Lessons from Nature
The most important lessons I've learned have been those from observing nature. Weather and the elements, plants, animals, insects and cycles of the earth and the heavens all hold lessons Over two decades ago, a book fell to my feet right after I had been diagnosed with a tumor and scheduled for surgery. It was from the Book of Knowledge, a set of books from the 1800s, used in one room schools for students from 1st to 12th grades.
As I started to close the book and put it back on the shelf, I noticed a sentence stating the reason animals have less stress, and fewer stress related illnesses, is because they live in the present moment, not fretting about the past, or worrying about what might, or might not, happen in the future.
I sat down to continue reading. The article went on to state that most of the time, we are safe. Our stress is usually created by living in the past or the future. If we stop and ask ourselves at any given moment if we are ok, we usually are. Ironically, by projecting into the past or the future, we can literally make our selves sick.
At that moment I decided to live in the present moment. In addition to changing my thoughts, I made certain that everything I ate added value to my body, eating more fruits and vegetables, and avoiding excessive fats and the three 'white powders', salt, sugar and flour. Exercise became part of my daily routine. When I returned to the medical center, the doctor told me to get prepped for surgery, even though I assured her the tumor was gone. When she examined me, she was visibly stunned. She stated, "if I hadn't examined you myself, I would have been certain your records had been confused with someone else's."
We can learn invaluable lessons from nature it we take the time to observe and learn. This section of my hidden treasures focuses on lessons from the elements, plants, and animals, including legends. If you've learned lessons from nature, I'd love to hear about them.
Lessons from Water
“In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water.
Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.”
~ Lao Tzu
Please note: The first section below was written before the April 2011 flood so there are references to my former home along the Yellow Breeches Creek in Mechanicsburg. I'm leaving them in honor of cherished memories.
Water - Adaptability, Perserverance, Movement
Water has a magnetic pull on me, and I love the feeling that it is on a journey! Ponds and lakes have never drawn me in like streams and rivers. I love the idea that the water moving past my cabin has been somewhere and is going somewhere else!!! That is how I want my life to be - fluid, moving and a joyful journey, filled with surprises and potential for new adventures, relationships and learning!
Air, earth and fire are all fascinating, but water is the one that intrigues me most. It can be a solid, liquid or a gas! It is the life blood of our universe, nurturing every living being. Its power is unparalleled. If water can’t get by something, it goes over, under, or around it. And if that doesn’t work, over time and with great perseverance, it will eventually simple force its way through. From water we can learn to be temporarily adaptable and shape ourselves to the environment. Water also teaches us the power of focus, patience and determination. Each spring the water rises along the Yellow Breeches and rushes past my cabin removing debris, branches, and even entire trees. As water cleans and carries, it aids in the preparation for new growth in the spring.
Water also teaches us to be active and keep moving! When water becomes stagnant, it becomes contaminated. The same is true for us. Disease and despair are more likely to enter our lives when we are sedentary, whether mentally, physically or spiritually. We need to joyfully participate in all areas of life to remain healthy.
Air, earth and fire are all fascinating, but water is the one that intrigues me most. It can be a solid, liquid or a gas! It is the life blood of our universe, nurturing every living being. Its power is unparalleled. If water can’t get by something, it goes over, under, or around it. And if that doesn’t work, over time and with great perseverance, it will eventually simple force its way through. From water we can learn to be temporarily adaptable and shape ourselves to the environment. Water also teaches us the power of focus, patience and determination. Each spring the water rises along the Yellow Breeches and rushes past my cabin removing debris, branches, and even entire trees. As water cleans and carries, it aids in the preparation for new growth in the spring.
Water also teaches us to be active and keep moving! When water becomes stagnant, it becomes contaminated. The same is true for us. Disease and despair are more likely to enter our lives when we are sedentary, whether mentally, physically or spiritually. We need to joyfully participate in all areas of life to remain healthy.
Flooding
On April 17, 2011, a flood of 7.5 feet was predicted for our area. Flood stage on my property is above 11.5 feet so I wasn't in a panic but intuitively, I was concerned. For the first time since I moved there eleven years earlier, I found myself carrying a few items to the office space on the second floor. Heavy rains pounded outside, but at midnight I decided to head to bed. Zippy, my Puggle - half Pug, half Beagle, wouldn't settle. He seemed agitated, and kept wandering from room to room. He swallowed over and over and over. Sleeping seemed impossible so I decided I'd read for awhile but first I checked the water level out back towards the creek. I had never seen it that high.
I checked frequently over the next hour as the waters rose, first toward and then actually onto my back deck. I decided that if the water came in the back door it would be time to evacuate, even though there had been no further warnings from our ever vigilant and protective township. We are fortunate to have a very proactive and supportive township and they monitor and inform us any time there is a concern about flooding. The rain continued to pound relentlessly, far exceeding anything that had been predicted.
Having never experienced a flood (I had water in the basement once - that is NOT a flood!), I expected the water to come in the back door - like a person. My back room was lower than the rest of the house so my plan was wait until it started to rise into the kitchen. That isn't how it works. Water began rising through the floor boards and tiles in every room in the house.
I called a friend who came over and carried Zippy, my 40 pound puggle, to safety, while I gathered Rocky, my Maine Coon cat, food for both of my pets and my bag.. As we exited toward the road, away from the creek, the raging. muddy water was up to our waists. Once we were in the truck and on the road, I made a middle of the night call to my daughter who agreed to take Rocky. The dogs at my friends house would be surprised by my arrival with Zippy and we didn't want to throw a cat into the mix! Zippy and I went to get settled for what I thought would be one evening at my friend's house.
Six months later, we were still there. Zippy and Rocky adapted well, confused but safe. We fixed up a long vacant second floor area to serve as a temporary apartment until my home was either rebuilt or completely torn down. The insurance adjuster arrived four days after the flood, and things were still not settlerd. Every day I received conflicting information about the best way to proceed.
The rain on April 17th rose to almost 15 feet, double the original predication. Amounts of rainfall vary from 6 to 8 inches depending on the area, in a few hours. A back up near my home caused what was later described as a mini-tsunami. We had another flood several days later and the ground was so saturated that no one was been able to dry out basements or homes. Mold grew rapidly because of the constant moisture and the high temperatures. We received another call from the township stating that another Flood Watch was in effect and 1.5 to inches more rain was expected. Rain continued to fall for the next several days.
My insurance company did not cover the cost of lodging. The kindness of family and friends was a blessing. Many across the country were worse off than I. An unprecedented number of storms and tornadoes left many dead. Others lost loved ones, had been injured and/or were homeless.
Several weeks before the flood, I mentioned that I would like to eventually live out of a suitcase so that I could travel more and not be encumbered by so much 'stuff'. I think God was listening.
Mother Nature guided my life in an unexpected direction. I was taken to a better place, even though I didn't understand at the time. I'm continuing to learn lessons about myself, others and yet another lessons from nature!
The segment below is an exert from the book
Creating Time by Marney Makridakis.
Mikell's Story: Time as a River
River Metaphor by
Mikell Worley
"I recently lost my home and all material possessions in the force of a flood. One might think that I would see a flood as water's most powerful form. But actually, I see more power in the peaceful, nurturing, gently flowing river that provides nourishment, a home and recreational opportunities. Seeing time like a river means I have direction and purpose. I can provide nourishment and support to others, carry them along with me and lift them up. I am constantly moving, embracing change, and discovering new opportunities around every bend. I can be peaceful without being motionless. At times I can come out of my banks, but will return to find focus and direction. I can adapt to circumstances by changing form. Time is also gentle, free flowing and always moving forward. It continually and eternally flows into and out of our lives.
My collage of hand torn papers reminds me that if I have difficult times, I will shift my perspective, keep moving and have have faith that the river is taking me where I need to be.
Note: Photo not included.
Mikell Worley
"I recently lost my home and all material possessions in the force of a flood. One might think that I would see a flood as water's most powerful form. But actually, I see more power in the peaceful, nurturing, gently flowing river that provides nourishment, a home and recreational opportunities. Seeing time like a river means I have direction and purpose. I can provide nourishment and support to others, carry them along with me and lift them up. I am constantly moving, embracing change, and discovering new opportunities around every bend. I can be peaceful without being motionless. At times I can come out of my banks, but will return to find focus and direction. I can adapt to circumstances by changing form. Time is also gentle, free flowing and always moving forward. It continually and eternally flows into and out of our lives.
My collage of hand torn papers reminds me that if I have difficult times, I will shift my perspective, keep moving and have have faith that the river is taking me where I need to be.
Note: Photo not included.
Lessons from the Earth
Earth - Vulnerability, Faith, Flexibility
Oh, now that I think about it, the earth is just as amazing as water! The ground provides the nutrients for the abundance of flora all over the world, from lush formal gardens, rain forests, the giant redwoods, pastures and roadside weeds. It is endless!
Colors! The earth is so beautiful that several of the most popular paint colors have been named after the soil in towns in Italy - Umbria and Sienna boast burnt and raw umber, burnt and raw sienna!
Salt! A gift that is so common that we often forget it is a treasured gift! How about coal? And then there are the stones - diamonds, rubies, emeralds and amethysts - labradorite, sapphires and opals. Each contains breath taking beauty but also characteristics that can teach us lessons!!!
You'll have to be patient while I build this section - there is so much that the thought of it all over whelms - and thrills me! The world is abundant with opportunities to learn.
Colors! The earth is so beautiful that several of the most popular paint colors have been named after the soil in towns in Italy - Umbria and Sienna boast burnt and raw umber, burnt and raw sienna!
Salt! A gift that is so common that we often forget it is a treasured gift! How about coal? And then there are the stones - diamonds, rubies, emeralds and amethysts - labradorite, sapphires and opals. Each contains breath taking beauty but also characteristics that can teach us lessons!!!
You'll have to be patient while I build this section - there is so much that the thought of it all over whelms - and thrills me! The world is abundant with opportunities to learn.
"In every seed lies the promise of a thousand forests." Deepak Choprah
How miraculous!!!! The promise of a thousand forests in one seed!
One day, on a walk to the stone arch bridge with Zippy, I found an acorn. This quote was on my mind as I knelt down to pick up the acorn. I was literally holding a miracle in my hand, filled with promise beyond my comprehension. When I returned home I gently placed the acorn on a shelf in the living room. I turned to walk away, then looked back, startled.
"You have to soften first!' I said out loud!
"You have to be vulnerable and allow your outer shell to soften before you can give your gifts to the world!"
We all need to soften first. We need to take risks, give and receive, and even allow ourselves to be transformed into something different from the safe version of ourselves in the hard, protective coating.
We need to open ourselves to the nutrients of the earth if we are to grow and contribute. What a revelation!!!
There would be no miracles if the acorn remained isolated and protected in its hard casing on my living room shelf. The next day I returned the acorn. It would be much more vulnerable, but it would also have the opportunity to become a magnificent oak.
Lessons from Air/Wind
Air/Wind
Please welcome my special guest and dear friend Ramesh Jain for his lesson from nature on the wind! This is an exert from his POORNA ANANDA Wisdom Letter from September 3, 2011. You can find more wisdom from Ramesh Jain at http://www.poornaananda.org
Desire - the main cause for mental disturbance:
As wind is the cause for waves in the ocean, desire is the cause for waves (disturbance) in the mind.
Desireless mind is peaceful, calm and relaxed but desires (including unfulfilled past desires) disturb this calmness. Unfulfilled desires irritate and frustrate the mind and fulfilled desire generates new desire causing expectations, anxiety and worries. Out of new desire some get fulfilled and others remain unfulfilled and we get caught in this vicious cycle of fulfilled and unfulfilled desire.
However everyone needs some basic amenities in life such as house, money to buy food and clothing, a personal vehicle and bit of entertainment + savings to take care of future exigencies. But the confusion is how to differentiate between desire and necessity and strike a balance between them.
Necessity is out of compulsion to live, desire is out of competition. Desire springs up from the ever active unsatisfied senses and mental comparison with what others have and what we don’t have. Desire is never constant but ever increasing. Running behind desire is like that deer which runs after an illusory desert mirage wherein upon arriving at the identified spot it finds nothing and the mirage is visible farther away at another spot.
There lived a rich man in a villa and in the opposite lived a poor man in a hut. Rich man’s wife used to observe the peace at which poor man and his wife lived but that peace she never felt neither in herself nor in her husband. Once when her Guru (Spiritual Master) visited her house she sought to know as to why is it that even though they eat rich and healthy food yet fall sick and poor couple hardly eat anything yet remain healthy, they sleep in air conditioned bedrooms yet get sleep with difficulty but the poor couple sleep like log of wood even in the hut, their future is well secured yet they always live in some unknown fear and the poor couple look fearless as if they are highly secured.
To answer the question, Master asked the rich lady to put some gold coins in a bag and ordered it to be kept quietly in the poor man’s hut in the night. Next day he left by saying that she must observe the poor man for next 2 months. Couple of days later she noticed that the poor man, who used to come back home early evening, has started coming back late night. Occasionally she started hearing some quarrels between the poor man and his wife. She observed falling health and wrinkles of tension on the poor man’s face.
Rich man’s wife was amused at these developments as she thought that after getting gold coins the poor couple will look even more happier and healthier but reverse of it had happened. Upon enquiry she came to know that the poor man after finding those couple of gold coins in his house desired to add some more to them so as to secure his future, buy a house and other luxuries to enjoy. And towards this he started working double shift, cutting down on his food and started consuming alcoholic drinks to overcome his stress. He also forced his wife to work and earn so as to save more money.
This changed attitude brought a lot of stress on the poor couple. They had no time for each other. They forgot what they have and started bothering for what others have and they don’t have. They forgot to live in the present and started living in the future thus losing the secured zone of contentment, losing the gratitude mode with God and getting entangled in the illusory competition and eventually losing peace.
Ramesh Jain
Desire - the main cause for mental disturbance:
As wind is the cause for waves in the ocean, desire is the cause for waves (disturbance) in the mind.
Desireless mind is peaceful, calm and relaxed but desires (including unfulfilled past desires) disturb this calmness. Unfulfilled desires irritate and frustrate the mind and fulfilled desire generates new desire causing expectations, anxiety and worries. Out of new desire some get fulfilled and others remain unfulfilled and we get caught in this vicious cycle of fulfilled and unfulfilled desire.
However everyone needs some basic amenities in life such as house, money to buy food and clothing, a personal vehicle and bit of entertainment + savings to take care of future exigencies. But the confusion is how to differentiate between desire and necessity and strike a balance between them.
Necessity is out of compulsion to live, desire is out of competition. Desire springs up from the ever active unsatisfied senses and mental comparison with what others have and what we don’t have. Desire is never constant but ever increasing. Running behind desire is like that deer which runs after an illusory desert mirage wherein upon arriving at the identified spot it finds nothing and the mirage is visible farther away at another spot.
There lived a rich man in a villa and in the opposite lived a poor man in a hut. Rich man’s wife used to observe the peace at which poor man and his wife lived but that peace she never felt neither in herself nor in her husband. Once when her Guru (Spiritual Master) visited her house she sought to know as to why is it that even though they eat rich and healthy food yet fall sick and poor couple hardly eat anything yet remain healthy, they sleep in air conditioned bedrooms yet get sleep with difficulty but the poor couple sleep like log of wood even in the hut, their future is well secured yet they always live in some unknown fear and the poor couple look fearless as if they are highly secured.
To answer the question, Master asked the rich lady to put some gold coins in a bag and ordered it to be kept quietly in the poor man’s hut in the night. Next day he left by saying that she must observe the poor man for next 2 months. Couple of days later she noticed that the poor man, who used to come back home early evening, has started coming back late night. Occasionally she started hearing some quarrels between the poor man and his wife. She observed falling health and wrinkles of tension on the poor man’s face.
Rich man’s wife was amused at these developments as she thought that after getting gold coins the poor couple will look even more happier and healthier but reverse of it had happened. Upon enquiry she came to know that the poor man after finding those couple of gold coins in his house desired to add some more to them so as to secure his future, buy a house and other luxuries to enjoy. And towards this he started working double shift, cutting down on his food and started consuming alcoholic drinks to overcome his stress. He also forced his wife to work and earn so as to save more money.
This changed attitude brought a lot of stress on the poor couple. They had no time for each other. They forgot what they have and started bothering for what others have and they don’t have. They forgot to live in the present and started living in the future thus losing the secured zone of contentment, losing the gratitude mode with God and getting entangled in the illusory competition and eventually losing peace.
Ramesh Jain