By Kim Ae-ran
When I first read Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" ("Life in the Forests") in 1985, I was indelibly impressed by the idea of having spiritual freedom to live independently in the forests.
Since then, "Walden" became a symbol of living a simple life with inner freedom, and naturally, living a simple and frugal life became one of the virtues to put into practice in my life. Later on, the idea of living a simple life inspired me to live the spiritual virtue of "poverty" as well.
Nevertheless, when I entered the religious congregation, I lived in the city most of the time. Only when I went to climb the mountains during special occasions or vacations, I could enjoy walking under the trees in the forests.
Since about 65 percent of the geography of Korea consists of mountainous areas, I can say that almost every city is surrounded by mountains and hills. However, living actually in the forests is another matter.
Recently when I stayed in Canada for two months and in Boston for several weeks, I felt so free, peaceful and spontaneous thanks to the surrounding trees across huge landscapes. Whenever I took a walk, I was so pleased with the trees stretching high toward the lofty sky. I felt many blessings in nature.
Almost 20 percent of Acadia National Park in Maine is wetlands such as bogs, marshes, swamps, ponds and lakes. How pleasing and consoling to breathe with the freshwater in the ponds and lakes along the trails!
Since the flatland forests with tall and large trees are widespread across the nation, constructing private houses in the forests, near the lakes or ponds is possible.
The most beautiful impression I have is the broad and vast landscapes of the nation. State or national parks are so huge that each place shares lots of natural beauty with enjoyable walkers. It would be one of the reasons to attract more migrants to come abroad.
Those who can afford to do so construct their beautiful houses near the shore of a sea, lake or pond, or a forest. I think large spaces surrounded by trees can also protect people from approaching viruses.
Many countries are so crowded with people that they build tall skyscrapers and apartments more and more. Meanwhile, some countries are blessed with larger landscapes that still remain wild and natural. In terms of geography, the world looks unfair, but our mutual differences create the potential beauty of cooperative sharing with the help of diversity.
In spite of the differences, we have a dream to build a broader spiritual space, and that dream for inner space inspires us to ponder on the meaning of life in the most rapidly transforming world.
"Where is your Walden?"
It is the catchphrase for the Walden Pond Visitor Center in Concord, Boston. What a joy it was for me to walk around Walden Pond and step on the very spot where Henry David Thoreau lived for two years and two months from July 1845 to September 1847!
Walking along the Walden trail, I saw many people swimming in the shallow parts of the pond. Some were reading books while sitting on cozy beach chairs near the shore. Fishing, hiking, walking, swimming or reading, our dreams to be in harmony with nature are realized every day.
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul. Please feel free to visit her blog "A piece of sunshine" at mtorchid88.blogspot.com.