Love Your Lack of Knowledge When Connecting with Nature

It is nice to be able to impress your friends by saying: “oh yes, that’s Ranunculus acris” (while picking a buttercup) or point knowingly to a poor unsuspecting robin and declare with great importance: “that is Erithacus rubecula don’t-you-know”.

But don’t worry if you don’t have a clue! People like me who have been horribly exposed to Latin name calling all their lives are trying to forget it all and go back to the pure connection we had when we were children. Of course we need to know accurate names in order to access the right information, but we can save that for practical purposes. For the business of pure nature connection, just noticing that buttercup and really seeing what’s in front of you – that is so valid: see the iridescent petals, the exquisite form, made all the more significant by its fleeting time in this glowing state. 

So often, I see people capture things by naming, and just as often, with a photo - then instantly dropping it or turning away, as if it’s done, finished!

I sometimes argue (and get most disapproved of I may add) that a label, a name, and all its associated past blerbings, written or said about it, can put up a barrier between us and nature, between us and direct experience.

Shoshin is a word from Zen Buddhism meaning "beginner's mind." It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject. I’ll have you know that it is a very sophisticated thing, to see things with beginner’s eyes, so don’t let anyone belittle your lack of knowledge! Everyone can love nature.