Guess who is beginning her Leave No Trace Master Educator course this weekend!?! Yes, that would be me… and if you know me well, you know I absolutely LOVE talking about Leave No Trace. In fact, I have transformed the LNT 7 Principles into a program of self-love and personal wellbeing, that I look forward to sharing with you very soon. And after this Master Educator course, I will be looking to teach those that want to TEACH these principles to others! I hope you are as excited as I am!
So, how is LNT about self-love? I am thrilled you asked…
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (LNT) is an educational nonprofit organization devoted to responsible recreation and active stewardship of the outdoors. LNT was officially born in 1994 by federal land management agencies and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) to develop and promote low-impact outdoor skills and ethics.
Beyond picking up litter found along the trail and following the LNT Principles, being a good steward of the environment is honoring the deep connection we have with all that is, seen and unseen. For “…as above, so below, and so within, so without…” For how we treat the outside world is exactly how we treat our inner world. The state of each reflects the beliefs and behavior patterns we hold about ourselves and all others. No belief system is necessary to sense this innate connection we all share. It dwells within all things.
LNT is not only a standardized list of “rules and regulations” that we must follow in order to comply, but a set of foundational values that help us peacefully embrace our lifelong exploration of wild places. The seven principles are the perfect place to evaluate our ongoing relationship with the earth. For this is a partnership of equal value… you receive all that you give. How you behave outdoors is a habitual practice like anything else.
When you already know what to do when spending time outdoors, you don’t have to spend time figuring out the best place to make a home for the night, how to make a safe fire, or what to do with waste products. Instead, the seven principles teach us exactly how to dig a proper “cathole” to poop in the woods like a real wild human being… so we are as efficient, effective, and hygienic as possible, living in harmony with nature. These are simple systems that, with practice, become effortless and require little or no thought.
However, the LNT seven principles are just the very beginning of this wild and fantastic adventure. When you perceive nature as your home, you sense the continuous evolution of all that is… as a whole and integrated presence. This foundational awareness is a reflection of how we treat ourselves, our self-care. And when we consistently choose the path of self-love, there is a direct and noticeable correlation with our outer world. We see a remarkable shift in the joy and magic we experience.
We can enhance our understanding exponentially by becoming aware of the energy we put into the world – which is the next evolution of Leave No Trace. The next time you spend time in the Magic of the WildWood… as a wild human being, remember… you are the conscious KEEPER OF THE LAND.
Namaste
xoxCollin
