Nature insight is the meditative art of finding wisdom from our natural world. By observing and understanding the ways of nature and its myriad life forms we can draw beautiful insights that help us grow in life. Through nature we learn invaluable lessons that one can apply at work, in relationships, and in life.

Insight learning is defined as the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of someone or something. It is a fascinating process of the human mind to transform what is observed in the outer world into a simple idea that expands our inner world exponentially. Here’s a selection of some thoughtful nature insights, and pointers on how to create new ones for yourself. Don’t miss the illuminating poem at the very end.

Grow your life with nature

The most fundamental drive for all life forms is growth. To expand, replicate and evolve. In more poetic terms we call it ‘love‘. The love to live, survive and thrive. The love to grow in life.

The beauty of these insights rests in the idea that each one of us finds not only what we are looking for, but also what we are ready for. Nature adapts its lessons to suit our unique individual needs.

So, what will you find? What will you learn? Step into the world of infinite mystery.

Nature Insight from the Forest

“We are proud of what makes us different. It is the key to the strength of the forest. Our value is based on what makes us different. You know what? Like you, we care about our own. We slow down our growth, absorb less water and capture fewer nutrients to care for the young ones. So they can have more resources and food. So they can grow strong and healthy. But we don’t limit ourselves to our own family. Our neighbours are the fungi, lichens and other organisms of the forest. We are connected by the sky, the earth and the breath.

Together, we are a huge network where we share and we co-operate. Where we all depend on each other. If one of us suffers from an attack or illness, we warn others so that they can be prepared. The bigger trees share their wisdom with the younger ones, so that they are not afraid of the future and embrace decisively the changes of the seasons and the uncertainties of nature. If one of us falls, we join forces to nurture it, so that it can continue to be part of the forest. There is no such thing as loneliness among us.”

INSIGHT: Humans have focused for so long on finding out what makes individuals different that we have forgotten what unites everyone. If people would stop to listen to the forests, what would they say? Perhaps they would tell us about community resilience, about cooperation, about finding strength in differences and about how to live in the present. Perhaps they would also remind us of all the things we have in common with them, that we share the same home and are strongly interconnected. But surely the most important thing of all is that they make us question life and how we are choosing to live.

*Credits: Andrea | Inspiration: Suzzane Simard

Nature Insight from the Sunflower

During the growing season, the young sunflowers rotate their bright yellow heads during the day to track the sun’s movement across the sky. They reset overnight, swinging their face back to the east. This means the plants likely follow an internal rhythm. Researchers found that during the day, genes click on causing the east-facing half of the stem to grow. The lengthening stem causes the flower head to slowly bend to the west during the day. At night, genes causing the west side of the stem to grow activate, causing the head to flip back to the east.

When the plant fully matures, it faces permanently east, which benefits the aging bloom as well. The researchers found that east-facing flowers heat up more quickly in the morning, attracting five times as many pollinators as west-facing blooms. This find supports previous studies, which suggest that bees and other pollinators prefer warmer flowers in the morning.

INSIGHT: Nature works in rhythms. As individuals we all have internal body clocks with their own particular rhythms. The more we learn about our bodies, the more it seems that standardised time is badly suited to our individual needs. Our internal rhythm changes with age as well as the seasons. The truth is, we all differ when it comes to our best working hours, the amount of sleep we need, and the right times for meals. It makes sense, therefore, to pay very close attention to our own personal rhythms and build a suitable schedule around them.

*Source: Smithsonian Magazine | Insight by: Julia Hobsbawm

Nature Insight from the Monkeys

In old age, people begin to consider what was important in their lives and ask whether they achieved something. But what moves people during the course of their lives and why do they act as they do?

Until 1949, it was assumed that human and animal behaviour was controlled by inner drives and exterior motivations. Then professor of psychology Harry Harlow made a discovery that disproved this theory: He gave eight Rhesus monkeys a mechanical puzzle. Since the primates would receive neither food nor praise if they solved the puzzle, he was convinced they would not concern themselves with it. However, the monkeys gave it a go, recognised how it worked, and, without any exterior incentives, solved it with great enjoyment. Such behaviour is also typical for us humans.

INSIGHT: When a person finds a job fulfilling, no further reward is necessary. Merely the joy of being able to program an application or to publish recipes on the internet for other people to benefit from is, frequently, motivation enough.

Striving to change something in oneself and in society is a much healthier and satisfying impetus. For more and more people, such meaningful goals have become their main driving force. People who pursue meaning in their lives want to give something back to society – which, in turn, also gives them personal strength

*Credits: Daniel Pink | Author of Drive

Nature Insight from the Sea otter

In different ecosystems there exist keystone species which hold the habitat together. If they are removed the entire habitat will fall apart. For example, sea otters, impact other predators as well as other animal and plant species farther down the food chain. When sea otters disappear from an area, the population of creatures it once hunted can explode, pushing out other organisms and reducing species diversity.

INSIGHT: Similarly to the keystone species, in our lives we have keystone habits. Simple rituals that affect all the other areas of our life as well as our wellbeing. One such keystone habit is keeping our connection with nature alive. Humans have evolved in the midst of nature. Staying connected with it yields a host of benefits for our mind and body.

Nature Insight from the Clouds

In appearance we think we are subject to birth and death, but when we look deeply into something like a cloud, we know that it is impossible for a cloud to die. A cloud can never die. To die means from something you become nothing. From someone you become no one. But a cloud cannot become nothing. A cloud can become the rain, the snow, the mist but never nothing. So the true nature of the cloud is no birth and no death and our nature is also the same. And when we have enough concentration and insight we touch our true nature of no birth and no death. It frees us from all kinds of fear. Fear of being and fear of non-being.

NATURE FACT: The earth’s atmosphere is a very cloudy place.  NASA’s Earth Observatory estimates that at any given time, around 67% of Earth’s surface is covered by cloud. Across cultures clouds can have very different meanings, in the UK they tend to have a relatively negative symbolism, for instance, a cloud on the horizon means something bad is going to happen. However in Iran, clouds are considered as very lucky, so it would be a blessing to say ‘your sky is always filled with clouds.’

*Credits: Thích Nhất Hạnh | Source for Cloud facts.

Insight Learning from Nature

Insight learning is a type of learning that happens spontaneously, like a flash of lightening amidst dark thunderclouds. Your brain is capable of making unexpected connections and understanding larger truths about life when it is given the right conditions. Such a state of mind can happen very easily when you are in nature.

However, in the rigour of our day-to-day life, we can get so caught up in the external world that our inner growth takes a backseat. Material growth which is not supported by inner growth can never give us lasting peace and satisfaction. Also, to overcome unusual challenges and complex problems we have to search for answers within. That is why, Insight learning can be a very helpful tool.

The basic elements of creating new insights are: awe, wonder & curiosity. Feelings which give rest to our rational, thinking mind. Nature is a store house of such untold treasures and that’s why it yields so many precious insights. Let’s learn to grow our mind, heart and spirit with nature.

Nature Insight from humans

The lives of forests and humans are intricately linked. This delicate relationship has become even more critical in the modern world. While one set of people are rapidly destroying our remaining forests, there are many conscious individuals, who have committed their lives to conserving old forests and creating new ones.

This film was created to support one such group: Forest First Samithi. Every year we partner with a small organisation doing exceptional work, to highlight their initiative, share their insights and inspire other humans. Please visit their website to learn more. http://forestfirstsamithi.org/

In case you found the post interesting, try our Nature Calm course to go on a learning journey with nature. Explore some amazing ideas and find insights that will aid you through your life.

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If you are reading this, chances are that you may already have a deep connection with nature and it has taught you some invaluable lessons. Do add your nature insights in the comments section to grow our collective knowledge. Feel free to share this post with others, just as nature shares its wisdom with you.

Nature Insight Poem