Back in the 90s I was on a quest to learn how different people from different childhood experiences experienced nature as adults. In the process of this research I took an online ecopsychology class from Dr. Michael J. Cohen. In this class I learned a wonderful process for helping people actually experience what is most attractive to them in nature. This process asks that you identify what specific element of nature you are most attracted to. It is helpful to do this type of identifying in an area with a lot of diversity in the natural environment. That diversity gives you a lot of choices. Choose something that you could most easily spend an hour with while just sitting quietly. It can be something as big as the sky or a mountain, or as small as a flower, tuft of grass or a pebble. For an example, let’s say you chose a rock. You just really like that particular rock. The next step is to name two or three specific characteristics of the rock that make it attractive to you. So let’s say you are attracted to the smooth texture of the rock when you rub your fingers on it, and you are also attracted to the irregular shape of the rock. You found those two things appealing. If you had said one of the attractors was the color, then you would need to describe what about that color attracted you. Maybe you found it calming or happy. But you need to be as specific as possible. Don’t just say “you like that color”, say why you like it. It is valuable to know what attracts you, and why. Do this activity NOW before reading any further, and write down the characteristics you find appealing.
[DO THE EXERCISE. It will be fun and you will find it interesting.]
Hopefully you have written down the characteristics of what most attracted you. So let’s stay on our rock as an example. You described two things that attracted you about the rock, smooth texture and irregular shape. So you might write a sentence that says, “I like this rock because of its smooth texture and irregular shape.” Next write another sentence that says, “I like (put your name here) because I have smooth skin and am a little irregular or unusual.” Maybe your skin isn’t what is so smooth, but instead your even temper or your gentleness with other people’s feelings. Those characteristics could also be described as smooth. And as for irregular, maybe you enjoy some subject in school that bores everyone else, or you like classical music rather than the more popular music of your friends. Irregular can be special.
This activity was an eye opener for me because I discovered, 1) there are things about myself that I actually like, and 2) there are things in nature that have some of my same qualities - - and that is what attracts me to those natural elements! It was a powerful and nurturing experience for me.
When I first did this exercise, I saw a large Fichus tree that attracted me. I identified the characteristics of “asymmetry” and “open airiness” as the attractors. It was then such a delight to realize that I have those same qualities. I am not a symmetrical and perfectly balanced person with every hair in place at all times. And I am open to others rather than closed. Many of my friends affectionately call me an “airhead.” So I am also asymmetrical, open and airy. When I was an adolescent and teenager, I felt bad because I was not like most of my friends, but this activity made me realize God gave both me and a few things in nature some similar characteristics. And I liked them. So obviously I was not a mistake!
I hope you will be drawn outside to explore creation and find some of these occurrences in your outside world. Spend some time being with them and allow their messages to penetrate your heart. If so, you will adopt an attitude of gratitude and awe that allows your experience with Nature to tune you in to experiencing Divine Love.