 I’ve always been fascinated by languages. Not just because they help us to communicate with others, but also because each language offers a new way of seeing and understanding the world. Every language opens a window to a different kind of wisdom and perspective.
And for many years now, I’ve been thinking a lot about another kind of language. One that we all share, but many of us have forgotten how to speak. I call it our human mother tongue, the language of our senses. And like many endangered dialects, it is slowly fading away from our homogeneous technology-filled lives. Yet before we learn to speak in words, we speak in sensations. We understand safety, danger, love and discomfort long before we can name them. A baby knows they are safe and loved through the touch of skin against skin, the pulse of a heartbeat, the melody of a voice. The world speak to us and our bodies understand. But over time, many of us have unlearned this language. We’ve become unfamiliar with the vocabulary of our own bodies, unable to recognize when we’re tired, tense, angry or at peace. Numbness and disconnection have gradually become our new lexicon. In my work, whether with individuals or groups, I gently invite people to pay attention again to their bodily sensations. And through this they often come to realise how stress they are or discover that the sea has been a nurturing presence in their life. They express their surprise at these discoveries, like a whole part of their life has suddenly been unveiled and made accessible. To be human is to move from sensation to feeling, from feeling to thought, and from thought to word. But when we lose touch with our first language, our senses, it becomes harder to know what we need or to trust what we feel. It becomes difficult to understand the world around us. It becomes challenging to remember our place in the living world and to experience aliveness and belonging. A simple yet profound way to reconnect with nature and with yourself Here's a brief introduction to the sit spot practice and help you get started with it. What is a sit spot? A sit spot is a special place in nature that you visit regularly. It doesn’t have to be wild or remote. It is just somewhere you can sit quietly, stay still, and open your senses to the world around you. Each visit is a chance to slow down and simply notice: the movement of the wind, the song of a bird, the feel of the air on your skin, the questions or metaphors that arise. Why practice it? A regular sit spot practice helps you:
It’s not just time in nature. It’s a way of being with nature. How to choose your sit spot: the 5 essential elements  ©Eskil Helgesen It is nearby Choose a location close to home or work. It needs to be easy to get to, especially since at the beginning it might feel challenging to go there. It has some nature It doesn’t necessarily require to be in a wild place. A balcony, a park bench or a garden can work well too. What is essential is the possibility to observe some nature - the clouds, a tree, some birds, or even a houseplant swaying in the breeze, for example. It is solitary It needs to be in a quiet place, where you won’t be disturbed or interact with other people. This doesn’t mean that it has to be in an isolated place though. It can be a place where there might be some people around passing by, but not too many and definitely not people you’ll chat with. It is safe The idea is for you to be able to relax at your sit spot, not to be on edge. Safety is personal, so choose a place where you feel at ease. Your attitude The sit spot practice requires a commitment on your part. It’s your consistency and attention that brings transformation. Go there regularly, visit at different times of the day, during each season and whatever the weather (unless it is unsafe!). NB: Avoid the trap of wanting to find “the perfect spot.” It is your attitude, the secret ingredient. Not the setting. Visit your sit spot at least twice a week to start with, and stay there 20 minutes. When you’ll feel more at ease with the practice, you can increase the duration of your stay there and the number of your visits. Prior to going to your sit spot, turn off your phone and any other devices you might have with you. Consider it as a mini-digital detox. How to practice: your time at the sit spot Settle in and be still Stillness invites nature to come closer. Sit quietly and begin to tune in. Awaken your senses, one at a time Hearing: Start with the closest sounds, then the farthest. The loudest and the quietest. The rhythm and pattern of how the sounds mix together. Sight: Look far ahead and up close. Use your peripheral vision: without moving your eyes, notice what’s above, below, and beside you. Touch: Feel the textures of bark, grass or leaves with your fingers, arms or cheeks. Sense your clothes on your skin. Go barefoot if it feels right. Smell: Get close to the earth. Smell leaves, soil, bark, plants. Finally, try engaging all of your senses at once. Simply be Once all your senses have been reengaged, allow your attention to be drawn to wherever it goes. Give yourself permission simply to be. Just allow yourself to be present, aware and open. Closing your time at your spot When it’s time to leave your spot, after at least 20 minutes, take a moment to mark this “closing” with a word or by placing your hand on the ground, for example. Reflect at home Once you return, take a few minutes to journal, sketch or note how the experience felt. What did you notice? Enjoy finding your special place!
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