One life is not enough for a person to explore our planet. The vastness of our world and its mysteries have always been the subject of many poems. It is almost impossible for a person to learn everything about the world, including the oceans, glaciers, forests, and wildlife.
Many individuals have devoted their lives to uncovering our planet’s secrets and immersing themselves in its mesmerizing beauty. They traveled far and wide to witness nature’s magnificence and to learn more about it.
However, today’s fast-paced era has robbed people of the time they can spend enjoying nature and learn about its miracles. But John Muir, a famous environmentalist, has shared an easy way in his journal to learn more about the universe and its secrets: “The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.”
Where Does The Quote Originate From?
The quote is found in Chapter VII of the book John of Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, written by John Muir. The book was Muir’s journal, where he recorded his observations and noted his activities while exploring new mountains and landscapes.
He also expressed his profound thoughts about nature by writing about mountains, water, sunlight, and forest. The quote was written in 1890 during the time when he went on the exploration of the Muir mountains and its tributaries in Alaska. In his journal, he jotted down his reflections, experience, and findings and described the places he visited in Alaska.
The 60 journals from the years 1867 to 1911 were later compiled and published in 1938 in the form of one book. This book contains all the raw and chronologically arranged entries from John Muir throughout his journey to different places.
Who Was John Muir?
John Muir was a renowned environmentalist, botanist, zoologist, glaciologist, and an active advocate of preserving the environment in the US. He is known as John of the Mountains and the Father of the National Parks.
Muir played an active role in establishing Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park in California. He also joined other environmentalists and, in 1892, founded the Sierra Club with them. Before falling in love with nature and exploring it more, Muir worked with mechanical inventors. However, in 1867, in an industrial accident he nearly lost his eye. After that incident Muir quit his career in the mechanical industry and dedicated his life to exploring and preserving nature.
“Keep close to nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” John Muir
He kept a journal to note down everything about his findings and observations. He walked to the Gulf Of Mexico and described his journey from Indiana across Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida to the Gulf Coast. Muir talked about the towns he visited, the people he met and the wilderness that mesmerized him on his journey. The journal was later published as a book in the year 1916 titled A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf.
He also traveled to Nevada, Utah, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska for his never-ending love of forests and glaciers. Muir’s insightful 60 journals were published as books and read by millions of nature lovers. Furthermore, more than 200 articles were printed from his journal entries and reflections on the places he explored.
What is the Meaning of the Quote?
In his journal, John Muir wrote the quote when he was on a sled trip to explore the Muir glacier’s boundaries and tributaries in July 1890. He expressed his keen observation of the similarity between the humans and the trees, as follows.
It has been said that trees are imperfect men and seem to bemoan their imprisonment rooted in the ground. But they never seem so to me. I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast-rooted, they travel about as far as we do. They go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day, and through space, heaven knows how fast and far!” John Muir, John of Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir-Chapter VII, Fragments of Alaska
After writing down his thoughts, he concluded the entry in his journal by writing the aforementioned quote, which became quite famous. According to Muir, nature reveals the secrets of human life and the universe’s hidden mysteries. One can learn much about the world if one mindfully observes and appreciates nature. Furthermore, connecting with nature not only makes us aware of its beauty; but also of its roughness and harshness.
For instance, walking in a lush green forest is a delightful adventure. However, when someone spends time in the woods, they learn that along with its inexpressible serenity, it can be merciless and brutal. Teaching us the biggest lesson of all that along with life’s countless pleasures comes many challenges and hurdles. No one’s life is always happy and free of problems.
If you take nature as a teacher, she will teach you exactly the lessons you had already decided to learn; this is only another way of saying that nature does not teach. C.S. Lewis
Connecting With Nature To Relieve Stress
Human beings have become busier than ever in their professional lives. People work throughout the week, worry about the deadlines dangling like naked swords over their heads, and get anxious about how to check off every item on their to-do lists. Constantly working is detrimental to the person’s physical and mental health.
Always thinking about work and not finding time for recreational activities results in burnout. Because of it, the person cannot give their best and think clearly. Burnout makes you feel lethargic, confused, and irritated with life. Many employees and entrepreneurs often experience it and are forced to take a break from work to revive their energy and enthusiasm for their jobs.
One of the best ways to relieve stress and calm your anxious nerves is to connect with nature. People spend most of their days absorbed in the online world through their smart gadgets. They often play games or chat with friends as a recreational activity. However, prolonged use of these gadgets reduces melatonin(the sleep hormone) and increases mental stress. This means that using devices to take a break from a busy schedule is not helpful in the long run.
The best way to lessen the burden on the mind is by spending time in nature. By stepping out of the house, inhaling the fresh air, and observing the lush green trees is a guaranteed way to calm yourself and relax your soul. The color green is associated with quietness and serenity. Watching this color in abundance in the environment is sure to work wonders for our mental and physical health.
In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous. Aristotle
Try to set aside a few minutes every day from your schedule to rekindle your mind by spending time in nature. Go for a walk in the park and absorb all the beauty of the trees, flowers, and grass. Or you could go forest trekking once in a while to fully experience the raw nature, its beauty, and mystery that never fails to amaze us.