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Foundation Two- January 2019
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*summary post*
Reading Cory and MJ’s discussion on psychology got me thinking more about the aspect of environmental health. More and more people are concerned with the pollution and toxicity of this planet and for good reason. I work with medically fragile people and I notice patterns. There is a growing number of people with autoimmune disease and sensitivities. People are “rejecting” chemicals and pollutants that they are breathing, eating and touching. There is a lack of homeostasis and balance. I myself suffer from chemical sensitives. If I touch chemical laden household cleaners, my skin breaks out in blisters. If I drive next to a field while it is being crop-dusted, I can’t breathe. I think this is a sign that we are rejecting what is happening to this planet, physically and mentally.
Can those with compassion for this planet and home help more people connect with nature? I hope so. I think there is a chance. If people realize that they are connected.
I think as more people heal, and become connected with their higher self, they will stop seeing themselves as alone and more “al one.”
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*Summary Post*
These posts and conversation has really gotten a lot of our minds thinking in ways we have never thought before. I always enjoy seeing everyone’s point of view during these kick off questions. Not only am I learning so much from the assigned readings, but I am learning even more from our mentors and cohort. Our minds are unique and so hearing everyone’s insight and words are really inspiring to me. Also really, just to know that there is this small group of us who want to go out and essentially save the world really restores my faith in humanity. I am proud to have that same passion as you all, to fight the good fight, and to help others in need. Like Adriana said above, I also do think there is a chance that if people connect with nature more, the compassion for this planet shall grow.
We got this guys!
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Summary Post
It is nice to know I am not alone in my thoughts. I sometimes get hung up on the fact that I may not understand something or understand it differently than the collective. I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s posts and getting some very positive feedback on my post. I want to thank the group for being so positive and supportive.
This topic was a head scratcher for me as well but in the end I can see how the two co-exist and really rely on one another. Thank you again for everyone’s insight! -
Summary Post:Hi friends,
Wow there are some amazing posts in here!
I feel awful that I am finally getting back to catching up on coursework and responding this forum. I have been piloting two programs at NatureLink for our community school as well as working a little deeper with the Rites of Passage Council and being mentored by Kedar Brown. Been quite a journey the past month!Ecopsychology is something I have always been interested in, have applied the little training I know of it in my work, and of course want to learn so much more about it! Whats so neat about Ecopsychology is that people can have different takes and understanding on it but apply it in very different ways.
I really like what Ivy mentions in that “Ecopsychologists are attempting to shift the cultural vision from within and are using language of new dialogues, methods, options, to inspire, demand and create justice”. To me this resonates with me because it seems whenever I dive deeper in that realm of ecopsychology and am now being mentored in more to create Vision Quest models within my business, I can definitely see this work and impact a much deeper levels.
It definitely influences who we are as people but also how we are so interconnected on this crazy place we call planet earth.
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Initial post- totally on time…
While nature and humans may be created of the same energy, I imagine a thin, semi-porous membrane that separates nature from humanity. Nature exists on it’s side of the membrane in a potent state of pre-observation; it is unformed, undefined and untainted. As nature seeps through the membrane the human mind immediately begins to analyze it, categorize it, label it and its value is ascertained; thus reducing it’s potency. When a tree is called a tree it ceases to exist in it’s purest form, it is reduced to structure, form, words, so our minds can comprehend it. Does pure nature cease to exist once it is observed by the human mind? Can we truly experience Nature? Or, can we only interpret of our impressions of Nature? The separation between the observer and the observed is the fundamental duality in human existence and the basis for our suffering. For millennia seekers have set their mind to eliminating the separation and return to the one.
In TRANSPERSONAL DIMENSIONS OF ECOPSYCHOLOGY John Davis argues that Ecopsychology recognizes a nonduality between humans and nature. The acceptance of nonduality is the starting point to begin to work with the precepts of ecopsychology. The belief being; our human suffering is caused by the perceived separation of us, from nature, or in other words the eco vs. ego. It is the work of the Ecopychologist and the Nature-Centered Life Coach/Guide to direct people back to a nondualistic understanding of the universe. As the Zen Buddhist said to the hotdog vendor “make me one with everything”.
The nonduality that Davis refers to has caveats, “Nonduality refers to the locus, structure, and nature of self-identity and not to undifferentiated awareness.” I would argue that his definition is not nonduality (identifying self is at the crux of duality). If we truly understand nonduality would we even know it? What happens to the self in a nondualistic understanding of the universe? It is the tension between pure nature and our self-awareness that makes up the membrane between humans and nature. This membrane is essential to our existence and detrimental to our mental and spiritual health. Therefore, it is not the roll of the ecopsychologist nor the coach/guide to eliminate the membrane (as if we could) but to bring awareness to both sides of it. There is also an opportunity to guide toward pure nature, oneness, but to achieve oneness, is to risk that which makes us human; our sense of self. The goal of the guide, in my opinion, is to guide the client closer to the point of exchange between pure nature and our human understanding of it.
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Hi Daniel L. Wow. I need to read your post at least three times. Very interesting.
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Summary Post-
I wrote a book once, a myth, about the very topic of how and when we as humans separated from nature. A birth of consciousness myth. I have been pondering the question of duality and nonduality since I was in fourth grade. I didn’t know I would be reading and studying others view of this topic in this course. I’m thrilled. I feel my initial post was confusing. There are a few first editions left. The second edition should be out by the new year. I love reading everyones thoughts. You are great group of people and I’m excited to continue to grow with you.
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Following up/catching up on coursework here. Daniel this is amazing. Did not know you wrote a book! Sort of reminds me of Joseph Campell’s work and the way you write and discuss is very mythopoetically. My main question Daniel is – how can your storytelling and transpersonal thoughts + experience help guide people into deeper understanding of themselves while using nature? This is the work we are all here to spiritually do and you are doing it brother!
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Eco psychology and coaching seem to be deeply intertwined. Being a nature connected coach is really about marrying the two concepts, allowing the client to experience and benefit from the healing qualities of being connected with nature. Coaching on its own can be powerful and healing, when in collaboration with nature, the natural rhythms of nature can impact someone on a deeper level. My personal connection with nature as drastically increased over the foundation 2 intensive, allowing me to peer deeper into the value of combining nature with coaching. Nature on its own it a powerful healer. Simply spending 20-30 minutes at a “sit spot” creates a space that nature can guide in many ways. Whether that be calming, create more awareness, invite love, or be challenging etc. It seems to create this space and allow for whatever is needed by me or anyone choosing to spend time in nature. Thinking about Using this powerful experience/tool during my coaching practice brings about excitement, knowing nature is something I can always depend on. I have wonderful internal shifts by simply “being” in nature without any other intervention. In combination with coaching, the possibilities for future clients and myself creates this excitement for me.
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Kevin,
Contrary to my initial post, I do agree with you that the two concepts are intertwined (sort of). My experience through EBI, going up to the Starhouse and exploring the land did bring me closer to nature. Establishing my sit spot was therapeutic. And, I’ll never forget trudging through the snow, looking for my deer. All of those experiences brought me closer to nature. However, where we diverge is that it brought me closer to my own journey. Those experiences helped clarify what is important to me. I felt a part of a community within the cohort, but not necessarily closer to Mother Earth. This is where I think NCC and ecotherapy separate. For me, coaching is about joining of inter- and intrapersonal goals, while ecopsychology seems to be about one’s relationship to the Earth as a whole and the ramifications of our relationship with this planet. These issues, while broadly important, are much larger issues than can be addressed in a coaching relationship.
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One of the Concepts I really appreciated about this intensive is becoming aware of baseline. To really achieve this awareness, I needed to be tapped into not only the nature around me but also tapped into the nature within me. Really allowing space and connecting to my heart in turn allowed me to become more aware of the subtleties in the environment outside myself. Through this place of openness and awareness nature seemed to seep deeper into my body and mind, and allowed for a more visceral experience. Whether that be enjoyable or challenging, it showed me the power of simply finding my internal and external baseline and letting nature do its work. This wonderful experience directly transitions into coaching. In the same manner of tapping into my own baseline to understand what I’m bringing to the table for my client, as well as simply being aware of what is happening in regards to my baseline so I can fully show up for each and every client. Just as important, if not more important, using the same awareness as tapping into natures baseline, reading and following my client’s baseline. Through practice I’ve seen the baseline shifts can really determine the path each session takes. Staying aware of this has allowed for sessions to be client led, allowing their experience/baseline to guide the sessions instead of being too focused on individual words being spoken.
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Initial Post Foundation 2
It’s interesting to be re-reading the articles on ecopsychology during this time of quarantine and pondering where ecopsychology and coaching come together. A quote that stands out to me comes from Where Psyche Meets Gaia by Theodor Roszak, “We are living in a time when both the Earth and the human species seem to be crying out for a radical readjustment in the scale of our political thought. Is it possible that in this sense the personal and the planetary are pointing the way toward some new basis for sustainable economic and emotional life, a society of good environmental citizenship that can ally the intimately emotional and the vastly biospheric?”
This stands out to me because we seem to be on the brink of that tipping point. This lockdown, though uncomfortable and stress inducing for many, is an opportunity for us to really see the cracks in the system. To really take a look at ourselves, society and our connection to nature and reevaluate it. What is the universe trying to teach us right now? Being in isolation, alone or with others, shows us a deep need for connection. That tribe and community that comes together to assist each other. Right now we are witnessing these acts more and more. We are realizing the deep need of connection, not just to each other but to nature. We are watching nature heal itself and connect with us on another level. Animals are coming down to check things out, they sense a change in the universe. And a change is happening. While we have always been moving towards this revolution the world was still content to sleep. Those of us who have been awake for awhile were already finding ways in their own lives to bridge the gap between personal and planetary. For me, I never really looked into what ecopsychology was. I guess I had a stigma that it meant being an activist and going to rallies and jumping on whaling ships to destroy their equipment. And I thought, that’s not really me. I want to connect to nature and save it and make a better world but I’ve never been called in that direction. It wasn’t until these readings that I got a better grasp on what ecopsychology really is and I’m now really excited to learn more on it.
With Ecopsychology looking at our ingrained bond to mother earth and how important that bond is and the therapy coming out of it based on the interaction with the earth I see where it connects with coaching. Our use of the planet, whether healthy or not shows our internal state. With Nature-Connected Coaching, we see this as well. Looking and interacting with the natural environment around us and how it reflects back to us our inner state. With the current state of affairs it’s interesting to see how mother earth pushed us to isolation so we were forced to look at our inner landscape. Nature is interacting with us now more than ever. Which is why Nature-Connected Coaching is so important now. Any nature connected therapy is going to important now. If we can bring our inner selves into harmony with nature and all the living creatures on it then we have the opportunity to create massive change. And here we are seeing it on a massive level. Not just one or two people coming to coaching to remedy the split. This is worldwide. Working with nature and the human heart is what causes profound changes that ripple out in all directions. Bringing these two elements together to help others reconnect to themselves makes perfect sense. And it definitely links with what I’m wanting to do with my coaching. I’m not sure if the question is asking where it may fall short in my coaching or in general but in my coaching I can see it falling short with my knowledge base. I have a limited knowledge on the principles and concepts behind this movement. While I do a lot of nature therapy and connection on my own with Shamanism and my Pagan background, I’m still learning how to integrate into my coaching. -
MJ,
I thoroughly enjoyed your post about societal norms and people saying they prefer the city life to the outdoors. Asking some good questions there! Your thought on why you never move forward with any business ideas due to the pressures society and other people put on you really struck a chord with me and helped me find some answers to my own “failures”. I appreciate your enthusiasm for following what you want to do and making it more about helping others than “taking on the world”. I enjoyed the awareness you brought forward!
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Daniel,
This is beautifully written and very thought provoking. Your idea of the semi-porus membrane that separates us from nature and how it’s not our job to eliminate that but become aware of it and work with guiding others to a point of exchange is something I haven’t heard or considered before. Thank you for giving my mind something new to consider and work with.
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Summary Post
I’m sitting here at my desk pondering all the different steps of moving through severance, especially around closing that gap that appears. That gap of “this is where I am and here is what I want”. I feel like I get stuck in that area in my own personal life a lot. Sometimes it’s little things that keep me stuck. Things I’m not ready to move on from or often I don’t know how to resolve within myself. It’s weird because I’m almost in the exact place I was a year ago when I started this journey with EBI. Last January I was going through major changes with my partner. I wanted to move back to my moms to save money but I risked losing my partner. So I went ahead with an apartment under the assumption I would be having help financially since my boyfriend was supposed to move with me. But during the first week of EBI I learned he wasn’t coming with me and that put considerable strain on me. Now, a year later, January started the same. Almost a do over, except my partner was now my ex. I ended up back at my moms after almost six months of us not speaking to one another. And surprisingly my ex came with me. I had offered the space as I knew financially he wouldn’t be able to afford his own place, but I also assumed he would go back to living at his boss’s place. I was surprised when he followed me after all the circumstances leading to our break up. More story than needed but felt like sharing. Now as I sit here, listening to the audio recordings of the first week I’m back at that gap. It’s like the universe said here, start over the way you wanted to start last year. “No fear about losing someone, no fear about focusing on yourself and doing that deep inner work that is needed”
I feel like I’m constantly working on myself, asking those deep questions and coming into contact with what I want but then that gap appears. This self imposed gap that I know isn’t really there yet it feels so real. Moving through this gap is and learning how to get into threshold and integrate all the new circuitry is my biggest take away and challenge right now. It’s interesting all the awareness that I’m having about myself and my own patterns and behaviors that I’m learning from being in this course. I am my biggest obstacle when it comes to closing the gap and having that understanding about this gap will definitely help me in my work with others. -
Initial Post:
After reading through the material, recalling the intensives, and examining my personal beliefs and philosophies, I am left with the conclusion that ecopsychology and coaching are two separate fields that must remain separate practices.
I found the readings to be highly academic and unrelatable to the lay person. I fear that the practice of ecopsychology as a therapeutic model would exclude many of the clients we as coaches are hoping to serve. And, to me, that is what coaching should be—service to others. We must meet our clients where they are and serve their present needs. The theory and practice of ecopsychology seems to be more of an academic discussion than a therapy.
Throughout the readings, the various authors seemed to suggest that traditional psychotherapies, medication therapies and other interpersonal approaches were less than ecotherapy, because they didn’t address some of the existential threats that befall humanity. We all have a love for nature—that’s why we are in the program. However, considering only the really big problems—global warming, deforestation, sea level rise—we will miss out on the opportunity to serve our clients who need guidance in setting goals and establishing healthy routines.
So, how does ecopsychology inform the type of coach I want to be? Truthfully, it doesn’t. I want to serve new families transitioning into parenthood. This academic model of seeing yourself as a member of the Earth is much larger an idea than my families will likely be ready to face. My clients, no matter how nature aware they are, will want to ensure their newborn’s health and happiness above all else.
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SUMMARY:
As I read through everyone’s posts, (including my own), I wonder if I was too quick to draw a line in the sand and cast off ecopsychology. While I maintain that a coach and an eco-psychologist would serve different purposes, I can see the overlap in terms of shared ideals.
As Nature Connected Coaches, we understand the connection to the planet and the healing properties of being surrounded by the wind and the trees. We encourage our clients to establish a sit spot and practice wide angle vision. We invite others to listen to the language of the birds and find their animal tracks in the snow. We mourn the forest fires that ravage the land and grieve the effects global warming is having on our planet. These are all ideals held by both Nature Connected Coaches and Eco-psychologists.
For me, the difference is still the population that we serve. It seems to me that the coach serves the individual with the eco-psychologist strives to serve the world at large. I wonder how these worlds can truly become one.
