Sound, Bush and Soul Bathing

My husband and I have been making an effort to make the most of the bountiful rainfall we have had this winter. The falls and cascades near and around Perth are magnificent. Now that spring is here, the rain has also resulted in a bumper year for wildflowers. Last Saturday we drove down to Serpentine Falls south of Perth and hiked eight kilometres along the Serpentine River. The path took us by several cascades and to a second waterfall about half way to Jarradale. There we sat in the bush with our feet in the flowing water and the rushing of the falls in our ears. It was sound bathing at its best. Closing my eyes I felt there was no boundary between inner and outer worlds. Remarkable!

On Sunday we drove to Lesmurdie Falls in the Perth Hills for a different experience. These Falls are higher than Serpentine Falls and a three kilometre path took us up the escarpment to the top and back down the other side. We arrived early and looking up the falls the sun was just rising over the top of them. A sense of the falls dropping down out of the sunlight was created. A sea of wildflowers surrounded us as we hiked up the escarpment. We bush bathed in pools of vibrant colour. The path wound through waves of flowering shrubs in places. The scents of the bush permeated the air.

I got to thinking how the word ´flow´ doesn´t only describe the movement of water. Air flows as well, carrying scents and vibrations which we absorb. Closing my eyes, it again seemed like there was no barrier between within and without. The senses can be seen as an obstacle to realising enlightenment, to becoming one with the universe. We use the stories our senses tell us to create boundaries between ourselves and that which is around us.

On the other hand, I think that the senses may be a gift that helps us to attain enlightenment. When through the senses we allow the flowing vibrations of the universe to merge with those of our inner Self, there are no longer barriers. We become part of the wondrous vibration of the universe. I think I felt a little of that on these two walks. Soul bathing. Completely immersed and saturated in vibration. Om.

Frothy waves of bushes in flower. The path is barely to be seen.