Wildness is becoming a lost archetype in a modern world of gadgetry, SEO optimization, overpopulation, economic takeover, defunct two-party systems, etc. etc. etc. Our primitive instincts have become subterranean in favor of cleanliness, scarcity fear, wanting the work to be done for us, a compulsive need for mass quantities of stuff, all in the name of progress. I’m just as susceptible to it as the next person, and yet, I’m always curious about what is happening to our instincts in the process. The sixth sense, strengthening in the natural world, forced to adapt rapidly or become extinct, is being met with a human quality of distracted aloofness.
We often don’t respect that there are places we shouldn’t venture. Perhaps it’s our metaphorical reliance on external GPS systems which give us the false confidence to enter territories which are not good for us, or that we don’t actually even desire. It is becoming easier and easier to betray one’s values, without even knowing it sometimes.
The movement to find home and reacquaint ourselves with our spiritual surroundings seems to stem from a need to belong, and perhaps to know where we do and don’t belong. Spiritual and spacial intuition, or the loss of it, causes us to find ourselves in places we don’t want to be. I ask myself often what is at the root of this. Why do we venture into lands where we are not in alignment, to wander on someone else’s watch for days or years?
I find that when I’m lost in the world and I don’t have the satellite systems to direct me on hand, I’m far more instinctive about what direction I should be going. My internal systems reset to home, base camp, true north. I’m suddenly more aware of where I am, whether I feel safe, and what to do next becomes clear. Have you ever amazed yourself with your ability to find your way with no outside assistance? We can do it. We gather to rekindle the fires of intelligence and share the wisdom with one another.
It’s said that it takes several days in the wild to get your instinctual bearings back. With no outside help, self-reliance can be re-instituted, and the human animal can be born again.
What helps you restore your inner compass? What experiences of wandering in someone else’s country have caused you to seek your true address?
Beautiful, and thoughtful post, Pixie! I have found this is something I awakened to only 2 or 3 years ago. As a deep feeling of malaise had settled over my entire being and my life – I remember so distinctly during this awakening feeling that I had lost my way, that I was being overwhelmed with other’s energies, their projections, their (mis)direction, and the like. It finally took my decision to disconnect from social media (to the largest extent – this feeling of witnessing the negative news stories, the online squabbling over opinions, the highlight reels, the sense of not enoughness or smallness when witnessing other individuals businesses and paths develop so successfully that I lost my sense of my own inner light and unique path) and even to friends and family and colleagues, because I needed to get quiet. Really, really quiet. I needed to find my stillness so that I could hear my voice, the words of my heart, again. I went through a terrible period of feeling alone, of feeling that I might lose my friends, or the attention of others if I stepped away – because, of course, this fast paced, connected yet disconnected world – tells us that if we are not constantly marketing ourselves personally and professionally, and constantly reminding others that we indeed exist that we will be forgotten, that we will be left behind, which… in some ways did happen to me. But, the truth is, I woke and healed and found my home in my heart, relearned my voice, reminded myself of who I was, of what I wanted (and needed) and felt more whole and assured that everything was perfectly on time, on schedule in my soul, and that I could trust that. I didn’t need to be a highlight reel and portray myself inauthentically as another person’s best idea of myself, and I could trust myself to show up, perfectly perfectly me, and going in the right direction, or standing still in the right place… (which is ok too). XO
Thank you. Always delighted to read about women re-discovering their connection to their wildness. We gather groups of women to do just that, and to tell their stories http://www.wildwords.org
Deeply grateful for this, Pixie. I have just discovered that my body gives me my first cues as to whether where I am – or heading – is right for me. “Yes” feels one way; “no” another.
Seeking my true address! Giving up the noise and chatter of the plugged in world has helped me find true voice again. Helped me choose when to dip in, and remind myself of the need to follow my own guidance. Stop looking outside of my self for the “way to success” as an artist, as a person. I find the best teachers are the ones who continually point me in the direction of myself.
Hi Pixie,
Thank you for writing this. Lately, I’ve been struggling with anxiety and self-doubt. I have asked friends and family for advice, some of which has been helpful, and some of it not so much. Then I remember. They can tell me whatever they feel, with my best interests at heart, but ultimately I am the only one who can decide what is right for me. I have the ability to make those decisions. In fact, I am highly qualified. If I look within, and answer my own questions, with trust in myself and my own inner wisdom, I will make the best decision for ME, for my own life. It doesn’t mean it will always be rainbows and butterflies. But it will be my choices, my learning experience, my LIFE. <3 <3 <3
I so need time alone to reset or calibrate – It’s about slowing down and expanding at the same time. A multi-sensory thing that’s beyond the “5 senses” but does include them. I’m finding modern life to be too fast and over stimulating – manic I guess – my gatekeeping is about discharging that to recharge, calibrate, and / or find the balanced flow between my inner and outer worlds. I also see that when I tend the compass and the balanced flow between, I am far more prepared to be in the manic situations that happen- because time moves different around me – not sure if I’m explaining it well enough but my responses are efficient and fine tuned and instinctual. I trust my response more even when they surprise me! Thank You Pixie ❤️
Thank you for sharing your wisdom Pixie, what you say is so very true.