Bringing Awareness to the Complexity of Nature and its Power for Growth

By: Lynn Almon, LMHC

Early mornings bring something new each day. The more I create the ritual of going into the forest the more I want to go back. From the first moments of moonlight, to the sounds of birds that I can now differentiate, to the numerous smells of flowers like nature's perfume; to the never ending patterns of snowflakes, leaves, and branches forming to create tree canopies. It’s all symmetry and it’s different each day, each moment. Despite the consistency of the ritual of heading into the forest I find the changes of nature seem to happen at a different pace. A slower pace in the cognitive peacefulness of the mind that discovers it and yet a faster pace as the barren branches form flowers and leaves right before your eyes. I find myself thinking about what I will see, hear, and smell the next morning. The more I continue to go the more clarity I find I have and the more perspective and happiness this brings. Of course, simultaneously there exists the twists and turns of days and life and the world around you. Despite this, I do find walking and being in nature feels so natural to both the mind and body that it can bring tremendous joy, energy, and rejuvenation. 

These natural alleys, flowers, leaves, and trees, are all part of the larger pattern of the seasons. Within these seasonal patterns we notice moon phases, tides, and weather changing and cycling around us. We notice intricate and complex patterns in the natural world in our everyday existence. 

As you find a ritual to connect with nature you notice patterns or, “fractals,” all around us. "A fractal is a pattern that repeats itself over and over again and looks the same at any scale. They are everywhere in nature." (“Forest Bathing”, Dr Qing Li, pg. 175). These natural fractals have been researched to reduce stress and be connected to the physiological resonance of the eye structure. This is said to create higher alpha waves leading to a potential for a more relaxed focus! What could be better than using the natural world around you to create inner relaxation and hence more focus? “A research study by Richard Taylor at the University of Oregon found that people are hard-wired to respond to a specific form of fractal found in nature, which can reduce stress levels by up to 60%. He found that the stress-reduction is triggered by a physiological resonance that occurs when the fractal structure of the visual system matches that of the fractal image being viewed.” (“Fractals in Nature: Develop Your Pattern Recognition Skills”, Kyle Pearce, March 9th, 2024). 

In a training in October 2024, on nature and its benefits on our mental health and chronic stress by Ellen Blaufox, LCSW-R, she mentioned other interesting connections to fractals in the natural world and the world of art all around us. This connection between patterns and art prompted an interest in me to observe the fractals I see in nature using photography. I find I crave looking more closely in the photographs at the fractal patterns, both in their symmetry and their natural design and color.  

One example of fractals overlapping with art was researched by Richard P. Taylor, Adam Micolich, and David Jonas in an article called, “Fractal Expressionism.” This is an article initially seen in,” Physics World, Volume 12, Issue 10, October 1999, “ but also in collaboration with  Issac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, June 1st, 2000. They research Jackson Pollock's paintings from the 1940s. They looked at both his techniques in design and his use of fractals in his art. 

“Can science be used to further our understanding of art? This question triggers reservations from both scientists and artists. However, for the abstract paintings produced by Jackson Pollock in the late 1940s, the answer is a resounding "yes". Pollock dripped paint from a can onto vast canvases rolled out across the floor of his barn. Although recognised as a crucial advancement in the evolution of modern art, the precise quality and significance of the patterns created by this unorthodox technique remain controversial. Here we analyse Pollock's patterns and show that they are fractal - the fingerprint of Nature.” (Taylor, Micolich, Jonas, June, 2000) 

As they researched Pollock’s various paintings and designs they concluded that despite Pollock not knowing about fractals he himself did indeed use nature in his art and techniques. “Pollock’s contribution to the evolution of art is secure. He described Nature directly. Rather than mimicking Nature, he adopted its language-fractals-to build his own patterns.” (Taylor, Micolich, Jonas, June, 2000) 

As we move in nature we not only hear silence in a fast paced world around us filled with technology and movement, but we also notice new sounds within the silence. Birds communicate and wind blows leaves on trees. We discover new smells and new connections to our senses and body. In "Forest Bathing" by Dr Qing Li, he describes "these smells of the earth or, "dirt smell," as geosmin or the common bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae. He describes us as a species to be sensitive to detecting this smell as part of our evolutionary process. Helping us to find food and survival." (“Forest Bathing”, Dr Qing Li, pg 95, 2018) This is also explored in Lucy Jones's book, "Losing Eden," "in which she describes the benefits being researched by Dr Lowry, a neuroscientist from the University of Bristol on the antidepressant-like effects of this bacteria in dirt." (“Losing Eden”, Lucy Jones, pg 18, 2020)

As we learn more about the health benefits of dirt and getting dirty outside using play, we not only understand nature's health benefits for our immune systems, but also teach children a better understanding of their own bodies, emotional balance, and social emotional development. Using nature we can enhance play and imagination, the concepts of sharing and patience, and kindness to self and others. We can explore the details of fractals and its benefits to relax and focus but also the expansiveness of the universe and nature around us. How can we share this with children to find a place for self respect, gratitude, empathy, compassion, and wonder in the animals and forest we are living in? 

As you can imagine memories of “awe” moments in your life you can also compare these to the “awe” moments in nature. What is awe in nature? Initially one might  respond with natural wonders you may have heard of, or explored. BadLands National Park, Crater Lake National Park, lightning storms in Glacier National Park, or rainstorms while running in the woods are a few of the endless examples. However, “micro” examples of awe are also being discussed. In an article by Lynsey Robinson and Claire Francis, March 30th, 2023, called, "What is the awe of nature,” they discuss the benefits and examples of smaller yet significant daily moments of awe and its benefits for our overall health and perspective. “According to Keltner, 2009, awe leads to; “feelings of the self being smaller, vastness, prosocial action, curiosity, sacrifice for the group, community integration, physical health, intellectual purpose and well-being.” Keltner’s research also shows that individuals experiencing awe go from self- interest to collective thinking, feelings of isolation to integration and breaking down of thoughts of us vs them.” (Robinson, Francis, 2023)

When I think of these macro benefits listed it makes me wonder just how important experiencing nature can be for both our bodies and minds. Moments of walking in the woods in the warm pouring rain as leaves and flowers appear to be glistening in the rainfall and the earthy smells of dirt and the trees amongst you is present. As we learn more about these macro and micro moments we learn that this feeling of awe can transport you into a new perspective of your own reality. It makes you feel smaller in one way and yet larger in the universe around you. As this perspective is consistently experienced, our bodies and minds experience more resilience to protect us from the modernization of the world around us all and happiness in our lives. 

References 

Jones, L. (2020). Losing Eden: Why our minds need the wild. Penguin UK.

Li, Q. (2018). Forest bathing: How trees can help you find health and happiness. Penguin.

Pearce, K. (2024, March 9). Fractals in nature: Develop your pattern recognition skills. Mindful Ecotourism. https://www.mindfulecotourism.com/fractals-in-nature/

Robinson, L., & Francis, C. (2023, March 30). What is the awe of nature? Sensory Trust. https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/blog/what-is-the-awe-of-nature

Taylor, R. P., Micolich, A. P., & Jonas, D. (2000, June 1). Fractal expressionism. Plus Magazine. https://plus.maths.org/content/fractal-expressionism

Photographs: by Lynn Almon, LMHC