Biophilia

“To explore and affiliate with life is a deep and complicated process in mental development. To an extent still undervalued in philosophy and religion, our existence depends on this propensity, our spirit is woven from it, hope rises on its currents.” ― Edward O. Wilson

Some call it Vitamin N, the Japanese set aside areas for silent forest bathing, nature advocate Richard Louv warns against nature-deficit disorder, and E.O. Wilson, called the Darwin of the 21st century, coined the term “biophilia” and believes the need for it is deeply woven into our natures.

Gross generalization: today’s focus on technology and striving for external, material rewards has left us in a lonely world. We have created a culture where enough is never good enough, where there is a hierarchy of worth that makes factory farms, chemical destruction of our soils, deforestation, dumping of toxins into our waters, racism, classism, and warfare acceptable. As long as it’s profitable.

We’ve broken our own hearts as we’ve created a world walled off from “others.” Poet, naturalist, and suicide hotline counselor Diane Ackerman says, “… much of our loneliness and despair comes from trying to exile ourselves from nature. which of course we can’t do.”

This rather odd life I’ve chosen without really knowing why is beginning to show its form as I bathe in forests, meander though meadows, and delight in feather gifts.

My thread to the financial world is tenuous, however, every day I grow a bit richer in spirit and, just perhaps, a tad wiser as I follow a patient teacher.

Olsen Barn Meadow

One hundred and thirty years ago, master barn-builder Peter Olsen, a Norwegian immigrant during the Gold Rush, raised cattle on this land near Chester, California, land that had been part of the homeland of the Maidu people until it was stolen by miners or unratified treaties. In 2015, the Feather River Land Trust joined forces with community members and launched a campaign to purchase the property in order to conserve the meadow and save the cathedral-like barn.

“With panoramic views of Lassen Peak and Lake Almanor, and a glimpse into the past with one of Northern California’s oldest standing barns, this property is worth a visit in any season.” — FRLT.org a thousand yellow dandelions she hadn’t planted surrounding a hand-hewn barn she didn’t build in a broad meadow of flowers whose names she doesn’t know.

the north fork of the feather river edges this lakeside meadow, rippling through cottonwoods who know this place as home, sheltering coyote, beaver, and fawning black-tail deer, without needing her help. mountain meadow reminder of a bounteous land that stretched far into the distance before the needs of development created the lake, inundating lands of the Maidu people, whose stories she cannot tell.

seep monkeyflower

time will not be turned back, wrongs will not be made right, she cannot change what is done, she can only wander awestruck at the beauty still glimmering in the morning sun.