Tag Archives: senses

A Friend

Introduce – Word of the Day

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I hardly need to introduce Augusta, and this particular part, the Blackwood River, as it is a constant reference in my writing. It is my favourite place and our true home. I first came here with a close mate, Nigel, in 1981 on a sudden whim, the same road trip which ended in meeting lyn, who would later become my wife. Lyn and I ended back here on our honey moon road trip in 83. And for nearly every year after we brought the kids for the summer holidays. Finally, we knew we wanted to live here so we eventually bought our home here, a place where we feel at peace, and where we feel that affinity with nature and community. This shot is the jetty where the river walk begins to pass the shire caravan park, and looks across the Blackwood to East Augusta. We were on a walk, as we regularly do, and I just loved the winter clouds and how the light played with them and the water, and the colour tones were unusual to the eye, hence the photo.

To return to the theme of affinity with nature, I find that my contemplative stance is richer in nature. I also experience nature as a soul friend, one who awakens my eyes, my heart to the deeper things, a spititual awareness, and one where I begin to feel more whole. Here my senses are engaged and I feel stimulated. Here I am content. so in that sense, I’m introducing you to my friend.

“Find your place on the planet. Dig in, and take responsibility from there.” Gary Snyder.

Paul,

pvcann.com

 

21 Comments

Filed under beach, bush walking, community, life, mindfulness, nature

Affinity With Nature

Affinity – Word of the Day

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Yet another winter storm was coming, hot on the heels of the first of the season, the waves were really pounding all along the shore. Thankfully the strong winds had pushed the first lot through to the wheat-belt. The dark, rain leaden clouds were a wonderfull counterpoint for the sunset, accentuating the colour.

Nature never ceases to amaze me, whether it be the thought of galaxies beyond, our own solar system, or that part of the earth where I live, there is always something to marvel at from the most simple to the really complex. Colour, texture, smell, sound, taste, it’s all there.

We are dependent on nature, we need food and water for starters, oxygen, resources.

But I think we can be interdependent. As we live into the environment, we can manage our carbon footprint, manage our extraction and usage of both finite resources and renewables. We can help to establish regrowth of vegetation, and help repair after disasters, we can return some land to native vegetation, and we can value add what we harvest or remove, there is no limit to what we can positively do in this relationship.

Nature heals, forest bathing, meditating in the open, natural medicines, audio and visual pleasure, olfactory stimulus like petrichor, touch, the sun on skin, the wind around me. My mind is stimulated too, so much to learn, so much adventure, so much to reflect on. Just to be in nature is a wonderful experience for me.

I feel an affinity, a closeness, with nature. I love the feel of sand and rock, and they tell their own story. The streams, rivers and ocean speak, sing, and invade the senses. Eucalyptus like a balm. Dolphins and birds communicating. Sunrise and sunset drawing awe and emotion. I feel whole in nature, I heal better in nature, body, mind and soul. I feel at peace, and am often content in nature. Nature is always conversing, always reaching out to me. And I get perspective, I am part of something bigger than myself, that in itself is medicine for the soul. It’s not about me, it’s not just about everyone, it’s about everything, every relationship of nature.

Paul,

pvcann.com

15 Comments

Filed under beach, environment, life, mindfulness, nature, seasons

The Virtue of Blushing

via Daily Prompt: Blush

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I like Diogenes’ quote, though William Congreave would disagree, he said: “I always take blushing either for a sign of guilt or of ill breeding.” Rousseau was of the opinion that blushing was a sign of guilt. Yet shame can bring the same result, even anger, and so too, a compliment. Blushing communicates sensitivity, humility and a connectedness to self and others. And I think Congreave was a cynic.

My own view is that blushing is an inward feeling made visible, that perhaps we feel naked, transparent, awkward, surprised, and to blush is a response. That warm glow on our face and neck. Maybe if we don’t blush we have become accustomed to these things, and they no longer affect us. But if we don’t feel these things then we die a little. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel said: “An individual dies when they cease to be surprised …” And Diogenes is trying to say that blushing is a good thing, it shows that we are still connected to our feelings, our senses, our understanding of the world and that we have a deep understanding of self and others.

But perhaps you’re more with Rousseau, that blushing is merely showing guilt, but I would only agree on the grounds that I am indeed guilty of being surprised, or feel transparent, naked, humbled, angry, but not necessarily because I am hiding something other than my inner self. Blushing is a sign, a sign of many things that might be happening within me. I think blushing is a mindful virtue rather than just a moral virtue, it is a sign that we also feel and if we let it, it can inform us, guide us, and teach us.

Paul,

pvcann.com

 

16 Comments

Filed under history, life, Philosophy/Theology

Leafy Smells

via Daily Prompt: Leaf

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Eucalypt leaves, dry, spent, given back to the earth. Hard, resistant, they take longer than any other leaf to break down. They make better mulch than compast for that reason. I really love the smell Eucalypt, fresh or dry, but the best is when the end of summer is near and the summer storms come and the rain brings out such a wonderful feast of smells, an olfactory orgasm if you like. Petrichor (the word for) the smell of rain on dry soil and leaves, atmospheric aromatherapy, wonderful stuff. Never despise a dry leaf, food for the senses.

Paul

pvcann.com

2 Comments

Filed under nature