Leonardo da Vinci keeps capturing my attention every now and then these Spring days. He surfaces in glimpses here and there, sometimes just popping in as a thought when I see an intricate spider web on my morning walk or he flows in when I’m watching clouds go by above the mountains. There was a social media post someone shared and, most recently, a book that I found in an older collection in my basement. It’s a large coffe-table type of book with detailed and beautiful images of his drawings and notes from sketch books.

So, I want to bring him and his beautiful work some intentional focus and reflection. What does this Leonardo “vibe” want me to know, or pay attention to?

Hmmmm so first what comes to mind is Italy. Leonardo was born in Vinci, Italy near Florence. Kind of interesting. He was born on April 15, 1452. (This post just missed his 571st birthday).

“Nature is the source of all true knowledge.”
~ Leonardo da Vinci

Thank you, Leonardo, for that quote. Over 500 years ago, he was reflecting on nature and found that all knowledge that is true to him orginates in the natural world. I did also find another variant of this quote attributed to him, which says, “All our knowledge hast its origins in our perceptions …”

I like both of those a lot.

To say that nature is the source of all true knowledge means several different things to me.

When working with a horse, with a young child, or even cultivating plants and starting them from seeds…I find that asking what is it that is naturally needed for a thriving experience feels best to me. What can be offered in love for the essence of that being to remove blocks, to create a nurturing environment in which to live and grow and find joyful thriving?

Another meaning for me around this quote about nature is that knowledge of inner landscape and authentic Self can come most easily and clearly when time is spent in the natural world. I often forget this about my truth. The more time I spend under the open sky, with the ancient trees, next to the new Spring flowers, with my cats and dogs and horses, the more at peace I feel and the better able I am to listen to my inner knowing. I feel more connected to my self and to my physical body - which of course holds many messages that are easily overlooked in my day to day living. I also feel more connected to the divine, the sacred force of life, God, Spirit. From there, knowledge about the path ahead of me unfolds easily.

When I cultivate presence in my heart while spending time in nature, I find I can bring more open-heartedness into my entire life and work.

Up close image of a flower — Up close image of a dahlia that is growing on my backporch in a pot. Just after a brief rain shower.

Our family’s beloved cat, **Love**. She left this physical world about a month ago, but her love continues to be present with us.

A sketch of Leonardo’s of a developing human being.

Thank you for the inspiration and the reminders, Leonardo.

Yes, of course — a horse and rider by Leonardo.

A walk in nature with Nathan, my beloved.

What can we bring or allow or release in this moment to allow love to naturally bring expansion and greater connection? And by this I mean connection to oneself, to each other, and to the greater part of life that is larger than all of us.