Initial Post-Foundation 2-Cohort 19

[Leslie Wier]

David, thank you so much for the kind words! 🙂

Rollin, what you mentioned about your own healing as the coach while working with a client in nature is I think one of the main reasons I was so drawn to nature connected coaching initially. Coaching is something I’m passionate about, but until now I’ve felt like there was something missing. In my search for that missing thing, I was looking for what would feel good and whole to me in coaching, and that was nature. I think this is seen throughout many coaching niches though, coaches will often attract the clients that have had similar healing experiences, or who can continue to help them heal.

I appreciate what you noted about having a sympathetic bond with the natural world and this truly is a skill, particularly in this modern age where we are so divorced from nature. Nature can often feel very inapproachable to many people, and looking at various aspects of nature connection as a skill to be grown and developed can really help with fostering a growth mindset around it.

Deanna, I too struggle with trust in the sense that you mentioned, wondering if I am crazy if I think I can communicate with nature in all of its aspects, like understanding the feelings of trees, or the music of plants (https://www.musicoftheplants.com/). I think the concept of the interconnected mindest versus the ‘colonial mindset’ paralells the the dichotomy of Eastern & Western philosophy as it relates to the connection of mind/body/soul versus dualism. One way that I try to find comfort and trust in my ability to understand and communicate with nature is in the realization that what I am only just now beginning to experience, indigenous and non-Western cultures have been experiencing for thousands of years. Thousands of years of iteration, trial and error, and consistent experiential evidence. With this in mind, I think the more we engage and communicate with nature ourselves, the more confidence and trust we will develop in our ability to do so. This whole process requires certain skills and attributes as well, completely independent of what it means to be a coach.

In relation to Deanna’s post, Teddy I appreciate that you bring up our collective fear of ‘madness’. From a shamanic perspective, the ‘madness’ that we fear, what we are approaching in our ability to communicate with the spirits of nature and which many may view as indicative of ill mental health, is often considered a gift of true connection and insight into the universe- going right along with the example you gave. And also from a Shamanic perspective, there is often ‘madness’ of which we should be wary (as you suggested) and needs healing.

From a cross-cultural perspective, I see a commonality – fear as a driver. We fear enlightened madness just as we fear madness that needs healing, perhaps because we have lost our collective ability to adequately process and respond to stress on the sympathetic nervous system in a healthy way. Our response to modern day stressors like a major test, often has the same physiological and psychological impact as our response to encountering wild predators while on a hunting expedition. Fight or flight ensues, but these days we have not been equipped (through education and experience) to respond to modern day dinosaurs in a way such that we understand our life is not truly at stake. So in any case that fight or flight is triggered, fear rules. I see a part of ‘leveling-up’ beyond our evolutionary programming to be the collective ability to respond to fear in a different way.

[James Huntley]

Deanna, Teddy and Leslie,
I feel called to jump into the conversation on “crazy” and “madness”. For as far back as I can remember, I have had a secret crush on a particular flavor of madness. the Madness of Tyler Durden in Fight Club, the Madness of Alice in Wonderland, the Madness of the popular comic book villains of Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey, (I am reminded of the concept the only thing separating Batman from the villains was his unwillingness to kill, while the villains would hurt others.) and maybe above all else, the Madness of Jesus, John the Baptist and St. Francis of Assisi.
What is it that draws many of us humans towards such characters, even some who smash through our moral boundaries?
For me, I think it lies in a willingness to shrug-off current conventions and pursue a different path. In the case of my heroes, it is easier to say that the path they lived is a Soul led path, a dedication to soul that naturally disallows a conventional lifestyle. As I consider what makes them different from villains, I remember that they all had enemies that considered my hero to be the villain. Does that mean that to live a soul led-life, one may require the Madness to become an outcast, and perhaps someone else’s villain?
Therefore, the Madness I think we are discussing is both a fearlessness around being cast out of society, and a courageous embracing a life on the fringes of society, being led by Soul as many Shaman are reported to have done/do.
I didn’t know where I was going to go with this when I first began writing, but I see now that this sums up 90% of what I’ve taken away from our lessons the last few weeks. I have been searching for what is blocking me from a more embodied pursuit of my dream, vision, purpose and Soul directed life, and I believe it is a certain madness that I am not embracing in myself. I can converse with a tree or a stone, but can I ask someone to pay me to connect them to their dream, vision, purpose and soul? I feel very connected to my “Mad” part when I hear the questions Michael asked: “What am I willing to do to make this work for me?” “How hungry am I?” “How important is it for me to change my life?” and How badly do I want to be connected to purpose and life a Soul directed life?”. These Questions were intended to be asked to a client, but are just as relevant for myself, as Deanna and others said during the Foundations 2 thread, We have to be steeped in our own practices in order to facilitate others.

[susanfronckowiak]

Leslie,

You wrote, “I think that if we want to truly heal the human psyche, a connection to nature must be a part of our practice and this is not typically a standard in coaching. It’s a tool, not the norm. The skills that we use as coaches to facilitate healing and change are the same as within nature connection – curiosity, humility, the ability to find meaning, deep listening, trust. I wonder if the blend of nature connection and coaching can help to bring about true, full healing likely quicker and more effectively than traditional coaching can.” I’m curious as to what you’ve experienced with your coaching back in Florida now that you have started the program at EBI. You obviously come to the table with lots of knowledge, skills, and awareness & I would love to hear if you’re feeling a shift within your work back home.

🙂

[susanfronckowiak]

Maria 🙂

“I think the most important skills we need to cultivate as NCC are the art of listening to Nature and developing trust that Nature has all it needs to restore itself.” What you wrote really hits home for me in many ways. I’ve been thinking about ‘trust’ a lot lately- what it means to fully surrender and what it looks like to live and practice trust. And when I read your words, “As Nature Connected Coaches, we are participating in the healing of the whole”… I want to scream YES! When we are able to see that we are part of the whole and how connected we are to each other, the Earth, and everything, the collective healing has already begun. And the art of listening you mentioned… also reminds me of the value and necessity of choosing to live each day with intention and awareness. It also reminds me of how we discussed when we hit the deeper need with our clients how the energy behind it will come naturally. This is inspiring to think about!

[Rollin]

@Susan:

“Ecopsychology is the idea that everything is connected in nature and that we come from the earth and that we are nature. It is believed that the manner in which we treat nature affects all of us. The Gaia Principle proposes that Earth and all its inhabitants are more than the sum of its parts, but a whole system in and of itself. When the Earth suffers, we suffer… and when we suffer, the Earth suffers.”

I didn’t get too far into your share, before I ran across this gem of a quote from you (above). I got for myself (while reading your response), that I’m also part of a WHOLE system. I’m grateful to be part of the system with you.

I appreciated how you brought in a primal aspect to coaching and guiding. For me, it simplifies the process and makes coaching about nature connection…not “me”. To coach as a way to contribute something positive to the world is admirable as well. Mostly, I highlighted your reference to the importance of daily practice. I couldn’t agree more. I learned a ton and got inspired by what you wrote. Thank you.

[mariarosagalter]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your insights and wisdom. I am happy to be part of the “crazyness”! Let’s get lost in this beautiful world of myth, symbol, meaning making, insight, vision, wander, wonder, curiosity, and Soul. This work reconnects us to our wildest & primal selves–with the added benefit of consciousness and self-awareness.

Woo hoo! Rock on!

[Deanna]

Wow, I see that I truly missed out on these amazing conversations! Here are my responses. I apologize for responding so late:

@hardcorehuntley
James, this stuck out to me: “I have been searching for what is blocking me from a more embodied pursuit of my dream, vision, purpose and Soul directed life, and I believe it is a certain madness that I am not embracing in myself. I can converse with a tree or a stone, but can I ask someone to pay me to connect them to their dream, vision, purpose and soul?” I am hearing that, to you, asking someone to pay you to connect them with their dream, vision, purpose, and soul is the most scary thing of all, even more so than being “mad” for speaking to trees and stones. The beautiful thing is that you are already doing just that (connecting people with dream, vision, purpose and soul). Do you feel mad about it? I would guess it probably makes you feel grounded if anything. I hear that it is about a believing in ourselves. A trusting in our own soul’s, and our soul’s abilities. I feel that this is a practice; it doesn’t happen over night. So happy to be on this journey with you!

@teddy and @lesliewier
Teddy and Leslie, I very much appreciate your thoughtful responses to my writing.
I agree that there is definitely a good reason(s) for the fear behind “madness”. I like that Teddy used the word “threshold” in regards to our society to step into deeper trust with their connection to the natural world. I feel that we must connect back with our roots. Refer to indigenous wisdom. As Leslie noted, Shamans saw speaking/communication with non-human beings as GIFT. However, they also spoke about a type of madness to be weary of. Maybe we are in the process of re-learning and remembering what to trust and what to fear and hold boundaries with.
Deciding what to fear and what to trust, and essentially what boundaries to maintain, reminds me of connecting back with our fight/flight system that Leslie spoke about. We have developed new chronic stressors in our modern world, and aren’t yet evolved to respond, so fear ensues. Perhaps removing ourselves from the modern chronic stressors, or building RESILIENCE, will help us better differentiate what to fear and what to trust.

[Michael]

Teddy,

“Although ecopsychology is a powerful field of study for a coach to honor, she need not ‘throw it in a client’s face;’ rather, it can be a quiet philosophy that inspires a style of guiding which connects clients to themselves and to the natural world slowly but surely – even unwittingly. So long as a coach embraces an understanding that the mind/psyche/soul and the other life forms that inhabit this planet are one, that is enough to get going in the right direction.” …..

Yes!! Beautifully stated. Not necessarily a heady philosophy to dispense, but a way of holding relationship, a way of seeing and a way of being that infuses the space which you hold.

[Michael]

Maria,

“As Nature Connected Coaches, we are participating in the healing of the whole. We are participating in something ancient, known to all indigenous peoples who came before us. We are participating in the reconnection to the “respectful give-and-take with the flora and the fauna, the rivers and the hills, the sky and the soil on which we depend for physical sustenance and practical instruction” (Roszak, 1995, pg 6). We are shattering our limiting belief that we are somehow separate from Creation and inviting us back into our identity as part of the expanded I AM, the Self that includes all the natural world. Not only are we guiding clients into greater clarity and self-compassion, we are also inviting us all into greater compassion for all Beings, human and non-human. Ecopsychology roots Nature Connected Coaching into the greater vision of the wellbeing of Gaia.”

Yes! I’m appreciating your awareness and reflection of how ecopsychology brings in a greater awareness and a slight shift in our place as coaches–that we are not only holding space for the client to find their own truths and potential, but we are holding space to allow for the healing and wellbeing for all of nature, ourselves and Gaia included. All one, interconnected.

[Gina Lobito]

Eco psychology and coaching come together at a place where there is a deeper need for change and awareness of cycles. Whether a person consciously or subconsciously is aware of it, one choses to listen to the little voice inside or pull on the heart that change is needed for some deeper reason, perhaps not yet known to the person, but it is still felt within the persons body, feelings, and emotions, and soul, etc. In E.O. Wilson work, he states, “ the possibility that humans possess a capacity, called biophilia, defined as the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms…He sees this as important force working to defend the endangered biodiversity of the planet. (Theodore Roszak, Wher psyche Meets Gaia, pg.4). This connection to nature is not a new idea. It reminds of what many would describe as shamanism often associated to indigenous tribes, Native Americans and similar groups of people around the world. In truth all living things, that includes humans, are connected to nature, connected to the planet and to each other and possess the ability to incorporate Nature Based Practices into their daily routine and awareness, like earthing, forest bathing, or simply breathing and going inward experience the body from a deeper perspective, or enoying a house hold plant or favorite mug to use for their morning cup of coffee. Some how along the way humans have experienced the illusion of being separate or disconnected from nature, which would lead them to be disconnected from their own nature, heart and knowing of their inner wolrd and external world around them. When a person is a ware and attuned with the cycles of nature and learn the tools to be in flow and collaboration with natural cycles of change the Human can remain or return to a state of harmony (physicaly, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, spiritually).

While there is a constant “current of change” nature/planet goes through as do humans, a person who has become or is unaware of their connection to nature and how their body will experience the “current of change” may experience many various feelings (anxiety, fear, lonely) unaware as to why that might be. Conversely, client that is aware their connection to nature may be experience love, joy, and an ability to commune with themselves and the world around them in a way that is supportive to the present moment. Eco psyche and Nature Connected Coaching would be a beautiful blend to support a client in bringing awareness of to the clients connection and experience of the “current of change” that is felt within the physical body and emotional body and support the client as the client goes through the experience of translating what he/she is experiencing.

As a Nature Connected Coach being aware of natural cycles and that all things are in a constant state of change could be supportive to a client and acts as bridge, bring awareness to the clients’ experience of change occurring within the body, heart and mind. It’s important that a coach remain in a state of allowing the process to occur at the clients pace and not the pace of the coach. It’s important that the coach remain in a state of curiosity and questioning in order to guide this process. I feel Eco Psych may fall short in a coaching session if the coach is not mindful of their scope of practice and keep the session to guiding, bring awareness and observe/track the client through the client’s process. There becomes fine line between coach/guide and acting as a counselor or therapist or just giving answers. As a coach, it would be beneficial to master the “Art of Questioning” which builds fertile ground for more questions…That is, we want folds to become self-sufficent, inquisitive, trusting in themselves to seek out and find answers.” (Coyote’s Guide, Chapter 5. Pg. 95) In order to coach/guide a client to their innate connection to Nature and that they have all the tools within them to return to themselves, a coach would need to put into practice deep listening, ability to change perspective, be in a “beginners mindset” and curiosity, the ability track, and know just when to take a client to the next “Edge” and “Beyond the Edge” … arise the ‘Childs Passion’ to discover and learn.”(Coyote’s Guide Chpt 5 Pg. 96-97). There is dance that occurs between the guide, client and the “Art of Questioning”, “Place for information”, the Place for instruction” that can support the client in bringing to the surface their own answers and innate abilities for self awareness, growth and learning.

[Gina Lobito]

Rollin,

“This blend of coaching and Ecopsychology gives me an opportunity to mutually heal with the client. While they are connecting to nature, as the guide, so am I. Where this blend falls short, for me, is coaching without the nature connection doesn’t seem as interesting. I can coach business, finance, time management and more. None of these topics light up my soul like coaching nature connection.”

I always appreciate you brining in your growth as a coach/guide while you are coaching another. I see and feel how coaching wit nature lights your sould, as it does my own, I do find it interesting, if all things are connected to nature, and nature is also energy, vibration, and frequency, as are our bodies, what is it about coaching business, finance, time management and more that you find challenging to experience the energies, frequency, and vibration of those topics? What’s the nature piece that is missing for you when coaching in these topics or arenas?

Gina

[Gina Lobito]

Rollin,

“This blend of coaching and Ecopsychology gives me an opportunity to mutually heal with the client. While they are connecting to nature, as the guide, so am I. Where this blend falls short, for me, is coaching without the nature connection doesn’t seem as interesting. I can coach business, finance, time management and more. None of these topics light up my soul like coaching nature connection.”

I always appreciate you brining in your growth as a coach/guide while you are coaching another. I see and feel how coaching wit nature lights your soul, as it does my own, I do find it interesting, if all things are connected to nature, and nature is also energy, vibration, and frequency, as are our bodies, what is it about coaching business, finance, time management and more that you find challenging to experience the energies, frequency, and vibration of those topics? What’s the nature piece that is missing for you when coaching in these topics or arenas?

Gina

[Gina Lobito]

James
“However, I also see the academic field possibly falling short by ignoring the importance of a “spiritual” or “mystical” relationship as well. If forest bathing alone is “prescribed” to someone for depression, they may experience the first level of Nature Connection (as Jon Young describes it) and their symptoms may be alleviated, but without forming a deeper relationship with a particular piece of land, we are really only using the land to serve us, thus continuing the cycle of caring for the land only as much as it serves our current desires.”

As I sit here reading the above, particularly about “experiencing the first level of nature Connection” an only using the land to serve us, thus continuing the cycle of caring for the land only as much as it serves our current desires.” This brings to mind that a need of a paradigm shift in consciousness within the collective and individual is needed. When the collective can see itself as the Guardian and caretaker of the land which gives and provides for all living things, and truly live in collaboration and constant co-creation, in a constant state of gratitude, thankfulness for earths gifts. Man must see beyond their own selfish desires and be willing to give just as much if not more of himself for the greater wellness of all living things. When man choses to no longer just receive, and take, but gives back to the land as a guardian and care taker, in the same way the land is a guardian and care taker of living things. Many have fallen away from honoring the land and honoring themself and become out of harmony with what it is to hold see themself as sacred and part of nature. To be in relationship based on desire only leaves room for disharmony and and relationship that is out of balance. Thank you for this thought provoking statement.

Gina

[Gina Lobito]

deanna, teddy, james, and leslie,

reading this discussing regarding “madness” reminds me something Carolyn Myss said, I am paraphrasing here, but it was something to the effect of the awakening process one must go through a state of madness…as they return to the light…” I also came across this quote: “the dark night of the souls is a journey into light, a journey from your darkness into the strength and hidden resources of your soul. Navigating the dark night requires interior dialogue, contemplation, prayer, quiet time, and sharing with those who understand the profound nature of inner transfomation. When you are in this interior place, you stand at the crossroads of your power, between your ego and your soul, between time and timelessness. (Caroline Myss).

James, your reference to the villains and batman etc…I think of End Game. So much in that movie, and even Dr. Strange in the use of energy and ability humans can have to harness energy work with it, some chose to misuse it’s power. The villain, are just a representative of what we all have within in us, shadow, it’s just another part of of ourself to bring light to. What’s the deeper, what’s below the surface that makes a villian different from the Hero. The villian allowed some past experience or desire, to turn to anger, obsession and operate from a place lead by their internal pain and suffering and/or desire to have power over others, and wants to spread that pain and suffering to be heard and seen, because the vilain moved away from the language of love, compassion, and forgiveness. Villan just represnets the living in the “negative” pole of emotion, while the hero, will still have their experience with pain and suffering, loss but chooses to stay in the heart with purpose, sometimes must walk alone and sacrifice the self for the greater good. When their ” why”becomes greater than the “how”. Yes, sometimes there is loss along of life along the way, on soul level it’s a sacrifice for the greater good and something greater than the self.

Returning to this idea of “madness” and I think Teddy referred to those being referred to has mad that speak to plants or shamans speaking to spirit. No doubt that some people due go mad or have a maddening experience while going through spiritual growth. connecting to energies that the four lower bodies (emotional, spiritual, physical, mental) were not ready to endure or had built up resilience to accept into the four lower bodies. To bring in more light, and connect to higher self and a return to source energy, also requires to “ground” the person also must be rooted into a grounded, balanced state of being, the term “as above, so below” comes to mind. A better visually, that comes to me is a Live power line that is down, and whipping about because it’s no longer grounded. This too can happen to people. As people “open” themself up, it’s important to remember to stay connected to Source of Light from which our soul comes from, stay in the wisdom of the heart, no place for doubt. It’s also important where earth energy is so important, one must work with energy of the earth just as much as the etheric in order to bring the etheric light into the body, and ultimately anchor that light into the planet. The four lower bodies will go through a purification process and transformation as well. Which I will not get into in this conversation, but does become important to understand the power of the building blocks of life, and how those same building blocks are in all living things. It’s important to work with the Nature in collaboration with our own evolution, as we evolve so does the earth and vise versa. If one only works with the etheric, it leaves the possibility of becoming unstable emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, physically. If one field is impacted so are the rest. The etheric energy would oscillate in one direction and become unstable, one would need a counter oscillation (earth) to bring balance and stabilization to the rate at which light is coming in and out of the body to support its transformation. The human body, is the conduit or vehicle in which light is anchored to the planet as well as a vehicle to give and receive energy (chakras), translate information in an isntant. It’s just a matter of learning the language and how the transformation of the body….