietly in the open air with me?
Do you want to skip rocks on this lake with me?
Do you want to hang in a hammock alongside me?
Do you want to connect to wise and well ancestors or spirits of this land?
Do you want to run for exercise or to excitedly express yourself?
Do you want to sing with the wind, water, and wild ones?
Do you want to imagine yourself as a fellow tree and root in while reaching for the infinite above?
Do you want to take pictures of where we are and ourselves?
Do you want to draw the beings or landscape we are with?
Do you want to witness the intention, chaos, or beauty we are amidst or discuss the magic of the symbiosis?
Do you want to take home ideas for how to garden by witnessing the native plants and cyclical wisdom of this place?
Do you want to sleep under the stars?
Do you want to teach what you know about a specific animal, plant, cycle, natural law, or nature rhythm?
Do you want to story tell about your life and learnings or those from your lineage?
Do you want to be silly and make up stories or anthropomorphize actions about beings who are present?
Do you want to, respectfully and with gratitude, gather wild foods with me?
Do you want to have a picnic?
Do you want to write a letter or journal with the support of place?
Do you want to stretch and move stagnating or tense physical and spiritual energy with me?
Do you want to BE with me here?
Share what other options we have as you like.
<3 Jai
