Most of us can remember a few words that were spoken to us at a pivotal moment in our life which had a powerful impact. The person saying the words may – or may not – have been important to us. But whatever they communicated struck us with such compelling clarity that it made us see things in a different light. Perhaps it became the catalyst for change.
Why is it that ideas can have such power at particular moments? Is it the ideas themselves? The way they are expressed? Or the person who said – or wrote – them?
All of these may be factors. But the most important factor is our state of mind. Sometimes we are more receptive to messages than others. Everyday stress tends to push most of us in one of two directions. Either we try to multi-task, keeping an ever-increasing number of balls in the air, unable to pay proper attention to any one of them. Or we go into tunnel vision mode, ignoring all but our most urgent priorities. Neither of these responses are exactly conducive to a receptive frame of mind. We may listen to many pearls of wisdom. But what are the chances of us hearing them?
One of the wonderful things about spending extended time in nature, such as on Mindful Safari, is that we remove ourselves from the demands of our usual environment. We deliberately put ourselves in a place where none of our usual concerns has any relevance. Where restricted wi fi means we can give ourselves permission not to have to check our In box. Where all our needs, and even our activities, are arranged for us. Perhaps for the first time in a very long time, we can devote ourselves simply to being in a beautiful place, the home of many extraordinary creatures, spending time in nature, and following the gentle, daily routine of settling our minds.
We can draw breath.
A calm, relaxed and open mind is the optimal state for ideas to make an impact. An analogy I like is that of throwing a stone into a lake in the middle of a torrential downpour. The impact of the stone will be hardly noticeable. Compare it to throwing that same stone into that same lake but on a peaceful day. The stone may create ripples widening as far as the distant shoreline.
When we are on Mindful Safari, we create an invaluable punctuation mark in our life. A time for review and recreation. An opportunity to consider timeless wisdom with the openness of a tranquil mountain lake.
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Join us on Mindful Safari in Zimbabwe, where I was born and grew up. On Mindful Safari we combine game drives and magical encounters with lion, elephant, giraffe, and other iconic wildlife, with inner journeys exploring the nature of our own mind. Find out more by clicking here.
