This post was written by Sue Staropoli, co-founder and long-time member of the Pachamama Alliance Rochester Area Community in New York. 

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle. The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt is awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.” - Albert Einstein

I have always loved people and engaged easily with others. I did this in the way of our culture—moving fast and being productive.

It has only been in the last few decades of my 80 years that I was introduced to a new way of being—slowing down, doing more listening than talking, and connecting with the natural world as the kindred spirits they are to me.

As I began to see the value of my life was more than just what I do and accomplish (a pattern deeply embedded in my life)—I began to nurture practices that grounded me in the mystery and interconnectedness of all life.  

Slowing down in itself was a practice, in all areas of my life—learning to change my pace from walking fast, multi-tasking and taking pride in how busy I was to a pace that felt more connected to my heart and a deeper sense of grounding and purpose. One area I noticed this fast pace was even in my walks in nature.  I came to love being in the beauty of the natural world, feeling peaceful and relaxed away from the noise and busy-ness of my daily life. But even there I too often found my mind wandering to tasks I needed to do, problems I was facing, and even sometimes listening to podcasts or talking on the phone.

As my slowing down practice grew, I was led to a practice that has become dear to my heart and deeply grounding—an “awe-walk.” The more I believe and really know how intimately I am part of the natural world, the more I see all life around me as living beings I want to connect with.  Just as I engage easily with human friends.

What makes an awe-walk different from any other walk in nature is my intention and attention. I am walking with a clear intention to connect with my beloved kin, actively communicating with them and open to receive the gifts they have for me as guidance for my own life. It feels like having my antennae open to see, hear, feel and receive—in whatever ways the natural world wants to communicate with me. I love walking so slowly and greeting all my friends on my way—the birds, ants, trees, flowers, moss on a rock, the flowing creek, the dragonflies—so many kin I could easily pass by without noticing.  

It's all about where I put my attention—what I notice.

And I inevitably experience the wonder and awe of the living world—as I notice leaves falling, spiders walking around my feet, the coolness of the breeze, chipmunks scurrying around me, and so many other ways my senses receive the blessings I’m being given.

As I focus on the beauty, and sometimes even damage, around me, I am in relationship with each Being in a precious way—engaging with them as I would with a dear friend and listening to them with a heart open to the gift they are to me and the world.  I almost always find myself expressing heart-felt thanks for their being in this world—and sometimes deep sorrow as I ask their forgiveness for what we humans have done to their world.

What I have discovered, through this practice, is how precious life is and how deeply I am part of a mystery that is unfolding in these turbulent times. I often start a walk with a question—asking the earth and my friends for guidance, as I find my way as a partner in creating a world that is thriving for all life.

As I experience the earth in this focused way, I have learned so many lessons for my own life—slow down, be patient, know that dying is part of life, accept what comes in life as it is, go with the flow, appreciate the beauty around me, surrender into not knowing, and live in the present moment.

It has also been a joy to share this “awe-walking” practice with some of my (now adult) grandchildren. One grand-daughter now and then tells me she’s going on an awe-walk—and we share a special connection when we see a dew drop on a leaf—and take a photo to send to each other! I feel grateful that this practice will be part of the legacy I leave, passing it on to the next generation, awakening them to the beauty around them and their interconnection with our precious earth.

"The universe shivers with wonder in the depths of the human." - Brian Swimme