Foraging as of late, has been making an amazing comeback from its hiding place deep in the recesses of ancient knowledge. Which nowadays is a bit of a long lost cave, so to speak. It used to be that foraging was much more common, a necessity really, particularly amongst those that lived outside of the city. Food was expensive, so to be able to utilize what you had naturally growing around you helped greatly with this problem.

While many people are now re-embracing it due to the self sufficiency it provides, I feel that it holds much more for us. It can be, if we so choose, a transformational tool on both a personal and life level, and show us a new and fresh perspective on the world that we have very much lost in today’s modern society.

I have been foraging now on some level or other for 16 years. It is a journey that, although I started with a bit of trepidation, I began to fully embrace very quickly. It taught me so many things about the world in general that now I can’t imagine not having it as a regular activity. Whether or not I actually need to forage doesn’t matter. It is the activity itself that has provided me with so much magic in my life.

Looking past the obvious perks of foraging, such as finding interesting food, and learning to be self sufficient, we can see what real gifts it presents us with. Foraging ignites something deep within us… something that we lost over the years…the sense of being an explorer on a quest.

When we forage we embark on a sensory adventure. It requires us to seek out the object of our quest using sight, touch, smell and taste, in addition to our mind. The result? It teaches us how to connect with our environment in a deeper and more balanced way. This is a completely different way to interact with the world than we are used to. Normally we focus on connecting with our minds, and the rest of our senses are put on the back burner. So much so that we have almost forgotten how to use them.

I feel that this is a truly magical life experience and perspective on the world. It takes us back to that anticipation and excitement we felt as children when we would go exploring out in Nature. The thrill of not knowing what we would encounter or come back with. Being fully alert and alive.

As adults, how many times do we allow ourselves that experience anymore? For most of us: rarely. Foraging opens that wild world of fun and adventure back up to us again. It provides us with the thrill of exploration that we lost long ago. Opening ourselves to this wonder, giving ourselves permission to set out on an adventure… this is something that has the potential to transform us on a personal level as well as our lives in general. It is a special experience.

It is this that, I personally feel, make people so passionate about it. Interacting with the world in this way provides us with a deeper sense of connection to everything around us. And this is the basis of living life fully and passionately.

There is a second aspect to foraging that I also feel is a gift worth exploring. This the opportunity to gather with others in a unique and fun way. The art of gathering is something dear to my heart and a frequent topic of mine. I feel this is an aspect that has been somewhat lost in modern day society and culture. Yet, it is a fundamental piece of building a balanced and happy life. We are social animals, and gathering with others is key to our personal growth, learning and joy factor.

How do you feel after gathering for a picnic in the park? Or a dinner at a friend’s house? Most of the time we feel our loads lighten. For that brief period of time we forget about our daily tribulations, we let go, enjoy being in the moment, with good conversation, good food and wonderful company. It teaches us the beauty of “now” and how to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

Foraging, therefore, provides us with a unique way to “gather”. It is a chance to meet new people, learn new things, create new bonds and share an experience that is based on adventure and passion. It goes beyond the ritual gathering around a meal at the table. It takes us to a new level of interaction. We are learning, sensing, and sharing together…we are passing along knowledge and exercising all of our senses. When we do this together with others, it can be transformational experience. An uplifting of the soul, a rejuventation. If we allow it.

This is one of the most beautiful gifts we can give ourselves. And I can guarantee you will see your life shift after experiencing it.

For those of you who have not tried it, I highly recommend it. There are many groups out there have foraging knowledge, provide foraging treks or short courses. Try it out… allow yourself to open up to the beautiful gifts and window on life that is just waiting for you on that next foraging adventure.

www.awakenyoursenses.info