According to an ancient wisdom, a
human experience goes through five layers which include the environment,
physical body, mind, intuition, and self or spirit. While some people describe
the spirit as the non-physical element of the body which houses character and
emotions, some would even attribute one’s sense of purpose and meaning to
spirit.
In a time of scientific
advancement when complex equations and lab coats are deemed the most
trustworthy, the metaphysical world can be quite confusing for its independence
of the governance of science. However, thousands of years ago before the growing
feuds between ‘science’ and ‘religion’, humanity sought to learn the secrets of
the universe whether they were mysteries of the soul, or galactic marvels.
After years of meticulously studying the
human body, our understanding of such majestically entwined system continues to
unravel some of the most complicated physiological puzzles. Nonetheless, the
animating force of this vehicle, without which all collapses, remains far from
comprehension when perceived solely through the lenses of logic.
In the absence of an absolute explanation
for the spirit, invariably defining what a spiritual experience is becomes
almost impossible. It might thus be best to consider spirituality a very
personal experience that can be achieved through multiple practices, evoking
various feelings and psychological statuses.
Although it is has become
customary of modern communities to link spirituality to religion, rich
spiritual experiences are often encountered outside the vicinity of
institutionalized religions. Before there were houses of worship, nature in its
full glory posed as the all-encompassing house of worship that knows no gates,
walls or ceilings. Despite the abundance of religions around the world today and
their adjacent spaces of worship, the religious and unreligious alike still
find their way back to nature to quench that inevitable spiritual thirst.
But how is it that nature has
continued to spiritually nurture so many peoples throughout history in spite of
the ever changing face of religion?
According to the biophilia
hypothesis, humans are innately inclined to reaching out and connecting
with nature and other life forms. It is not so surprising when one realizes
that humans are made up of nothing different from the elements and energies which
make up the entire universe, essentially making them an inherent part of
nature. Based on this principle, environment does not solely lie on the
outside, but is rather a core part of our very making.
Could it then be that when we meditate
and connect with nature we are in fact connecting with our extended bodies? The
opposite could also be comprehended to be true, whereby establishing a vivid
understanding of nature leads to better understanding of ourselves.
Hypotheses about the link between
man and nature and the lengths to which they interchangeably influence one
another extend much further than humans merely being physical constituents of
the overall grand design of the cosmos. One theory suggests that the outer
universe is a reflection of our consciousness, a hypothesis which rests on
notions such as the percentage of water being relatively proximate in the human
body and on Earth, or other notions of circular motion of elements around a
center manifested in the atomic structure as well as the solar system.
While many sciences cannot be
fully grasped without a certain level of prerequisite knowledge, man will
inevitably find himself looking up to starry skies and pondering what lies beyond
and where he fits in this massive universe. Could it be that our souls carry
deep knowledge hindered by nothing else than our constant mental intervention?
As above, so below.
If you're keen to learn about some of the world's ancient religions which sought spirituality and the Divine through nature, make sure you check out 'Nature and Spirituality Pt.2: Where Did Ancient Cultures Find the Divine?' here.
