Can a Mountain Have a Spirit?

In the Andes there is a deep connection to nature, ancestors, and the earth itself. Andean people, known as “Q’ero”, are categorized in Western anthropology as animists, which believe that all things are endowed with a spirit. Food, natural surroundings, you name it.  When spending time with Q’ero people, its evident that a simple connection with nature cultivates this way of seeing and being in the world. 

*To learn more on animism - see the Emerald Podcast's "Animism is Normative Consciousness"

The Q’ero are naturally in tune with nature - her needs, seasons, and sentience. To be fair, most of our ancient ancestors would have lived in the same way - in reciprocity with the natural world. An abundance of time spent outdoors results in a keen attunement to the medicine nature provides. It’s ability to energetically soothe. To display vast beauty, and abundant offerings: Plants, water, stones, soil, wood, clay.

This attunement and attention presupposes that nature’s being expresses itself. The Q’ero discuss nature as if it has a nervous system - a concept that is entirely outside of the western construct. Understanding the nervous system of nature requires developing a relationship with it. Sit quietly, set an intention, introduce yourself, give offerings. 

For the Western construct there have been recent studies comparing talking to plants with kindness, versus speaking to plants with harshness. Clear outcomes of those studies follow conventional wisdom - the kindness group thrived and the harshness group withered. This pre-supposes that plants respond to energy, frequency, tone, or vibration.

As more and more of us in the Western world begin to crave nature and spend time building greater connection with her, we’ve developed an academic discipline to make space for this study - Ecopsychology seeks to expand and remedy the emotional connection between humans and nature, treating people psychologically by bringing them spiritually closer to nature. The London School of Economics has the world’s first university sponsored “Center for Animal Sentience”. All of this is recognition that working with nature has both healing properties and deep intelligence.

To know this conceptually is one thing - but to experience it - quite another. How does this relationship with what appears to be inanimate and unintelligent play out? It happens both practically and ceremonially. Sunshine and fresh air make us feel better - gratitude is generated. Praying over a garden space builds heart energy. Watching wildlife develops wisdom. 

Farming practices, logging practices, land and river management conducted with care and reciprocity have a different tone - I’ll care for you and you care for me. There’s a regenerative component when our impact on nature is taken into consideration. Intention is employed and the energy behind the project has an eye to relationship. Prayers are given, offerings made, conversations with spirits prioritized. Nature-connected peoples believe their mountains, trees, rivers, and lakes are imbued with spirit, deep spirit that has ancient wisdom. Starting from this place of natural sentience hits different. The interactions recognize connection and play out with more care. 

Sure - farming and land management projects implemented without consideration of nature or spirit can succeed, many have, but how sustainable are they and what’s the greater long term impact? In the west we’ve developed ideas like **regenerative economics, which seeks mutual reciprocity with the principles of health and well-being of humans and nature alike. Prioritizing sustainability over production and exploitation.

For people and collectives, connecting with nature is an efficient path to authentic relating. There’s a physical, visceral, nervous system interaction with nature. An energy exchange that can be felt physically by humans. Forest bathing, ocean swimming, gardening, hiking. In its simplest form our nervous system can relax in those settings. When the nervous system is relaxed there’s more clarity. When the nervous system is relaxed, you can hear your higher self. The wilderness holds magic. It holds spirit. Its interactive. There are messages and gifts when we slow down, listen, and observe. 

**“Since there is now increasing evidence of environmental deterioration, particularly in living nature, the entire outlook and methodology of economics is being called into question. The study of economics is too narrow and too fragementary to lead to valid insights, unless complemented and completed by a study of meta-economics” - E. F. Schumacher, Small is Beautiful