Joel Holsteen- Outside Reading #3

Carl Hild's "Places and States of Mind for Healing," He talks about how sacred places from the research prospective. This experiment discovered that humans can detect differences in our environment. Therefore, these places that create a sense of calmness and tranquility are used to improve health and well-being. The author points out how this may be a connection to ancient times when those who would use these sacred landscapes for healing purposes. For me this is defiantly true, the wilderness has a calming effect that makes me forget about my problems and just relax. I used to hike on the Appalachian Trail here in Virginia, and realized first hand how the wilderness takes you away from the world and fast paced society. Out on the trail life is slower and goes how fast you want it to. In a way its life at its simplest form you only need to survive nothing more, no homework or job projects, no drama or money problems, just living for the moment. I believe that is why Hild as well as many others believe the wilderness to be so important in regards to human health. It isnt healthy for us as humans to just go to work in a cubical and eat and sleep. We have a natural urge to want to get out and breath fresh air and not have to worry or do the same mundane schedule day in and day out. nothave to worry or do the same mundane schedule day in and day out.