What is the nature of foraging? For sustenance, we grazed along side of our elders, peers and fellow vegetarians of all species, noting what nourished us, what to avoid, what brought energy or joy.
Foraging is not random. From the moment of birth, others shape those experiences. But foraging does reward curiosity and movement. One cannot forage adequately from a sedentary position. We will quickly consume all that is within an arm's reach before the sun is fully above the horizon. If we are curious (and hungry), we will rise and explore what is beyond our comfort zone. Which direction do we take? Who might guide (or push us)? Our stomach? Our Brain Networks? Our elders?
Once we are in motion, we recall where we have been, but we filter that which is new to us through what we have known. Red berries are generally good for us, but not the bright red ones. The hard berries are only edible if we smash them or soften them with boiling water. Our understanding of berries grows through this collection of experiences.
What if our foraging is in the realm of our consciousness? We are not longer limited by what is what is within arms reach, because the entire universe is within arms reach. How do we make sense of the trillions of trillions of trillions of bits of information and sensations coming into our view? What are the equivalent comparisons between types of berries in our consciousness? What ideas or experiences do we encounter that bring us joy or energy? Which should we avoid or smash in our teeth before integrating them into our understanding of the world?
When does foraging lead to Surprise? In the case of foraging for berries, we might be surprised by the visceral response to a berry that was a bit too red or hard or tart. Our bodies immediately remind us that this is not a surprise we want to replicate. We spit things out, we cleanse our mouths and work to purge any unpleasantries. Our past surprise may begin to direct our future foraging.
When foraging in our consciousness, perhaps we encounter dark thoughts about our self or others. Or these experiences are no longer only in our consciousness. We encounter them directly in our interactions with others-sexism, racism, and other forms of fear or power-mongering. How might our approach to foraging change based on these experiences? Do we limit our curiosity? Do we only forage in areas of comfort?
Thus foraging is not a singular, isolated experience. Foraging is informed by our prior experience, the immediate experience of foraging, surprise and updating in a flowing cycle, like that of a hand choosing sources of nutrition, a jellyfish moving through the water, or a black hole oscillating in the universe.