Step 10
Becoming the Earth Enjoyer
Let go and embrace the flow
As we bring this guide to a close, I want to explain why this final step feels like the right conclusion to me. I’ve always been fascinated by the big questions in life: What is existence? What is reality? Who am I? In the last few years, diving into philosophy has had a big impact on me, and it’s shifted the way I see the world.
Plato once said,
“Reality is created by the mind. We can change our reality by changing our mind.”
In this final step, we will explore what it means to become an Earth Enjoyer, which goes beyond simply appreciating nature—it’s about cultivating deep gratitude for the Earth and caring for all living beings. This step is about recognizing the profound interconnectedness between yourself and the planet and letting that awareness guide your actions.
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Cultivate gratitude for the Earth
Becoming an Earth Enjoyer starts with gratitude. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling you express when you’re having a good day; it’s a way of life, a deep recognition of how interconnected you are with everything around you. Every breath you take, every bite of food you eat, every time you watch the sun rise or set, you’re participating in the Earth’s cycles. And when you truly cultivate gratitude for the Earth, you begin to see the world differently. You move beyond being a passive observer of nature, into the role of an active participant in its life.
Take a moment every day to consciously notice what the Earth provides. It could be something as simple as the sound of the wind in the trees, the feeling of the soil under your feet, or the beauty of the sky at dusk. By regularly noticing these small gifts, you’ll develop a sense of reverence for the natural world. And with that reverence comes responsibility—to protect, nurture, and care for the Earth in return.
Care for all living things
To truly Enjoy the Earth, you must extend your appreciation to all living things. This includes animals, plants, and people. When you show kindness and respect to all life, you embody the gratitude you’ve cultivated, and you contribute to a more compassionate world.
What does this mean in practice? It means becoming more mindful in your day-to-day choices. It could be as simple as reducing your waste, supporting sustainable agriculture, or finding ways to give back to the environment, whether by planting trees, reducing your carbon footprint, or volunteering in conservation efforts. When you care for other living things, you deepen your connection to the Earth.
Enjoying Earth beyond yourself
Here’s where we go deeper. In truth, being an EarthEnjoyer isn’t something you become—it’s something you are. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve long been a fan of Alan Watts, and I think he had an amazing ability to explain complex, advanced topics in a way that feels both simple and beautiful. He offers just enough insight to guide you, but never tell the full story, leaving space for you to form your own understanding.
I’d like to invite you to watch this 8-minute and 31-second video of Alan Watts on Existence:
All credit goes to True Meaning on YouTube, for editing and sharing this, and of course, to Alan Watts for his wisdom. I hope the video provided some thought-provoking insights, or at the very least, a bit of entertainment. If you enjoyed it, I encourage you to support the creator directly by watching it on YouTube.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into Alan Watts’ teachings, I’ve added a full audio lecture below titled We As Organism.
This lecture expands on many of the ideas. You can find this lecture and many others over on alanwatts.com, where you can purchase full series of his lectures. There’s also a subscription service available at play.alanwatts.org that provides access collection of his talks. I’m not affiliated with the Alan Watts Organization, but I encourage you to support them through their official channels if you’re financially and personally inclined to do so. Your support helps preserve and share Alan Watts’ wisdom with others.
The illusion of separateness
The sense that we are separate from the Earth, from each other, and from the rest of the universe is what Alan Watts described as a hallucination. He explained that the sensation of being an isolated ego is not an accurate view of reality. It’s more like a trick of the mind.
The truth is, the real you isn’t just the person you see in the mirror. It’s not limited to your body or the labels you attach to yourself. The real you is part of the whole process of the universe. As you deepen your connection with the Earth, you begin to see that you are not a separate being at all. You and the Earth are inseparable, and everything in existence is interconnected.
When you shift your perspective from one of separateness to one of connection, from taking to giving, from consumption to gratitude, your experience of reality changes in a significant way.
Taoism: In Harmony with the Earth
Taoism offers a profound insight into this experience of interconnectedness. In Taoist philosophy, everything exists in balance—light cannot exist without darkness, and everything that is cannot be without what isn’t. This is the essence of the Tao, the flow of the universe. Taoism views the self as simply one of the countless manifestations of the cosmos. There is no hierarchy between you and the rest of the universe—you are an extension of it.
In practice, this means embracing simplicity and flow. Instead of resisting the natural rhythms of life, you align yourself with them. You let go of the ego, which constantly seeks control and validation, and instead, connect with your true self—one that is at peace with both the highs and the lows, the light and the dark. This is the path to harmony with the Earth.
Exploration of thought
Much of what I’ve written here is meant to provoke thought, to encourage you to question and reflect on your own beliefs about existence, reality, ego, and the world. I don’t expect these ideas to be taken as definitive answers, because in truth, there are no simple answers. That said, it’s perfectly fine if you don’t connect with what I’m writing here. This is just my personal opinion, and I don’t claim to have the answers. In fact, I don’t hold any firm beliefs at all. And I think that’s important—to remain open, to not cling to any unshakable truths. Because if you do, there’s a chance you’ll start confirming your own beliefs rather than questioning them.
The truth is, as humans, we will probably never be able to fully understand what existence is. But that doesn’t mean the exploration isn’t valuable. In fact, I believe that asking these questions helps us develop our minds and connect more deeply with the world around us. And that’s why this feels like the most natural step to conclude the guide. But who knows, I might add an extra step or two in the future.
These concepts are deeply personal, and no two people will experience them in the exact same way. It’s up to you to explore and decide what resonates with you.
Resources
For centuries, philosophers and thinkers have grappled with these same questions. They’ve left behind a wealth of knowledge and insight, but much of it goes unnoticed by the average person, who might take life for granted without stopping to reflect on the deeper mysteries. If you’re intrigued by these topics, I encourage you to dive deeper into this exploration. A book that has been particularly impactful for me is The Book by Alan Watts, where he masterfully breaks down the illusion of separateness and explores the concept of existence in a way that is both accessible and profound.
Another work I highly recommend is the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, a cornerstone of Taoist philosophy. This ancient text provides timeless wisdom on how to live in harmony with the natural flow of life, offering insights that remain relevant even in today’s world.
There are countless other resources out there and it’s entirely up to you whether you want to explore this further. As I’ve said, becoming an EarthEnjoyer isn’t just about adopting a particular philosophy or way of thinking. It’s about being open, curious, and willing to engage with the world in your own way. So, take what resonates with you, leave what doesn’t, and let your own understanding evolve naturally.
Letting go of the ego
In the end, becoming the Earth Enjoyer is about letting go of the ego—the illusion that you are separate from the world around you. When you shed this illusion, you begin to see that you and the Earth are not separate but deeply connected. In this state of harmony, you move with the flow of life rather than struggling against it, allowing you to experience the true joy of being an Earth Enjoyer.
But remember, this is an ongoing practice. There’s no need to strive for perfection. The Earth doesn’t ask you to be flawless; it simply asks that you show up every day with gratitude, presence, and care. As long as you approach life with these intentions, everything else will naturally fall into place.
Practical tips
As you’ve journeyed through the guide, each step has offered insights and practical ways to connect more deeply with the Earth. Now, let’s bring it all together with practical tips that embody everything from this guide:
- Go outside: Touch the Earth. Ground yourself in the physical world. Nature is alive and vibrant, and when you interact with it, you become part of its flow.
- Practice mindful awareness: Take a break from your phone or screens for a short walk in nature. As you walk, focus on each step, the sounds around you, and the sensations of the air on your skin. Allow yourself to be fully present with your surroundings.
- Reconnect with nature: Spend time in a place that feels meaningful to you. Sit quietly, close your eyes, and remember that you are part of the Earth. Let yourself feel connected to the ground beneath you.
- Make conscious choices: Reflect on your daily habits. Whether it’s how you eat, use technology, or spend your time. Choose one area where you can be more present and intentional in your actions today.
- Explore new horizons: Try something new outside of your usual routine. It could be visiting a new park, hiking a trail you’ve never tried, or simply watching a sunrise or sunset from a different location.
- Nurture authentic connections: Strengthen your relationship with someone by sharing a meaningful outdoor experience together. Whether it’s a hike, a picnic, or just a walk, use the time to talk openly and listen fully.
- Reflect on your growth: At the end of the day, take a few minutes to journal about what you experienced and learned. How did the Earth impact you today? What challenges did you face, and how did they help you grow?
- Engage your senses: Set aside time to fully engage one of your senses. Taste your food slowly, noticing every flavor. Or listen to the sound of the wind or water nearby, letting it wash over you. Being present with your senses amplifies your connection with the Earth.
- Declutter and simplify: Declutter one area of your life today, whether it’s your physical space or your mental to-do list. Simplify your surroundings or schedule so that you can focus more on what truly brings you joy—your connection with the Earth and others.
- Practice acceptance: Let go of the need to control every aspect of your life. Embrace change and uncertainty as natural parts of existence. When faced with challenges, focus on what you can learn rather than what you cannot change.
You are the Earth Enjoyer
By now, you should realize that you have been the Earth Enjoyer all along. Everything you’ve experienced, reflected on, and learned in this guide has simply helped reveal what was always within you. You’ve been walking this path, not to become something new, but to rediscover what was already there: your natural, intrinsic bond with the Earth.
If you’ve made it this far, that’s an accomplishment in itself! This guide turned out to be much longer than I initially planned, and I know it wasn’t an easy journey. But you stuck with it, and for that, I’m grateful and deeply proud.
Whatever you’ve taken away from this, I hope you can use it to truly Enjoy the Earth and the beautiful gift of life. You’ve now developed your own understanding of what it means to be an Earth Enjoyer, and I believe that understanding will guide you in your own best way.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me. I love you!
This has been Step 10 of How to Enjoy the Earth: A Comprehensive Guide. That’s the final step and the end of this guide! But remember, you can always come back whenever you want. Now, chart your own course and keep moving forward!
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