A journey into the wilderness of unspoiled nature reserves is also a journey into our own ‘wilderness’. We often postpone or do not dare to embark on that journey of discovery into our deep self, we are actually afraid of being confronted with ourselves. Yet we all carry that precious treasure deep within us, which was already there when we were born and from which we stood full of wonder in life in our first years of life.
All layers have come across: norms, upbringing, culture, rules, and roles we play. We build experience and knowledge. But still, the question is that when it comes down to it, if a crisis occurs in our lives or a top performance is requested, what is the source from which we draw the inspiration and the courage? Where do we get the power? What is the anchor that gives us the peace and wisdom to do what needs to be done.
Everyone in his or her life has been completely alone in front of hot fires. How we act determines the rest of our lives. At such a moment , we fall back on ourselves, on who we really are, without frills, without status, selfless. Can I have the peace and wisdom at that supreme moment, can I see the big picture? But when I have found that anchor in myself, that I know who I am and what I stand for, then a determined trust arises from that place. Trust that it will be all right. If we can no longer find that Anchorage, we grope in the dark and hope that it will be all right.
The Journey Into Nature where we leave everything behind (no tent, no watch, no phone, only the essentials of clothing and food, and a mat and a sleeping bag) brings us closer to ourselves. Especially in Africa where we as humans all started about 100 thousand years ago. We then almost automatically abandon Western culture, our conventions, our tough career stories because of the deep respect for nature that we can not get rid of. There we experience the surrender to what is and what comes gaa. We perceive with full attention and see the big picture and the coherence of everything that surrounds us. That brings us to our true self. Then we will learn to discover that Anchorage again.
The 21st century needs leaders who are real, authentic and who deal with all issues that come our way with integrity. They know that only sustainable solutions are in the interest of our grandchildren and trust in the true intentions of their Anchorage.
The men and women who go on a wilderness trail realize that it is good to give their lives a ‘Re-Vision’ turn, to recalibrate their mindset, or to think carefully about an important choice in peace. Who am I, and who could I be? What is my potential? What do I want to do for my family, in my work, and for society? These are the central questions they often ask themselves when they are there in the middle of the bush at night, all alone while everyone is sleeping, watching a small campfire and marveling like a child at the overwhelming starry sky with the whining of a hyena in the background. When I am there with my whole being, I do not have to look for the answers, Nature gives me the answers and it is I myself who gives it my meaning, I am reborn, as it were, I recognize something of that precious treasure in myself.
As Martin Buber, the great philosopher, once wrote: Everyone carries in himself something precious that cannot be found in any other. Finding that is his way. And ... he added: Finding Yourself is not the end, after all, it's about being a better person for the other.
Boy Van Droffelaar, PhD
