A Still, Small Voice
Sitting quietly in the woods...
I learned something amazing about the forest in a most unlikely way. I learned that it comes alive once it accepts your presence.
How did I learn this? I was in the Army, and we were out training in the mountains in New York state. My unit had established a defensive position, and I was manning our perimeter. We were expecting to be assaulted by the enemy force.
When you await an attack, you lie very quietly, finger on the trigger, eyes and ears straining to pick up any approaching movement. It is so quiet you can hear a pin drop. But, once the forest’s fulltime occupants decide you are not a threat, the place fills up with the sights and sounds of animals going about their business. Now, this was not the time for nature gazing or philosophical musings, so I just filed the observation away and got back to the task at hand.
Sitting Quietly in Nature
But later, when I had occasion to be in the woods on more peaceful business, I put this observation to the test once more. And this is what I found: if you pick a spot (it doesn’t have to be that remote) and sit still and quiet for about 15 minutes, the rhythm of nature around you changes. Whereas at first you might hear a few birds and spot a squirrel or two, after a bit of time you will be treated to all manner of birds singing, small animals foraging, and maybe even some deer, hawks, and other larger wildlife moving about.
Sit for longer, and your senses heighten. Be conscious in engaging all of them. You become more attuned to the nature around you. You become more attuned to yourself. You notice the varied textures of bark, leaves, stones, the dance of light and shade, the smell of blossoming plants and decaying leaves, the trickle of running water, the breeze on your skin and sun on your neck, the rhythm of your own breathing, the perspiration dribbling down your back.
Sit for longer, and you change inside. You feel present. You feel fullness. You feel peace. Your troubles seem less troubling. You feel a oneness with the creation around you. You realize you are part of this creation too.
Then, you are ready to truly listen. Open you ears and your heart, and you just may hear your Creator. Prayer flows almost irresistibly.
You come home with a new perspective, feeling lighter.
Even Better With Company
I have also discovered that sitting quietly in nature with someone else elevates the experience. It creates a shared bond. It magnifies the joy.
One of my children loved to hike when they were growing up. Since those early days, the two of us have hiked so many places and seen so many things, even been chased by a bear together once in the Smokies!
I decided to introduce this practice to my dear little one during our hikes. I wanted to share the wonder. Of course, it was difficult at first. When you are a kid, it is a great feat to sit quietly for 15 minutes. But the payoff is huge.
I would ask in a whisper, “What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you taste?” I can still see the joy. What a treasure! We shared so many profound moments, so many honest chats and prayers out in the middle of nowhere. We discovered so much. It created a bond between us that can never, ever be broken.
Give it a try!
How about you? Are you dealing with a lot right now? Struggling?
Have you ever gone out into nature alone and just been still? Why not give it a shot? (Note: tell someone where you are going first!)
And, if you like it, bring a friend next time. Share the joy.
A Short Meditation
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
Elijah was at the end of his rope and running for his life. His nation had given itself over to evil under a cruel and corrupt ruler bent on retribution. Out in the wilderness, Elijah thought he was alone, that all was lost.
But, he was never alone. All was not lost. God came to him, not in the sound and fury, but in the silence. I’ve got this, God said. I’ve got you, God said.
Are you listening?
Un Petit Aperçu
J'ai appris quelque chose d'étonnant sur la forêt. Si vous sortez dans les bois et vous restez assis tranquillement pendant un moment, la forêt s’anime. Une fois que la nature vous accepte, vous entendrez des oiseaux chanter, vous verrez de petits animaux et peut-être même des cerfs, des faucons et d'autres animaux sauvages. Asseyez-vous plus longtemps et les sens s'aiguisent. Vous remarquerez des détails merveilleux comme des rayons de lumière, l'arôme des plantes, le vent sur votre peau. Asseyez-vous encore plus longtemps et vous ressentirez une grande joie et paix. Maintenant, vous êtes prêt d’entendre le murmure doux and léger de votre Créateur.
Pourquoi ne pas l’essayer ? Et la prochaine fois, amenez un ami et partagez la joie.
Μία Περίληψη
Έχω μάθει κάτι εκπληκτικό για τη φύση. Αν βγεις στο δάσος και κάτσεις ήσυχα για λίγο, το δάσος ζωντανεύει. Μόλις σε δεχτεί η φύση, θα ακούσεις πουλιά να τραγουδούν, θα δεις μικρά ζώα και ίσως ακόμη και μερικά ελάφια, κατσίκες, γεράκια και άλλα άγρια ζώα. Αν κάτσεις για περισσότερο χρόνο, οι αισθήσεις σου ενισχύονται. Θα παρατηρήσεις υπέροχες λεπτομέρειες γύρο σου, όπως τις ακτίνες του φωτός, το άρωμα των φυτών, και το αεράκι στο δέρμα σου. Αν κάτσεις ακόμα και περισσότερο, θα νιώσεις χαρά και γαλήνη. Τώρα, είσαι έτοιμος. Άκου ακόμα πιο κοντά. Ίσως ακούσεις τον ήσυχο ψίθυρο του Κυρίου σου.
Γιατί να μην το δοκιμάσεις; Και την επόμενη φορά, φέρε έναν φίλο και μοιράσε τη χαρά.
Jeff, I think this is my favorite post to date. Thanks. I needed it. Well done, my Friend. ❤️