With intention, with the land
We know somewhere deep within our bones that, simply, being with the land is good for us. Indigenous peoples have been sharing this knowledge since time immemorial, and science is finally catching up. In the midst of these unprecedented, tumultuous times of climate crisis, pandemic, and social justice movements asking more from our established structures, connecting with the land and tending to our personal and societal wellness is more important than ever. A new reality is emerging in these times, where we need to radically reorient how we approach our relationships with the land, in our personal lives and in our institutions, to cultivate a sustainable future for the generations to come.
We need to consciously connect. With intention. With the land. And the time is now.
This connection with the earth is the very basis of our wellbeing as individuals and as a collective. Beyond the multitudes of physical and mental health benefits that abound from being outside, consciously cultivating an intentional connection with the land can also help us navigate life in profound ways, supporting our decision making and relationship building.
No one can deny a walk in the woods feels great and in itself, holds significant health benefits, as the science of forest therapy can attest. However, there is a significant difference when we engage the natural world with intention. And that is where this book comes in, to act as an accessible guide for how anyone can move from recreating to relating with the land, whoever you are, and wherever your feet are planted.
Times Such as These
Your efforts, and personal ability to connect with the earth, is immensely powerful. It cannot be underestimated. And cultivating our ability to do so may very well be the medicine we need in these times. I assure you, connecting with the natural world, with intention, is available to you, regardless of your cultural background and upbringing, and whether you find yourself in city or forest. And truly, relating with the land looks different for each person. As humans, it’s time to remember that connecting with the earth is all of our birthright.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Potawatomi ecologist and scholar, speaks to how understanding our “original instructions” can help us find a sustainable balance, by providing an ethical compass per say, for a respectful way of being in the world which is different for each of us and different in each era (Braiding Sweetgrass, 2015, p.7). Knowing this, and knowing the shifting realities of our times, how can we shape a new, sustainable reality in our personal lives and in our workplaces, by working with the land in a deeply authentic and creative way to support our collective wellbeing? To bring clarity, focus and connection into our everyday lives? What exactly does having a relationship with the land look like, and how can we apply this?
In response to times such as these, I offer up a place to start.
Excerpt from my forthcoming book, available Fall 2022
