The relationship we have with nature seems to be under appreciated in our fast paced and modernising world. Some of us can go on with our lives without even realising how dependant we are on nature; only to notice it when something is missing, or when something goes wrong. There was a time when people aligned themselves with the seasonal changes, enabling crops to grow in sync with nature’s path, recognising its presence. However, in our highly technological world, majority of mankind does not work in the fields but instead behind desks and computer screens, forgetting to acknowledge nature’s vital importance. To not be in touch or aware of the forces that drive this planet and ultimately keep us alive, can be foreboding. One could say we are intrinsically bound to the roots of nature, which serve a higher a purpose. Our connections with things that give us substance and life have a deep impact with our souls. However, most of us have been distracted by the fragments of life which we deem important in defining our individuality in this chaotic world. So what is nature and who are we?
In this 21st century world we live in, majority of the population live life through a level of materialistic priorities. We seek to experience life on a sensory and conscious level, whether it be deeming to find love, companionship or happiness in our own way; living in the “here and now”. Forgetting that we are a complex species, with a restless spirit and a need for not only materialistic success, but also a transcendental need. Bringing in philosophy of the mind, body and soul we can analyse the differing thoughts and theories philosophised buy Aristotle, Plato and Descartes. Aristotle believed the soul to be “the actuality of a body that has life,” where life means the capacity for self-sustenance, growth, and reproduction. He defined the soul as an interior, immaterial agent acting on a body; where parts of the soul are components which are distinguished from each other by their operations and objects. Whereas Plato believed that humans could be broken down into three parts: the body, the mind and the soul. The mind directed towards “the heavenly realm of Ideas”, as well as being immortal, he theorised that it is our minds which enable us to understand the eternal world of the Forms. Descartes, on the other hand, believed in the existence of the soul being the radical existence in the affirmation of “being”. He explained how the form of any thought is “an Idea” and with that knowledge, the soul has power over knowledge of the body. He allocated the pineal gland as the soul to our bodies, regarding this tiny organ in the centre of the brain as the core of the soul where thoughts are formed. So what is the importance of a soul? What does the soul need in order to be serene? Taking away from these theories, one could elaborate on the importance of nurturing the soul, with our restless search for a deeper meaning to life. Humans are curious creatures, with a thirst to understand ourselves, our world and our Universe better. So is the body separate from the soul? I’m talking about the soul in a non-religious sense, but instead a more spiritual level, in which we cannot yet comprehend. Are our souls are the deer reason we question our existence, our beliefs and ourselves? We are not satisfied with just survival and living in the “here and now”; especially when we go through a trauma, we tend to look inwards for guidance. Humans are constantly striving to achieve excellence, everyone in their own way, but in order to find this excellence we must push ourselves, be challenged and struggle before reaching it. The soul/spirit is a complex thing and when it is hungry it searches for something to satisfy that hunger. This need can be so intense that we succumb to whatever “food” we may find, in some cases it is toxic. Thus explaining why some of us get caught up in obsessions or addictions, which can take over our lives. The hunger we feel is healthy, but it is the way in which we choose to fulfil it which can be toxic. By seeing ourselves as beings with a soul, we shift our perception of everything around us to having more than just a surface level. Understanding that there is a symbiosis between us and nature, we come to perceive the world in a more spiritual way. Is there this integral unity that defines our existence and somehow ties the past, present and the future together? Does nature hold a big part in this? A theory which can be seen as far fetched but spiritually comprehensible, is comparing mankind to the outer world and creating a parallel universe between ourselves and nature. In believing everything is in existence with larger nature also exists within human nature, we can become more in sync with not just nature but also ourselves. So just as there is a moon and sun in our universe, we also have a lunar and solar archetype in ourselves. Can we then say that all of nature that surrounds us, is a deeper reflection of ourselves? Are we united entities? If there is an understanding of parallels (and lessons) between our lives and nature, then we could be connected somehow through different dimensions, incomprehensible to us. have you asked yourself why you feel so balanced and “at one” with yourself when you’re in a natural setting? Whether it be admiring the beauty of a flower, taking in the harmony of a stream or being inspired by the empowerment of the sea. Nature is the best teacher we have, as it is our inspiration for most man made things we have constructed. Such as the aeroplane, taken from the idea of a bird in flight; or efficient shape of hexagons, taken from the honeycombs of bees. We take ideas from it, yet we simultaneously destroy it over time. We have been carelessly distorting the harmony of nature over centuries, creating an imbalance in nature’s energy and cycle. In order to gain back this unity of nature, we must see ourselves to be at one with nature on a physical, psychological and spiritual level. Just as each species does its part to aid the symbiosis of nature, we too need to do our part in protecting the delicacy of nature.
Dolphinmind 