Where do you go to find ‘the answer’? How do you even know what to ask? Have you ever noticed that it’s not always the question, but the question behind the question that matters most?

Our history as humans is literally littered with inventions. From the moment our ancestors tamed fire to where we are today it has been one step forward all the way.

We are currently finding ourselves awash in artificial intelligence. Our reality is shaped by algorithms at every turn. While these feats of electronic engineering are impressive, sometimes we’re left with our compass still spinning.

Perhaps calling this machinery “intelligent” is a bit too generous. One would hope that technology remains in the service of humanity, and not the other way around.

What started as wise words carved into stone tablets later evolved into Gutenberg‘s printing press and then on to pocket calculators and word processors till now when we have more computing power in our pockets than the Apollo astronauts had onboard when they went to the moon. Our ways of working with wisdom have advanced with us every step of the way.

Regardless of how nifty our new shiny objects are, they can all be traced back to the source. After all, where did wisdom come from in the first place? “Back to the garden” indeed, and thank you Joni!

In other words, Nature. The Great Outdoors. Good old Mother Earth. Gaia, if you prefer.

This past week my brain and body have been blessed with ample access to the great outdoors. My days have been spent planting seeds and clearing brambles. Early spring in the Loire Valley is magnificent, life is bursting forth from every bud.

So when French facilitator Lou Glup brought her Atelier of Wilderness practice into our DanceFirst community recently, it seemed serendipitous. Like many of the movement leaders we serve, her work is based in nature and represents going back to the source.

Our lot as leaders in the modern era is to bridge the ancient wisdom of nature with the tools and technology of today. We dance between worlds as existence evolves. You can check out how she does it by logging into the free class she’s offering later today on Zoom, or in-person by making the journey to the South of France in May, (details for both below).

Whenever I’m nurtured by nature, I’m reminded that I do my best thinking in motion and outdoors. Ideas and inspiration flow easily in the wild. It’s like a non-linear search engine that reveals answers to questions you hadn’t even thought to ask.

Next time you’re on the horns of a dilemma, take time to talk to a tree. Or at the very least, just listen! Your answer might well be waiting for you somewhere between the roots and the sky.

Tous mes meilleurs!

M+

ML #620

Mark Metz
Executive Director :: Dance First Association