Today in this day in age, it is important that we reunite with our bodies, minds and spirits. With input from computers, cell phones, television and radio and many other devises, we have overloaded our systems that many of us have forgot how to, or perhaps never learned how to connect, with who we are and to listen to our needs. The world that many of us live in is composed of buildings, cars, offices, and home, with a disconnect of breathing fresh air, touching our bare feet to the earth below us, and feeling its power, moisture and fertility.
Many people have come to this realization, as one may notice the many centers for retreats, such as spas, yoga and nature adventures. Those people somehow noticed that this earth is precious, and that humans need to reconnect to themselves and with nature. One way, some have noticed this, is through national parks such as Yellowstone, which is being restored to how it once was. In the early 1900s, the United States Government had heard enough complaints of wolves and were considered bad, obnoxious and ruthless when it came to farmer’s livestock. The wolves were hunted and exterminated. PBS states that, “Scientists and observers have noticed that many of the trees had stopped growing around the same time that the wolves were exterminated, along with misplaced countless other animals, habitats [and vitality]” (PBS, Wolves).
Key-species play a major role in how ecosystems survive and thrive, and without them the whole system falls apart. There is something to be said for how we interact with other organisms. Upon the re-introduction of wolves, animals trekked back into the park and started cultivating their niche once again. It is quite apparent to me that humans, no matter how great their intentions, never seem to know the best way for things to naturally flow, that sometimes it is best to leave things alone and observe rather than intervene.
It is my understanding, that the wolves are like a bacterium in the body causing disease, which the U.S. government decided should not be there, then intervening through extermination, very similar to that of a antibiotic. From the previous scenario, we may learn that politics and Newton bring great thoughts for consideration; one, that there are checks and balances throughout nature and if gone unchecked, will become a problem later down the road, and two, that for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.
With the birth of Yoga and massage into the United States, especially most recently, one may notice more places to take a “retreat” to turn the focus “off” this world and return the focus on to one’s self and what their role is in this world. How they may make a difference or do what ever brings the most harmony into their life, and those around them. By reintroducing the thought of Sanitariums, perhaps with a different name, so as not to be associated with an asylum, may influence people to take a step back from their daily lives. To learn to appreciate what their body does for them, and what they can do for it, to feed the mind and spirit rather than deplete. To teach one to “deal” with their everyday world and stresses, so as not to cause panic and distress that will bring a richer quality of life and will ensure one’s happiness that will then influence and transcend upon others.
To delve a little deeper, Dr. Mark Mincolla, states, “the superconscious mind is the unlimited self. It is synonymous with the spirit…” He came up with an acronym for spirit. SPIRIT stands for Sensitivity, Power, Intuition, Realization, Intention and Transformation. “Sensitivity implies our heighten senses, from thinking to a shift in receptivity”. Power, Mincolla states, “…is a metaphor for the ultimate strength and resilience. Intuition represents our supernatural instincts [this is also known as the sixth sense]. Realization implies the conscious acknowledgement of enlightened wisdom, which is basically a by-product of wisdom. Intention is the birth to manifest, the heart’s dream. Transformation is the means we have consummated our wholeness.” (Mincolla)
The question at hand, is to ask what kind of qualities and traits would a sanitarium need to have in order for people to come, to recognize the value in taking time away from their day to day lives, to learn how to make harmony throughout their lives, including incorporating their mind, body and spirit in every aspect of what they do. Not only would they benefit themselves, but also those around them, to not let their light go out so that others may glow brighter.
PBS states, “it is possible for animals to sense their surroundings, with a heightened sense of vibrations, sounds, color, smells, weather patterns...” to allow them to make informed decisions on whether to stay or go from a particular region during natural disasters, to seek safety (PBS, Animals).
There is a great disconnect between our bodies, mind and spirit and the world that we live in, from nature. By reintroducing ourselves into nature, we might be able to heighten our senses, bringing it back into harmony so that small changes in patterns of weather, wind and vibrations from the earth won’t go unnoticed. Perhaps one day we will be able to take these cues and warnings to help guide us through times of peril that are strenuous to us as well as more drastic stressors such as natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. If animals can do it, so can we.
"Can Animals Predict Disaster? - Introduction | Nature | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/can-animals-predict-disaster/introduction/130/>.
"In the Valley of the Wolves - Introduction - Yellowstone Gray Wolves | Nature | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 28 Jan. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/in-the-valley-of-the-wolves/introduction/212/>.
"Mark Mincolla 12 Parking Way Cohasset, MA 02025 Telephone: 781-383-3393 Mark Mincolla Ph.D. Tapping Into Your Unlimited Self." Mark Mincolla Ph.D. Index. Web. 14 Feb. 2011. <http://markmincolla.com/tapping into unlimited self.html>.
"Video: Full Episode - Wisdom of the Wild | Nature | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 23 Jan. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/wisdom-of-the-wild/video-full-episode/5427/>.
