by Rachna Chopra

Life is a pearly rain of bliss. When we open our hearts in trust, each petal of our being gets soaked.

Nature, truly, is our soul mate, because we were born to it, live amidst it and dissolve into it. Hinduism speaks of Pancha-bhootas or the five elements that comprise the universe, namely fire, water, earth, air and space, which are also the building blocks of our body and existence. These were there when we opened our little eyes into this world, and these will soothe our last sigh. Knowing nature to be our soul mate is true knowledge. Treating nature as your soul companion replaces your inner sad loneliness with seamless sharing, unconditional support and a soothing togetherness. Nature is not just a force to reckon with, nature is a friend that offers a two-way dialogue and reciprocity! The direction of the breeze, whistling of the birds, humming of insects, and sudden showers of rain are all cues that nature imparts consistently to its lovers. Have you ever seen a cloud drift by and assume a strange shape just when you were looking? These are far from coincidences. Each little twist in Nature’s mood has a message. Not needlessly have wandering monks languished in forests, and by no means were they isolated during their recluse on mountaintops! They were in perpetual communion with the most compassionate, intelligent and wise mate one can have.

Enrich yourself by gaining Nature’s friendship and establishing a rapport with its elements. Link in with the chirping of free birds, tune in to the plant and animal kingdom, start a dialogue with the waves, sunrises and sunsets, wet mud and dew drops. The way to begin is to know that Nature is listening! You will soon discover that Nature is not just your soul’s mate for an eternity–She is also a preceptor. All of its manifestations have some learning to impart that will take your soul further in its journey to the Source.