January 04, 2010 - 8:26 PM

New Blog Theme

Title: Happy Buddha, Four Seasons

Location: My backyard

Happy New Year to everyone!  I thought I would start this year’s blog with a work in progress.  You may have noticed that the picture title references four seasons, but there are only two pictures ..... so far!  Look for the others in upcoming posts as the seasons roll along.

New Theme

I am a big believer in the concept that nature can be a profound restorative, healing force in our day to day lives. Our pace, workload, and reliance on technology seem to be isolating us further and further from the natural world.  My photo shoots in nature often last two weeks or more, where I spend the vast majority of time in wilderness.  I found over and over again, I would come back tired from the exertion, but with a profound calm and peace of mind.  Turns out this restorative aspect of nature has been scientifically documented in a growing body of research.

Above I referred to feeling rejuvenated and restored when coming back from a long photo trip in the wilderness.  As it turns out, research has shown that a certain degree of this effect can be achieved much more simply.  Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, professors at the University of Michigan, have done extensive research in the field of environmental psychology, particularly on the effect of nature on people’s relationships and health.  Their work has shown that people that have a view of nature at work are happier and healthier at work.  The view didn’t have to be spectacular.  Even a mundane view was shown to lift people’s moods and enhance their ability to focus.  (Kaplan and Kaplan. 1989. The Experience of Nature.  New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.)

One of the theories behind the Kaplans' research has to do with “attention restoration theory”.  They have found that too much focused attention can lead to mental fatigue, and a proven remedy is found in exposure to nature.  

As we look at a new year of rewarding challenges and big work loads, we will undoubtedly run into some “mental fatigue” as we travel around the sun yet another time.  I was drawn to photograph the stone Buddha on my back patio in all four seasons as a reminder of the calm, happiness and gratitude etched on his face as he sits out in nature.  (I should have the spring and summer versions to complete the composite in about six months!)  I hope this blog and the images and content provide a therapeutic window to the healing power of nature.