Authors:
Francesca Salmeri and Angelica Paci – Kamaleonte Italy
Abstract
During the residential part of the Spiritual Nature Intelligence course—held from October 13 to 18, 2024, we spent a week immersed in nature, dedicating ourselves to a deep exploration of our spiritual connection with the natural world. In a time suspended between the silence of the woods, the grandeur of the mountains, and the poetry of the sea, we rediscovered the profound power of letting ourselves be guided by natural elements to reconnect with our true selves.
The course brought together adult educators from across Europe. Together, we shared not only a physical journey but, above all, an inner one, during which nature became both teacher and guide. Through the proposed activities, participants were able to reflect on the meaning of this connection and how to integrate it into their daily lives, both personally and professionally.
When we began thinking about the residential part of the course, we were flooded with inputs and doubts. On one hand, we were asked to organize something closely aligned with our strengths. Being used to working in the experiential outdoor field, it wasn’t hard for us to imagine an immersive and reflective course in nature. On the other hand, the spiritual aspect of Nature Intelligence required us to reinterpret our activities in a specific direction — that of spirituality.
We let ourselves be inspired by our personal experiences, by our unique and intimate relationship with spirituality and nature. We wanted to offer a course that would allow both believers and non-believers, coming from different cultures — and possibly different religions — to experience a week in nature connected to our sense of spirituality.
We organized a program that was accessible from various perspectives, requiring the engagement of the heart, body, soul/spirit/mind — depending on each person’s beliefs.
It was then the participants, with their uniqueness, emotions, and feelings, who added that touch of magic necessary to create those ‘Magical moments in nature.’ Because nature continued to be our teacher, our co-facilitator, inspiring us through the fragility of a small twig snapping under the heavy step of a human being and the magnificent wonder of waiting for our voices to return in silence, from sunset to sunrise over the mountain landscape.
The activities took place in various natural settings, each carefully chosen to encourage introspection and a silent dialogue between humans and nature. The backdrop of Sabaudia, with a hotel overlooking the tranquil Lake Paola, served as the perfect starting point for this experience. From there, we ventured onto trails that seemed to speak of ancient connections between the earth and the spirit, from the hike on Mount Semprevisa to the pleasure of engaging in deep and intricate reflections by the simplicity of the lake’s shore.
A night spent in the mountain refuge on Semprevisa gave participants the chance to experience the natural cycle from sunset to sunrise in complete silence. Other moments, such as the spiral drawn in the sand, invited meditation and reflection. Participants walked slowly within this universal symbol, voicing their emotions and reflections about their relationship with nature, while others listened as active spectators, allowing themselves to be moved, inspired, and, when needed, offering support.
Every gesture, every step, carried an intensity that transcended mere movement—it was a dance between humanity and nature, a profound and shared dialogue.
The participants’ words convey the intensity of these experiences better than anything else. One of them shared:
“The silence of the mountain allowed me to hear not only the nature around me but also my inner world. Watching the sunrise through the veil of the just-ended night was a moment of pure magic.”
Another memory, tied to the “mimesis” work with the trees, highlighted the emotional impact of the activities:
“Connecting with a tree and trying to embody its essence was a powerful exercise. I felt nature as part of me, an inseparable whole.”
Every activity, whether drawing the spiral, dancing with the ocean waves, or simply walking through the woods, seemed to carry a universal message: nature speaks to us if we are ready to listen. The fire ritual at sunset, for instance, was described as a moment of deep introspection:
“The crackling of the flames and the changing colours of the sky gave me a sense of belonging, as if I were an element of the whole.”
The skills and sensitivity of everyone in the group – both facilitators and participants – helped create a safe and open space where everyone could explore their spiritual dimension without, or better
facing, fear. The diversity of the settings—forests, lakes, mountains, and beaches—further enriched this experience, offering ever-new and stimulating perspectives.
The course did not end with the conclusion of the residential stay. The “remote phase,” featuring online coaching sessions, helps sustain the connection and continue working on the learnings that emerged. However, it is clear that many moments from this week will remain etched in the participants’ memories, reminding us of the importance of experiencing nature, even in simpler, more accessible ways, in our everyday lives.
And it is with one of their voices that we wish to conclude this account:
“This experience showed me how it is possible to create moments of pure magic in nature —moments that not only touch the soul but stay with you, transforming you.”
