Seeking environmental silence when mentally ill

[white knight]

In my 20's (I'm 66yo), I sought to be a hermit. It didnt work out, but it was a reflection of my desperation to leave society. I needed peace. Once I went from Melbourne to the Otway ranges, pitched a tent in the dark and woke up the next morning and my view was of a pine forest with timber workers along with the noise. I lost all hope of silence and tears fell.

Since then I've lived in the country mainly in small towns with the hope of a quiet lifestyle. I've learned however that where ever people are there is noise and holidays bring the dirt motorcycles and that rat-a-tat-tat all day. Most are on towns outskirts but some in the town itself on small blocks. These (often) city people if asked if they would like that noise next to them where they live they dont associate their city block with the same sized country block - odd.

Three years ago we found the balance. A town of about 4000 people. That size town usually has a hospital with after hours treatment, at least one large supermarket, medical services, vet and other services. It also has bylaws prohibiting such recreational vehicles within the town boundary. While building our kit house ourselves we resided in a caravan on the land and realised it was a quiet street not used as a through road for traffic and luckily quiet neighbours. We installed double glazed windows. We stumbled on the best mix. 

Quietness is among the major needs of the mentally unwell and if loud and consistent enough will hinder recovery. It also can interrupt meditation periods. So my philosophy is "if you can't beat them... get away from them. 

Any ideas on seeking a quiet life?

TonyWK 

[Doolhof]

Hi Quirky,

This era of Covid has been very different. At first I was having panic attacks when the restrictions came in and we had to stay at home. Then I came to appreciate home more and now going out and being around people up close can freak me out a little.

At work we still need to social distance and wear masks as we work with vulnerable people. Some staff come in the front doors without a mask. I didn't realise one guy had a beard and moustache as I had never seen his face without a mask!

At work, when possible I head outside during my lunch break so I can be refreshed by nature. I sometimes walk people out the door and purposely look up at the sky to watch the clouds for a moment, or see the colours in the leaves of the bushes or glimpse to see if the roses are blooming. 

Little snatches of nature can be so refreshing.

[Guest_1584]

l found same quirk.

Although things were never really that different anyway up my way we were mostly just doing what we'd always had and wanted really. Although shopping centers and out and about were a bit quieter though at times and had this to me this surreal uniqueness and piece about things, l actually liked it.

But working from home normally anyway and with people in general moreso than usual just minding their own business staying in and stuff was also a kind of bliss to me tbh.

l even enjoyed running the gauntlet down through Melbourne lock downs going to and from the airport and stuff with my partner- some of the trips were beautiful tbh and no traffic for once.

Personally l loved the way the whole world was just taking a damn breather just for once myself.

rx

[Guest_1584]

Yaknow , out of most animals , l think birds are the ones that just really seem to just have the life and have it made.

The smaller ones just play all day or pluck free worms in abundance out of the garden any time they want, sit on power lines and gossip , or together rubbing ea other and cuddling , showing of their latest piece of whatever find for their nests - whata life.

Think if l could come back it'd be a cockatoo ,

They marry for life have huge social clans so they're never short of friends or in finding a mate , nothings out to kill them - cept farmers haha , they live to 80 or 90 yrs old tey can fly 100s of k get to sit up in the most beautiful trees , l mean what more could you ask.

No mortgage bills job pressures , complications , not even a computer - just simplicity and freedom at it's finest

rx

[Guest_1584]

Ha, you'd think an eagle wouldn't you, the king of his throne .

But not quite .

ldk what their pairing up situation is but one thing l do know is from the day l had the privilege of watching an eagle straight above me circle and glide across the skies., an incredible sight for sure.

But you know what. He had about 6 little birds flying all around him and taking pecks at his back , tail , head , just totally  taking the mickey out of him and there wasn't one damn thing he could do about it. He was so big and cumbersome they were so fast and cheeky they just ducked and weaved and just kept on poking away at him..

Gotta be a life lesson in there somewhere.

rx

[Doolhof]

Hi randomx and all reading,

I wrote a reply yesterday but it seems to have disappeared, I must have not replied properly.

Adelaide is certainly a different city to Melbourne. Last year we had quite a lot of rain. I prefer the dry heat to humidity.

On our property we have some old looking gum trees, they are more the short and stubby variety with really gnarly looking branches. I like to sit near them and wonder who else may have been in that exact spot.

A history book of the town we live in talks about Aboriginal presence here. The town has a creek that used to be supplied by a spring, so it may well have been a source of water and food for people before it became the settlement it is.

The creek was just a smelly stagnant pool the size of a small back yard swimming pool for about 3 years, last years rains had the creek flowing, now we have a large pond of water which is lovely to see. 

The little park there is rather neglected, I like to sit there now and then and just appreciate the water and the occasional bird that comes for a drink.

Nature certainly does have a peaceful and healing quality to it. 

[Eagle Ray]

Hi All

Just getting back to this thread and really enjoying it.

RX I can relate to the shift in perspective regarding the amount of land and what’s involved living on it. In my 20s I dreamed of a rural block, growing all my own food, possibly something like a passive solar design house that blended with the landscape. But after years of struggles with life issues and health issues I’ve found myself in a strata unit in a quiet town. I have a small backyard that birds and wildlife visit. I can hear the ocean from here and walk to the river in 5 minutes. So although it isn’t the acreage I dreamed about, the management of the place is easier and simpler. I can use what energy I have for other things. So I get what you’re saying about priorities changing.

Dools I really like Adelaide. It’s smaller than several other capital cities. I was visiting there a few years ago and staying in North Adelaide. I went for a walk and in 5 minutes I found myself in a large parkland area with paddocks with horses in them, and I was only 20 minutes walk from the city centre. It was a rural scape within the city. Some people put Adelaide down saying it’s less exciting and interesting than other cities. I don’t agree in that it has quite a few thing’s going for it that other cities lack. It’s almost more like a very big town, very walkable and there are many peaceful places, but you can still go to cafes, shops etc if you want and there’s lots of arts things. I’ve been to the Womadelaide world music festival which was awesome.

Tony I loved hearing about your visit to the beach. Yes there is something so healing about the waves and sea breeze. It feels renewing and reviving. It kind of clears out any worries and brings you into the present.

Quirky I heard a thing on the radio where several people called in saying they enjoyed lockdown because they are more introverted and they got to have a break from pressures to be social. I think it’s ok to be true to who you are and for some of us being more hermit-like is a way we take care of ourselves.

 I feel what others are saying about the spiritual energy of the land. Ancient Indigenous songlines are embedded in the landscape. It’s all still there and can be felt when you open your heart to the landscape with respect.

[white knight]

Eagle Ray Re: " I feel what others are saying about the spiritual energy of the land." It's why I'm so jealous of indigenous people. If I said that 60 years ago I'd get a nasty look. Thankfully the world has matured.

So, I suppose I'm lacking spirituality from my past generations. 6th generation Aussie, had one past family member spend time in Tasmania's infamous Sarah Island jail around 1825. The white man from the British Isles didnt bring with them any mention of depth in their family. 

So any spirituality I have has been from listening to Maharaji Prem Rawat on youtube and I'm eternally grateful from his teachings. In 1988 I was given cassette tapes of him, that tape mentioned "your key to your inner self" in that only you have the key, find it and explore your inner person. How deep and wonderful. So sitting on a rock watching the ocean, the breaking waves and wind through your hair... takes me there, where no one else can go.

TonyWK

[Guest_1584]

The ocean is so so special that is for sure you are not wrong about that one.

But yeah thanking the Gods there is a bit more respect now days for our indigenous and a lot of realization of just how incredible they have been and their histories before us.

Long long way to go yet though isn't there and one thing l am still ashamed of my own country and it's people about.

ER well , that still sounds bloody nice though nonetheless . We rented a unit once back in the day while traveling about and that sounds similar to yours and even then l use to think alternatively actually it was a really nice way to live. lt really surprised me that l could enjoy the two extremes but the unit really had a lot to be said for it. l've felt a real shift just this last yr or two within myself about all of it actually realizing just how much l use to have to do and even now still do with this place , and the energy and time it all takes. lt all almost replaces living and doing other things in life really and it'd just be nice to be able to enjoy all of those for once instead. l kinda relate it all to my new electric heater as compared to still using the wood heater as nice as it is but man, up and down all night more wood fixing fires. Wkends out getting wood aand more wood but nowww ahhh, l just press a button. Haven't used the wood heater two yrs now l've been enjoying that button so much and the extra time l have, incredible.

So yeah it's probably just as well l didn't sell this place 2yrs back and wound up jumping into a new acreage place bc just of late, l don't think l want that anymore.

rx

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Tony and RX

Tony it’s so nice to hear how you’ve found peace and connection through Maharaji Prem Rawat. I love that understanding - that only we have the key to our inner self. It’s like we’re each responsible for our own journey and get to explore our inner world. The idea of an inner garden just came to me (probably because I’ve just been in my garden today). We can tend to and nurture what’s growing there. We can also prune out the things we don’t want (past injuries etc). We can create our own inner biodiversity - our interests, hobbies, nurturing ourselves through relationships with various others, from humans to pets to the wild creatures we meet in nature. We can learn to identify what helps things to grow well in the garden and what doesn’t etc.

I’ve just gone off on a whole tangent there. But I think there’s so many ways to be spiritually connected. For some that might be through organised religion, for others it might be through nature, a particular philosophy, meditative practices etc. Our whole mind/body/spirit is meant to be integrated.

And RX yeah there’s still a long way to go for Australia as a whole to fully acknowledge and really value Indigenous knowledge, connection to land, experience and history. With some things, such as cultural burning practices that are embedded in deep knowledge of the landscape passed down through generations, authorities are starting to listen. There’s a depth of wisdom and insight there that has been overlooked for so long with regard to the landscape, seasons, growth of plants, movement of animals etc. And I feel all humans across the world need that kind of integrated connection with nature to be whole in mind, body and spirit.

 I hear you with regard to making things simpler. I have a wood heater too but also reverse cycle aircon. I think I used the wood heater 4 times last winter. But yeah it’s much more work! Even here in this unit I have plenty of work. I have several fruit trees in my small garden and various other plants, some I’m still learning how to look after. There’s always lots to do so I can’t imagine now how I’d manage something bigger. I hope you find a great option going forward for whatever suits you best.

[Doolhof]

Hi All,

I'm enjoying reading the comments here. Finding inner peace one way of another is important. Thankfully nature is readily available to me in a variety of forms so I can immerse myself in nature's care and restorative powers.

A friend once suggested having a glass bowl of water on the table. In to that I added stones, shells, flowers, leaves, sticks, what ever was available. In front of me was a micro glimpse of nature to admire. You could do the same with a bowl full of sand/dirt and add bits to it to create a mini landscape.

To know more about the dreamtime and the first nations people's connection to the land would be enlightening. I remember reading a few children's books at school about the dream time, maybe it is time to find ways to be more enlightened.