Wilderness /’wild?nis/ n. 1. a desert; an uncultivated and uninhabited region.
This interpretation of ‘wilderness’ creates a rather bleak inhospitable image. In reality, this could not be further from the truth. Wild places provide us with refuge, as very few people return from a trail or safari without a deeper understanding of their place in the world, and a sense of balance. This is the result of a ‘wilderness experience’.
Domination of nature
The degradation of our environment has now reached breaking point. I believe a wilderness experience to be crucial in developing a higher ideal of nature conservation. For only once the wilderness experience becomes a part of you, do you recognize what we stand to lose without it.
Man and nature link
In our consumptive world nature is a commodity, a possession, something to be bought and sold without dignity or conscience. Before, it was a source of love, tolerance, sustainability and Faith. The destruction of our natural heritage can then be seen as an outward reflection of an inward condition. Our natural values of social responsibility have become as badly eroded as our forests and grasslands.
Reframing what we want versus whatwe need.
Living sustainably is not only about our earth. Nature shows us how to forge authentic, co-operative connections in our social and professional worlds as consumptive attitudes are highly destructive. Relationships, corporate partnerships and friendships therefore take on a sustainable mould.
We have arrived in an age of impending climate change and over-population, with alarming social and environmental consequences on our doorstep.
If these words – even for a fleeting moment – ring true to you, then perhaps it’s crucial to apply this ‘thinking’ in our lives.
