Nature

From my journal: Come with me for a few moments while I attempt to untangle my most recent thoughts.

If you speak to anyone who has had an experience with plant medicines, something that is often conveyed is that we are all connected. Nothing is separate. 

If I imagine this, I think of streams of energy that are endlessly floating between not only each human, but each animal, bug, plant and bird. Beyond that, think about how similar we all are in so many ways. Our physiology, our psychology - so different and yet, not really.

Then we have the idea in coaching, of mirrors. I see in you that which is in me. Years ago I was told that if someone does something in a particular way, if it annoys me, angers me, frustrates me, to take a moment and do a self audit - is this something that is already familiar in me?

I gotta say, most of the time the answer is a resounding (annoying) yes.

So as Byron Katie would say, first work on me, then work on you. Ie, fix my own shit first before I go looking to correct anyone else.

Oh my gosh I travelled way off track there. Here’s what I want to share today. Nature. The connectedness, the oneness and how I am nature.

In multiple meditations this week I have visualised roots coming down through my feet and into the earth. Grounding. Anchoring. Not rigid, but firm, Not trapping, but freeing. I could feel it in my body, that connection. I saw the large brown root system weave its way through the earth - under the superficial grassy carpet, to the layered depths. The weaving was beautiful and natural and connecting. My roots were meeting those of ancient trees. Not limited by oceans, landmarks, ‘ownership’ of country - just knowing I’m part of it all.

With this grounding comes knowing, confidence, calming. And so today as I ventured again into another rooting, anchoring scene, I was brought to an incredible sight. My whole body, all of it, was nature. The flowing of blood in my veins, my rivers and estuaries. My bones, the structures of the land. All of the nourishment, enzymes, elements of my world are reflected back to me by nature. In this meditation, I could see that I mirror the natural world because I am the natural world.

When I explain functional medicine to someone, I tell a tale of walking along a river bed. At some point, there is no water. The fish are flapping around gasping for water. The earth is dry and cracking. This is the symptom. A western medical doctor is amazing at having buckets of water at the ready, to splash that area and offer temporary relief. Helpful, but it’s not really going to solve the actual problem. So we wander upstream, through the systems of the body, until we find where is blockage. We come across a beaver’s dam, a fallen log or storm damage and we pay attention to that. By doing this, that patch of dry ground will naturally be resolved once the upstream issue is amended.

This frees me from the trappings of modernity. The need to succeed for the validation of others. The need to appear certain ways in order to fit in or belong. I was born belonging. The moment the cells divided, nature already knew everything to do.

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In a world dominated by technology, fast-paced routines, and artificial constructs, the call of nature is not just a longing for beauty or adventure—it is a profound yearning for connection. Nature has always been more than just the backdrop of human life; it is the foundation of our existence and a powerful portal to our spiritual experience. Whether walking barefoot on dewy grass, gazing at a vast ocean, or standing in the hushed stillness of an ancient forest, nature has an uncanny ability to shift us into a space of inner calm and heightened awareness.

Why does nature hold this power over us? The answer lies in both the spiritual and the physiological. Our bodies and minds are intrinsically linked to the natural world in ways that modern science is beginning to understand. These connections are not merely incidental but deeply woven into the fabric of who we are. When we immerse ourselves in nature, we engage with energies, rhythms, and frequencies that awaken dormant aspects of our spiritual selves.

The Science of Nature and Human Physiology

When we step into a natural environment, something remarkable begins to happen at a physiological level. Studies show that being in nature reduces cortisol, the primary stress hormone, and activates the parasympathetic nervous system—our body’s rest-and-digest mode. This shift allows our heart rate to slow, blood pressure to lower, and our bodies to move out of the fight-or-flight response that urban living so often induces.

Beyond relaxation, nature stimulates specific changes in our brain activity.

Exposure to natural light regulates our circadian rhythms, aligning us more closely with the Earth’s natural cycles. The scent of plants, particularly phytoncides released by trees, has been shown to boost immune function by increasing natural killer cells. Even the simple act of walking in a forest can increase serotonin levels, lifting mood and promoting a sense of well-being.

But nature doesn’t just impact our physical body—it elevates our energetic vibration. At a quantum level, everything in the universe vibrates, and this includes our bodies. When we are immersed in natural settings, our energetic frequency aligns with the harmonious vibrations of the Earth. This phenomenon, often referred to as grounding or earthing, occurs when we come into direct contact with the Earth’s surface. Whether it’s the sand beneath our feet or the cool embrace of a river, this connection allows us to absorb the Earth’s negative ions, neutralizing free radicals in our bodies and restoring energetic balance.

Vibrational Shifts and Spiritual Access

As our physiology and energy align with nature, a remarkable doorway to spiritual experience begins to open. Nature, with its intricate symphony of life, operates on a frequency that is inherently calming and expansive. It mirrors the essence of spiritual practice: presence, interconnection, and flow.

One way nature influences our spiritual vibration is through its stillness. In the quiet moments of observing a sunset or listening to the rustle of leaves, the incessant chatter of our minds begins to quiet. This mental stillness creates space for spiritual insight and a deeper connection to our inner selves. Many spiritual traditions emphasize the importance of silence as a pathway to the divine, and nature effortlessly provides this silence, laced with its own subtle wisdom.

Another aspect is the feeling of awe and wonder that nature inspires. Neuroscience has identified awe as a unique emotional state that expands our sense of time and self. Standing before a mountain range or gazing at a starlit sky can dissolve the boundaries of ego, allowing us to feel part of something far greater. This shift in perception is at the heart of spiritual awakening, fostering a sense of unity with all that is.

Moreover, nature’s rhythms and cycles reflect the impermanence and interconnectedness of life. The changing seasons, the ebb and flow of tides, the life-death-rebirth cycle observed in ecosystems—all serve as metaphors for our own spiritual journeys. Witnessing these cycles reminds us that we, too, are part of a larger whole, encouraging surrender, acceptance, and trust in the process of life.

Water Consciousness and Masaru Emoto’s Work

One of the most profound insights into nature’s spiritual essence comes from the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese researcher who studied the effects of consciousness on water. Emoto’s experiments revealed that water molecules change their structure based on the vibrations they are exposed to. When water was exposed to positive words, prayers, or harmonious music, it formed beautiful, symmetrical crystalline patterns. Conversely, water exposed to negative words or discordant sounds displayed chaotic and disordered structures.

Since the human body is composed of approximately 60% water, Emoto’s findings have profound implications for how our thoughts, emotions, and environments affect us on both a physical and spiritual level. Immersing ourselves in natural settings, where the vibrations are inherently harmonious, has the potential to "restructure" our internal water, elevating our frequency and enhancing our spiritual receptivity. The rivers we wade through, the rain that kisses our skin, and the oceans that mesmerize us all carry this vibrational wisdom, serving as mirrors and conduits for our inner transformation.

The Hidden Life of Trees and Mycelium Networks

Another remarkable aspect of nature’s interconnected wisdom is the way trees communicate and support one another through underground mycelium networks. Mycelium, the vast, thread-like networks of fungi beneath the soil, act as nature’s information superhighway. Through these networks, trees share nutrients, warn each other of dangers like pests, and even heal one another.

Forests are not just a collection of individual trees but a cohesive, interdependent community. Mother trees—the largest and oldest in a forest—serve as central hubs, sending nutrients to younger saplings and helping them thrive. When a tree is injured or dying, it may transfer its remaining resources to neighboring trees via the mycelium, ensuring the survival of the collective.

This hidden network mirrors spiritual truths about interconnection and mutual support. Just as trees are never truly isolated, we, too, are part of an intricate web of life, both seen and unseen. Engaging with forests on this deeper level can remind us of our own interdependence and the ways in which we are supported by, and contribute to, the greater whole.

A Sacred Practice: Reconnecting with Nature

To deepen our spiritual connection through nature, we must approach it with intention. In our hurried lives, it’s easy to view time in nature as a simple pastime rather than a sacred practice. But when we slow down and engage with the natural world consciously, it becomes a powerful teacher.

Consider practicing forest bathing, a Japanese tradition known as shinrin-yoku, which involves immersing oneself in the sights, sounds, and smells of a forest. This practice is not about hiking or achieving a destination but simply being present with the trees, allowing their energy to wash over you. Similarly, watching the sunrise or sunset can become a meditation on beginnings and endings, a moment to set intentions or release what no longer serves you.

Even in urban settings, small acts like tending to a garden, walking in a park, or gazing at the clouds can reconnect us to nature’s essence. It is less about where we are and more about how we show up—with presence, gratitude, and reverence.

The Wisdom of Remembering

Ultimately, the spiritual power of nature lies in its ability to help us remember. It reminds us that we are not separate from the Earth but an extension of it. The elements that form our bodies—carbon, oxygen, nitrogen—were once part of stars, oceans, and ancient forests. This interconnectedness is not just poetic but literal, a fact science and spirituality both affirm.

When we allow ourselves to fully engage with the natural world, we awaken to the truth of this connection. We remember that the same life force animating the trees, rivers, and mountains also flows through us. And in this remembrance, we find not just solace but also profound spiritual clarity.

Nature, in its infinite wisdom, asks nothing of us but to be present. In return, it offers us a mirror to our own souls, a reminder of our inherent divinity, and a pathway to spiritual wholeness. By honoring and embracing this connection, we step into a more harmonious relationship with ourselves, each other, and the planet we call home.