“Deep within the forest I stroll to listen to the knowledge of my soul.” ~Angie Weiland-Crosby
In October 2021, my companion and I launched into a journey to summit Mt. St. Helens, an 8,263-foot lively volcano in Washington State.
We have now hiked 1000’s of miles throughout the US, Costa Rica, and Mexico, however this was our first try at a summit hike. I used to be effervescent with pleasure and nervousness!
Mt. St. Helen’s greeted us with grace and gentleness. The sky was clear, the views of Mt. Adams to the east had been gorgeous, and the temperature was reasonable.
We had been chatting and climbing with a way of ease and pleasure, grateful to be mountain climbing over the packed snow, which is comparatively simple to stroll on.
We loved the tracks left by hikers forward of us.
We stopped to refill our water bottles in a mountain stream.
It was all easy crusing at first.
As quickly as we reached 7,500 ft, that gentleness was changed with fierceness.
We had been instantly bombarded with 50mph winds, pelting snow and ice on our uncovered faces, and practically zero visibility.
We tried to traverse a bit bit additional, as we had been solely 800 toes from the summit. I assumed, “We’re so shut, we have now to make it!”
When the pelting snow and ice turned an excessive amount of to bear, we took a brief refuge behind an outcropping. We placed on hotter garments, gloves, and goggles, after which assessed the state of affairs. (Pictures of Into Skinny Air had been reeling by my mind!)
We shortly made the choice to show round and start the descent to calmer, hotter, and safer circumstances. We met different hikers who had made the identical choice. I used to be upset, but additionally grateful, as a result of time and time once more, mom nature shares her knowledge with us.
Throughout my Mt. St. Helen’s journey, and through quite a few different journeys into the wild, nature has taught me the significance of…
1. Humility
We’re a part of the pure world. We didn’t come into it, we got here out of it, and, on the similar time, there are forces way more highly effective than us on the market within the wilds. These forces are scary and lovely. Invigorating and probably harmful. Humbling and empowering.
The pure world affords us boundless alternatives for realizing and training humility. When navigating our each day lives, our issues appear so acute and so vital. And they’re vital, as a result of they’re our expertise of the world. Nonetheless, once we zoom out from the trivialities of our lives, we’re provided a special perspective.
We’re reminded of our sheer bodily smallness. We’re reminded of the paradox that we’re each vital and unimportant. And this reality isn’t miserable, it’s liberating. Nature reminds us that we’re not the middle of the universe, and that it’s all actually not that severe.
Throughout my Mt. St. Helen’s journey, humility was important for survival. I knew I used to be no match for the highly effective winds. I assumed I had a plan and was in command of my day, however mom nature demoted my ego and jogged my memory how little management I actually have, each on the mountain that day and in my each day life.
Working towards humility and releasing management doesn’t imply we cease taking motion towards our objectives, however quite that we study to steer the ship with the present, not in opposition to it. We study to regulate and pivot and be in partnership with forces exterior of ourselves.
I follow humility when navigating roadblocks and challenges in my life. For instance, in my enterprise, each time I attain a brand new milestone, I have fun it first. Then, I view it as a portal into studying one thing new and perfecting my craft.
Humility prevents me from changing into complacent and from considering I’ve all of the solutions. The extra I study and know, the extra I study that I don’t know. And what a lovely expertise it’s to be a without end scholar of the universe.
2. Intuitive Discernment
I didn’t let worry information me on that summit hike; quite, I stayed calm, listened to my instinct and my physique, and shortly discerned the potential hazard forward.
These two phrases, “intuitive” and “discernment,” may appear at odds with one another, however I’ve discovered the mixture of instinct and logic to be highly effective.
Instinct stems partly from previous experiences, permitting us to behave shortly, when essential, to maintain ourselves secure, whereas logic may help us decide the most effective steps to take action. To make clever selections, we have to each hearken to our intestine and analyze the info.
On Mt. St. Helen’s, my instinct was telling me to show round. I allowed area for this to come back by, and I took just a few moments to additionally assume logically about what to do. It was from this area that we made the secure choice to show round.
Equally, in my skilled world, my instinct is guiding me towards writing extra. I’m additionally utilizing discernment to record all the previous proof that writing is the trail for me. In different phrases, I’m combining instinct and logic, and I’ve discovered that this mix affords nice alignment amongst all components of me.
3. Impermanence
Seasons, climate, circumstances, and feelings are all non permanent. It’s all in flux. Once we can settle for this, and launch attachments to folks, occasions, and outcomes, then we will start to find inside peace. Once we settle for impermanence, we open ourselves to gratitude and presence.
This isn’t at all times simple. We are inclined to outline ourselves in relation to different folks and our roles, and we regularly interpret endings as failures. However each ending brings with it classes and new beginnings.
And the great thing about embracing impermanence is that this reminds us that all the pieces finally ends—together with occasions of wrestle.
My companion and I plan to summit Mt. St. Helen’s once more this 12 months. Who is aware of what the volcano can have in retailer for us in just a few months, however no matter it’s, I do know it will likely be in service to me.
In my day-to-day life, final winter, I discovered myself in a darkish place, however I trusted that this area was non permanent, and that proved to be true. Now, as now the seasons have modified, I’m feeling grounded and light-weight. I’m savoring it, and I do know that different challenges and hardships will come my means. I’m open to all of it, figuring out none of it would final without end.
So my invitation to you is to deepen your relationship with the earth. Go exterior. Sink your naked toes into the grass. Dig your palms into the soil. Let the solar kiss your face. Breathe. Open your coronary heart to the knowledge of our earth.
About Teresa Towey
Teresa Towey is a coach and mentor for girls. She curates particular person and group areas to information ladies in returning to their wild, visceral natures by connection to the physique and the earth. She has a particular focus in serving to ladies specific their sensuality and stay in alignment with their menstrual cycles. Try her website and comply with her on Instagram. DM her to schedule a free 1:1 session!