“A Sacred Place”
for a deep nature experience
Do you have to go all the way to Africa for deep nature experiences? Could it be somewhere closer?
These are questions I am often asked. Are such "Sacred Places" also found in Germany, Belgium or even in the Netherlands?
The answer is: Okay! But then that "Sacred Place" must meet a number of conditions.
Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, both professors at the University of Michigan, have done extensive research on the relationship between natural environments and human experiences. In their groundbreaking work, they have found that wilderness experiences have a profound impact on people's well-being, as well as their cognitive and emotional processes ( The Experience of Nature, a psychological perspective, 1989).
According to the Kaplans, there are four conditions which must be met in order to enjoy nature intensely and take full advantage of its positive effects on people's well-being and cognitive abilities:
Being away
People should have the opportunity to isolate themselves from the hustle and bustle of the everyday environment. The place should provide a calm and quiet environment that allows you to escape from the overwhelming influence of technology and daily stressors.
Fascination
The place should offer you a sense of awe and amazement that allows you to fully concentrate on nature. It can be evoked by various aspects of nature, such as smells, colors, patterns and sounds.
Extent
The place must offer variety and diversity in the natural environment in order to be able to fully concentrate and experience connection with the big picture (Wholeness)
Compatibility
The place should provide an opportunity to connect directly with nature. And feel comfortable with it. The feeling of unity with nature can then arise (Onennes).
The Foundation for Natural Leadership has found numerous such beautiful "Sacred Places", all of which meet the four conditions of the Kaplans v0ld. Look at it program from the FNL. You will find trails to Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway and even to the Wadden Sea.
Boy Van Droffelaar, PhD
