W is for Walk amongt the flowers – you might be surprised how open they are to communicating with you!
This is an instalment of my Communing with the Universe series. I like to ponder the different ways we can, through physical and creative means, engage in a broader, more satisfying dialogue with nature and the universe we live in. I think of ‘communion’ as a level above ‘communication’ where we are able to use our entire sensory beings in the process; to absorb, listen, appreciate and find meaning.
An Accidental Enhancement of the Senses
I first started experiencing a heightened sense of communion with plants and flowers around late 2016.
It came about quite by accident, in fact. As a result of some health issues I had reluctantly cut stimulants out of my diet; namely coffee and alcohol. Can you hear the wailing of grief? Yes, that was me. Coffee is one of my favourite things and I would have given anything not to have had to give it up.
Despite my grief, I noticed an unexpected and very postive side-effect. I was becomimg more aware of nature and more open to the vibrant energy of flowers and plants. My whole sensory network began to billow out in the direction of any and all plant life around me.
Walks around our neighbourhood became a new experience. Colours became deeper and more luminous. Frangrances found me more quickly. I noticed how incredible the air seemed, more oxygenated or more pure, in areas of dense foliage.
Flowers like to commune too!
If I was to go share my pondering on the energy of flowers and plants, and how they are so attractive to the eye, I would say that they want to be noticed. They’re pleased when you stop by to say hello.
Flower and plants have so much to offer us, and very often we’re distracted by our lives to really notice them. But they have so much beauty – and who doesn’t need to feel touched by beauty? They have charm and grace – and who doesn’t enjoy being close to grace? And most importantly, they connect us to the earth – and we can all feel closer to the earth and more grounded.
If you feel a little odd about the idea that plants and flowers might have their own intentions, and be actively trying to engage with us and make us feel happier, more healthy and more connected to the earth and to each other, you might be interested to know that there is a lot of research being done in vegetable biology, that shows that plants are in fact sentient beings!
Kenny Ausubel, from Bioneers, states:
‘Over the past two decades there has been a revolution in vegetable biology. Science now shows us that plants appear to be sentient beings. They perceive light, smell, touch, water and many more variables than we do. They can learn, remember and communicate. They exhibit the traits that we associate with personhood….Research over the past 30 years has illuminated a profound intelligence throughout nature.’
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This article wes featured in Edition 2 of Earthed Interiors, featuring my ‘Heart of the Matter’ print. Shop the designer goodies here and read the magazine here – and don’t forget to subscribe to get Earthed delivered straight to your mailbox!
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Heart of the Matter fine art print by Jordan Harcourt-Hughes
