Foundation One- January 2019

[Lisa Dahlgren]

Hi there,

I think that I posted on the wrong forum earlier today. I am just getting the hang of this! Anyway, responding to what does it mean to be connected to nature:

During the intensive I thought about this quite a bit as I watched the Threshold and got quick glimpses into what folks were doing with their time in nature, and as we did our exercises in nature and also got to just “be” in nature.

I posted on the other forum about the three levels that I started to feel I was seeing; being IN nature, USING nature (or having a relationship TO it), and being WITH nature. These levels made sense to me and so I went on to explore them further.

Being IN nature to me was similar to watching people talk walks with their headphones on while in nature, or walking with a friend but being so completely absorbed in their discussion that they could have been walking in the mall, the moon, or in the woods.

USING nature was what I feel I observed a lot in Threshold. Here, people seemed to be relating to nature as something that would hold them, bring them into a place of equilibrium, help them explore themselves through metaphor or using nature as a palate for projecting their own internal sensations. It seemed to me that people had a greater opportunity to hear their own voice more clearly or to see their inner process through what they observed in nature or what they did to manipulate nature, when they were in a state in which they USED nature.

Being WITH nature, to me, seemed like it was the state in which we are aware of a one-ness we have with the web of life, and how we are in the dance of others (be it human or non-human), just as much as they are in our own dance. In the other forum I wrote about how this seems to be the space in which serindipity (still can’t spell that, sorry) is common-place, questions are answered before they are asked, and the small, still voice we found inside ourself is answered by a calm but powerful voice outside ourself.

So it was interesting to me to read Jon Youngs article about Nature Connected Mentoring in which he depicted four levels (the first level being that of education regarding nature), and then to see the other layers depicted similarity to what I feel I had articulated to myself. That gave me some confidence to continue exploring these levels for myself, feeling I maybe had an intuitive grasp of them.

Of course, he also related the levels to the health of communities and the need for mentoring in the different levels. When it comes to working with clients, I think that the way they resonate with nature-either primarily in, using, or with-is most likely the manner in which they are conducting all their other relationships, including the one with themselves and with me as a coach.

Which made me reflect on the article in which the research by Kaplan and Talbot was explored. (I like research.) in which they emphasized three main components of healing or growth that was observed with nature connected activities: increased awareness and growing sense of enjoyment, increased self confidence and tranquility, and contemplation. These things seemed to be directly related to the 8 attributes of connection that Jon Young discussed and pointed to being “markers” for confirmation that someone was growing through nature connection.

In working with people as a coach, I think I have to expand my container of acceptance that people may come to their sessions used to being IN nature and that I may need to find ways to gently nudge them to Using nature and maybe even at some point take them to being WITH nature (although being WITH nature also seems to me to be something that can not be sustained for a long period of time unless there is a radical shift in one’s lifestyle and attitudes-something I imagine will not happen with the majority of my clients, given the fact that they will be people not used to nature.)

I can see now that the “games” used in Coyote Mentoring is a way to nudge. At first I was very uncomfortable when reading Coyote Mentoring, because it looked like it was a deficit model of interacting with people. The book continued to talk about taking people outside themselves (albeit in a playful way), but emphasized doing it WITHOUT their awareness of moving outside themselves. To me it seemed as if Coyote Mentoring was always asking them the next question, and the next and the next–which strikes me as a deficit model. And I was questioning why I would want to be in relationship with another person where I am always looking to where they are not. And wondered how it is possible to be totally present with someone when a part of me is searching to lead them elsewhere.

I finally started reading it as taking people to their larger selves. In that way I am being present with their whole self, it is just that they are as yet aware of the bigness of who they are. In that way I am being with that part of themself they do not yet know but which is still their real, whole, self. By making that shift I was able to see myself in relationship with them, which would then be consistent with opening them to the possibility of having a relationship WITH nature.

[Melissa Johnson]

Lisa,

I too was a bit concerned before starting to read Coyote, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into and if it was a strict manual. As reading, I love how the guide really leaves everything open to your own interpretation and gives you the freedom to make Coyote your own. The pushing the edge aspect is so new to me as well. You worded that greatly by saying that we will be guiding them towards their larger selves that they have yet to know exists.

[Ben Florsheim]

Initial Post-Foundation 1

For me Nature Connected means a variety of different things and I feel they all play an instrumental part in how I coach. My definition of nature includes myself, my client and my surroundings no matter where I am. I feel that nature is everywhere and can be seen everywhere. My relationship to nature is important because I need to be aware of my surroundings to give a safe and connected experience.

I feel that I am nature in the same ways that birds, coyotes and animals alike are part of nature. We all play our part and add a unique baseline to our environment. My baseline can have a direct result to how my surroundings play a part in what is going on at any given moment. For example, if I am aggravated at traffic or someone cut me off and I am reacting it can have a ripple affect on those drivers around me cause my emotion to start to mirror around me. The same can happen when I am with a client. If I bring my emotional baggage into a session, the client will be able to consciously or unconsciously sense my baseline and the session can become more about me and my direction and motives rather than being client lead and client focused.

It is important for me to be connected to my environment and aware of my surroundings. This is not only true for “nature” but my client as well. Both baselines have their own special meaning and place. My nature may be in a gym setting, so it will be important for me to know what the client may need as far as a specific exercise for a specific feeling or action. It will also be important for me to know the risks that may be involved in this setting. Baseline line in this setting will be much like to outdoors in that I will be able to tell what the mood or feel is like at any given time. It will be important for me to have a read on this baseline because it may not match the clients or vis versa.

Nature really is everywhere and can be utilized anywhere. Simply the one on one client coach experience can be deemed as nature and lessons can be taught and utilized weather a hands-on experience happens or not. I think it is important to realize this because a threshold experience may not be able to happen given certain circumstances and may not be necessary even if available.

[Daniel Landes]

Lisa! What profound insights. Your three levels of connection make so much sense to me. I see myself spending a lot of time IN nature. And USING it as an opportunity to get out, get excercise, but not really finding my connection. I am now trying to find time to be WITH nature; which generally means finding a quiet moment to take in all that is around me and let it inside of me. To feel a part of it not apart from it.

[Ben Marchman]

Ben F/Strong Ben! I really like your examples on how you are carrying baseline behaviors/energy from traffic to clients to the gym. And can totally relate to how an aggravated driver can create negative baseline behaviors for others. Saw this right before I responded to you so very interesting to relate it to words on here. I also thought your statement about working towards threshold was informative in that it doesn’t matter where you are and you can still have a profound experience with someone. Pretty cool!

[Lisa Dahlgren]

Ben-I am so glad to hear you speak of nature in the gym. I enjoy physical activity and although I am a bit embarrassed about it, I actually belong to TWO gyms-one near my house and one near my work. Sometimes I think people experience the gym like they do nature-feeling a sense of tension and awkwardness when they are physically present in each. I just really liked that you put it all together.

[taylor.j.short]

Ben,

I love your reference to baseline in a modern world. For how your baseline ripples in traffic flow out onto others. I am able to reference a lot of the nature-connection in the wilderness, but I love the tie in to our modern world. Not sure which reading it was exactly that talked about using our ancestral lands as well as our modern technologies. This is a big shift in perspective for me as I was stuck in wanting to go back to our ancestral times, which is not possible. Thanks for bringing in this very real parallel.

[Sandy Shea]

Hi Ben F,
Thanks for your post. What struck me was this :”My nature may be in a gym setting, so it will be important for me to know what the client may need as far as a specific exercise for a specific feeling or action.”

I found this interesting because I’ve known about somatic awareness, and how our moods can be shifted or awakended through movement, but I’ve thought mostly about dance, thai chi, yoga, etc. Your post gave me awareness about how time in the gym–or any other place where I’m moving my body–is a powerful invitation to also engage this somatic awareness for myself and clients. Questions arise like: how does physical movement help me and/or a client when we’re stuck? How can a specific exercise or action TRIGGER unintentionally some deep emotions? I admit i haven’t thought alot about movement when working with clients, so this was great to think about. Thanks for your post.

[Cory Steele]

Ben, I really enjoy how you talk about your own baseline in every day moments. The traffic is always a great example because we can get caught up in the emotional triggers of traffic, and that can carry over into coaching sessions, or other moments in our day to day life. I constantly notice when I’m flying. How I can get caught up bringing me personal issues onto a plane. A place that is already stressful enough. Trying to notice our own baseline in different settings is such a beneficial skill to have. You pointed out wonderfully how if we aren’t aware of our own baseline then coaching sessions can become about us, and not about the client.

[Kevin Nichols]

Ben,
I like what you said about the ripple effect as well as being aware of what baseline you are bringing to a session with a client. Even if they don’t know what is throwing you off they can sense it most of the time. Being aware of my baseline and the energies I’m bringing to any situation/session is a very important part of my coaching/daily life I’m focusing on.

[Daniel Landes]

Initial Post. Foundation One

Homo sapiens is the only species
to suffer psychological exile.
—E. O. Wilson

Good Morning Cohort.
Although the only verification I have that it is morning is the clock on the oven blinking it’s 5:15am. It is dark and cold outside yet I’m sitting under a ceiling light, in my warm dining room, at my kitchen table typing away. In an hour or so I will make coffee, toast and wake up my kids to get dressed and drive them to school where they’ll sit under ceiling lights, at desks and learn how to type away.

I am not connected to how the lights work in my house, or how the clock knows the time. I did not bake the bread, or harvest the coffee. I shudder to think of the conditions of the factories where the clothes my kids wear were produced. Yet here I am pondering nature-connection while I listen to the forced-air heater crank up to warm my house, pour fossil fuels into the tank to drive my kids to school and eat fruits that were grown 2000 miles away.

Will I even notice when the sun breaches the eastern horizon and pours it’s vital light on the façade of my home?

Yes. I will make a point of it. I have begun to prioritize paying attention to what is happening around me.

Yesterday I went for a 10 mile run in the city. I was listening to an audiobook on the alchemy of global economics at 1.25x the normal speed. I wanted to be distracted as I churned through the slush and ice over street corners and around the perimeters of parks. As I approached a stand of trees on a median between two streets I felt compelled to take off my headphones and attune to what was around me. The trees were filled with Robin Red-Breasts! The harbinger of spring! They must have just arrived. The birds were singing so beautifully. Darting from branch to branch. I leaned against the trunk of a large ponderosa pine and watched them.

This journey of connection to nature has become a priority to me. A daily practice. I am choosing to take off my headphones, open the windows, sit in my urban sit spot, take the seven breaths, and as the Coyote Guide suggests ask ‘What am I missing?’

How will developing my deeper connection to nature help support my coaching? I am not 100% concerned about that at this very moment. I am primarily concerned about my own ability to connect to nature. I have realized since beginning this course that I, like E.O. Wilson stated, have been in exile; exile from the natural world around me. I need to take the time to reintroduce myself to that, which surrounds me. From that place of connection I can only imagine I will be able to show up in a far more profound way for others.

The sun is coming up my friends. I am going to rejoice in it’s arrival.

[Ben Marchman]

Thanks for the stark contrasts and enlightenment! Your observations are eye opening and worth for all of us to take notice in. I enjoyed your story about taking off your earphones on your run and listening to the Robins. Then asking yourself, “What Am I Missing”. Did you find what you were missing?!

I sometimes am asking myself similar questions then finding the answers and then…..having to find deeper questions that I will never know the answer to….drives me crazy! haha

[taylor.j.short]

Daniel,

Your writing is fantastic. I am so loving being on this journey with you as, I too, am skeptical and disappointed in a lot that is going on in this world. As I mentioned in my response to Ben, I have been stuck in belief that we should be living and honoring the land like our ancestors. It actually is very hard for me to accept all of the things you mentioned in your post. The disconnection and loss in value we have found ourselves covered in. So, I am grateful for you and your honest input and experience. Looking forward to uncovering how we can stay true to our vision through all the outer disconnection we see, hear and witness every day.

PS – I JUST read this article on robins in the winter here in CO! https://blog.nature.org/science/2018/02/07/why-are-you-seeing-robins-in-winter/?fbclid=IwAR1KB7KtZ-ey3lzISVDfb-VOjRIdH6mlV_UW0xrVHhuK4QGgN3HlFri8vPA&sf98343289=1&src=social.nature.twitter.main

[Melissa Johnson]

Daniel,

I completely agree with you that this is a choice to take off our headphones and pay mind to the nature around us. I’m in the same place as you, I want to also focus on my own connection to nature before being able to help others with their connection. This is an important step for us, be connected on that deeper level, stay connected, and then take steps forward to help others. Cliche as it may be, you truly cannot help others if you can’t help yourself. I’m really proud of you for realizing this and taking the time to focus on your own connection. This is a vital step into taking this professionally.

x
MJ

[Lisa Dahlgren]

Hi Daniel! I really liked your quote. Thanks for that. I am thinking of using it in a group setting to help people understand that their psychological lives are very relevant even if they are experiencing tension in that area. Reading your post I started to wonder how connected/disconnected am I? I, too, do not know how the lights work, understand my car, barely can navigate a computer, and see the oven light blinking (why does it always do that? I reset it and then turn around and it is doing it again!). I was also impressed by what you are connected to; your kids, knowing the sun will rise, awareness of yourself. I smiled, reading your post, just recognizing so much of similarities. Thank you.

[Joshua Maze]

Dan,
It was a pleasure to read your post. Such insights and a deep connection to what is important. I appreciate the descriptions of your surroundings. I can tell that you have a good grasp on wide angle vision and the other foundational techniques taught by Michael. In contrast to that, it was interesting to read the observations of how disconnected you are from your surroundings—the bread, the clothing and the fossil fuels. I think that being able to recognize that disconnect is connection itself.

When you mentioned that you were going to make a point to pay attention to the sunrise and to the robins, I felt a sense of renewal in you. I hope that this new found connection to nature continues to bloom for you.

You mentioned that at this point, you are more concerned about making the nature connection for yourself, versus to support your coaching. I totally understanding the need for self-care and self-reflection, but I hope that you allow it to carry over in to future coaching goals. I do not know your career aspirations, but from our foundational courses and one-on-on sessions, I think you would be a good coach. Keep at it dude!

[Sandy Shea]

Hi Daniel,
I feel your post shows you’re already more connected than most people–wondering about where the coffe or the bread come from and how many hands were needed to get it to your body. These kinds of questions only come when we are aware that deep connection exists, even if we sometimes judge our own feeling of that connection to be wanting. I really appreciate the reminder to ask “What am I missing?” rather than ‘What do I notice?’ Someone once said “the first step to escaping prison is to recognize you’re in one…”. for me, the taking off of the headphones was your breaking out into the freedom of absolute connection in that moment. so cool. Thanks for your post.

[Ben Florsheim]

Daniel,

Thank you for your post. Through daily life I have to constantly remind myself that everything is a choice. To make what we learned a reality in my life is a choice. to listen deeper is a choice, and so on. I will be honest it has been hard for me to make my daily practice a priority. But once again being reminded that it is a choice and today life everyday i need to make the decision and put that decision into action.

[Sandy Shea]

Initial post Foundation One:
To be connected to nature to me means first making a conscious choice to engage in a mindful relationship with the inner and outer world simultaneously. As Michael Jospe has said, the more you cast your senses out there, the more connected you are inside. As Steven Harper says, we are nature, so being connected to it means I become intimately connected to myself, and also the larger Self that is universal consciousness. He speaks of ‘letting the wilderness in’ through a full sensory experience, and this approach resonates with me deeply. When I feel fully connected to my environment, I am ‘all in’, and I lose my essential sense of separateness. I feel wholeness, and can rest there without anxiety, fear, or even hope or regret. In those moments, we simply ARE, whether in the rain and the mud, or in the sunny days that will surely follow. My experiences in nature mirror my internal experiences, and as I engage with nature in a curious way, watching for tracks or other signs and wondering ‘why?’ I allow this same process to inform and guide my internal workings, wondering why I reacted a certain way, or why I am drawn to or avoid certain experiences or feelings. This encourages what Rogers calls that inner attentiveness, so we can begin to go from Stimulus/Response to a more deliberate process of Stimulus/Thinking/Decision/Response. Jon Young also speak about this quality of curiosity, of asking the who, what where why and how about what we notice in nature. This can lead directly to the Sacred Questions used in our coaching practice: What do you notice, What does that mean to you, and what might that teach you about yourself or your situation? This opening to curiosity feels to be the key ingredient in any worthwhile connection to nature for it asks that we drop our preconceived ideas about what we will encounter (the story), and open to the experience. Only then can I encounter new information that can guide me to greater awareness of what is, and to a sense of greater wholeness and connection. When we already have a story in mind for what will happen—whether it’s a wilderness trek, or a coaching session with a client—we short-circuit the aliveness that comes from not knowing. This curious openness also allows what Young terms a ‘firsthand knowledge’ of our situation and surroundings. This feels so important to me in working with clients—to create a safe container that allows them to gain self knowledge through their own unfiltered direct experience. As Jenny Rogers points out an effective coach steps back consciously and allows the client to set the agenda. We can do this by encouraging clients to explore nature, and their own inner wilderness, with curiosity and acceptance of where they are at that moment. As she says, the fundamental purpose of coaching is learning, and as a coach I want to be open to allowing that learning to happen for my client –using Young’s 50-50 approach, letting nature and what Rogers calls ‘the client’s infinite resourcefulness’ to play a major part in the process.

All authors point out that connecting with nature allows our brain to form new associations and draw new conclusions about the world. Both Rogers and Young both emphasize the importance of building new neural pathways through conscious mindfulness/sensory awareness techniques to overcome habitual perceptions of the world, with Rogers stating that as little as 10% of our feelings are a result of outer circumstances, with the other 90% formed through our emotional ‘map of the world.’

Harper calls this ‘attentiveness’ and says that in nature we develop a ‘sustained container of mindfulness’. I’ve felt this on extended wilderness trips, and I see in my own practice how repeated exposure through core routines like sit spot and tracking are gradually changing my relationship with a place I previously thought I knew so well, and changing who I thought I was in relation to the world. Kaplan and Talbot provide good support through a large body of research indicating that wilderness can change everyone in some way, and that longer exposure—or repeated exposure—can create state changes in people which other therapy or modalities failed to elicit.

Harper speaks of going into wilderness to encounter and assimilate our shadow side. This is our wild animal side, that part which holds a vast storehouse of instinctual wisdom. When I allow myself–or a client—to become fully immersed by an experiential encounter in nature, this instinctual wisdom can rise to the surface from the subconscious, and begin to guide our lives in previously unimagined, and beautiful ways.

Young points out that we see what we are searching for, and this can help provide a powerful session with a client who is positively ‘primed’ through the severance phase to seek answers for themselves when in that nature threshold phase. Our brains are hard-wired to sift through all the possible sensory clues to find what we need.

When I can work with the client’s agenda to identify and clarify their deeper need, and engage as feeling, curious, and not-knowing partners with nature, I have laid the groundwork. Then I must TRUST that nature will do what is appropriate for that client at that moment.

[Lisa Dahlgren]

Hey, Sandy! I liked your post. got me thinking about a whole lot of stuff. You know, my usual 600 questions. I really enjoyed being reminded about the 10% outside and 90% inside stuff. The people I work with generally are absorbed into the 90% and often mistake it for their whole experience. I often offer to others the exercise of visualizing an orange. The peeling, smelling, feeling the texture of this imaginary orange as one gets ready to virtually eat it usually brings saliva. Once people feel that and we talk about how did our body DO that-produce the saliva-without an orange actually being there, they begin to notice that their brain can not easily determine the difference between “reality” and “imagination”. Your whole post was thought provoking. Thank you!

[Sandy Shea]

Hi Lisa!
Thanks for that visualization of peeling the orange. Wow. I tried it just now and it was a cool experience. It amazes me how we are on autopilot so much of the time, allowing our brains to run with stories that are not empowering for our awareness and growth. This reminds me of the power of the 7 stairs exercise, and how that can totally change my focus and emotional baseline–literally changing our reality. I have a *real* orange here that I’m going to savor slowly now. Thank you for your post!

[Cory Steele]

Sandy, I enjoyed reading the colorful description you painted. Hearing your insight on the drive up was a wonderful part of the intensive. The way you describe the presence of “all in” really spoke to me. How the separateness just evaporates. Bringing that presence to your coaching sessions is going to create a very wonderful container for authenticity and reflection to flourish. It shows thorough your writing and the time I got to know you that you really do have a deep connection with nature/your self.

[Cory Steele]

Initial Post- Foundation 1

Hello everyone, I hope everything as gone well, and everyone has settled back into regular life as painlessly as possible!

For me trying to describe what nature entails is almost as elusive as saying who I am. It is everything and everyone. At no point in our life are we ever separate from nature. When I am fully connected to nature I am totally locked in to my“self” that is connected to the surrounding environment, as well as everyone else around. It is a space that is beyond mind, and locked into being. I understand with every molecule of my existence that I am not separate from anything “out there.” As Jane Goodall said,” You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

This understanding of who I am and what I am apart of helps me in every moment. The personal to the professional. As a coach it helps me because I understand who and what the client is. The same thing that I am. With that understanding, I can work on level grounds with my client. I am not inferior to him/her, and he/she is not inferior to me. We are working together and understand that we are both already complete.
For me getting to this level requires surrender to the flow of the universe, and not get caught up in my mind. That ends up being a place where I get caught up in mind made labels and constructs that can sometimes keep a barrier of separation with the client/ other people around me. My mind gets caught in this game of I know better or they know better. It gets caught up in the dualistic nature of thinking something was right/wrong, good/bad, etc. Once I am able to surrender, sometimes through meditation/contemplation, or another form of mindfulness technique, then I am able to connect with another soul, as well as connect deeper to myself.

This feels like the ideas of duality and comparison melt away. I can talk with a client/other person and the mind games are gone. The conversation is based in pure presence. I am not talking to a man/woman, of a certain age, race, nationality, social status, religious status, government affiliation, etc. It is one soul connecting in with another. It is pure awareness that I am connected at a deep fundamental level to this other soul. Every action I take with this soul is intertwined with my own. Going back to the quote above; I understand that I am part of something so much bigger than myself. Every thing I decide to do ripples out into the universe for eternity.

This deep connection to nature is a deep connection with universe, and everything that is a part of it, including me. I feel like I am no longer a fragment of the universe living separately from everything else in it, I am the universe experiencing everything that there is to offer. By sitting and holding space with clients, I can really make a container for this connection to thrive. The client can be in a space where they can work with that energy and build and create something that is more aligned with what they want. Instead of me thinking I know better for this other soul, I sit in the space allowing him/her to explore what is best for him/her. The individual knows what is best for that individual and no one else. As a coach I can be there to hold space and create that safe container, but the client is the one on there own life path. No one else can walk that path for the client, but I can be there to inspire and hold space while they navigate that path.

[Melissa Johnson]

Cory,

That Jane Goodall quote is incredibly relevant. We are all constantly leaving our footprint on this planet, and we all need to realize exactly what you said. “I am the universe experiencing everything that there is to offer.” So many people need to realize we are nature, we are the universe and it’s in us and all around us. You will absolutely inspire your clients with the mind set you have, and guide them in the right direction.

x
MJ

[Sandy Shea]

Hi Cory
The phrase that really got me was: “Every action I take with this soul is intertwined with my own.”

This phrase helps me form a powerful mental image of being one with a client, and lets the thinking about who knows more or who values who more drop out of the picture. I become them, and then our minds are one. It kinda feels like in a funny way we hold space for (and AS) each other, with nature nudging, informing, and guiding both of us along on this journey. Thanks for your post.

[Adriana McManus]

Cory,
I really enjoyed your description of connection and it really described a way of “being.” As I read your post, I got this sense that it described groundedness in the energy flow around us and it is not really a place you can reach through thinking. I think I will read your post many times to remember this description because it takes me into that feeling and being place. Thank you.

[Ben Marchman]

Initial Post – Foundation One:

For me, being nature connected means that it is an embodiment. We have to train our minds and bodies to “relearn” how to connect. I am a strong believer that our bodies already know what to do and it is part of our instincts to be connected. We just have to support this connectedness through routines in our day. Another way to say this is “connection modeling”. We have to model what deep nature connection looks like in order for others to understand….hence the terminology “Connection Modeling”. (8 Shields)

I once heard Jon Young mention that, “Connection is instinctive, our bodies know what to do. Since our bodies already know what to do, what we really need is to create conditions that support our instinct to connect.” I love this quote because it defines that we have to model/create conditions in order to truly connect and it accelerates when you are around other people who are also connected.

My past experience through careers and studies in nature connection have evolved immensely over the last 5 years. It wasn’t until I really focused on bringing nature connection into my daily routines that I really made some breakthroughs in developing a deeper knowing of myself, nature, and other people. When I spent two full years of training with 8 Shields and being directly mentored by Josh Lane (affiliated with Jon Young) in Shikari Tracking & Mentoring, I started to suddenly realize that by Tracking nature’s patterns I ​resonated something​ within myself. That I was able to activate neural pathways and sensory abilities that brought me into a full connection of mind/body/spirit. I have never experienced anything like that before but wanted it so badly for other people…hence the founding of NatureLink and my quest to become a Nature Connected Coach!! 🙂

To conclude, this nature connection relationship between myself and other people is extremely important to me and that I have to make it part of my everyday routine in order to stay connected in my work as well. I have to model connection in order for others to feel supported. I feel so fortunate that I not only am striving to be a Nature Connected Coach but also do what my calling is in life…which is to connect people back to self, nature, and others in order to build community.

[Sandy Shea]

hi Ben,
I really appreciated your post, especially the whole idea that we already know what it is to be deeply connected to nature–we just have to create the conditions to support it. Sometimes I get in my head and wonder why I’m not feeling more connected. This leads me down the rabbit hole of self judgement. Energy goes where attention flows!

But if I just do the practices and trust that I already am nature, the connection arises. So instead of ‘trying to make something happen’, I shift it to ‘allow my true nature’ to connect with my environment. This reminds me of a Pema Chodron quote that I sometimes use in meditation class-it goes something like: “we’re not here to get rid of anything, but to uncover who we really are.”

I also like your focus on community. It’s a good reminder for me that when I’m working on myself or with a client, I am also healing the larger community. This feels empowering and gives my life’s work a far greater sense of purpose. Thanks for you post.

[Joshua Maze]

I really responded to the idea of having to relearn how to connect. Because, that is what my first trip out to Colorado was for me, using nature as my guide while I learned to connect, not only to others, but also to myself. Like you said, it takes routine and modeling of the beliefs and behaviors that are important. Something I myself am continuing to work on.

Expanding on that thought, our bodies DO know what to do, but often our minds and the outside world interfere in some way. Being surrounded by nature and new found friends, I felt my body first, and then my mind relax. Being connected to something larger than one’s self is definitely important for growth.

Though I have not had the many years of career experience shared here, I am reminded of our quest at the Starhouse to find the animal tracks. Through knee high snow, down an embankment, and pushing through as asthma attack, I found my tracks. And in doing so, experienced a feeling unlike any other. I felt accomplished. Like I belonged there. Something was awoken in that moment. A feeling it seems you share, though you found it by a different path.

Ben, from our time together both in and outside of class, I am confident that you will go far in this field. You have already shown great determination with your business and your pursuit of the NCC certification. Just like I was able to find myself in nature, nature will continue to guide and teach you, for years to come, I’m sure.

[Daniel Landes]

Ben,

Your post has stuck with me the last week or so as I contemplate the discipline/practice it takes to retrain the mind to be connected to nature. I kind of expected it to just be there without me doing anything extraordinary or make much of an effort. My body may inherently be connected to nature but my mind has become ‘out of shape’ in regards to extending my senses and awarnesses out into nature. My mind has become cluttered with the detritus of modern existence. Like conditioning my body for long distance running, conditioning the mind takes daily practice. I thank you for reminding me of this.

[Adriana McManus]

Initial Post-Foundation 1
When I first joined this cohort, I thought nature connection was all about using nature as a therapeutic tool for self-awareness and healing. After our face to face Foundation 1 experience, I realized that “nature” meant all things. Connections, relationships, ancestry, emotions, thought patterns, culture are all part of nature. Yes, we used the outdoors as connection to our inner selves but ultimately, both are the same in “nature.” Mind-blowing! Suddenly, I went from pondering my problems in my day to day life while walking on this beautiful planet to belonging to this earth and feeling the flow. To me, this embodies the word Nature Connection. I think physically experiencing this outside helps to develop those neuro-pathway into feeling connected. I think the outdoors are also a great learning tool for self-awareness and self-knowledge. For instance, the concentric rings can indicate what you are internally experiencing through the external impact you are having on your surroundings. The birds are listening to us, intent to discover possible threats and it can be heard through both silence and alarm sounds. As Joh Young explains in The Coyote’s Guide to Connection with Nature, “People will eventually realize that their moods-fears or angers, impulsiveness or hesitancies- send off concentric rings of disturbance, both in the natural and human worlds.” This both ties into our own self-awareness and in the awareness of out client we will be coaching.
That awareness of the concentric rings is very important in that deep listening that we will do as a Nature Connected Coach. Likewise, being able to reflect that experience back to the client will deepen their own inner connection. Also, like with my own connection revelation, bringing a client into the outdoors will invoke imagination, symbolism and provide the groundwork for change. In Coaching Skills the Handbook, Jenny Rogers explains that neuroplasticity is important for change and “one of the best ways to do this is through mental rehearsal.” Nature helps with providing imagery as well as creating the intention. The groundwork of Foundation 1 really helped bring the two worlds together, peoples’ nature along with the great outdoors to help prepare for a positive change.

[Melissa Johnson]

*INITIAL POST*

Since my return from the 9 day intensive, I have been pretty ill and mostly indoors. I’ve had this random vertigo on and off for the past 5 days. Being indoors was the last thing I wanted after having 9 days of bliss at Sunshine Canyon. I started to think though, even though I’m not feeling well, I still have to be connected to nature somehow. After laying in bed for 2 days I dragged myself to my urban sit spot, which is in my yard. I took some time to take deep breaths, and I started lowly speaking out loud a Thanksgiving Address. Almost instantly, I could feel the gratitude fill me up and truly felt whole again, like I never left Boulder. Life became so rushed and crazy when I returned, I didn’t make that time for nature, for myself, to be in nature, and embody it. I decided from that moment on, no matter how busy, no matter where, I can take 15 minutes a day and deepen my connection to wherever I am.

When I joined EBI and was en route to the 9 day intensive, I wasn’t fully aware of what Nature Connection was. In my head, I just assumed it meant being IN nature, and that was that. The meaning of Nature Connection is so much more deeper for me now, after all of the exercises Michael did with us outdoors, and after just wandering on the land, I realized there is so much more to our connection with nature than I ever could have comprehended.

Nature is everywhere, it’s everything. It’s in us. On us. Around Us. Above us. Below us. In Coyote’s Guide, Young says “The goal includes knowledge and skills, but ultimately relationships restore our bond to nature. Building this foundational connection with nature is like any relationship, it takes time to form really true bonds.” This really resonates with me because most of my life, I have been a person who wants instant results. After spending 9 days deep in nature during the intensive, I could see my connection deepening a bit more each day, striving for that bond. I know that to truly have that “Wilderness Awareness” it will take patience and consistency.

Having that deep nature connection is very important for myself and future business. One of my main goals will be able to guide people, who live in a busy city, to disconnect with technology and re-connecting to nature. I have read about the “Three Day Effect” (https://www.rei.com/blog/camp/the-nature-fix-the-three-day-effect) and how spending 3 days in nature without technology can really reset the mind and bring so much positivity to your life. I think having a connection with nature, and guiding others through issues, while using the natural world around us, really will make such an impact. I am truly hoping to inspire my future clients to develop their own relationship with nature on their own terms as well.

[Lisa Dahlgren]

Hey MJ! I just read the post on three days in the wilderness that you suggested. Thanks for bringing that to our attention. I am so glad that people are using opportunities to do research on what happens when we are in nature. We can do it and know it is really something, but so great when it is really studied and then given to people to validate their experience and to (hopefully) lead them to value an experience like that even more. The information it looked at did not surprise me. PS I hope you are feeling better and that you are over your vertigo.

[Adriana McManus]

MJ,
I can relate to your experience of not having a clear idea of what nature connection was before the intensive. Being in nature is a much different experience than feeling that nature connection, “feeling” being the defining word of that experience. I guess your experience is one that most people can relate to, especially your future clients :-).

I hope that you are feeling better!

[Brooke Nelson]

*Initial post*
Being connected to nature suggests both an intimate relationship and a daily practice. I marvel that millions of years of evolution have shaped us to live in attunement with the subtle signs of nature, while we’ve only had a few decades to adapt (not particularly successfully) to our modern existence replete with distractions, consumer addictions, and rapidly changing ways of relating to one another. Nature-connectedness helps us dream the words to long-forgotten songs* as we develop a sense of being a part of nature instead of apart from it. We’ve been given a learning platform to help us reconnect to foundational human truths that modern culture has obfuscated.
In practice, nature connection means attempting to maintain a high state of awareness of the natural world, and by extension, to ourselves. Our sit spots help us form a deep connection to place. By paying close attention to the blossoming of the plants, the hummingbirds that defend those blossoms, the insects that pollinate them, and the soil that roots us all, we form an appreciation for things that often escape our notice. One beneficial result is truly honoring elements of nature for their intrinsic value, and not simply for their usefulness to ourselves. Additionally, engaging our sense of smell, touch, and hearing drops us deeply into our own bodies when we’re often distracted from them. Ultimately, we are shown that we are part of a bigger whole which can provide comfort and a good deal of perspective. With practice, we can carry these lessons with us beyond our sit spots and throughout our busy days.
Staying in close contact with nature can also help keep strong, calming boundaries with my clients. Nature connection and mindfulness have an leveling effect on my emotions, giving me just enough of a sense of non-attachment to watch clients with curiosity instead of anticipating how I want our session to unfold. It’s centering. Learning to trust the magic of the 50/50 partnership with nature lifts much of the burden from my shoulders and reminds me that I’m not in true control of what my clients receive from their sessions.
I find great solace in these practices, and believe that sharing them with coaching clients – either overtly or subtly – can help them reclaim a missing piece of their animal history, provide a safe surround into which they can toss their problems to see what insights are returned, or provide them an enduring, beloved resource for their own well-being.
*From Sometimes a Wild God, by Tom Hirons

[Daniel Landes]

MJ-
The struggle is real. It’s as if during the intensive we were riding a bike with training wheels, thinking we were really kicking ass, only to come home to find our bike only has two wheels and is really hard to ride. Stay on the bike. Keep the vision.

[Lisa Dahlgren]

Hey there, Brooke, it was so good to see your post. Just so thought provoking. I want to look up, “sometimes a wild God”. Sounds like a good book. I’ve been reading these posts and doing some more of the readings suggested, as well as introjecting as much severance into my sessions with clients as seems appropriate. I have really enjoyed all the posts, and in my sessions it has all been going well, I am happy to say. Today I had a sort of crazy idea of an offering for clients, and wonder what you and anyone else reading this, thinks about it. How about sessions in “Emotional Yoga?” I kind of feel like many of the things we did at Star House at the intensive was emotional yoga. For people who often feel overwhelmed and frightened of their emotional experience, I was thinking about which emotional “exercises” would help them stretch, hold, and breathe into their emotions, like I just did at a “Surrender” yoga class for my body this morning. I know the term “Emotional Yoga” probably sounds a bit bizarre. But I think I may just play around with it a little bit. And then it would be so easy to incorporate it IN nature, and maybe even USE nature while doing Emotional Yoga. Hey, who knows, it might catch on as well as “Goat Yoga”, (I mean, who knew THAT would go over so well?) and a whole new fad would be created helping people connect to themselves and the out of doors!

[taylor.j.short]

Initial Post – Foundation One

There are so many ways to be connected to nature. I think one of the most helpful reminders is that we indeed ARE nature, and that nature is not something separate from us. That also then means if we are disconnected from nature, we are also disconnected within ourselves. To me, there are endless ways of being connected to nature. When you are more connected to nature, you are aware of subtleness of your surroundings, like the readings mentioned, knowing that the frogs aren’t croaking anymore. Noticing your surroundings – your physical location, the weather patterns. This is being deeply attuned to mother earth and her quiet magnitude of power. And this then translates to your own life and beginning to open up that tunnel vision they speak of. Being aware of yourself, of others, of your impact, of the planet. Realizing the interconnectedness of everything.
This is important to me because when I first started out, I really wanted to focus on people being more mindful with our planet and helping to be an advocate for her. What I found was, not only did I burn out incredibly fast, but people could not hear what I was saying. With the realization that the disconnection from nature also means a disconnection from self, makes complete sense.
The article, The Way of the Wilderness, was an excellent read on how to use nature to support your coaching. I pulled out a few quotes that I LOVED:
“Personal evolution then becomes like nature; instead of being a struggle, our process, uninterrupted & undisturbed, beams unfolding growth.”
“If we are willing to be still and open enough to listen, wilderness itself will teach us.”
“People have always turned to wilderness to become whole again.”
“I was sustained by all that surrounded me.”
So in theory, the connection to nature supports coaching in so many ways. Really, they go hand in hand. As coaches and guides, we get to be support alongside nature. This is explained in the Coyote’s Guide as the 50/50 rule. The wildness and uncertainty of the other unplanned 50% is what so excites me and deeply believes this is where the magic happens. I so resonated with the allowance to not have a structured agenda for half the time. We NEVER see this in the world anymore. Everything is pre-planned with an agenda before we walk in. And I absolutely love the fact that as nature-connected coaches we are embracing this concept.
Additionally, more practically, I enjoyed how they Coyote’s Guide talked a lot about a daily routine in nature and specifically the sit spot. The examples of how this has transformed so many people and their relationship to nature, and even further, life, is so inspiring. I especially loved it when referencing the work with kids. To be able to not only teach them to be quiet and mindful without distractions, but to see what they take from this and to find an affinity for this practice is so inspiring.
I know I have mentioned this before, but all of the readings and the materials we are being presented with are amazing. I feel so aligned and connected and reassured on this path. So incredibly grateful and humbled for EBI.

[Sandy Shea]

Taylor,
Thanks for your post and the reminder: “I really wanted to focus on people being more mindful with our planet and helping to be an advocate for her. What I found was, not only did I burn out incredibly fast, but people could not hear what I was saying. With the realization that the disconnection from nature also means a disconnection from self, makes complete sense.’
This was me for SO MANY years! And I burned out hard. I was the angry, impatient enviro, who always knew better…and I was often a self-righteous a**hole! This leads me again to think about “I value you, I value me” and how that plays out in my life, and with others. I can see now how I’ve had the tendency to be either the one who is above others –who ‘knows better than they’ OR the one who feels less than others (thus the anger and alienation). When I come home to our mutual connection to nature, this is connection to ourselves and each other on a deep level. As Cory says in his post, we can’t be really disconnected–we always ARE. Just realizing this puts a lot of my mental gymnastics into perspective. Thanks for your post!

[Cory Steele]

Taylor, the phrase “we are nature” really spoke to me. If we are disconnected from nature we are disconnected from ourselves, and vice versa. Having that understanding helps me connect better not just with myself, but with clients/other people as well. If I value myself, nature, and others that helps create a safe container to share with others while in a session. Reading this showed me that there are other people out there that share this vision and idea. This cohort is carrying this vision, and each person in the cohort is carrying an individualized vision of how it pertains to all our lives.

[Joshua Maze]

Initial Post–Foundation 1

In considering this kick off question, I drew much of my inspiration from Steven Harper’s The Way of the Wilderness. I found that many of his ideals in regards to the wilderness and ecopsychology closely match my own. The short answer is that everyone and everything is nature. It is within us and of us. The question is how we choose to be connected and how do we choose to honor that connection.

As I read Harper’s work, I thought of how I would like to shape my future practice and the ideals I hope to bring to the business. The population I hope to serve will primarily consist of people experiencing depression and grief. He wrote “even though I had spent a good amount of time working with the pain, I felt shut down and separate from everything in life.” AS I expressed at length privately in individual sessions, and then to the group at large, I continue to experience my own mental pains. Being at The Starhouse, however, was restorative. Being amongst the trees and creatures gave me a sense of peace. I hope to be able to use nature in the same way to bring peace to others going through similar situation.

As I plan my business, I have often asked what wilderness experience I should offer my clients. I like how Harper describe his treks, stating that most programs require only average physical ability but above average psychological motivation. That is what I want to offer. I have no experience trekking the backcountry or going on long backpacking adventures. But, I can offer my clients a day hike or a calm walk through a local garden. When using nature as a co-guide. It is important to meet your clients where they are. If I advertised wilderness immersion, I would miss out on the chance to serve those who are not interested in such extensive work. The other side of that coin, is to encourage clients to trust the process and allow themselves to expand psychologically. This may mean experiencing the mud and rain, both in nature and emotionally. I can imagine myself offering a threshold moment in the pouring rain or jumping in muddy puddles.

So, to answer the question, what does it mean to be connected to nature? It means to trust a force much older, bigger, and wiser than we are. It means to let go and allow yourself to expand beyond the borders of your body. It means to seek out something awe inspiring.

[taylor.j.short]

Josh – I loved Steven Harper’s reading SO much as well. I resonated deeply with all that he said. So agreed that nature is the healer and we are simply there to guide them. can’t wait to see what transpires for you and your business.

[Sandy Shea]

Hi Josh,
I appreciate your searching for the ‘nature container’ or experience that feels right for you to offer for your clients. Cory’s post said alot to me here about always being connected, so wherever we are–even in the midst of a city– we can find deepest ourselves and find a connection to ALL that is. It feels like we have been programmed to seek those far-out wilderness or exotic types of experiences–I myself fall into this trap by going to India so often. Yes, it’s different and stimulating, but when I trust and allow deep opening from somewhere in my center, i can enter the same mind/heart-space right here at my home. Thank you for your post, and the reminder for me to be here now. Have you found sign of any foxes yet? 🙂

[Lisa Dahlgren]

Hi everyone, I am very glad that I will be able to join the call-in this coming wed. Everyone’s post has been so delightful for me to read. I really appreciate all of you, and all your insights and information. Thanks to every one of you, and I hope to see you all on Wed.

[taylor.j.short]

Summary Post 2/21/19:

This entire module was extremely beneficial. As well as seeing everyone’s viewpoints and interpretations of nature connection. For me, this continues to drive home how every single person’s journey is so unique and individual. And why nature connected coaching is so amazing. Going back to the 50/50 rule and how to allow for 50% unplanned allows for this individual need to be addressed. While this is a very different concept than I am used to in the corporate world, it is so freeing to have this space to allow what needs to arise. Something we need so much in our busy lives these days.
I also loved hearing the balance of urban nature and practicality. While I love the possibility of untouched nature, it simply isn’t practical and possible for everyone. This has gotten me really thinking about how I want to bring this to life. And how I can work with more people. Additionally, I am focusing on creatively thinking of ways to bring nature connection to my clients who I work with remotely. As the threshold experience is so powerful, I am inspired to think creatively in how to allow the magic to unfold with clients from all over the world.
Overall, excellent discoveries and excitement to continue on this path. Grateful for my wise teachers, mentors and colleagues.

[Sandy Shea]

*Summary Post*
I found this module to be very rich— in terms of developing a daily routine and practicing my awareness skills, what it means to be a nature centered coach, (the definition, and my internalization of that) and also the beginning business/forms/liability piece. A bit daunting that last bit, and this is an area I recognize I want and need to grow and step into.

I’m still working on developing my daily routine to include 360 awareness, baseline, etc. I feel like I will be honing those skills for the rest of my life. This has opened my eyes to a new relationship with my own backyard.

I’ve enjoyed and learned a lot from the conversations in the Forum, and it’s really helpful to feel that we’re all having different experiences, but really there is so much similarity with our learning. Even though we’re coming from different places in our lives, we’re all stretching and growing and it’s been key for me to feel the solidarity around that. I’m not alone in the struggle to begin to master new skills, and to be with some challenging emotions! I’m feeling like I’m finding that new voice that Mary Oliver spoke of, which I’m slowly recognizing as my own. It’s exciting! The container for our intensive, and for our on line learning, feels connected and solid. Thanks to Michael, Ivy & Daniel!

[Lisa Dahlgren]

Summary post.
This module has been very helpful for me in many ways. I feel that I am beginning to be more open to what nature connection is. I have needed to greatly widen my container for what I thought it was, and that has been a great sensation as some judgments on myself and others entirely slip away when I do that. I find I am less frustrated with myself as I allow for more variety in experiences happening around me. I have had a meditation practice for years and so that has been a foundation piece for me for a fairly long time. I also spend at least an hour a day in the woods and what is left of the wilderness near my home. So the routine of the sit spot and using surround awareness is not new to me and only needed some tweaking to be doing it on a consistent basis. I am slacking off a little bit now and going back to my meditation instead of surround awareness. Partly because I miss the meditation and partly because now that it feels I am less in a “discovery” mode of surround awareness I am getting lazy about doing it and slipping back into my older traditions.
The most wonderful thing for me with this module has been the vision council. I started out feeling I had none, and old feelings of not being good enough and not being supported enough were all triggered with the sensations that I had no one on my vision council. I was so glad when Michael reassured us that we all have one and that it sometimes just takes turning up the dial, so to speak, on sensing them. So I really stuck with turning up the dial and now feel very solid with my vision council. I don’t sense individuals in it, and so that again had me thinking that I don’t have a vision council. But then as you guy kept talking about your own experience with vision council I realized that I am experiencing it, even when it isn’t individual voices. I have now placed a token on the bookshelf behind where my clients usually sit that reminds me to be with my vision council and to allow myself to open to the vision council of my clients during our sessions. It is amazing to me that as I do that I experience myself, my work, and my clients in such a different way. I feel a shift in my baseline and a more open awareness. It is almost as if I can feel the support of generations in the room with us, and my clients even start to look different to me. My heart seems to “know” them like they are a family member.
It has been a great first module and I am so glad to have you all as my cohorts. Like Sandy mentioned, it is just so great that we are all so different but all in the same space of learning, growing, and creating for us and for our community. Thank you all!