Part 1: Where Nature Speaks and I Listen

In a world often navigated by maps and meticulously planned tour itineraries, I've discovered a different kind of compass—one that points me not just to destinations, but to moments of profound connection with nature. While this does get me into the slightest bit of trouble at the best of times, the end result is finding the most incredible places I have ever seen and experiencing things I could at one point, only have dreamed of. The promise of breathtaking views, quietude that can only be found amongst the trees and in the company of my mellifluous avian friends, is all I need to be led down a road less travelled and straight into the wild where I feel at home.

This is precisely how I found myself on the edge of a cliff, holding on to a monolith and a prayer, for dear life. Somehow, in being completely enamoured with the perfect weather on that morning, I wandered off the trail I was attempting to follow, lost in a reverie as always. Such is the mesmerizing allure of Katoomba's mountains that somehow lead me into the most magnificent trances. The crisp morning air, carrying the faintest scent of eucalyptus and petrichor, had woven its usual spell. My  thoughts adrift like the wisps of mist clinging to the distant valleys, I was utterly captivated by the flawless beauty unfolding around me. The sunlight, still soft and golden, painted the towering sandstone cliffs in hues of ochre, while the dense canopy below hummed with the awakening chorus of a flock of distant red-tailed black cockatoos, who I had been trying to find for at least a few hours!

The raw grandeur of the landscape that was traversed for thousands of years by the traditional owners: the people of the Gundungurra and Darug clans, the seemingly endless vistas possess an almost magnetic pull, drawing one away from the mundane and into the heart of its ancient embrace. Each turn in the track reveals a new panorama, each rustle of leaves whispers a forgotten story, making it all too easy to succumb to the siren song of the wilderness.
 
This momentary lapse and blissful ignorance I was in, this willing surrender to the enchantment of the Blue Mountains, is the exact sequence of events that led to the very  precarious situation I had found myself in.
 
The ground below seemed to drop away into an abyss, the air thin and carrying the unsettling echo of the wind whistling through the chasms. Below, the vast expanse of the valley unfolded, a breathtaking yet slightly terrifying reminder of the potential consequences of a single misstep. I don’t possess travel or health insurance but I doubt any would cover ‘existential cliffhangers’. So I did what any normal, sane person would do….I pulled out the last of my snacks and sat down to have a little picnic on my own. What use is there in fretting over the possibility that I might just end up spending the night here waiting to be rescued?
 
Yes, while my sanity is in question, I have learnt from a very important person in my life, that if you panic, you’re in trouble (not the exact words he used but we’re keeping it profanity-free for the time being). As I dusted off my feet and leaned back, still feeling a deep sense of attachment to the gargantuan rock behind me and refusing to lose any of my three-points-of-contact-at-all-times, the silence of the valley in front of me surrounded me in the most beautifully, overwhelming way.

I wondered at that moment why it has become so unnatural for us to listen; it seems  the subtle voice of nature often goes unheard as does the voices of our loved ones. There is a word for this in Japanese called ‘Kiku: The Japanese Art of Good Listening’ by Haru Yamada. Kiku comprises  two very special characters, a beautiful spell if you will, for when the two come together, the real secret to true listening is revealed. The first, as Haru-san describes it in the prologue of her incredible book, is a symbol representing an ear on the left and fourteen hearts on the right. And that is exactly what I understood in that moment where it was just me and Mother Nature: listening to her with the energy of fourteen hearts and a silent mind.
 
This was why I lost my way. To find meaning in something that seems so simple yet evades us every single day.  The natural world offers lessons that are difficult to learn elsewhere. Hearing my red-tailed black cockatoos again, teasing me from a distance, the silence grew louder and even the slightest sounds wrapped around me.  In practicing ‘Kiku’, we unlock pathways to mental clarity, emotional connection, and even spiritual insight. This deeper engagement paves the way for not only personal well-being but also a crucial awareness of our environment, even inspiring a greater desire to protect the delicate balance of our planet. Taking the time to truly listen to nature enriches our lives and strengthens our bond with the world around us.

So grateful was I for having been a daydreamer. There are times when a specific place calls to me, drawing me in with its promise of landscapes of unimaginable beauty, home to the most beautiful animals you could ever see. Yet, more often than not, the true magic unfolds when I deviate from the expected, stumbling upon hidden gems of natural beauty. It’s as if nature herself whispers secrets, leading me down paths less traveled to reveal them one by one, once I unlock the riddle of a big city to which the answer is almost always, patience.
 
 What I've come to realize is that wherever nature thrives, I find a sense of belonging. Whether it's the soaring peaks of a remote mountain range, the tranquil shores of a secluded beach, or the vibrant life teeming in a hidden rainforest, nature is a universal language that speaks directly to my soul. In every town, city, and country, amidst the tapestry of diverse cultures and landscapes, there is a home to be found in the natural world. It’s a reminder that despite our differences, we are all connected to the same Earth, and in that connection, I discover a profound sense of peace and homecoming.
 
Turns out, my internal compass isn't set to ‘tourist’ mode but ‘traveller, and more importantly,  to where the wild things are. Forget GPS; give me a hidden trail and the whisper of wind through leaves. Nature is my true north and the ultimate 'welcome home' sign. We're all just stardust and shared ecosystems, after all. Thus dawned, realization that the planet's basically one giant, gorgeous living room, one that I pray everyday we start taking care of more.
 
Climbing back down from my mind and into reality, It was then that I spotted from atop my little rock throne,  the faintest mark of what seemed to be an arrow etched  in grey on a dark brown stone, leading me further down into the valley but returning me on to the trail Good timing, Universe.
 
Off-the-beaten track gained new meaning that day and it’s a path I highly recommend.
  
Love, 
Metal Maami