The Nature Effect - Theories Welcome

[Guest guest]

I have to pretty much agree with all that's been said here . . . Having

grown up in a very small rural environment with lots of natural things to

explore (lake, mountains, rivers, caves, glaciers - including desert,

plateau and subtropical rainforest) I felt very connected to the earth from

a very early age. It was my time alone exploring that brought magical

expansive thoughts to my mind and questions about existence and a more

universal spiritual connection. After moving to the city, I could never go

any length of time without getting back out there in the wilderness to

'recharge.' I once taught an aromatherapy class for middle school teachers

and we spent quite a time discussing the importance of a real and tactile

connection to the natural environment and they reinforced my idea that kids

who grew up in the urban jungles didn't have the same sense of centeredness

and confidence that those who had the opportunity to get away from it all

and connect with nature. Since the PNW is filled with so many outdoor

activities (our signature clothing is flannel/jeans:-)!), we don't have as

many kids who have been deprived of this, but I also spent time in L.A.

teaching the same level teachers whose experience pretty much reflected my

opinion also, and they went away with resolve to create more opportunities

for their kids in this way.

 

I cannot tell you all how my blood pressure lowered as well as my mood/anger

level when we moved home and warehouse from Seattle to this lovely little

lake we are on. Now, just looking out my window and seeing the Eagles swoop

the lake for trout, being able to take a walk to the creek or out in the

forest any time I want . . . it makes a huge quantitative difference in my

overall well being. I also believe that working directly with the plants

(planting, cultivating, tending, harvesting, distilling, infusing,

tincturing, drying, etc.) brings a compounded advantage to appreciate and

understand essential oils and other plant derivative extracts.

 

I believe that you can get sensory deprived in the city - not to mention

sitting at these video monitors, in front of television screens or running

microwaves for dinner, etc., even if you have nature close at hand and

especially if you don't immerse yourselves on a regular basis.

 

Good for you Christina that you had such a profound experience . . . I hope

this discussion reminds us all to keep goin' back and to be sure and take

our children/grandchildren with us!!

 

Be well,

Marcia Elston

Samara Botane/Nature Intelligence, est. 1988

http://www.wingedseed.com Online 3/95

http://www.aromaconnection.org Group Blog 2/07

" Historically, the most terrible things - war, genocide and slavery - have

resulted from obedience, not disobedience. "

Howard Zinn

 

 

 

________________________________

 

ATFE2 [ATFE2 ] On Behalf

Of Marge Clark

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 4:55 AM

ATFE2

[ATFE2] Re: The Nature Effect - Theories Welcome

 

 

 

 

>:The creek could be heard, loudly, from our campsite, and the water

>looked refreshing. The birds were making a beautiful noise that was

>unavoidable. The smell of the sea mixed with the earthy aroma of

the mulch

>under trees. I walked in the dirt barefoot, and saw the beauty in a

>fallen pine branch.

 

no idea re the question you posed... but gal, you are a poet... I

felt

what you wrote so deeply.

 

Could it be not the surrounding noises in the city, but that we have

so

much 'stuff' in our heads that we can't allow our senses to give us

more

input...that we have to keep the 'sensory stuff' in the background

because

our minds are so busy with other things?

 

Over 12 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare

Professionals

Essential Oils, Hydrosols, Accessories, Hard to find Books and

Videos

<http://www.naturesgift.com >

[Guest guest]

Wow, thanks for the great responses.

 

It makes a lot of sense to me, that perhaps we are deadened to the

familiar aromas, sights, and sounds in our enviornment. The same way

we can wear a blend and smell it at first, but then our nose dulls to

it. Our day to day experience is full of the same background noises,

the same images, etc. So perhaps it's partly a change of scenery that

refreshes us.

 

I sure love the romantic notion of moving to the country. I am such

a city girl, the idea is quite un-nerving. Still, it sounds like a

beautiful way to live. Guess that's why I keep a garden, and get out

to more natural settings when I can. Use to think it was

optional....not anymore.

 

Thanks again for the wonderful ideas.

 

Cheers,

Christina

 

 

On Wed, Feb 13, 2008 at 5:30 PM, Marcia Elston <Marcia wrote:

>

>

>

>

> I have to pretty much agree with all that's been said here . . . Having

> grown up in a very small rural environment with lots of natural things to

> explore (lake, mountains, rivers, caves, glaciers - including desert,

> plateau and subtropical rainforest) I felt very connected to the earth from

> a very early age. It was my time alone exploring that brought magical

> expansive thoughts to my mind and questions about existence and a more

> universal spiritual connection. After moving to the city, I could never go

> any length of time without getting back out there in the wilderness to

> 'recharge.' I once taught an aromatherapy class for middle school teachers

> and we spent quite a time discussing the importance of a real and tactile

> connection to the natural environment and they reinforced my idea that kids

> who grew up in the urban jungles didn't have the same sense of centeredness

> and confidence that those who had the opportunity to get away from it all

> and connect with nature. Since the PNW is filled with so many outdoor

> activities (our signature clothing is flannel/jeans:-)!), we don't have as

> many kids who have been deprived of this, but I also spent time in L.A.

> teaching the same level teachers whose experience pretty much reflected my

> opinion also, and they went away with resolve to create more opportunities

> for their kids in this way.

>

> I cannot tell you all how my blood pressure lowered as well as my mood/anger

> level when we moved home and warehouse from Seattle to this lovely little

> lake we are on. Now, just looking out my window and seeing the Eagles swoop

> the lake for trout, being able to take a walk to the creek or out in the

> forest any time I want . . . it makes a huge quantitative difference in my

> overall well being. I also believe that working directly with the plants

> (planting, cultivating, tending, harvesting, distilling, infusing,

> tincturing, drying, etc.) brings a compounded advantage to appreciate and

> understand essential oils and other plant derivative extracts.

>

> I believe that you can get sensory deprived in the city - not to mention

> sitting at these video monitors, in front of television screens or running

> microwaves for dinner, etc., even if you have nature close at hand and

> especially if you don't immerse yourselves on a regular basis.

>

> Good for you Christina that you had such a profound experience . . . I hope

> this discussion reminds us all to keep goin' back and to be sure and take

> our children/grandchildren with us!!

>

> Be well,

> Marcia Elston

> Samara Botane/Nature Intelligence, est. 1988

> http://www.wingedseed.com Online 3/95

> http://www.aromaconnection.org Group Blog 2/07

> " Historically, the most terrible things - war, genocide and slavery - have

> resulted from obedience, not disobedience. "

> Howard Zinn

>

>

> ________________________________

>

>

> ATFE2 [ATFE2 ] On Behalf

> Of Marge Clark

> Wednesday, February 13, 2008 4:55 AM

> ATFE2

> [ATFE2] Re: The Nature Effect - Theories Welcome

>

>

>

>

>

> >:The creek could be heard, loudly, from our campsite, and the water

> >looked refreshing. The birds were making a beautiful noise that was

> >unavoidable. The smell of the sea mixed with the earthy aroma of

> the mulch

> >under trees. I walked in the dirt barefoot, and saw the beauty in a

> >fallen pine branch.

>

> no idea re the question you posed... but gal, you are a poet... I

> felt

> what you wrote so deeply.

>

> Could it be not the surrounding noises in the city, but that we have

> so

> much 'stuff' in our heads that we can't allow our senses to give us

> more

> input...that we have to keep the 'sensory stuff' in the background

> because

> our minds are so busy with other things?

>

> Over 12 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare

> Professionals

> Essential Oils, Hydrosols, Accessories, Hard to find Books and

> Videos

> <http://www.naturesgift.com >

>

>

>

>

>