Wilderness

The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – the wilderness.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than one seeks. The clearest way into the universe is through the wilderness” – John Muir. In the wilderness, our soul remembers the language it knew much before words. Where the trail ends, the spirit begins to speak. Among the ancient stones & empty skies, the heart finds its true horizon. Walk long enough in the wilderness & we will meet a part of ourself we never knew existed. Absolutely special & soulful.

Unlike built environments, the wilderness isn’t shaped by human intentions. Its form feels spontaneous, surreal & honest. That rawness can feel refreshing compared to the structured spaces we inhabit daily. Humans evolved in natural environments. Features like open vistas, flowing water, varied terrains, trees & wildlife still bring peace & poise. Silence after noise, stillness after speed, vastness after confinement – the wilderness highlights all these qualities that our ordinary environments dampen. Beauty often comes from contrast & nature provides dramatic contrasts, effortlessly.

The wilderness is so pristine & inspirational. Marvellous mountains, the desert emptiness & the star-filled skies trigger an emotion of awe, adventure & wonder. The wilderness symbolises freedom, discovery, potential & possibilities. Even visualising such open spaces can feel serene, nostalgic, positive & liberating. “All good things are wild & free” – Henry Thoreau.

Art, literature & philosophy have long portrayed the wilderness as sublime or sacred. Forests feel alive with enchanting birdsongs & exotic scents, evoking a sense of comfort, creativity & curiosity. “There is a pleasure in the pathless woods” – Lord Byron. In the woods, we return to nature’s fabulousness & faith. The rhythmic waves of the sea flow with a generous spirit of serenity, renewal & contemplation. The natural light of the sun graciously glides across the waters, sparking harmony & reverence. The desert shares the holiness of simplicity. The wilderness is full of genius, full of tranquility, full of divinity.

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