The Nature Effect - Theories Welcome

[Guest guest]

I consider myself pretty sense-aware, like most members of this group. I

take time to smell the flowers, watch the ducks play, etc. And I get out

for walks regularly. I'm in urban surroundings most of the time, though.

 

So last week I went camping (it was a cabin, but whatever), and we rushed to

get up there on Friday Afternoon. Way off in the distance I could hear a

bird, and the creek was running, but sounded far away. There was a slight

breeze. That was it. Things were green, but nothing was distinct.

 

By the next morning, every detail was rich and clear, little things were

amazing. 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. I couldn't help but take tons of pictures. It was like

that until I left.

 

So what made the difference? Does stress really muffle our senses that

much? Is there another reason? Do people who live in more natural settings

not lose that sense of being grounded and in touch with nature?

 

I bet there is a theory out there somewhere. If you've got one, please

share.

 

Cheers,

Christina

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

my theory

 

senses are dulled when living amongst crowds of people. Hearing is dulled by

all the noise of the cars, people, dogs barking, sort of like after a

concert when you can't hear so well, it takes time to get your hearing...

the same with the nose. When it's bombarded by smog, cooking, etc. that too

takes a wee while to clear out.

 

My theory for what it's worth.

 

K

Auctions

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZwoobeyqueen

 

 

On 2/12/08, Christina M <BodyAmbrosia wrote:

>

> I consider myself pretty sense-aware, like most members of this group. I

> take time to smell the flowers, watch the ducks play, etc. And I get out

> for walks regularly. I'm in urban surroundings most of the time, though.

>

> So last week I went camping (it was a cabin, but whatever), and we rushed

> to

> get up there on Friday Afternoon. Way off in the distance I could hear a

> bird, and the creek was running, but sounded far away. There was a slight

> breeze. That was it. Things were green, but nothing was distinct.

>

> By the next morning, every detail was rich and clear, little things were

> amazing. 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. I couldn't help but take tons of pictures. It was like

> that until I left.

>

> So what made the difference? Does stress really muffle our senses that

> much? Is there another reason? Do people who live in more natural settings

> not lose that sense of being grounded and in touch with nature?

>

> I bet there is a theory out there somewhere. If you've got one, please

> share.

>

> Cheers,

> Christina

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Kathleen. That makes a lot of sense.

[Guest guest]

>: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]

Hi Christina,

What a lovely visual I got from your post!

I so agree with you, without the distractions of urban life, communing with

nature is magical and so healing to a jaded spirit!

There is something special about returning to the hunter/gatherer state of

mind. Your senses become more alert and your pleasures are simple, such as

digging for clams, or collecting shells on the beach with the warm sun on

your back.

Bliss.

Jeanine

 

ATFE2 [ATFE2 ]On Behalf Of

Christina M

Wednesday, 13 February 2008 8:49 a.m.

ATFE2

[ATFE2] The Nature Effect - Theories Welcome

 

I consider myself pretty sense-aware, like most members of this group. I

take time to smell the flowers, watch the ducks play, etc. And I get out

for walks regularly. I'm in urban surroundings most of the time, though.

 

So last week I went camping (it was a cabin, but whatever), and we rushed to

get up there on Friday Afternoon. Way off in the distance I could hear a

bird, and the creek was running, but sounded far away. There was a slight

breeze. That was it. Things were green, but nothing was distinct.

 

By the next morning, every detail was rich and clear, little things were

amazing. 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. I couldn't help but take tons of pictures. It was like

that until I left.

 

So what made the difference? Does stress really muffle our senses that

much? Is there another reason? Do people who live in more natural settings

not lose that sense of being grounded and in touch with nature?

 

I bet there is a theory out there somewhere. If you've got one, please

share.

 

Cheers,

Christina