Immersing

It is well known that the best way to learn a language quickly and fluently is to immerse in its country and culture. Then one refuses to speak the original language and only the new one. It is said to be a struggle at first, but learning happens quickly and speaking becomes fluent almost without us noticing.

In deepening connection to the Higgs field through nature, the same concept applies. Many people in their three-dimensional cocoon have developed the knack of isolation and separateness. To change that requires deliberate action.

If you are someone who has not immersed in nature for a while think of yourself as a drop of rain running down a window pane, living your own isolated experience without knowledge that you were once part of an ocean and was carried there by rain. Rain and ocean are alien concepts until the raindrop connects back to its source.

For me, by far the easiest pathway to the source is via nature. It is so easy to simply plug into that vast ocean of fermions and bosons around us, under our feet, and over our heads.

To increase energy and deepen our connection we can immerse ourselves where connectivity is at its most dense. You certainly can jump in the ocean, but being human you cannot stay there very long. Instead, I recommend immersing back into nature on dry land.

How Immersion in Nature Impacts the Human Spirit: A Phenomenological Study

Schauer, Koch, Lemieux, Willey, May 18, 2016 St. Catherine University

Abstract

“Research demonstrates that spending time in nature restores, heals, and fosters connection in people. However, little is known regarding natures impact on the human spirit.

The purpose of this phenomenological, mixed-method study is to describe natures impact on the human spirit. Twenty-six adults spent a minimum of fifteen minutes-a-day over a ten-day time period immersing themselves in nature and reflecting on a dimension of their spirit. Participants used photography and journaling to share reflections regarding how nature impacted their spirit. Six main spiritual themes emerged from thematic analysis: connection, vibrancy, awe/presence, joy, gratitude, and compassion. Of these six themes, the findings reveal that immersion in nature impacts the human spirit most significantly by providing a sense of connection, vibrancy, and awe. Furthermore, regardless of the type of nature activity, the location, or the time of day, immersion in nature offered a sense of connection for every participant, which in turn promoted spiritual well-being. Spending time in nature offers a cost-free and accessible way to foster spiritual well-being.”

How to begin immersing.

Immersion means leaving behind all distractions, such as people, pets, devices, fears, memories, addictions, fashions, vanity, gum, vapes, tobacco, music, ego.

If you take a cell phone for safety or for the bird and plant identification apps put your devices in a non notification mode. It is still too tempting to be distracted by the latest text so I just go on airplane mode. Also don’t be tempted to take pictures or selfies. When you do that you are admitting that you are still separated and your ego is still running the show.

Select a place and time. Schedule it in your calendar. It should be safe, but where it is unlikely you will encounter other humans.

Be alone. You don’t have to go alone, but once there don’t walk side by side. The temptation to chat is too great and your senses will focus more on the group than nature. Separate yourselves by a hundred yards or more. This really needs to be you and nature.

Wear warm clothes. Take a small amount of food and drink. Always have a pad and pen for journal entries of your discoveries and thoughts.

Immersion means falling into it entirely. Allow all your senses of touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell to immerse. You can’t do that while listening to music, chewing gum, smoking or chatting.

Slow down to a pace that is unusually casual for you. Stop and just be often.

Breathe from the abdomen, slow intakes and out breaths.

At some point or many points deliberately rotate your concentration between the five senses. Focus on each separately.

Try to stretch your sight to a higher focus. Try stretching your hearing to seek out how many sounds you hear. Touch the flowers, grass and trees, concentrate on touch sensations. Focus on your sense of smell and try to identify them all. Taste the air.

Then try mix and matching two senses at the same time, then three and so on.

Have no expectations. Just have fun.

Immersion in nature is similar to Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku)

The term emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a physiological and psychological exercise. The purpose was twofold: to offer an antidote to technology  burnout and to inspire residents to reconnect with and protect the country’s forests.

The Japanese quickly embraced this form of ecotherapy. In the 1990s, researchers began studying the physiological benefits of forest bathing, providing the science to support what we innately know: time spent immersed in nature is good for us. While Japan is credited with the term shinrin-yoku, the concept at the heart of the practice is not new. Many cultures have long recognized the importance of the natural world to human health.

Forest bathing is not just for the wilderness-lover; the practice can be as simple as walking in any natural environment and consciously connecting with what’s around you.

Recent health studies conducted in North America, and other countries document the mental and physical health benefits of quiet time spent in nature, including lowered blood pressure and stress hormone levels, as well as improved mood and cognition. Lately, more and more studies are focused on the health benefits of time spent in natural landscapes within cities.

Start with an hour and then increase your time alone in nature to what feels right for you. Eventually you might like to try a day or a weekend at a (device-free) retreat too.

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