TRS3340 Virginia Commonwealth Wisdom of Wilderness Nature and Spirituality Paper Nature and Spirituality Paper: Wisdom of the Wilderness, Due MONDAY 9/30

TRS3340 Virginia Commonwealth Wisdom of Wilderness Nature and Spirituality Paper Nature and Spirituality Paper: Wisdom of the Wilderness, Due MONDAY 9/30

As with all work in this class, do not respond to the prompts for the paper outright. But within the course of writing the content.

The outline is similar to our first paper. Remember, it is an essay so keep the tone/voice personal. Just a warning too – one pitfall some make is writing a book report rather than an essay, so focus on the issues brought out for you in the reading,rather than describing what is in the book.

The Template ( Please read the directions as you go – and yes, you do need to use the headings!):

Intro and thesis

As always, introduce what you will discuss in your paper with 2-3 sentence in your own voice, and end with a thesis that says “I think……, because….” [Note the comma before the word because is required] Yes, you absolutely need a “because….” clause. This sets up your analysis, and is a sharing of your reasoning.

Your thesis can be on the “power of the slowing” concept, or nature and healing, or simply what you learned from the book.

My experience

Yes, do talk about your experience interacting with nature, and telling whole stories is a good idea. But make sure to compare this with what you read in Wisdom of the Wilderness, to show how you relate/don’t relate to the power of the slowing/nature and spirituality. You may add some quotes to do so, but in this section talk more on your experience. This section should be at least 2 long paragraphs/ 1 page.

Analysis

Start paragraphs in this section with a personal claim that relates to your thesis “because….” clause. Then talk about specifics of the book, the metaphors used, and what you though significant points. Do quote to support yourself, and go in depth into the issues. But don’t review the book; examine issues. (Keep telling yourself “this is an essay, not a book report). Aim for at least 3 paragraphs/ 1.5 pages. Each paragraph in the section needs a claim, quotes, reasoning and personal examples.

Conclusion Sum up your paper, and re-state your thesis in a new way, given what you discussed. This is no place to quote; use your own words to end the paper.

Bibliography

Include the Wisdom of the Wilderness, but also any other sources you found helpful for writing the paper.

The template is meant to help you think through issues raised in reading this book, improve critical writing skills, and clarify expectations.

Sample papers are available in Writing Specifics. Reflective Essay 2: Wisdom of Wilderness
2/9/2018
TRS 3340 – 701
Introduction
Spending time in nature engages all the senses and allows one to fully observe the
surroundings without judgement. It allows one to appreciate everything around and brings a
state of calm to the body and the mind. Whether it’s walking or hiking, gardening or fishing,
nature has positive effects on the brain. The elements of nature bring a positive energy to the
body and uplift the spirit. Sometimes the raw power of nature is just what our body needs to heal
itself from the inside out. I believe nature has the power to heal, because exposure to nature
brings the body and mind into a state of calm.
My Experience
In Gerald G. May’s book, The Wisdom of Wilderness, he writes about “the call” of the
wilderness he experienced during his mid-life after suffering losses and being under stress. As
he’s on his way into the foothills, May writes, “I notice my mind shifting from thoughts about
things left undone to excitement and wonder about what I’m getting into.” (May, 1). Being a
military wife, a full-time nurse, and a mother to three small children I have felt great stress,
anxiety, and feeling loss of control. A hiking trail near my home runs alongside a creek; this trail
provides a significant healing power and sense of spirituality for me. During difficult times, I
walk alone alongside the creek. The fresh air, sound of running water, and the sun beating down
provide that same shifting of thoughts from things left undone to excitement and wonder as May
describes. I leave the trail in a calmer state of mind and body.
On camping trips, my family disconnects from electronics and stops looking at the clock.
The weekend commences with no agenda or itinerary. We wake up with the sunrise and our
daily activities depend on what Mother Nature has in store for us. We eat only when we are
hungry, and we relish quality time to enjoy each other’s company. Being out in the elements of
nature all day not only calms the mind and the body but provides a spiritual experience that is
quite difficult to describe. This experience to me is what May would describe as “the Power of
the Slowing.” This presence, “the Power of the Slowing,” May stated “seemed to beckon, guide,
teach, heal, and show me very deeply who I am.” (May, xxiii). I agree with this statement from
the book as I leave each camping trip feeling a stronger sense of self and connectedness to my
family. I quite literally interpret this as a “call” to “slow down” and take the time to appreciate
my surroundings and just live in the moment. It is truly powerful to feel the presence come over
you and feel so connected to the earth and to yourself or your loved ones.
My Analysis.
As an adult, I have found new appreciation for the wilderness and what it has to offer.
Many lessons to learn and many opportunities to rediscover my true self like May states in his
preface, “The inner wilderness is the untamed truth of who you really are.” (May, xx). When I
am out walking along the creek, seemingly alone, I know that I am never alone. My worries
disappear, and I am transported to a calming state of mind. I have found this power also helps
ward off depression, migraines and body aches. It’s quite difficult to describe how nature heals
us, but as May states “…we must allow ourselves to be healed. And we must allow the rest of
Nature to help us.” (May, 170).
I have also noticed in my children how powerful and healing nature can be. After staying
home with my son for a couple of days due to flu like symptoms, I bundled him up and took him
for a walk outside in the woods. When we returned home, he was lively, ate his entire dinner,
and slept the whole night through. He woke up the next morning energized and feeling back to
normal.
The Wisdom of Wilderness is a collection of May’s experiences outdoors that healed him
from the inside out and surfaced his untamed nature. I have felt this same revelation, and for me,
one of the statements May uses to support my thesis is that “…we cannot do this healing for
ourselves…the healing came through Nature itself.” (May xxii). Nature has an amazing way of
calming our mind and bodies, as supported by May’s statement, “I have no notion of being
perceptive or alert, but the depth of my relaxation has made me very open, receptive to
everything.” (May, 19).
Conclusion
Nature engages all of the senses. It “calls” one to slow down and just be present in the
moment (the Power of the Slowing). It is then that nature can be allowed to come in and provide
healing, leaving the body and mind in a state of calmness. My thesis, that nature has the power
to heal by bringing the body and mind to a state of calm, holds true in these statements and
descriptions.
Word Count: 864
Bibliography
May, Gerald G. The Wisdom of Wilderness: Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature. New
York: HarperOne, 2007. Print.

Purchase answer to see full
attachment