Inspiration: The First Philosophical Principle in Nature

By Lisa Puzo Strickland, PhD

Humanity’s most trusted global partner is nature. It provides, shelters, oxygenates, and adds much needed greenery to cold office spaces.

Nature also teaches, for the foundations of life itself can be philosophically repurposed for conceptual consumption. And it all starts with understanding the conscious connection between humans and plants.

The Plant Effect

It has been well-documented that plants, because they are conscious and can possibly sense their surroundings more acutely than humans, grow stronger and live longer in a happy home versus a stressful environment.

Plants measurably shrink to obtrusively loud sounds yet are positively stimulated by the vibrations of calm music or laughter. They can even sway to joyful, rhythmic beats. And like a cat, plants follow the sun, basking in its warmth and restorative properties.

Just as plants react to humans and human actions, we are equally as affected by them. In addition to the visual and aromatherapeutic rewards, nature carries several other somatic benefits.

Our shoulders lower and our heartbeats slow the second we step out of the car and onto a green embossed path. And with every soul-cleansing step, our serotonin levels rise, resulting in clearer thoughts and wider smiles.

Additionally, people become more open-minded and creative when amidst any kind of nature, as if the varied color palettes and textures liberate the mind from the structured conformity of walls and rules. It is believed these psychosomatic effects are related to the brain’s limbic system which regulates memory and emotions while supporting idea forming.

Indoor plants improve air quality, lower stress, and boost creativity.

The Brain Effect

In her 2008 book, author and neuropsychiatrist Diana Hennacy Powell uses science to explain that these limbic-lifts are not necessarily due to an increased sensitivity occurring in any specific part of the brain, but rather a “damping” of the brain’s cortex.

The cortex enables executive decision making and conscious awareness. Powell believes that when we turn down the “noise” from various distractions like work or traffic, we are essentially damping the “cortex relative to the activity in the limbic system.”

This is the same science behind meditation and prayer. As we slow our breath and quiet the cortex, thoughts or ideas arising from the right side of the limbic system can become more prominently perceived.

Simply put, it is not necessarily turning up the radio to hear your favorite song, but more like turning down the TV to better hear the radio, or those creative nudges.  

For many reasons, therefore, humans need nature. For its sustenance and supply. For its ability to soothe nerves and heal hurts. And to help us more easily find fresh inspirations.

Mimicking Nature

Biomimicry is the practice of using nature as the inspiration for production and technology. For example, developers may study whale teeth to architect a more capable water filtration unit, or fish scales to create solar panels.

Biomimicry is also seen throughout AI and robotic programming. As one online magazine purports, “From neural networks to swarm robotics, many of today’s most sophisticated technologies are inspired by the natural functions and collective behavior of living organisms.”

Even unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) have been said to display biophilic, or bio-inspired, technology that enables the skin of a non-human made craft to suddenly change color, much like a chameleon. 

Nature, however, provides far more than design tips. It also contains a life-affirming wisdom that, when implemented into daily behaviors, can prompt a more imaginative and innovative life, one inspired by the same kind of energized joy felt by a plant sitting next to a sunny window.

The act of utilizing nature’s wisdom is giving nature a philosophical usage. In other words, as humanity employs nature’s ecological provisions, we can also tap into its timeless knowledge by mimicking its own philosophical tenets.

Biomimicry implements nature’s inspirations into technology and production.

Tenet 1: Inspiration

There are five key philosophical tenets embedded within nature. I will gradually write about each one of them.

This writing discusses the first tenet, inspiration, which touches upon every aspect of life from evolution and adaption to cognition and spirituality. Inspiration is also what gets us out of bed and into momentum, which is why inspiration is the first tenet.

The influence that the inspiration principle has had on life since its inception is, to say the least, profound.

For example, once upon a time, a fish was evolutionarily inspired to find food upon the land, so it eventually sprouted legs and became something new. Ants have been inspired by efficiency for millions of years, inducing them to find simple alternatives to complex problems. And every second of every day, a bud is spurred to blossom by the sun’s light.

These are examples of life’s inspired choices. And while not all life forms may emotionally perceive the pulse and pull of inspiration, we humans can most certainly be inspired by these choices and apply them philosophically to our own methods and mayhem.

So, how do we do that?

The Inspired Life

To inspire and to be inspired encapsulates our most basic essence. Because inspiration is the catalyst for everything. It is the origin of humankind, and the prompt behind each creative expression.

By integrating nature’s philosophical tenet of inspiration into our actions and intentions, we are essentially connecting to nature on a metaphysical level. This allows us to utilize one of life’s greatest gifts to its fullest.

There is an easy way to activate inspiration into daily life, and it begins by asking this simple question:

Does this (person, place, thing, or activity) inspire me,

or does it help me inspire others?

This question can be posed when contemplating the continuance of a relationship, considering a new job, buying a house, or choosing a paint color - anything that would benefit from reaching down to one’s core and letting the heart guide.

Likewise, words and actions can not only brighten someone else’s day but also alter the course of their life. So, by allowing the tenet of inspiration to be our filter, we are ensuring what we say and do is framed in kindness and motivation.

There are countless other ways to live an inspired life as we aim to mimic Nature’s own wise patterns and practices.  

We can dampen the loud to better hear the joy. Or follow the light to establish direction.

We can read what fills our soul, or extend a compliment. Because to give inspiration is more powerful than to receive it.

Nature’s psychosomatic effects enhance inventiveness and ingenuity.

The Path Forward

When we find ourselves yearning for change or growth, perhaps it is us who need to grow a new pair of legs, create new solutions, or adopt a new belief system.

Perhaps it is us who will find success by focusing on the obvious to lessen the complexity.

And maybe we can end the coldest of phases by stretching our arms to the warm possibilities built into each new day, boldly shedding our old skin to welcome a new palette.

Either way, inspiration is one of the five key philosophical principles that nature readily embodies, and we would do well to do the same. For ourselves and for others. - LPS

Sources:

D.H. Powell, The ESP Enigma: The Scientific Case for Psychic Phenomena, Walker Books, 2008, available here.

AI programming: click

UAP: click

To learn more about Biomimicry, visit here.