Reconnecting with Our Innate Nature: An Exploration of Biophilia

Understanding Biophilia: The Love of Life

A term popularised by esteemed biologist E.O. Wilson theorised that humans possess an innate predisposition to fuel the connection with nature and all living beings. This is a fundamental characteristic of human biology, having evolved over millennia of co-evolution with the natural world.

This isn’t merely the thoughtful appreciation and wonderment of looking upon the sheer beauty of nature; it’s a deep-rooted, evolutionary necessity that has an impact on our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Biophilia acts as an innate blueprint biologically entwined into our being, drawing us towards the vibrancy and liveliness of all that is natural.

It is the reason why we feel the impulse to run through a meadow of wildflowers to fill us with joy or why the sound of a rustling canopy of forest trees transports us to a level of inner peace most of us have forgotten how to experience often enough. This quintessential connection is not something that is taught, but it is something to be remembered, an echo of humanity’s soul.

The Evolutionary Roots: Why We Crave Green Spaces

Human evolution has been unequivocally rooted in the natural environment. For an extensive period of time our survival has depended on learned awareness and an intimate understanding of our relationship to flora and fauna. Our minds evolved to recognise patterns in nature, to distinguish the differences between edible and poisonous plant life, to track animals and become accustomed to weather patterns and various terrains, as well as to build shelters from what was naturally accessible.

This way of life has left an indelible mark on our DNA and psyche throughout generations. It’s why a stroll through the woodlands can feel like you are returning home or why the sound of crashing waves or rain hitting the windowpanes on an overcast day can induce a feeling of pure tranquillity. Our souls radiate on days where we embrace the gifts of nature bestowed upon us by Mother Earth.

The ways in which our ancestors navigated the world included navigating dense foliage, foraging for sustenance, and living not only in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem but also sharing a mutual respect with the various beings that they shared that ecosystem with. These experiences were not only about survival but also shaped our very perception of our surroundings and evolved our cognitive abilities as well as our emotional acuity.

This is why there is no better feeling than the cool earth beneath our feet or the sound of a babbling brook somehow having the ability to pause time itself and soothe our nagging anxieties, or the fresh scent of damp soil after a rainstorm enlightening your senses, or the birds chirping right at dawn to calmly wake us into a new day. These are not just pleasantries to enjoy but are deeply embedded signs that signify safety, sustenance, and well-being that have assisted the survival of our species for generations past. An integral instinct we have forgotten. To ignore the primal connection to Mother Earth is to deny who we are.

The Profound Impact: Biophilia and Our Well-being

The implications of biophilia extend further than a pleasant stroll through a local park. Research has demonstrated the profoundly positive impacts that our exposure to the nature around us has had on our well-being holistically.

• Mental Acuity and Stress Reduction: Studies have proven that even a brief exchange with natural environments can reduce stress hormones like cortisol and improve one’s mood and enhance cognitive function, including but not limited to memory, problem-solving skills, and creative abilities. The gentility of nature’s beauty offers vital relief from the stress of modern life, allowing a space to break away from daily worries. Envision the calm and clarity that washes over you after spending a significant amount of time relaxing in nature’s gentle embrace or spending time focusing on the intricacies of nature’s design.

• Physical Health Benefits: Nature has a way of lowering blood pressure and reducing heart rates all the way to boosting one’s immune system. Activities such as forest bathing exemplify how intentional engagement with our natural environment has been linked to decreased inflammation, improved quality of sleep, and an increase in recovery from illnesses. Our bodies, much like our minds, have an instinctual ability to know how to heal when the revitalising energies of nature wash over us.

• Spiritual and Emotional Connection: For many, nature serves as a sanctuary, a place for introspection and a deeper connection to something greater than themselves. It encourages a sense of wonder, awe, and belonging, nurturing our spiritual and emotional planes. This also resonates deeply with the practices of green witchcraft, where Mother Earth or Gaia are revered and respected as a living, breathing entity, and where the cycles of nature are celebrated in our own spiritual practices. Often, we find the most profound moments of clarity in nature, where the boundaries between the mundane and the magical seem to merge.

Cultivating Biophilia: Integrating Nature into Modern Life

In our rapidly urbanising world, intentionally fostering biophilic tendencies and appreciations becomes more paramount than ever before. This does not necessarily mean you must abandon your modern world and become a hermit, but rather it is about taking a conscious step towards incorporating nature into your everyday life, and not in a superficial way, but a true and deeply impactful way.

• Bringing Nature Indoors: The Green Home – You can transform even a tiny urban dwelling into a biophilic haven. Houseplants, herbs on a windowsill, outside gardens, and even portable planter boxes are just some of the many ways to incorporate plants into your household. Embracing natural and sustainable materials in décor or even playing the soft and subtle sounds of nature throughout your sacred spaces can turn any space into some place vibrant and calming. This can perfectly align with the principle of house witchcraft, where the home is seen as a sacred extension of the self and the natural world. Picture the serenity of a carefully curated garden (indoor or outdoor) or a terrarium that can bring life into an inside space, or the subtle natural magic you can experience when you tend to the daily ritual of tending to your plant

• Designing with Nature: Biophilic Architecture and Urban Planning—Forward-thinking architects and urban planners that prioritise sustainability and the natural environment are steadily incorporating biophilic design principles into their architectural designs. Think green roofs, living walls, natural light maximisation, and the creation of accessible urban green spaces within cities. These designs aim to reduce stress levels, improve the quality of air within cities, and enhance the overall appeal and liveability of urban environments. Projects that bring nature into the designed environment are not just for aesthetic reasons but play a crucial role in creating spaces that support the flourishing of the human population and act as a constant reminder of what we need to work towards.

• Reclaiming Our Connection: Outdoor Pursuits and Practical Herbalism: Spending time outdoors, be it hiking, gardening, sitting beneath a tree, or walking barefoot through a stream, is a critical part of human life. However, for those drawn to herbalism, this connection is foundational. Identifying, harvesting, and preparing plant medicines directly fosters a profound understanding and respect for the natural world, linking us to ancient traditions that are still relevant today. Each plant becomes a teacher; each remedy is a deep conversation between the body and the earth.

• Homesteading and Sustainable Living: The ultimate expression of biophilia may lie within the art of homesteading and a commitment to sustainable living. Being able to grow your own food, work with the seasons, and thrive off of self-sufficiency wildly grounds us in the natural world. The hands-on engagement fosters a reciprocal relationship between the homesteader and the environment, promoting a sense of environmental responsibility and sustainable stewardship. It’s about consciously choosing to go down a path that not only nourishes the body but the Earth as well. This attitude acts as a recognition that our well-being is intrinsically intertwined with the well-being of the surrounding ecosystems we inhabit.

The Ethical Imperative: Biophilia and Environmental Stewardship

Ultimately, embracing biophilia extends beyond personal well-being; it encourages a sense of responsibility towards how we treat the natural environment. When we feel close to nature, we are more aware of her needs and more likely to protect her. This powerful love of life becomes a catalyst for a strong sense of environmentalism and sustainability. It comes down to an inextricable understanding of how the health of the planet is linked to the health of not just our bodies but also our minds and our souls, and when we nurture the one, we follow through to nurturing the rest. Therefore, our biophilic inclination is not merely a pleasant sentiment but a courageous call to action and an urgent reminder of the much-needed custodians that are needed to keep this planet safe.

As we continue to navigate this wild world and the complexities of our modern existence, let us remember the innate wisdom within us that yearns for connection with Mother Earth. By nurturing our biophilic tendencies, we not only enrich our own lives but also the lives of all living beings, as well as become profound advocates for the preservation of our Earth. If you are ever in doubt of your innate connection to nature, don’t worry; just take a step back into the woods and explore the infinite possibilities of biophilic design gifted upon us.