The Free Radical

The fear of nature is endemic in our culture. It seems that whenever I attempt to explain to others what it is I “do,” there invariably follows the shocked and trembling voice which says “Aren’t you scared being by yourself in the wilderness?”

No! A thousand times no! Certainly, I can be startled… like when a grouse suddenly flies up inches from my face because I was about to step on her. But being actually heart-thumpingly scared while wandering these forest trails– never. If the true agenda of the natural world was to devour humans at every opportunity, we would have vanished from this place long ago.

Hawk has begun working very closely with me… and through me, with you too… if you’ll let her. She has not even a trace of fear in her. Sometimes it’s just hard to see her playfulness behind her stern gaze.

“How can any natural creature fear Nature?” she teases. “But, I suppose, that has been a problem among humans for quite some time already: you fear what you are! Nature has created you; Nature sustains you; Nature is your true nature. This fear… is a most peculiar thing!

“The Earth is at a moment of evolutionary crisis. Evolution is the natural life processes of the One Life. Fear is a preservation strategy… which utterly fails in the face of evolutionary pressure. Evolution is both Saviour and Destroyer; it is Destroyer to those who fear change; it is the Saving Grace to those willingly flying into the Unknown.

“Love the process; love the adventure of it! We all wish to know what comes next… and the only way to get there is by being there… and ‘there’ is here, amidst the swirling currents of change. Embrace these winds with outstretched wings and see to what heights courage may carry you!

“The Sun lights our way!”