Nature immersion

Nature offers a wealth of wisdom for problem-solving. Relating lessons from nature to another challenge is a form of analogous thinking, a powerful technique for discovering solutions. In Emergent Strategy, adrienne maree brown makes numerous associations between nature and resilience to discover strategies for activism. For instance, brown learned interconnectedness and detoxification from mycelium. Starlings offered her a lesson in adaptability. And wave-particle duality signaled the importance of valuing both process and outcomes.^{1 2}

To find inspiration in nature, consider hiking, meditation in nature, or other forms of immersion and then studying what grabs your attention. During your nature immersion, mindfully experience your surroundings with all of your five senses. Explore what free associations come to mind from the flora, fauna, and atmosphere. Nature will meet you halfway. Nature decreases stress and mental chatter ³ and restores our ability to concentrate and pay attention,⁴ making it easier to notice connections. After your experience you may want to study certain themes to understand the mechanisms and synergies at play.

1. brown, adrienne maree. (2017). Emergent strategy: Shaping change, changing worlds. AK Press.
2. Moone, M. (2020, November 6). Elements of emergent strategy – Morgan Moone. Medium.
3. Sudimac, S., Sale, V. & Kühn, S. How nature nurtures: Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature. Mol Psychiatry 27, 4446–4452 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01720-6
4. Nurtured by nature. (2020b, April 1). American Psychology Association.