Kathleen Horning- Viewing Nature Interactively

Kathleen Horning- Viewing Nature Interactively
Topic: Experience of a natural setting
November 1, 2015

            On October 29, 2015 our class walked along part of the Noland Trail in order to interact with nature. The purpose was to experience the connection between spirituality and the natural world, and to increase understanding place as chora and time as kairos. For part of class, Dr. Redick showed us some different types of plants and their purpose. For the other part, the students were instructed to explore on their own, to take their time, and to interact with the terrain.

            Lane writes that the embodied experience of place is “to be fully present to any locale… involved in touching and being touched by its particular array of rocks, trees, animals, and geographical features” (p. 44). When I first arrived on the trail, I picked some rosemary. I felt the smooth herb between my fingers and smelled its freshness up close and from affair. Before, I had never realized that there was rosemary on the Noland Trail. Perhaps this was surprising to me because I did not think of something so edible growing out there.

            Patience is a virtue I sometimes lack, so it was a little difficult for me to take my time interacting with the terrain. However, it was a nice feeling to put my phone away for an hour and experience nature. I breathed in the fresh air, listened to the animals along the trail, and touched (non-poisonous) plants. It felt like an escape from reality.