Yoga Life Book
Page 12

In a world such as this, wilderness recreation has tremendous importance. Every year, millions of people flock to mountains, woods, and beaches to find renewal in nature. Others flock to backyards and city parks. For many of us, such retreats fulfill a yearning almost as basic as hunger. But the shackles of modern society are not easily thrown off. Even when removed from fast-paced environments, very few of us are able to slow down enough to appreciate the full splendor of nature. We often go to the woods burdened with so much anxiety and with senses so battered and dull that we can absorb only a fraction of the message awaiting us beyond the asphalt and concrete. Galaxies around us go unnoticed and unexplored because we have lost our feeling of connection with the earth.

Yet that connection can be reestablished—in large part simply by awakening and nourishing our innate awareness. With a few simple skills and some dedicated practice, any person can open his or her senses to the full richness of nature, regardless of what he or she seeks there. I have seen it happen many times.

The souls of most average lay people are just not in tune with the fundamental spirit emanating from Nature herself.

By Tom Brown Jr.

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