Lesson 6 – Awakening your sense of hearing
Introduction to this lesson
Hello and welcome to lesson six – Awakening your sense of hearing.
In the previous sections, we learned about what nature awareness is and started waking up our senses of touch, taste and smell to begin exploring the world around us. Now it is time to wake up our ears and connect to nature through our sense of hearing.
What you will learn:
In this masterclass you will learn:
- Why developing your sense of hearing is important
- How to interact with nature through your sense of hearing
So, are you ready? Let’s get started!
Awakening your sense of hearing
After waking up our senses of touch and smell in the previous lessons, the purpose of today’s activity is to begin tuning in your ears to awaken your sense of hearing.
Because, even in seemingly peaceful places, there is often much to hear – wind, water, trees, grasses, birds, insects and even animals.
Of course, there are the sounds of human activity to listen to as well. (While you might wonder why listening out for people is important, they can tell you where trails or settlements or landmarks are, which helps in wild wayfinding).
Your action steps
To begin this activity, find somewhere safe and calm – a park, garden, in the countryside, or beside an open window. Then start warming up with the following routine:
- Begin by breathing a deep breath in and out
- Shrug your shoulders
- Smile!
- Close your eyes again
- Focus on your ears
Your field activity
Now listen to the sounds around you – near sounds and distant sounds in all the different direction.
- Wake up your sense of hearing and listen for all the natural elements – for the wind and for the water
- Listen to sounds in the air and in the earth
- Can you hear the trees, the grasses, the plants?
- How about birds, insects and other animals?
Remember to listen for sounds which are close to you, those which are further away from you and those which seem to be moving (towards or away from you). Try to identify and identify the source and location of every sound you hear.
Really pay attention to everything you hear and think about how each sound makes you feel. What emotions does it conjure up for you? Note all your thoughts and feelings down in the workbook.