In the middle of the Friends of the Fox River’s (FOTFR) mission statement is “connecting people to nature.” Because FOTFR is in the business of building a watershed community of caretakers, the foundation of any Friends group is to develop those supporters/caretakers. Consequently, FOTFR invests in educational experiences to nurture connections between members of the public (especially students) to various components of the watershed. We call that friend raising.
Disconnected
Previous cultures had direct dependence upon the natural environment for food and materials. With recent generations relying more on technology, we have become disconnected from the natural environment resulting in a very detrimental impact on the quality of our natural environment. To develop caretakers of the environment, we must establish deeper understandings and respect for the plants and animals that share our community. Adopting a Sit Spot can help us create this understanding and respect.
Observing Nature
Last week, the concept of biophillia was offered as an innate tendency to be drawn to nature. The Sit Spot is a way to perform biophillia. It is an exercise in sitting quietly and making observations. Also, it is a simple and effective way to connect with nature and develop a deeper understanding of your local environment. The basic process is to utilize all the senses to heighten awareness. Recording observations through journaling and drawing can help with learning. By regularly returning to the same location over time, Sit Spots help us appreciate the daily routines of birds, the life cycles of plants, and seasonal rhythms. A good opportunity to witness changes is now, when spring shows us new green growth emerging through a layer of brown leaves.
Settling In
With a short internet search of Sit Spot, you can find many resources for guidance. A layer between your body and the ground like a mat or trash bag improves comfort. Selecting a location away from unnatural distractions like human traffic also helps. Getting comfortable physically and mentally is often the first initial challenge. Using meditation techniques like deep breathing and agreeing with yourself to leave the to do list behind for 15 minutes are helpful. Once settled in, consider the following example:
What am I hearing? Birds singing, leaves rustling. What am I seeing? How many shades of each color can I identify? What am I smelling/tasting? New blossoming flowers, moisture in the air. What am I feeling? A breeze on my scalp, the coolness of shade, an insect on my arm.
Enjoy the experience.
Nature Rx for Peace
The focused observations to make connections with nature is the primary goal. But there are more benefits. If you ask a Japanese doctor for help, they may prescribe a walk in a forest. A Greek doctor may prescribe a swim in the ocean. This is because connections to nature have well documented personal health benefits. Another internet search for Nature Rx benefits will yield many supporting publications and videos. As a more peaceful person you may find yourself much more open to relating personally to your nature neighbors.
According to Richard Louv
Author of Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv talks about this by saying that nature is like vitamins for the human mind. It’s a way of giving yourself the mental, emotional, spiritual, and creative fuel for your own personal evolution in modern times.
People who practice sit spot enjoy:
- Improved sensory awareness & sensory acuity
- Enhanced critical thinking, problem solving, deductive & inductive thinking (especially
when Sit Spot is associated with studies in animal tracking) - Improved creativity
- Better naturalist skills, wildlife tracking, bird language, plant identification, etc.
- Greater capacity for releasing emotions & negative thinking through a natural state of meditation that promotes mental & physical relaxation
- Close encounters with birds, plants, trees & animals that inspire a sense of awe & wonder
- A renewed sense of happiness & joy coming from inside
- A developing sense of inner vitality & razor sharp focus
- Greater peace & joy in daily life
- A sense of connection to the past ancestry of our species and planet
- Greater flexibility of consciousness, enabling you to see life from a wider & more balanced perspective.
In addition to the nature connections and personal benefits afforded by Sit Spots, developing these skills may have cultural healing benefits for us. Watch this 10-minute interview with Richard Louv.
Try a SIT SPOT
Make a commitment to set a schedule for a regular Sit Spot. Grab your seat, travel to your location and enjoy nature as it comes to you to tell its stories. Notice and appreciate the wind on your skin, smells in your nose, romantic bird songs, and the thrill of seeing plants emerge to nourish their insect partners. Try it!
