Nicholas Acker Landscapes of the Sacred #2: A new Understanding

“Wind and sun assume new relationships to plant and animal life at that altitude. Sky takes on new texture. In the reciprocal interchange that occurs there ‘between the living intentions of any animal and the dynamic affordances of its world,’ the psyche seems to become ‘a property of the ecosystem as a whole.’” I liked the idea that at that certain point everything around you has a sort of new meaning, not because it is any different, but because you can understand it better. The following line in the quote read, “The place presents itself as more than merely the sum of its parts.” Saying the place can no longer be quantified as just a specific location on a map because through the journey and experience that the author had at that place it has taken on a much greater significance. Being there in that moment of realization, you seem to become one with the environment around you as well. At that altitude, away from all distractions, the peace and tranquility can allow one to see their surroundings in a new light. To be able to see and understand every interaction in nature would be impossible, but it is important to recognize how it connects and works together to fully appreciate it.