Copyright 2002
Wilderness Drum, Inc.
All rights reserved

Closer to the Earth
Steve Beyer

Introduction Before you leave home Fears and prohibitions Beliefs Your senses Asking permission Sensory powers Camera walk Being something else Changing perspective "Artist Unknown" Thinking about nature On not naming things Gratitude Gifts from the wilderness Writing about nature Getting close Watching quietly One creature Decomposers Wilderness symphony Competency

Introduction

Many people who go into the wilderness seek, among other things, to get "closer to nature" – sometimes without a very clear idea of just what they mean by that. The personal experiments in this work are intended to help develop ways of relating to the natural world. They constitute a tool kit. Some of the tools may be new and some may be familiar; some may feel comfortable and some may feel awkward. Try them out. Use them. Enjoy them. Keep what works.

The wilderness is a place of peace and fear, exaltation and terror, tranquillity and danger. It is neither benevolent nor malevolent. It is neither kind nor cruel. Yet the wilderness is openhanded with its gifts to those who approach it in a spirit of humility and gratitude. I hope these exercises help lead you to a few of those gifts.

< Previous       Next >

Back to the top
Return to Writings Page