There is something awe-inspiring about the great outdoors. The scent of fresh pine, the soothing sounds of the forest, the inky blackness of the night – all of these elements have the power to give us a sense of peace and connection with the world around us. Recently, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in this world by spending three days alone in the forest. It was a spiritual journey that brought me closer to my higher Self, and one that I want to share with you all through my blog post today.

 To begin with, I must share that the journey was not easy. By the guidance of my Master I fast for three days, only a little bit of honey and two liters of water for those 3 days. It was a test of my willpower and my ability to survive in the wilderness. But as my days passed, I found myself growing stronger, more resilient, and more connected to the rhythms of the natural world.

 As I lay in my hammock between two trees at night, I listened to the sounds of the forest around me. I heard the chirping of crickets, the rustling of leaves, and the call of nocturnal creatures. Despite the darkness, I felt safe, held within the embrace of the forest. In this darkness, I recognized the power of my own inner light, and I trusted myself wholly to find my way on this journey.

 Each day brought its own challenges, but I faced them with a growing sense of peace and trust. I realized that I was part of this vast cycle of life, and that everything I needed to survive was right here in nature. The fire that I made for my evenings became a symbol of my internal flame, illuminating my mind and warming my heart. It taught me that in primal and basic necessities, such as starting a fire, there resides great power and wisdom.

 Ultimately, this journey was about connecting with my higher Self. As I spent time in my own thoughts, reflecting upon my life, I connected with a deeper part of myself that always went unnoticed before. I came to understand that the earth, and all that is living upon it, is united, interconnected through the divine source that we cannot completely comprehend or understand. All is one, and under the greatness of nature, every creature is just a drop in the ocean of creation.

 By trusting in my own strength and resilience, I in turn learned to trust in the divine. I had faced the challenges of being alone in the forest, having only myself and the natural world around me as my guide. This experience gave me a renewed sense of faith and trust, helping me to see that the universe has a plan and we are always taken care of, in divine order.

 In the end, the experience of living in the wilderness taught me the beauty of simplicity, of direct experience, and austerity, which forms an essential part of the yogic lifestyle. It was a valuable lesson, one that gave me a deep sense of hope and gratitude for the natural world. And as I sit here and type out my experiences, my mind reverts to that space, that feeling of natural harmony that only nature can create— the sound of the babbling brook, the birds singing sweetly, and the rustling of the leaves, and I know that I am forever changed by this experience, which will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Lots of Love to all

Marco Vasconcelos