Walkabout
A walkabout is an aboriginal rite of passage young boys in Australia take to survive in nature. It's also the name of one of my favorite films. I hadn't seen it in along time and on the weekend watched the director's cut with commentary for fresh insights. The following day I went for a walk in the woods with the film echoing its message of civilization, man and nature at odds. It continues to haunt me and is my inspiration this week here. A short trailer of the film is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h7SdsPBJvQ v If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend renting it.
Nature is one of my constant teachers. When I sit at my desk, I long to be sitting under the tree a few feet away. Normally, I have screens on the window but I opened one and breathed more easily. It felt good but common sense set in. The cats might escape. Insects and who knows what might crawl in: animals, burglars, cold air, rain. We put up all kinds of barriers we give no thought to, but sometimes it nice to throw caution to wind. Who knows what good might come of it?
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 9/21/2011 12:00 AM 
Categories: Nature, Film, Spirituality, A Room With A View, Baby Boomers
Tags: walkabout-film civilization-nature rumi-quote-window-joy rite of passage
Categories: Nature, Film, Spirituality, A Room With A View, Baby Boomers
Tags: walkabout-film civilization-nature rumi-quote-window-joy rite of passage
Having grown up in a small village and walking in the forest many times I understand and celebrate the walkabout. Sitting under a tree with the sun filtering through the leaves can be like a kaleidescope or even a cathedral. A perfect place to create.
Please be cautious in removing screens there are some bad people out there. Even unwanted animals of the four legged variety. Last year a woman woke and found a cougar at the foot of her bed as the mountain lion carried away her 12 year old lab back out the open door. We want your kitties to be around for a while yet..
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Frank, thanks for your concern. I would never leave the window wide open for long.
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I spent the first twenty some years of my life in Germany, where they don't have screens on the windows (or at least they didn't back then). We kept our windows open often, and never gave any thought to what might come in through the open windows.
I was first introduced to screened windows when I moved to this country, and now I can't imagine living without them, but I never thought of them as a barrier. Interesting concept.
I always have to have a window open, at least a crack, at least for a while, even on the hottest or coldest days of the year. Maybe that's my way of staying connected with nature?
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It might be another reason you love nature. I remember visiting my grandmother in Europe as a child and being fascinated by the lack of screens.
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beautiful view, i must see that film. beautiful day here, so i will take a bit of a break from the puter work and enjoy the last few green summer days.
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Kathryn, I'm surprised you haven't seen it. It's right up your alley. Let me know how you like it, and enjoy the last minutes of summer.
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So that's where the magic happens. Cool!
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I have never heard of it (bad me) but I will definitely let you know. Am sure I will love it.
Thanks for letting me know about it.
Now out definitely in this weather.
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