Nature: The Foundation of Human Life — Body, Mind & Soul

Why Human Life Thrives Only When in Union with Nature?

Introduction: Returning to What Sustains Us at Every Level

As children, we play in the mud, laugh with the wind, and find wonder in every falling leaf. Somewhere along the way—through screens, deadlines, and disconnection—we begin to see nature as something separate. A backdrop. An accessory.

But the soul knows better. Through my years of guiding seekers on the spiritual path, I’ve witnessed a powerful truth: when life feels fragmented, dry, or anxious—it is often not ambition we lack, but contact with nature. Because nature is not just something beautiful to admire. It is our essential support system—nourishing body, mind, and soul alike.

To ignore it is to become unwell.

To return to it is to return to wholeness.

The Deep Interdependence Between Nature and Human Life

Breath of the Body: Air, Water, and Food

We do not just live on nature. We live through it. Every breath we take is filtered by trees. Every glass of water is gifted by the rivers and rains. Every grain of food comes from the generosity of Earth.

Modern convenience hides this reality, but our biology remembers it. The body is made of five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. Neglect nature, and you neglect the very building blocks of your being.

Even urbanites can pause and ask: Where does my oxygen come from? My rice? My energy? The answer always leads back to nature. This is physiological.

“Yathā pṛthivyām oṣadhayaḥ saṁbhavanti…” 

— Chāndogya Upaniṣad 6.5.2 

As plants are born from the Earth, so does all nourishment arise from Her.

Balance of the Mind: Beauty, Rhythm, and Relief

The human mind thrives in patterns—sunrises, seasons, birdsong. In natural environments, cortisol (the stress hormone) drops, while serotonin (the joy hormone) rises. Even the act of watching waves or trees swaying calms the nervous system.

Why? Because the mind resonates with nature’s rhythm.

A study published in the journal Scientific Reports showed that just 20 minutes spent in a green environment leads to measurable drops in anxiety. Another report in Frontiers in Psychology found that nature immersion improves clarity, memory, and creative problem-solving by up to 50%.

This is why sages chose forests to meditate—not just for isolation, but for mental purification.

Nourishment of the Soul: Silence, Reverence, and Remembrance

Spiritual longing is often a longing for unity—for connection. Nature provides that in the gentlest, most profound way. The wind doesn’t argue. The sun doesn’t discriminate. The trees don’t judge. In their presence, the soul finds belonging without condition.

This is why saints and seekers retreated to mountains, rivers, and groves—not to escape the world, but to feel more fully a part of it. If prayers feel hollow or meditation feels scattered, step into nature. There, spiritual practice becomes effortless. The stillness of a forest is often more powerful than volumes of scripture.

“Anantā vai devāḥ pṛthivyām nihitāḥ” 

— Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa 3.11.8 

The infinite Divine is embedded in the very Earth.”

Nature Is Our Source

We live in an age where nature is marketed as an escape: go trekking, go camping, take a break. But nature is not a luxury. It is our first home, our constant sustainer, and our original teacher. Let us reframe our thinking. Nature is not just something we must protect—it is something we must reunite with, for our own completeness.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Wholeness Through Reverence

The rivers do not seek attention, yet they nourish without pause. The trees do not speak, yet they give endlessly. The mountains do not move, yet they anchor our gaze—and our spirit.

To be truly human is not to dominate the Earth, but to walk with Her, in humility and grace.

Let our lives not just be environmentally responsible—but existentially aware. Let every drop of water we drink become a moment of gratitude. Let every sunrise become a prayer.

And let us remember the timeless truth whispered by the Upanishads:

“Ātmā vā are draṣṭavyaḥ śrotavyo mantavyo nididhyāsitavyaḥ” 

— Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 2.4.5 

The Self must be seen, heard, reflected upon, and meditated upon.

But how do we see the Self?

Through the river that flows without ego. Through the tree that gives without demand. Through the breeze that moves without resistance.

Because the Self is not far—it is reflected in all that nature is.

Let us not live separate from Her. Let us become whole with Her.

With tenderness and remembrance, 

Radhe Radhe, 

—Raseshwari Devi Ji

Further Reading:

• “मानव जीवन में प्रकृति का महत्व” (Importance of Nature in Human Life)

• “जीवन में पर्यावरणीय जिम्मेदारी” (Environmental Responsibility in Life)

• “मानव जीवन और वृक्षों का महत्व” (The Value of Trees in Human Life)

• “प्रकृति के साथ सामंजस्य: मानव का धर्म” (Harmony with Nature: A Human Duty)

• “प्रकृति संरक्षण के बिना मानव जीवन अधूरा है” (Human Life Is Incomplete Without Nature Conservation)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is nature considered spiritually essential? Because nature mirrors the qualities of the soul—peaceful, generous, unconditionally giving. Being in nature aligns us with those same qualities within.

2. I live in a city. How can I deepen my connection? Plant native trees. Take walks at sunrise. Observe the sky. Place a water bowl for birds. Even a balcony garden can become a sacred space.

3. How does nature help mental well-being? It calms the mind, regulates emotions, and restores clarity. Studies have shown significant psychological benefits from even short exposure to green spaces.

4. What if I feel disconnected from the Earth? Begin with simple acts: touch soil. Thank the water you drink. Notice a tree’s shadow. Reverence returns when awareness deepens.

5. Are there scriptural roots for this understanding? Absolutely. The Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Vedas all speak of the Earth, elements, and nature as direct manifestations of the Divine.