Into the woods I go to lose my mind and find my soul

Written by Jonathan Wilkinson

I say those words (often repeatedly) each time I go through this entrance into my local woods.

This seemingly inconspicuous entrance is actually a gateway to a world of wonder and nourishment. Before entering I switch my phone to airplane mode and prepare myself for what awaits. Once through the entrance there is a steep descent of about 400 metres that leads me into the bowels of the woods. As I make the descent I feel my body opening and with each step down I loosen my grip on my mind falling ever deeper and deeper into my soul.

Sometimes its a fairly swift and smooth transition and other times if I’ve been really caught up in my thinking it can take a while. But mother nature always has her way with me eventually.

No matter how closed I’m feeling the moment I catch a glimpse of a bird of prey, a fox or one of the many magical creatures that inhabit the woods I am totally lost in the moment and any thoughts that were occupying my mind cease to exist as I am captivated by the wonder I am witnessing.

I know of no greater nourishing force for the mind, body and soul than mother nature, yet in todays world we have never been more disconnected from her. We’ve actually been conditioned to believe that we are somehow separate from nature which is probably the biggest illusion this modern world has ever pulled off.

The fact is we are nature, we are wildness and when we are separated from that that we are we suffer. Yet as we begin to shake off the layers of domestication and honour our wildness our full sensory capacity comes back online and with it our innate resilience. We once again become open, whole and complete.

At first it might be challenging to consistently connect with nature, your mind will come up with many reasons to put it off for another day. Yet once you have reclaimed your wildness you will find it almost impossible to separate yourself from mother nature for long. She always calls out to me whenever it’s been a while and my whole body aches from her absence. There isn’t enough money in the world that you could pay me to stay away.

How can you start to reclaim your wildness even if its just five minutes a day? I know not everyone has access to local woods or pure wilderness but there’s always options. It could be going to the park on your lunch break or having your morning coffee in the garden or maybe even getting a dog that will need plenty of walks.

As with all the of the Primal Fundamentals its about consistency over intensity.

Whatever resonates with you just pick one, have fun and do let us know how you get on.

Big love!

Jonathan

P.S. Coming up in 2021 there will be more ways that you can walk the path of Waking The Wild. It’s going to be a epic year of Soul, Myth & Magic if we have anything to do with it! To find out more got to: Go deeper – Primal Happiness –