Are we in such a hurry that we don't see the obvious or the subtleties of nature? Looking out in a field of wild irises I notice these chocolate lilies sprinkled throughout a meadow of wild irises. I've encountered people who have walked right by them in a hurry to "see" the wilderness of Alaska. They are looking for bears, moose or whales all the while not thinking how abundantly these creatures roamed the lower 48 states before the "lack conversations" of western man encountered North America, Native Americans and nature. Sometimes individuals will come into our visitor center stating they have not seen any wild life and that is why they came to Alaska. I know on National Geographic television and other shows about nature we get a steady diet of spectacular things to see in the wild as if you can show up and the wild will perform for us like a Disney Land theme park. Wild animals and nature are not on a schedule that most folks on cruise ships and two week vacations are following. Nature is being nature, natural, exact to its moment in the environment. Can we say that about us as humanity? What would it be like to be in the moment, living in the present? We here this all the time, but how do you do it? Seeing yourself and environment as enough is a good start. It is what Thich Nhat Hahn said so gently and eloquently, "you will have enough when you know you are enough." Many times we tend to want more things, see spectacular stuff. If it doesn't materialize then lets make a wild theme park; put sea life like whales, seals and dolphins in performing zoos to entertain us. When did being happy come to mean constant consumption and entertainment? Now there is nothing wrong with entertaining in its natural moment however when we desire to turn every encounter into an entertainment or thrill me moment it is a problem. Walking around out in Dyea, Alaska allows one to see the possibility of what can happen when nature is left to its own. This area once a Tilinget fishing village and then a bustling town during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 was built up much like Skagway is today. Thousands of people came through going to the gold fields in Dawson City located in the Yukon Territory. Even afterwards a few tried homesteading it until the late forties. Today nitrogen fixing plants like sweet peas, lupines, wild irises and spruce trees have reclaimed the land. Decomposing stumps and logs are the few remains of what was once a town. Most artifacts located on the paths have long been taken as souvenirs by visitors and locals in the area. Black bear and grizzlies roam where a wharf went two miles out into the Taiya inlet. They have made this boom town a place where their cubs can grub around in the remaining piles of buildings, play openly on the tidal flats where the only shots are digital cameras silently snapping pictures. If this is the wild people are coming to see then its going to take more than a brief stop. It will take slowing down spending a few days appreciating the wild and all its offerings. It will take a conversation about the animals, plants and biology. Most of all it will take listening. I mean deep listening to the hunters, animal lovers and people who are concerned about the environment. I mean listening not trying to get your point a view across but deep listening. Again using words of Thich Nhat Hahn and his philosophy of active peace.
His philosophy of deep listening and gentle communication is something we all get to actively practice daily. I constantly remind myself of this when I hear someone making comments I feel are ignorant, lack compassion or tolerance for others ideas, culture or ethnic differences. Saying this in your head before speaking in any situation changes how you respond to people. Try it the next time someone upsets you or has a different point of view. Ask questions and listen. Listening does not require agreement just attention and space for others to be. Judging people is not how we bring people together, create peace or a global community working together on the problems our Earth and humanity faces. Seeing the likeness in everyone can be the bridge builder as well as accepting that there is more than one way to govern or express spiritual, religious beliefs and to live in this world. We will get to real dialogue about our wilderness, our global environment and humanity when we all have handled our lack conversations and realize there is enough for everyone and everything in nature and our world.
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