I’ve wanted to work “in nature” from about 5 years of age.
We have ALL the ID books – the what-is-this bird/fungi/lizard guides. Our family never book accommodation without searching for “eco-resort” first. We’ve enjoyed ceynote swims in Mexico, hiked to the snow line and our kids have portaged between Canadian lakes. My husband is a super keen catch-and-release fly fisher.
I’ve woken up after sleeping outdoors in a Kosciusko winter with a pillow-halo of ice. We hike in our nearby hills most days and we all have our favourite native birds, flowers and fungi. I consider myself to be about a 9/10 on the nature knower/lover scale, and yet……
Why has it taken 52 years to hear about sit spots !? I can only assume until now, you have never heard of them either…..
Sit spots are the OPPOSITE of what most people do in the bush. When I do a sit practice – I hear other humans coming a mile away. I can tell the angry ones coming from their pressured workplaces – they crash through the vegetation, yelling into their phones, not aware of their behaviour, missing interactions with species. A dog might run ahead – but they look down, their surroundings just wallpaper.
A sit practice is not like that. It’s a practice that is part of a suite of tools used for nature therapy. And nature therapy is HOT these days. It’s like being in a yoga class with a bunch of your best friends, rather than watching a yoga video. It’s immersive. It brings more calm AND at the same time as more concentration. It’s like therapy – only without the white boxy walls and stinging price tag…..
A sit spot is a place you go to regularly enough to develop an affinity for – a fondness. It’s your secret place, whether that is close like a backyard or a remote and pristine vista. There is a distinct emotional relationship between you and what’s around you. You know most or close to all the major species there (whether you know their formal names or not). You aren’t perceived as a threat – rather you become accepted as a natural part of that place. You have done the “dirt time” there.
Here are a few video resources that make it easy to learn the habit of sit spotting.
Sunshine Coast – Nature Weavers Earth School
Rather than try to teach the details of how to do it here – I’m offering sit spot events in person. Be sure to follow this blog in future and my FB page Naturehood, Nurturehood for updates.
In the mean time – here are some basic tips.
S – S is for select. Somewhere close and familiar. Somewhere you like to be.
I – I is for individual. This is your place. Best to go alone.
T – Time. Give yourself at least 30 minutes of pure observation in a comfortable spot. (It can be quite hard to do.)
S – Suspend your judgement. You don’t have to DO anything. If this is too hard, you can sketch or journal, or stroll around a tiny bit. Get used to the feeling of freedom. How amazing it is to do NOTHING !
P – Plan to bring the right clothes, shoes, a drink or water. Plan NOT to look at your phone at all, except to set a timer.
O – O is for being open to anything. Perhaps you’ll be surprised to see a predatory bird, observe a wind direction, or see a too-close-a-reptile species you’ve never noticed before !
T – T is for talking it up ! Tell everyone that you do sits. Find a sit buddy or two and compare notes.
I’d love to hear how you feel.
Naturehood, Nurturehood 