Spirituality aka Connection
I’m fortunate to live within 4 minutes from one of my city’s parks, Willow Springs, which was founded in 1998 and consists of 36 acres of rolling hills, wooded trails, a dog park, and a pond full of turtles, the occasional Heron, and is currently supporting a Canadian geese family of 4. During the week, time-allowing, I make the short drive after work to walk those trails and to sit on a favorite bench at the top of a knoll, whether to meditate or to just be.
Recently, on a beautiful Sunday morning after my usual stroll, I was sitting on “my” bench, holding thoughts of gratitude and Spirit (my version of church), when an elderly gentleman walked by and paused to chat about the weather. We spoke for a few seconds, then he asked me if I knew where the park came from. I said, actually no, and he proceeded to tell me about a man who had 400 acres, who decided to sell some of it to the city that made up the park, this land that we were standing on. This acreage was part of a dairy farm, originating from the turn of the century, and a silo still stood nearby, and he said with a twinkle in his voice, that it may still have some milk bottles inside, but he wouldn’t want to drink them! Then, he shared that he was the man who sold his land in order to better serve the community, noting that it was doing a lot more good now than with a bunch of cows on it. I laughed.
We chatted some more, and I shared that I was a therapist who sometimes met with folks in nature, and that Willow Springs was a great spot for gatherings. He looked at me and asked, “you’re a therapist?” I said yes, and he pulled out his wallet to take out an old laminated black and white photo of a young woman, who appeared to be a nurse, taken a long time ago. He said she was his wife, who had passed away about 8 or 9 years ago from smoking. He added he was now a reformed smoker (cigars), but that she just couldn’t stop. Then, almost apologetically, he commented that he was often told that he talked too much, and he started on his way again.
First, I wanted to say, “No, sir, you’re not talking too much,” and secondly, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
About a year ago, I was at another local park to assess the progress of a new bridge being built over the creek. This park is another favorite spot where I lead guided walks and love to spend solo time. Turned out it was my lucky day as the volunteers were there working on it, so I approached them to ask my question, stating that I was a forest therapy guide and offered a little about my work, as I’m often met with curious or befuddled looks when I mention forest bathing/therapy, as what happened that day. For some reason, I also felt compelled to share my love for the park and what it meant to me, knowing its history.
Side Note: Jacob’s Nature Park, consists of 28 acres and was dedicated in 2016 to Jacob Francisco, a young boy who loved climbing trees, nature, and hiking, and who died in 2004 from an E. coli infection from an unknown source. The park was created through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers to help clean up the creek’s high levels of E. coli. In 2018, it was certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, consisting of old growth trees, restored wetlands and forest that have been returned to life, along with its many inhabitants.
After I stopped talking, there was a stillness that fell upon the group, then one of the men looked at me and spoke up saying, “he’s not going to say anything, but I am. This is Jacob’s dad.”
I don’t remember exactly what I said after that, but I do know it was akin to “thank you, thank you, thank you” mixed in with some tears. Words felt inadequate to convey my deep gratitude to the park and connection to Jacob. Through this little boy’s death, he was saving lives, both human and more than human, and the magnitude of that was not lost on me.
Spirituality is Connection
The word “spiritual” comes from the Latin “spiritus,” which meant “to breathe.” So originally a “spiritual” experience was an inspiring one, a moment of awe. An event that may be felt as a sense of oneness-a connection to something outside of ourselves. This felt sense of unity can be experienced with nature, people, pets, the Universe, our own personal concept of God, or with ourselves.
Spirituality isn’t a belief-it’s an experience that you’re connected to something unexplainable and vast. That’s its simplicity and power.
“I have my own theory about this. Suppose you could take all the spiritual paths practiced worldwide, put them into a cauldron, and boil them down to their essence. What would remain? I believe that the common thread to all spiritual practices is a feeling of connection.”
Had I not paused to sit on that bench on that Sunday morning, or met a group of volunteers, I would have missed two incredible connections. One never knows when the magic shows up, but it does show up.
There’s a special deer in my backyard that now recognizes my voice. I’ve seen it wag its tail like a dog when I greet it, and it’s gingerly taken a few steps towards me a time or two before leaping back into the woods.
We’re connected.
There’s a family of geese at Willow Springs. The ducklings born in the spring look practically full grown now, and I acknowledge and greet them most times I pass by the pond. Usually mom or dad will look at me with curiosity (or warning). And I’ve watched the many interactions and fascination demonstrated by the park’s visitors, especially the children, when they see the geese.
We feel like we know them and they know us.
Sometimes when I’m walking in the park, I’m simply too tired or exhausted to hold a conversation with another, but I do silently honor my fellow humans that I pass by, by inwardly saying, “the Light in me sees the Light in you.” (FYI - I’ve found this to also be very helpful to use when in challenging situations with my fellow humans, when it’s not so easy to feel the love).
So the next time you’re spending time with your pet, having a conversation, experiencing a moment of mystery or inspiration, or simply sitting on a bench…spirituality may be your silent partner.
Til next we meet in the forest…
Love,
Amanda ❤️
