This is the
concept: The human mind is a little like a box crammed full of this and that. If we are
feeling other than happy and healthy, then probably much of the clutter in our minds is of
a negative kind.
If, then, we begin filling the mind-box with very agreeable thoughts
-- such as the details of flower anatomy, or the fieldmarks of birds, or the precise
patterns of venation in a beetle's wings -- then the negative stuff starts falling out.
In go agreeable thoughts, out go negative ones.
Simple as that. Jim sits with you for an hour or two showing you how
to understand flower blossoms, and then later you feel better.
Of course the mind is not really box-like, but it's true that with
regard to how the good feelings of nature study push aside negative feelings, it behaves
like one.
You might benefit from reading our opinion as to some
features of some people's lives that make them feel bad even if they study nature.
Sometimes it's
hard to know what to believe in. Once you become intimate with Nature, you begin sensing
that the ways of Nature are profoundly wise, and that we can use that wisdom in our own
lives. For example, here are some of the most obvious, relevant insights deep study of
Nature reveals :
- Diversity is important
- Recycling is necessary and
wastefulness is destructive
- All living things on Earth are
interdependent and must share resources
- Simplicity is beautiful
There are many, many more such insights from Nature, but these few
are enough to get us started, enough to assure us that we're onto something
important here.
Eventually the dedicated student of Nature is led to think about his
or her own spirituality. There is a great deal to say about Nature-based spirituality, but
we believe that only Nature can say this in Her own way. It is not our part to preach
anything. We only wish to put you in contact with Nature so you can have your own
experience with Her.
