The connection between spirituality and nature is profound. When we understand our place in the universe, a strong bond is formed between the two. It can lead to the following in turn

• An appreciation for things as they are - nice or ugly
• Greater awareness and presence - time, preservation, and sustainability
• A stronger understanding of our place - in the world and cosmos

"When we recognize our place in an immensity of light years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual" – Carl Sagan

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) July 14, 2024

Seeking Spirituality  
Spirituality is another avenue, which is a broad concept that encompasses various practices, beliefs, and experiences related to the human spirit or soul. Some may seek scientific explanations to explain awe-inspiring and everyday phenomena. Others may lean more towards religion. Faith in world religions provides a structured and tested framework.  You can identify your personal experiences, emotions, and connections. As for me, I have been reading more into ancient texts and scriptures recently, putting aside preconceived ideas about supernatural entities or specific religious doctrines. Mediating also helps calm my mind and reflect on positive thoughts. 

Exploring Mythology
Mythology is study of symbolic narratives commonly of unknown origin and partly traditional. These narratives may relate to real events and are especially linked to religious beliefs. Mythology gives insight into cultural and societal beliefs, origins, and values. They explore themes like good and evil, life and death, suffering, human origins, and celestial events. Myths are ostensible, they do not aim to justify themselves but are authoritative accounts of experience, not being limited by natural law or ordinary experience.

You can learn more about heroic figures who exemplify virtues and have overcome challenges. Societies have revered and celebrated these iconic figures over centuries. Classic examples of this ae tales and folklore, such as Robinhood. Aesop’s fables (written by a Greek slave) is a timeless example too. 

“I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?” – John Lennon

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) July 14, 2024

So... Is there Scientific backing? 
Several theoretical questions have been put forward on nature, spirituality, and mythology. These questions are continually challenged and tested alongside empirical science for answers and explanations. It is part of the human condition to look for meaning and order in the world and  spirituality can work as a navigational tool. The concept of spirituality itself is somewhat commercialized - retreats to X, Y and Z, the push for devotional pilgrimages and making large donations. I say, if we set our focus on the fundamentals, it is more within our better reach.. Go outside, listen to music or why not plant something cute?


Resources
(Article) Science, Spirituality, and Conscious Living: A Unifying Perspective
Going deeper into divisions associated with spiritual experiences (non-religious and religious, brain mechanisms involved). Findings show separate domains are not needed of the universe, spirituality, science and conscious living topic matters.

Enactus is a global organization dedicated to empowering university students to drive positive social and environmental change through entrepreneurial action. Founded in 1975 in the United States as a project of the National Leadership Institute, it was initially known as Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE). The organization strives to cultivate NextGen Leaders who possess strong business skills and a commitment to improving the world. Having acted as VP for Surrey Enactus, I am pleased to dedicate this post.

"A soul without a high aim is like a ship without a rudder" – Eileen Caddy

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) June 29, 2024

Picture yourself as a leader
“Influence, decision-making, and guiding others in your role”
Enactus provides opportunities to take on leadership roles and work collaboratively in diverse teams. You'll develop skills in team building, communication, delegation, and conflict resolution. Leading a team within Enactus projects allows you to gain hands-on experience in guiding and motivating team members towards a common goal.

So... Get involved!
Being part of the Enactus community can massively shape your experience at University. Enactus is dedicated to nurturing the entrepreneurial skills of university students in a manner both effective in developing future careers and meaningful to the community. With Enactus World Cup, National Competitions and more, Enactus ensures members have every opportunity to position themselves as future leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

Plant tours provide insight into a business’s facilities and activities, creating a multi-sensory experience for participants. These tours help consumers connect with the brand and understand its operations, products, and history, making them valuable for marketing strategies. On-site visits offer a real-time view of a firm’s performance, serving as a useful alternative to potentially outdated written reports. The following agricultural tours are based in the São Paulo region of Brazil and are led by senior directors.

A property located in Itirapina, Fazenda Da Toca focuses on the large-scale organic production of grains, organic eggs, organic milk, and agroforestry products through sustainable practices. Inspired by nature, the farm centres much of its efforts on research and development for agroforestry systems. This tour provided insight into these practices as we observed crop rotation techniques, regenerative initiatives, and other streamlined processes. The experience highlighted the value of commitment and patience, and that every task—whether big or small—has to start somewhere if we are to achieve meaningful results.

Pedra Agroindustrial

Sugar, ethanol, and energy production make up the operations of Pedra Agroindustrial, based in Serrana. As a large organisation serving customers across Brazil, the company has strong environmental commitments and contributes to social development initiatives. We learned more about these initiatives during the briefing. The on-site tour involved visits across different operational units, including grain processing factories, storage warehouses, and the control tower. Wearing safety gear and protective face masks helped us feel fully part of the experience. The visit also provided a valuable opportunity to build connections and network with individuals within the company.

Cooxupé