what is freedom?
Hi! Welcome to endless river's new newsletter. It's a little longer than usual, this time, because I have a lot to say and a couple of things to explain! I am planning on having shorter, more concise, more regular newsletters to share my ideas and thoughts around nature connection, mindfulness and other stuff. I hope you enjoy.
The freedom question fascinates me. Is it about being free physically, i.e. not having restrictions on movement and choice when it comes to going places and doing things? Or maybe it's about freedom in our minds, i.e. the ability to feel like we have a choice about what we believe and what influences our thinking. I feel lucky enough to be able to experience many different freedoms- but I know that freedom only affects me when it's attached to a belief.
You could say we are free here in Europe, but why do we feel so at the whim of leaders who don't seem to care and political systems that seem to be broken. We do have freedom of our bodies and in our minds, but do we really have as much choice as we're led to believe? Societal influences are very strong and in many ways we are expected to go along with them - democracy, capitalism, competition, dominance - cultural elements that are deeply ingrained. We work towards beliefs, create the world as we live it but so often it feels like we can't change. Why is that?
When it comes to the state of the natural world we are mainly still in the attitude of dominance. It's ingrained. And even though we want to 'save the world', it is so difficult to get out of the conditioning of dominance, that instead we just freeze and don't act. This is a fear response. It may be because we're told we have to 'fight' climate change, that it is up to us to stop something deadly that is happening. And although all this feels quite heavy to write, in my opinion we can quite easily create conditions in our lives to lead us away from fear and into action, without having to feel like we're having to fight all the time.
The anxiety levels we are expected to hold at this point in time can be crippling - and no, it's not physical, racial, or oppressive in those ways, but it is a method of control and it does keep us scared and in a place of inaction. Some may find a way through this and into action but for most, it's an invitation to shut down and feel worried about the state of the world.
Where to start?
For me, learning to slow down is important. Disaster news activates the mind, when what we might need more than anything is to connect to the world through our bodies and see how that, in turn, affects the mind.
The mindset of dominance over the natural world has some hang overs. It can make you feel that there is no relationship between you and the natural world (e.g. successful anti-hippie propaganda in the U.S.). The modern world has ingrained the idea within us that, despite the fact that we need to 'save the world', actually slowing down and being with the ground under your feet is a step too far. But it's all about how we look at it. Are we defensive (modern stance) or are we open to seeing what's there? Centuries of dominance leads us to believe that the world is a chunk of dead rock, which is there for us to slowly chip away at and use like a savings account, as if our inheritance has finally ripened. Another way to look at this is to see that the world really is alive. The world produced all of us, feeds us, clothes us and gives us the space, if we so choose, to spend time appreciating these facts, by breathing it in. For whatever reason, we stopped thinking like this, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say, we stopped feeling like this. But the world is a harsh place, right? No, the world is just fine, the reality that we live in is harsh, however. They are two very different things.
Feel Connection Again - To help with this it can be good to break it down a little and look at the idea of support. Often, in our lives there are people who support us, who are there for us, in many ways. Not everyone has this, of course, but it does happen. It can even come from a pet or animals, that idea of connection and support, a being that is always there for you, keeps coming back, you can trust that support to be there. The natural world is like this. The natural world is always underneath you, supporting you every step of the way, providing you with air to breathe, food and a place to rest. So the place to start reconnecting with the natural world might be to just say thanks, to appreciate these simple facts. You are scientific proof that the world is alive! Take a step and feel that connection, that support. Breathe in a lungful and know it was made for you - it's free for whoever wants it. Know that you have a place in the world and all you need to do is connect with that. Say thanks, or you could even try feeling (oh dear, the 'f' word again!) thankful/grateful/awestruck/fascinated/ALIVE! THAT is where connection starts. Please try it. Every day. Forever.
This is how it can begin. Take it slowly. In many ways, this is all you will ever need to do to develop a connection. But there are always more depths to go to, if you want. And, of course, take any action you want, in the world. From my experience, though, I feel that I am resourced through 'letting my guard down' and developing a connection to both the natural world and to my own inner experience - both physically and emotionally.
Good luck! Let me know what happens :-)
Privacy
I've been on an interesting trip lately with this. A couple of weeks ago I shut down all my social media accounts, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. I can put my virtual hand to an ear now and hear....absolutely nothing coming from the world of social media, and this feels great! It also means that this humble newsletter will be my main form of communication with the outside world - a fact that scares me as I'm still 'in recovery' ;-). I immediately began to learn about the horrors of social media and the data industry, which leaks into every facet of our online experience these days, particularly through social media. I decided that I also wanted to offer a newsletter that was from an independent company rather than a massive corporation like Mailchimp, who I have now also quit using. The slight downside is that I have to now pay a subscription but it's worth it, because with this service, unlike Mailchimp, there is no data collection. Yep, every Mailchimp mailing list you are on has your email and monitors both the content emails that are sent to you and how you interact with those mailing lists. All your clicks and opens got through Mailchimp's servers, so it's basically their information to sell. All of that information then gets used to target online marketing back to you. Truth. With Mailchimp, I could also see who was opening my emails and all sorts of statistics. I decided that it all felt dirty so that's why I'm now using Buttondown. It's a service where I have the option to use data but that option is firmly switched off and always will be. I guess, what I'm saying is that you won't be spied on through this newsletter - EVER. And in a world where that sort of stuff is the absolute norm, this newsletter is..well..abnormal(ly great!). A bit more free, you might even say.
Things I like
When I'm not wrestling a one year old baby or wrestling a nine year old daughter and a forty four year old wife, I read a bit, watch a bit, work a bit, listen a bit and chat a bit. A book I like a lot at the moment is The Way Home - Tales from a Life Without Technology by Mark Boyle. This is a very inspiring book. It's one of the things that helped me call it a day with social media, and is helping pull me back into the outdoors, despite the occasional baby-led inertia. It's a big mirror that confirms to me the level of disconnection we have descended to, through technology. Stuff I've always thought about but never been brave enough to do. His is a brave journey into simplicity - that's the major point, I think. It helped me to see how much unnecessary rubbish I take for granted that I definitely need in my life - the smartphone, the car, the computer, the washing machine (yikes!). I wonder what will go next.
Another thing I love doing is being with my frustrations and annoyances. Ok, maybe I don't love that but I'm learning to. Having a baby is probably the most stressful job in the world - every little bit of time has to be accounted for. It puts real strain on relationships. I write this newsletter during naptime, after he goes to bed, whenever I can. It's a test in how much I can squeeze into my life, whilst being tired and run down. This brings me face to face with a whole lot of stuff I can't control; baby moods, tiredness, crankiness, lack of sleep, and so is fertile ground for growth. In fact, it's like growth acceleration. Having a baby means I bump into my ego around fifty million times a day and there I have a choice, to get frustrated, resist and be stuck or get frustrated, feel it, let go and learn. Yum. It takes practice but I'm currently in a 24/7 masterclass. Lucky me! So when you're feeling that familiar frustration and annoyance, can you stop and feel it? Ask yourself if it's really about the story you've got going around in your head. Locate the feeling in your body; take the mind out of the equation, it's clearly not helping. When you do that you see that your frustration is just energy, which can get transformed into insight and acceptance, which feels healthy. I might do a workshop on this subject! Free yourself from your own silly shite, I might call it.
Things I do
I am excited to be hosting my weekend retreat on 8,9,10th July! There are currently 3 spaces left. So if you're interested in having a good, deep nature connection experience, including a long sit spot (real space to breathe), river swims, sleeping out under the stars, tech free, sharing food and feelings with other great people and all in some beautiful West Yorkshire woodland and countryside, on an off grid camp and woodland, then give me a shout. It's only £195 per person, including communally made meals. Friday 12pm to Sunday 12pm.
I also teach mindfulness courses and I LOVE the process of teaching mindfulness - it gives me so much joy and deepens my own journey every time. You can read more about the course I teach here and other stuff I do too. I am also writing my second book (in naptimes and during Taekwondo lessons), which will be a short, insightful set of experiences gained through the delightful pastime of sleeping out under the stars (and clouds) in all seasons. This will be limited to a short, one off run. Fingers crossed it will be ready this autumn.
If you like this newsletter please pass it on to someone who you think would like it too. This link will allow others to subscribe https://buttondown.email/endlessriver
What is freedom for you?