Dear friends,
Yesterday, during our “Exploring our sense of belonging in nature” workshop in Grantchester, Cambridge, I shared this poem.
The Peace of Wild Things, by Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives might be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
An invitation from me to you to go and lie down in this lovely summer heat – immerse yourself in a woodland, meadow or simply in your garden… and allow yourself to rest in the peace of wild things “who do not tax their lives with forethought” for a while…
Go on…dare to rest for half an hour. “Too busy”? Then I recommend you rest for an hour!
Lie down and notice… what you can see, what you can hear, what you can feel, what you can smell. Enjoy the supporting ground beneath you. Allow yourself to melt into it and release all effort for a while.
Afterwards, notice how it affects the rest of your day. It may be the best thing you do this week.
A radical act in our world perhaps?
A culture where stopping, resting, paying attention in nature is ‘normal’ again is desperately needed if we are to create a happier, more peaceful and sustainable world…
It starts with you!
Enjoy the hot sunshine,
Claire x
Hi Claire
Writing from Trigonos. Couldn’t resist coming back for “Wilderness Bathing” time and to traverse the Nantlle ridge. Experiencing the restorative power of nature here by getting up close to my surroundings again. It took a very short time to find inner stillness.
Read with interest about your future plans. I find it really uplifting to hear of someone having the courage to follow their intended path. I love the way you appear to be following something greater than yourself.
I wish you every joy and success on this next stage of your life. I will no doubt hear about your adventures from your website.
Jim
Hi Jim! Great to hear from you as always and thanks for your kind words. I am looking forward to the new adventure ahead! Happy to hear you are back at Trigonos again in those special places. I wish you lots of happy, mindful, connected moments of rewilding in Nantlle! Thanks for thinking of me. Do keep in touch! Claire