Nature as a Teacher

I was an undergraduate at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. This small college is nestled at the foot of Sleeping Giant mountain, and in the nice weather, I would clear my head by going for a walk in the woods. One sunny day, I decided to take the trail to the top of the mountain. There was a tower at the top, and it was surrounded by families watching their children climb with glee, delighting in the height and view.

I felt the need for a little more alone time, so I continued walking on the path along the ridge. I then came to a secondary path that led to a quiet place with a big rock that overlooked the valley. When I lay down on the rock, I was surprised by the warmth and comfort I felt there. After soaking in the beauty of the sky and clouds, I sat up and watched the trees below. The wind was blowing gently, and the trees swaying rhythmically. I felt as if I were watching the earth breathe and the planet was a living being. I experienced a beautiful feeling of union with nature and with all of God's creation.

As I walked down the mountain, I wondered what it would be like if more of our business leaders could have this experience. Would they make decisions that would have a more positive impact on nature? Would they be more ecological in their approach to products, expansion and profits? It became clear to me that spiritual experiences can help us be more committed to sustainability. I once heard a speaker say, "We cannot harm that which we love."

Xerox Corp. has a division in Rochester, N.Y., from which all of its leaders experienced a week-long wilderness experience. Each person went on a 24-hour vision quest in the New Mexico desert. The question they carried with them was, "What is my vision for myself and my role in this company?" The questers were instructed to pay attention to signs and symbols of nature that might provide answers to their questions.

As a result of these experiences, the company became deeply committed to environmental sustainability. It developed the first cradle-to-grave recyclable document center -- before anyone else was doing something like this.

When I work with business leaders, we look at the ways they integrate their faith and spirituality in their work, in a way that is respectful of the diversity of spiritual paths and faith walks. One question I always ask is, "What do you do to nurture your spirit at work?" Almost all of them have some form of contemplative practice, whether it is prayer, meditation or reading Scripture. Then I ask, "What are you not doing that could support your spiritual integration at work even more?" The most common answer is to spend time in nature.

Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the desert. Buddha sat by the river under the Bodhi tree. American Indians and other indigenous peoples go on vision quests. Every single faith tradition has stories or examples of people spending time in nature to get closer to the divine.

In our busy lives, this can seem daunting. With work, families, faith communities and all the other things calling our attention, many of us feel lucky to even have time to eat before dashing off to the next thing. However, we are lucky here in Northwest Arkansas because our communities value the natural environment, and it is easily accessible to all of us. If you make the commitment to be outside -- even for five minutes a day -- to just admire God's creation and to allow yourself to resonate with the beauty of nature, it can make a big difference to your state of mind and your spiritual health.

Here are a few ideas for simple ways to connect to nature: When you are at the Fayetteville Farmers' Market, take just a moment to walk on the garden paths above the sidewalk. Notice all the beautiful plants and the abundance of nature. Or step out of your office or home, and look up at the sky; watch the patterns of the clouds, feel the wind, breathe the fresh air. If you are driving, don't spend all your time on your cellphone or with the radio blaring -- create a sanctuary in the car with the intention this is sacred space and time as you go from one place to another. And while driving safely and with focus, look for signs of beauty and God's goodness.

Each of these suggestions works best if you truly commit to clearing your mind for just a short time and being in the present moment with what you are experiencing. It can be the pause that refreshes.

It is also important to take occasional longer breaks from the day-to-day world to nurture your inner life. There are many wonderful retreat centers in our area designed to support you in being closer to nature and closer to the divine -- whatever that is for you. In some of these places, you can experience a self-directed retreat where you take time alone to read, write, walk, sleep and pray. Some retreat centers also offer directed retreats that might include workshops, time for group prayer or meditation and one-on-one time with a spiritual director or teacher. Just about all of these center leaders do not care what religion you are or if you have a religion. The centers are designed to support you wherever you are on your spiritual path.

This time of the year, the thing that strikes me most about nature is her abundance. I marvel at the 12-foot-tall sunchokes we planted from a tiny piece of sunchoke -- each of which can yield a bucket of edible roots. I marvel at the huge canna lilies that were just small pieces of dry root a couple of months ago. I'm in awe of the mother robin on our deck nesting her fourth clutch of babies.

This beautiful world given to us by the Creator is designed on principles of abundance, and when I can remember and trust this, my faith deepens.

Judi Neal is the chairman and chief executive officer of Edgewalkers International. Contact her at [email protected].