The Amazon jungle is a site of awe and amazement. The Amazon is even home to secrets – some known, but many unknown. Each year scientists fly into the forest in an attempt to discover new animals and plants, and to figure out the answers to many challenging questions.
But the Amazon is more than just a place on planet Earth; it is a reflection of our inner world. In the same way that the jungle conceals deep hidden mysteries, our brain stores amazing thoughts, and a wealth of feelings. Visiting the Amazon will likely impart knowledge about the natural world, but it will also teach us great lessons about ourselves.
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A Jungle So Big and Mysterious
The Amazon is the biggest rainforest in the world and encompasses parts of nine countries of the South American continent. There are millions of trees and thousands of animals living amongst those trees. Many beings that live in this jungle are found nowhere else on the planet.
Even today vast amounts of land in the jungle remain unexplored; a dense cover of plant life surrounds ancient ruins, unknown tribes, and things that would require years of development to be discovered. Under emerald layers of dense bushes and trees, there are entire river systems that are hidden from our sight. The jungle feels like a land that doesn’t belong to this world.
Our minds are no different; we only know a fraction of what is lodged in our thoughts. Many hidden thoughts lie within us. When we explore beyond the depths of our ideas, we begin to learn more about ourselves. In a similar fashion to a group of explorers searching endlessly for the truth about the jungle, we need to search the byways of our minds.
Some of the secrets in the Trees
The Amazon has many strange, rare species in its trees. Some birds are so colorful they look like rainbows! Other birds can mimic sounds like human speech. Scientists are still discovering new bird species within the jungle.
Some creatures will only come out at night. They stay silent, hiding from danger during the day and teaching us fear and safety. In a certain way, these animals are an analogy of our deepest fears, they also stay quiet inside us.
So, when we come to terms with those fears we become stronger. We learn to understand them, like searching for a rare bird and surprising ourselves in the process by discovering a deep sense of feeling.
Life in the Jungle Floor
The jungle floor has its own life. There are insects, frogs, and snakes; all moving around quietly without drawing too much attention to themselves. They all perform their tasks day in, and day out, helping to keep the jungle alive.
Our everyday thoughts can perform a similar function. They can feel unworthy of our focus, and yet they can color our moods and behaviors. Our daily intellectual distractions can act unworthiness of our feelings, that is, the feeling is there regardless of our recognition.
In the same way, we watch and pay attention. If we ignore our everyday thoughts they can develop into an emotional state to guide us. Just as insects help to build and sustain the jungle’s health, small, everyday thoughts build part of our emotional world.
Lost Cities, Hidden People
People once lived deep inside the Amazon. They established villages, they laid roads. Over the years, plants grew in their cities. Nowadays, we find remnants of their lives beneath roots and vines.
Many of us have also buried parts of our past. Painful events remain hidden in our minds. We use busy lives and loud thinking to cover them up. But they continue to shape us.
Exploration in the Amazon allows us to gently dig into our past. Knowing and exploring our memories does not have to be scary. Awareness often leads to healing.
Ancient Plants, Healing Power
The Amazon is full of healing plants. Plants that cure a fever. Plants that relax the traditional mind. Scientists and tribes have been using these plants for hundreds of years.
Our mind has natural tools for healing too. Thoughts of gratitude, hope, and faith can bridge emotional pain. However, we must find them first. Like plants in the jungle, they also grow in hidden spaces.
A good place to find your positive thoughts is in nature. Nature slows the mind, and allows for pauses between thoughts and space for peace. The jungle illustrates the healing process begins with small steps.
Rain and Change
The Amazon gets heavy rain all year. Rain changes the jungle every day. Rivers grow. Roads disappear. Trees fall and new trees grow. Nothing stays the same for long.
Humans think everywhere is different. We go from being happy in the morning could being sad by night. This is typical behavior. Change is part of life. We should not be afraid of change.
We need to learn to accept change. Just like the jungle grows and gets old every time it rains, we grow after hard times. Painful thoughts often lead to deep growth.
Animals That Remain Hidden
Many of the animals in the Amazon are very shy. Jaguars, for example, are nocturnal animals. They hide during the day and are active at night. They are always strong, but very quiet.
Many of our thoughts are like that. We may hide some of our strongest feelings. As we go throughout our day, we may act calm, but it is possible that we are sad or angry inside. This is where we can use awareness. We need to observe our thoughts like explorers observe jaguars. Because when we are aware of our thoughts, we create control. We stop thoughts from controlling us. Awareness helps us live a better life.
The Beauty of Nature and Human Feeling
Natural things can teach us how to feel. Trees bend in storms but they do not break. Rivers flow through rocks without stopping. These things remind us of how to act under stress. The jungle also shows us the importance of balance. Animals eat, sleep, and protect their groups. Plants grow but do not rush. Everything has its rhythm. And our minds also need rhythm. We need to rest, think, and connect. When we do, we feel more of a sense of calm and happiness. Nature can teach us how to have peace.
What Are We So Curious About?
We naturally love mysteries! We read about lost lands like Atlantis, and watch movies about lost treasure. Amazon has both of these. It feeds our desire to learn about the unknown.
Psychologists say that being curious is healthy. It causes the brain to expand. Leaves us with less fear and builds individual confidence. When we explore new ideas, we feel alive.
So, our interest in the Amazon is not just enjoyed but grows us from the inside out. Each unknown part of the jungle is a trunk of a mirror of self-discovery for our learning.
A Place of Fear and Wonder
The Amazon rainforest is frightening. It is dangerous because of wild animals, insects, and storms. But people want to go there. They cannot resist the calling of wonder. Our minds are the same way. We essentially fear ourselves. We fear the hurt and sadness from the past. Although, often when we dive deep into our mind and consider our feelings and emotions, we discover our strength and we find beauty in a sad feeling.
What can we learn?
Here are a few things the Amazon teaches about human psychology:
Explore your thoughts.
Do not be afraid of your inner world.
Be open to change.
Pay attention to both little and large emotions.
Be gentle with yourself.
Also, allow curiosity to show you the way.
These lessons give us peace and power. They give us more understanding of ourselves and nature.
Final Thoughts
So, what are we hiding in the Amazon jungle? We are hiding many things—animals, plants, people, and stories. But we are also hiding lessons for ourselves. The Amazon teaches us how to explore our minds. The Amazon teaches us how to face fear. Also, the Amazon encourages us to grow when things around us feel dark. The Amazon is raw, deep, and alive. So is your mind. Explore it without fear. You may find something beautiful.
