In the wee hours this morning I decided to exercise on the elliptical and at the same time enjoy a few more pages of Goddesses & Angels by Doreen Virtue.
A couple paragraphs really jumped off the page at me. In fact, I paused the exercise equipment long enough to underline and star the passage: “The Inquisitors who burned Joan of Arc called her a heathen, which originally meant someone who dwelled on the hearth or wild, open country. Similarly, the term pagan originally meant ‘country dweller.’ I found it interesting that both Joan of Arc and St. Bernadette, who were so highly attuned to Divine guidance, lived in the countryside. “
I immediately felt a sudden bond with Joan of Arc and Bernadette. These past few years I too have become tuned to the life force of Nature. I now know that even 15 minutes a day spent in Nature is life changing.
Doreen went on to say, “Being outside in nature opens our spiritual gifts and helps us notice Spirit’s life force within trees, rivers, plants, animals and stones. The Inquisitors were older men from cities who worshipped in dark, enclosed buildings. Perhaps if they’d gone outside more often, they would have realized the truths of which the ‘heathen’ spoke. Heathen and pagans, though, are simply people who find their connection with the Divine outside in nature.”
Twenty-three pages later I jumped off the elliptical and headed to the 5:30 am Jazzercise class. As I rounded the bend on the dark country road, there stood a coyote in the ditch staring at me as if upset that I disturbed his early morning meanderings. He startled me as well. Just about the time I started to berate the coyotes for disturbing my peace in nature, I thought about how man is disturbing their peace…whittling away their habitat to construct more and more buildings.
On my return home I continued to ponder on the stirring I feel in Nature. My mind wandered back 11 years ago when I distinctly recall speaking about being drawn to Nature at a Spiritual Retreat. On a flipchart I drew hills and trees, blue skies and fluffy white clouds, flowers and butterflies. My husband drew a log cabin nestled in the hills with clouds of smoke billowing from the fireplace. Five years ago we built that log home and now reside in our flipchart rendering. The next year I discovered “natural hormone balancing.” A nurse for 30 years, I had never heard of it to that point. I became a strong proponent for the company and its all natural products. When it was time to create a name for my web site, my husband suggested www.naturalrenewal.myarbonne.com since “natural renewal” accurately depicted my transformation after using the products.
It became increasingly difficult for me to leave our natural habitat, which my husband affectionately named “Whispering Pines,” to drive to work. I kept repeating the fervent prayer, “Please let me work from home.” Two years later I left my corporate job to work from home. Two years later, this week, my book producer sent my manuscript “The Awakened Body, A Woman’s Guide to Feeling Biologically Vibrant…Naturally” to the editor.
As my mind continued to wander, it occurred to me that the life force of Nature also positively impacts all of our senses…sight, sound, smell, taste, touch. Consider the healing power of gazing into a rainbow, a sunrise, new fallen snow, or a waterfall. Compare those scenes to what our eyes witness on the TV or in the newspaper, or within the confines of the drab gray work cubicle complete with artificial lighting.
When one desires to meditate, what CD is selected? Do we reach for the sounds of the birds, the splash of the ocean waves, or loud, heavy music filled with profanity? Contrast the smell of flowers, the ocean breeze, pure essential oils to that of the unregulated perfume industry complete with countless “VOCs”…volatile organic chemicals that invade our skin, body organs, and lungs. Which is a better choice to taste – the raw, live, organic fruits and vegetables or the high sugar, high fat, processed foods? Lastly, what do your skin cells prefer to feel…the soaps, lotions, and makeup comprised of processed animal fat, petroleum, and chemical preservatives, or organic, natural, herbal, and botanical ingredients that are rich in antioxidants?
I wince when I think of the persecution that Joan of Arc and Bernadette endured, Joan burned at the stake. Their bravery paved the way for the growing number of us to be able to speak out about the healing power of natural products, including natural hormone balancing. Isn’t it astounding… we continue to be challenged by the “Inquisitors” of today…only now they take the form of governmental agencies and companies whose sole mission appears to be monetary greed.
