Alone in the Forest: An Experience of Beauty

My family and I took a trip about four years ago to explore California. Among the many things we did, we visited the Sequoia National Park in Fresno. This park holds the largest tree in the world by volume, “General Sherman.” Just after arriving at our cabin, we were informed that a Starlight Tour of the forest would be taking place that night at ten o’clock. Though I’ve been on many hikes, the Starlight Tour was the most beautiful experience I’ve ever had in the midst of nature.

Before the journey began, there was a quick speech about the history and wildlife of the area. I followed closely along with my family and a few other wondering travelers behind our tour guide. He was one of those rough, older outdoorsmen that have been through extreme experiences in these woods, knowing the path like a child knows his way to the bathroom at night. Though I held a flashlight, I tripped over numerous tree roots; they seemed to have taken over the ground below us, touching every bit of earth their finger-like tips could reach. Suddenly stopping, our guide turned towards us and spoke gruffly. We would be separated from each other by a hundred feet or so and would stay alone in silence for about twenty minutes. To my displeasure, yet not complete surprise, he was completely serious. The group walked, stopping to leave one person every couple minutes. I was told to sit near a big bush, where to my left was the mysterious sequoia forest. On my right a rocky mound about seven feet tall imposed itself upon my spot. I was slightly comforted when I stood up to look around and realized I could see my sister at a distance. Disturbingly, she looked completely content.

What would happen next would make such an impression on me that I return to this memory very often. Sitting alone, I brushed away a few rocks and sticks and laid back, resting my head in my hands. I began to realize that I no longer feel lonely. Looking up at the stars I felt a peace that was incredible yet somewhat familiar. The deafening quiet spoke of God’s presence in the trees around me and the stars above me. This peace, I decided had something to do with being by myself in silence, and the stars told me that God was watching me. Faced with silence under the immense black sky, I was brought to humility. How many trillions of universes zoomed around me? The cold air bit my nose and ears, but I became oblivious as one after another, hundreds of stars fell. I didn’t need to say anything to God and he didn’t need to say anything to me; aware of each other: that was enough. Soon enough, or too soon, I was pulled from my thoughts hearing my tour guide telling me it was time to get up and head back.

The hike was over quickly after that, and I was asleep within an hour. But ever since then, I have a firm conviction that one of the most beautiful things in the world is taking a step into nature, and out of the blur of noises in modern society, just to be alone with powers greater than us. The beauty we experience can change things us, give life to self-awareness and hope. So much that I would encourage anyone searching for something special to take the time to go into nature, into darkness, wherever you must go to be in silence and know Someone is there.

[Picture from http://darekk.com/west/sequoia.htm]