Close your eyes, breathe, and think back to the last time you were connected in an inspiring wilderness setting….
Remember the earthy smell of the forest in your nostrils, the stunning peaceful scenery, the cool, fresh air on your face…and breathe again!
Recently, I read a book called Presence (Senge, Scharmer, Jaworski, Flowers, Doubleday, March 2004). A book full of wisdom about profound change in people, organizations, and society. One quote by Dr. Peter Senge in particular that I found quite stunning was the following:
“Our capacity for democracy grows from our connection with nature. As we lose that connection, isolation, fear, and the need to control grow – and democracy inevitably deteriorates. It’s easy to forget that a deep connection with nature provides the inspiration for genuine democratic thinking.”
As we continue to become an increasingly urbanized world, the opportunities to remain connected with our natural environment become more difficult. At the same time, our natural environment is showing the signs of stress and strain from many decades of abuse in countless ways (think global warming for instance and the ramifications on the natural environment that we are just beginning to see!).
At the same time, there is certainly compelling evidence of a decline of democratic involvement in many countries. In his book Bowling Alone, Dr. Robert D. Putnam clearly illustrates this decline when comparing years 1973/74 to 1993/94. From a scope of 12 measures of civic involvement, there was an overall decline of 25% of citizens who were involved in at least one of these 12 measures between these years. US-only data, but I suggest a similar trend exists in many others countries to a greater or lesser degree.
Actively experiencing our natural environment, at least periodically, helps us to remember that we are a part of a much bigger purpose in this world. One of the great things that being in nature provides is an opportunity to slow down and gain perspective on our busy lives and what really matters to us. I believe that Peter Senge is correct that spending time in a natural setting does in fact serve to inspire us to higher ideals, and to live our lives in a more purposeful way. And this must ultimately benefit our society and the way in which it is governed.
So what do you think…here’s an opportunity to let your voice be heard below:
- To what degree does our capacity for democracy grow from a greater connection with nature?
- How can we make room in our lives for more “down-time” to be in a natural setting?
- In what ways might our willingness to be more engaged in community change if we did?
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Postscript about Dr. Peter M. Senge:
Dr. Peter M. Senge, Senior Lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also Chairperson of the Society for Organizational Learning (SoL), a global community of corporations, researchers, and consultants dedicated to the “interdependent development of people and their institutions.”
The Journal of Business Strategy (September/October 1999) named Dr. Senge as one of the 24 people who had the greatest influence on business strategy over the last 100 years.
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Since I have been participating in a book club on “A New Earth” I was drawn to this discussion. Eckhart Tolle also writes that it is an essential practice to connect to nature. In his book he says it helps us learn to be present and to realize our true nature. I guess it makes sense that we can not be democratic if we do not realize on a deep level that we are all connected to each other and to the earth and if we do not remember who we really are. The more disconnected we are, the less effective we are at working in harmony with others.
Before reading any of this I had found myself taking walks and feeling a strong desire to touch leaves, trees and flowers as I passed by them. This has become part of my daily walks. I didn’t know why I was doing that but I did find that it made me smile when I was paying close attention to my environment and touching is one way of getting closer when seeing alone is not enough to bring me truly present. How can we find more time for that? Along with setting aside quality time in nature I think we can do small things that don’t require a lot of time. The challenge for me is to simply remember to do it and to begin to incorporate it into every day. I could increase my connection by doing things like pausing when I am going out at night and first looking up at he stars for a few moments before I go. I could really look at the landscape when I am driving in my car and I could focus on the beauty outside my window when I need to be indoors. Maybe I could give in more frequently to my desire to lie in the grass in the backyard on a spring or summer day.
Thanks for the reminder Brian and for this fabulous site! Looking forward to keeping the dance going. D