Nature’s mystic power can elevate our soul to a consciousness by which we can discover ourselves, writes APARAJITA BHOOSHAN
Far from the maddening crowd, rainbows shine through silver clouds, songs of birds echo across flowering valleys, waterfalls cascade down majestic mountains and we pause to wonder about the poetic painter whose imagination creates sheer miracles on the canvas of the Universe.
As the sunflower turns towards the sun to soak in its energies, when we surrender to the warm embrace of nature, fatigue gives way to vigour and the mind finds new strength.
‘Nature cures, not the physician.’ Hippocrates recognised the powerful attribute of nature. In its pure, unpolluted state, nature contains all the energetic and spiritual elements needed for life and vitality!
Why do wind and water, trees and ether have this wondrous effect on us? It’s because all of creation including the human body comprise of the very elements that prakriti or nature is made up of. Prakritiand Purusha are the two different aspects of the manifest Brahmn, known as Iswara. Purush sets in motion the entire creative process and Prakriti gives shape and signifies pure energy.
Nature consists of life force or prana, by which all living entities are upheld, and, on manifestation, nature takes on the forms of earth, water, fire, air and ether. When we are physically and emotionally depleted, we lose these life-sustaining energies and negative energy accumulates, resulting in disease and disharmony. But nature automatically helps us discharge negative energy and recharges us with its life giving force! John Muir, the naturalist says, ‘Nature is always lovely, invincible, glad. Whatever is done and suffered by her creatures, all scars, she heals’!
Here’s how different elements of nature help rejuvenate and heal us:
Trees & Air: The energy converting activity of photosynthesis — the constant cycle of conversion by green plants — maintains the earth’s natural balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen. In the midst of green trees, our negativity is absorbed, and replenished with positive energy, making us feel better. A simple walk in the woods, or sitting under the shade of trees enhances our wellbeing.
Flowers: Flowers are powerful energy givers. When someone is unwell, we bring them flowers, helping them feel better. We also send flowers, along with loving thoughts to comfort the bereaved. And countless, invaluable herbs like basil and thyme are used in healing.
Earth: Just as we try to reach up to the heavens to receive its blessings, we need to reach down to mother earth to take away our negativity. Spending time in the garden gives us a calm connect with all of life. As we dig our fingers deep into the soft earth, we can feel its energy and our spirits soar! Walking barefoot on the ground or along the beach saying our meditation mantra is also a powerful way to heal.
Water: Rivers, lakes and oceans make us part of the flow, washing away resentment and help us cleanse ourselves physically and emotionally. Bathing is a sacred renewal, discarding the old and embracing the new.
Fire: Fire is an active force reflecting the passion and creativity within us. It can animate and create with its colours of red, orange and yellow. Thus, lighting diyas or earthen lamps in our homes, helps keep the environment pure and free of negativity.
Mountains: Nature’s peace and the pure air refresh us as we climb up the mountains. They influence us with their sense of stability and strength as we climb up. We find the will to touch skies, which otherwise seem unreachable. Sir Edmund Hillary said, ‘It is not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves’.
Ether: The fundamental element is ‘Akashik Intelligence’. Turning our hands upwards and consciously drawing in the blessings from the power we believe in, will enable the channels in our fingers to open and we will feel life flowing in with a tingling sensation.
If constraints do not allow us to ‘get away’, we can receive similar benefits by gazing at a blue sky overhead or a scenic painting, and practising visualisation. ‘God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars’, said Martin Luther.
The luminous star of Bethlehem led the wise men of the East to the manger where Jesus was born and Buddha found enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
Nature is the flautist and we the flute! When there is no disharmony and ego within, nature plays incomparable divine music through us.
Coutesy: Times of India
