The more time we spend in nature, the more we come to realize that we are not separate from nature, and nature is not separate from us. This realization is a Crossing of the Return Threshold in itself. It is a paradigm shift of the mind. When we come to see ourselves as a part of everything that exists, and realize that everything that exists is also a part of us, we can never go back to our old ways of thinking that lead us to believe that we are something separate from, and apart from, nature. We cannot see ourselves as separate and apart from others. Most importantly, we cannot be separate from ourselves. When we come to this wisdom, we have conquered the Refusal of the Return.
This revelation usually comes when we are able to achieve beginner’s mind, setting aside our old assumptions about the way the world works, and about our places in it. The western industrialized world has taught us that we are “civilized” beings separate from the wildness of nature, but in beginner’s mind we can return to that childlike sense of wonder of the natural world and enjoy the beauty of a sunset or the melody of a mountain stream.
From beginner’s mind we are able to ask ourselves what we truly value in this world, and in this life. How much of what I’m worried about today will matter in five years? In ten? How much of what I’m worried about today involves the accumulation of material possessions? How much of it involves my relationship with the natural world, including my friends, my family, and myself? When we are able to determine the answers to these questions for ourselves, we can use our power of intention to move closer to the people we want to be, using nature as our guide.
When we achieve this unity with nature we are able to begin to see nature as a metaphor for our own stories. We are a part of nature, and nature is a part of us. We are on this journey together. When we accept nature into the narrative of our lives, we have moved one step closer to living in True Self, and we will be ready to cross the return threshold.
