Nature's school

There is an idiom in Japanese: 花鳥風月 Kachou Fuugetsu. It literally means: Flower, Bird, Wind, Moon. The meaning of it is: Experience the beauty of nature, and in doing so learn about yourself.

O'Sensei wrote: "Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise people. Everything - even mountains, rivers, plants and trees - should be your teacher."

Many of us prefer to learn from authority figures, such as teachers, coaches, and parents. Nature's wonders are everywhere, and yet we are not aware of most of them. Scientists today are discovering some cutting edge technologies that are found in animals, and mainly in insects — such technologies that may be greatly beneficial to humanity, yet we don't have the knowledge to duplicate them.

In our practice we can learn from everything around us, not just from our teachers. Every moment brings a new lesson, and may provide an opportunity for discovery. Nature is a mirror we can take a look at and see our own reflection. By looking at trees I get interesting ideas about my center, wind teaches me about energy paths, and from my two cats I learn about accuracy in movement. Moment by moment, awake, in this never ending school.