Albert Herdianto Widjojo
On the side of a road between the two capital cities, there is a small protected forest area. This forest is a hilly ravine in the mountainous region. Actually, this forest is just one of several protected forest areas in the mountains. Although the forest was guarded because of its designation, because of its location close to the highway, and it was relatively close to residential areas as well it was certain that the forest was not virgin or wild forest that had never been touched by humans.
Talking about wild forests, or wild nature, there are interesting similarities between wild forests and us. A similarity but also a difference; similar but not the same. By taking some understanding of the word “wild” which means living or growing in the natural environment; not domesticated or cultivated. Uninhabited, uncultivated, a natural state or uncultivated, I see that wild forests and their fillers – both forests that are close to civilization or far away – live naturally without human intervention, which even tried to be protected, to be kept untouched. On the other hand, there is also an untouched “wild” realm in us, which is also tightly protected by the civilized dimension of humans, and that is our soul.
Both wild nature or soul, are equally protected but with different objectives. If wild forests are protected so that important ecosystems needed by the Earth as our place of residence are maintained, the wild nature within us is protected so that we, with three of our four dimensions; physical, mental and emotional, learning through various ways. The funny thing is, many people with various interests try to get into the forest or wilderness out there, but rarely does anyone try to enter the wild within themselves, our own soul, our spiritual awareness, our fourth dimension. Unfortunately, there are other humans who intentionally or unconsciously prevent people from recognizing that wild side for various purposes.
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Question of
If the wild forest or wild nature supports Earth’s life do you realize how the wild nature in us supports our lives?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Have you ever tried venturing into the virgin forest within you?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Which sense is more appropriate for you?
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I am the owner of the soul.
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The soul is my owner
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I should be the owner of the soul, but occasionally it is the opposite
Thank you for your point of view, Dear friend. Btw, which one is the main one, the should be or the occasionally?
If I say purely by the truth, it was “occasional” the main one. But the situation is improving, I do a lot of work on myself.
Thank you for your confirmation and affirmation, Vidocka. “Myself” is our whole selves, but the essence that I questioned can greatly distinguish the way we view life.
I agree, Albert. We must be very strong to lead our lives on the right path
I am impressed with the height of these trees, I love wild places and I have never been tame. I am myself.
From so many of your posts, I have seen that you really love wild nature.
Thanks for your appreciation and point of view, Pamela.
I have never stepped into the rainforest because it does not exist in our country … it is the only densely populated trees where bears live
I understand, dear friend. Especially because there is only one forest and is inhabited by many bears. Luckily my country is a tropical archipelago country so we have very much forest.
You have a lot of forests and many dangerous animals … Only bears and wolves are really dangerous in our country
Do you want forests and dangerous animals in my place to be in your country too?
I think that there are many more dangerous animals in your forests than with us
Do I really need to tell you what I think? lol I know you know the answers I gave to each question, but for the sake of other readers. I recently lived in the high desert mountainous area without being hooked up to the power system. I went back to the very basics of living but with a modern day twist. I did have electricity but it was in the form of solar panels. We hauled our own water and filtered it. The sun heated it for showers. I lived that way for a year and really got to know a lot about myself. I answered, yes, yes and the soul is my owner.
The little you say about it makes me happier, Kim. It’s not good to keep the depths too secretive without sharing with others, who kn?w it’s useful. lol
I think nature is inside us. And we like her have the same things. The muscles intertwine like the branches of the trees. Our veins are like the rivers. And when we are nervous or experiencing some anger, we are like a hurricane, a snow storm, or a volcano. Depending on the degree of our mood.
I agree with that, Ellenka. That is what is often called the parable Macrocosmos and Microcosmos are complementary. In the Infinite sublime, there is a small one, and inside the small one, there is the Greatest. Actually, it is a whole entity as One.
There was a great book, the forest within (I think that was the title) I will have to go dig it out and reread it.
The goal the author set out was to explain that each of us is both an interior and exterior forest. A wild and unknown and a known and tame forest.
Wow! That’s an interesting book! May I assume you owe me, to explain the contents of the book m?re?
My father gave it to me, the forest within focused on the same questions you’ve asked, but also asked about the forest we present to the world around us!
Once again I see how great your father’s wisdom is and what he has inherited to you.
Then what is your conclusion about the essence of the book?
Yeah, come on Doc. I would like to know the answer too. Sounds like I would love that book.
I found it to be like one of your posts. It left me thinking 🙂 My feeling was that overall the forest within represented the tamed and controlled forest. The forest outside was the dark and scary uncontrolled forest. Balancing fear was the answer I derived from the work.
Very interesting opinion, Doc. Is your opinion free from the influence of the five senses, knowledge, and imagination? or because you have entered the untouched state within you?
Hey, my apology, this is not an investigation, but merely exchanging experiences and knowledge.
I don’t think of this as an investigation!
I would have to answer both to your question. In part from within me, in part from the intellectual knowledge of me.
Thank you so much. That’s great, Doc.
I really appreciate your answer.
I own my soul because I do not want to lose control over my sometimes straying emotions. I also strive to keep a low grade balance in my life but being a Libra, I am most of the time totally unbalanced. BTW very pretty forest but are those fern trees that I see? I did not realize you had those types of trees in Indonesia.
I understand your reasons. I am sure that you are very committed to maintaining your life balance. Are you Libra? Hmmm… That’s why I see your loving and compassionate by nature.
Indonesia as a tropical country has a very rich variety of plants, of course except for certain subtropical plants that require special conditions. Fern? Of course, it’s a lot everywhere. Do you like the plant?
I believe we should strive for a balance, but then I’m a closet Taoist so what’d you expect?
Knowing that you always strive on balance alone makes me even happier, so there’s nothing more I hope for, even if you don’t care about such things.
You’ve seen my art, and I also play go. My philosophy is strongly influenced by the Tao and the teachings of the Buddha, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I try to walk the center path
Of all our discussions so far, I know that you are an artist who is personally influenced by Taoism and Buddhism, and I am not at all surprised by you who put yourself in the center path. If you are somewhat surprised by my reply, I’m just trying to adjust in responding to your typical comments with open language to say that everyone has the right to make their choice.
of course they do. I believe in free will and personal choice
See how you compare your topic to everyday life. You are talented not I lol.
Yes, and I don’t see any extraordinary from that, while you who humbly hide that talent so that people learn from themselves, and who knows can emulate you.
You are right, many are too busy with their lives and phones and other stuff they do not realize what may be in their own sol, body and minds. I do take the time to realize these things. I am learning all the time just how close with nature we all are. Almost as one.
There is a verse which says that “Who knows himself, knows his God”. You will get that benefit, Carol. I believe.