Discovering the Wild Spirit
In my work, talks, and throughout the Spiritual Rewilding course, I often emphasise the concept of the "Wild Spirit." While this term is particularly connected to Spiritual Rewilding, it is a notion that carries deep significance in our journey to reconnect with nature and our inner selves. The Wild Spirit is not easily defined in a single sentence, but rather, it's a force, a conscious and interconnected energy that flows and blows and grows through all living things. It's the very essence of untamed life, the unyielding will to thrive, and the primal force that drives existence.
Often when we think of the world “wild”, we think we are talking about something ferocious and fierce, or possibly somehwere inhospitable or dangerous. But it doesn’t always have to equate to that. As Dr. Cliff Kapono beautifully puts it:
"For me, wildness isn't loud or aggressive. It's about stillness. It's about being in harmony with everything around us."
The “wild” of Wild Spirit embodies this sense of stillness, harmony, and interconnectedness. It's not just a relentless force; it's a gentle yet unwavering energy that flows through the natural world. This concept finds resonance in the words of Robin Wall Kimmerer, in Braiding Sweetgrass, who introduces us to "Puhpowee," which she translates as
"the force which causes mushrooms to push up from the earth overnight."
It's a force of life, growth, and resilience.
In places where nature is allowed to thrive, we witness the Wild Sirit manifesting in all its glory. However, in our modern world, many living beings, human and non-human, are subjected to forms domestication, manicuring, and cultivation, cutting them off from their wild selves. Yet, even within this cultivated landscape, pockets of Wild Spirit persist. These are the places where life defies the odds, where the tree grows in spite of limited space, where wild flowers thrive unburdened by human intervention. It's in these corners of the natural world that we can witness the Wild Spirit pushing through.
So, how can we connect with this Wild Spirit? How can we learn from nature and bring this primal force into our own lives? The answers lie in the principles and practices that are shared through the Spiritual Rewilding course. By learning to attune ourselves to nature, we tap into the Wild Spirit's wisdom and awaken our senses to the subtle yet powerful presence of this force.
Unlike the classical ways of connecting with the elements, the wild spirit is not something you can replicate artificially. It's in the untamed wind, the rustling leaves, and the weaving clouds and not in the electric fan. It is in the dancing flames of the fire, and not in the candle.
Yes, the weeds and wild flowers, often dismissed as nuisances, are actually some of the most robust carriers of the Wild Spirit. They grow where they choose, pushing through cracks in the pavement, thriving against the odds. Take a closer look at these unassuming plants. Notice their resilience and determination, the power of persistence and the beauty of thriving in unexpected places.
In the concrete jungles of big cities like London, connecting with the Wild Spirit may seem like a daunting task. However, whether you live in a bustling city or a remote countryside, the sky remains untamed and boundless above you, and can be an easy doorway into connection with that Wild Spirit, watching the clouds or where possible, there stars. A former student on the Spiritual Rewilding course, living in the centre of London during the lockdown, asked for suggestions of where they could connect with that Wild Spirit. London, like many towns in this country, has grown around a river, the River Thames. The river, though hemmed in by buildings, still carries the essence of the Wild Spirit. Its flow, its persistence, and its untamed nature remind us of the unstoppable force of life.
So, as you see, there are many places around us where the Wild Spirit is thriving, and can guide us back into deeper connection to our Wild Selves. By embracing the Wild Spirit in nature, we learn to connect with it within ourselves. We become more in tune with the pulse of life, and in doing so, we awaken the Wild Spirit that allows us to thrive in harmony with the world around us.
Learn practices and approaches for connecting with the Wild Spirit in nature and within yourself through the Spiritual Rewilding Online Course