Examples of past & present respect, curiosity, and the benefits of man/woman’s relationship with the natural environment include the advent of traditional medicines, herbalism, and the rise of philosophical movements.  Long recognizing the interconnectedness of humans and nature the Chinese and Indian cultures have commanded a deep understanding of Ayurveda which is focused upon the search for and use of natural plants & herbs for medicinal healing purposes.  Such traditional thinking further birthed key philosophical movements with the natural world as the center of gravity including the influential Transcendentalism of the 19th century led by such literary figures as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.  Both authors heavily emphasized & celebrated, as did the people of ancient times, the spiritual and philosophical connections between humans and our habitat including all forms of stream, river, woods, and mountains.  Many came to share the views that Emerson and Thoreau cultivated via the written word which espoused the benefits of a deep relationship with nature.  Such disciples were often inspired artists of another medium, such as the Scottish-American painter John Muir, who felt that to see, hear, and feel the beauty of the wilderness defined a path to personal growth and enlightenment.  In addition to his expansive use of canvas, Muir, like Emerson and Thoreau channeled the power of his own writings to preserve wild places in the United States.  Such works as “The Mountains of California” and “My First Summer in the Sierra” were instrumental in the establishment of several national parks in the U.S., including Yosemite National. Rooted deeply in the spiritual connection between humans and nature, Muir believed that spending time in the wilderness was essential for personal well-being, learning, and mindful self-aware growth. He famously said, "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks."