NCL2- Session 1

[Michael]

hello

[Ben Florsheim]

Hey all!

It was nice to meet everyone and I am excited about this experience.

To start the topic off I wanted to ask how you think your clients will benefit from the 8 indicators exercise?

I feel like it will be a great way for clients in my practice to be able to come back to and realize that they may need to put more effort in, in some areas. I also feel like it is a time that they can give themselves credit for making noticeably progress.

[taylor.j.short]

Could not agree with you more Ben! I love how Michael mentioned tailoring the indicators to what you feel called to in your business. I see this the same way – almost as an initial awareness tool as well as ongoing assessment. For me, I have been thinking about working more with the four seasons – how seasons change, energy changes, closing out a season and welcoming in new, etc. I can definitely see myself using this tool with my clients at each turn of the season. Additionally, for retreats/workshops I want to focus on – using this more as a “homework” tool for them to take away. Thanks for the great question to bring it into practicality!

[Tracy Cash]

I really loved the suggestion that I can use the 8 Indicators to assess where my clients are in the process. As I listened to the description of each, I recognized some of them in the clients who have completed training programs with me. It’s a great barometer. I was simultaneously thinking about where I am and which areas I want to enhance. I loved the suggestion that the expectation for improvement can be just a few points on the scale rather than as close to the highest mark as possible. That was a good reminder for me. I’ve started mulling over how this might be used in my work. Of course, a before and after snapshot can be useful. Perhaps more useful than my pre- and post- class questionnaires. I prefer clients to see their own changes, and this visual one is very impactful. I can see myself creating versions of this based on the work I’m doing. I may play around with it that way.

[Daniel Brisbon]

Wow! You guys are already seeing creative ways to use this material! I love it!

Taylor, the 4 Seasons, or 4 Directions, is another great tool and metaphor to use! This concept was a huge learning experience for me in my personal life and the lens through which I saw my own growth and experiences. And in turn has allowed me to share that insight with clients so that they have been able to shift their perspective in a positive way.

Tracy, I look forward to hearing how this goes with your work too! A before and after snapshot sounds like a great learning tool for your clients as well.

[taylor.j.short]

What does it mean to be soul-directed and nature-connected?

First of all, I LOVE the concept of being soul-directed and I try to get closer to this each day. For me, it means aligning myself for my highest good (mind, body, soul). It means knowing what my soul actually needs and making conscious choices each day that aligns with those needs. For example, from my own inner work, I know that I need to have a daily energy management routing in order to set myself up for the day. From that place of awareness and knowing, I then take action from that space to sit down and meditate. In simple terms, my soul tells me what it needs to be aligned and I take action on that.

For nature-connection, I am already finding that I have a lot to learn here. Originally, I believed nature-connection to be a person who lived their life truly in connection with nature. To understand that we are all inter-connected with nature and to have a deep understanding and respect for it. What I am excited to learn more about is the concept of being nature-connected while not in nature. And how we can find nature when we aren’t in it. My mind was blown a bit with this statement, and can’t wait to uncover more of how this will unfold.

[Tracy Cash]

I love several things you said, Taylor. I’m excited to hear you say that you have an energy management routine. While not a new concept for me, I was introduced to the term in class a couple of weeks ago. It’s so important and I’m always working to find a good balance to keep me alert, energized and focused on the things I value most. I also love the idea that in meditation, you soul tells you what to do to be aligned and you follow that. I may try this in more conscious and deliberate way. Again, different language is helping me see this in a new way. I too am excited to reconnect with nature without heading to the mountains or a park. I used to sit outside regularly. I remember connecting with the wind and the tree in my front yard during a healing process at the time. I miss that and look forward to implementing the morning sit spot practice for this.

For me, Soul-Directed for me is listening to, acknowledging and following the inner voice. There is an element of trust here that is crucial and one of the most difficult for myself and my clients. I’m excited to practice new ways of doing this.

I’m going to have to think more about Nature-Connected. I’ve always been a Nature Girl, but it’s also easy for me to get swept away by daily responsibilities. I stay connected through observing the sky and mountains, temperature, scent of the air, amount of sunlight, etc. everyday, but there is more here for me that I can implement to gain more fulfillment. I’m excited to dive into these practices.

[taylor.j.short]

Beautiful Tracy and Daniel! I absolutely love hearing your interpretations! I couldn’t agree more with the “voice” of your soul – it is simply a deep knowing. And so appreciate the help on the nature connection. I have had many similar experiences Daniel – specifically around nature metaphors with patience/grace for me. The magic in how nature doesn’t rush, stress or hurry to grow, it just simply is and still gets all it needs to survive and thrive. I so appreciate you bringing that mention into how we can bring this into our daily lives – so helpful. Thank you.

[Daniel Brisbon]

Taylor and Tracy, reading both of your insights what Soul-Direction means to you reminded me of a Rumi quote that I always find myself pondering:

“There is a voice that does not use words. Listen.”

To me personally, I feel that Soul isn’t always that voice inside our head directing us where to go. Rather it can show up as a feeling. A deeper knowing within myself that can only be accessed when I learn to quiet the mind and truly listen. And it can require time and practice! Which is why creating daily rituals like visiting your Sit Spot, meditation, energy routines, sitting with your Vision Council etc. are so important and that is because it is teaching you to listen deeply within to Soul! And the more we practice then the more easily we are able to access that place within each of us.

Soul can show up and speak to us in different ways. Everyone’s experience might be a little different and that’s the beauty of it!

And that is where Nature Connection comes in. For many of us, myself included, we are able to turn up the volume knob on the frequency through which Soul connects and speaks to us in the outdoors. Nature can create a container and safe space to drop into ourselves much more deeply and authentically. It is in my time in nature that I have my greatest insights and profound A-Ha! moments because I am listening to and being guided by Soul. Nature Connection happens when I deepen the relationship I have with myself during my time in nature.

Nature, in my own experience, has always been a great Teacher, Reflector, and Metaphor. I learn more about myself and the world in my time in nature.

For example, I went skiing for a few days ago and on this day it happened to be extremely windy. So windy that I could see the pines and firs waving back and forth with the wind with extreme grace and flow. And they weren’t swaying a little bit, these massive trees were swaying multiple feet in all directions as the wind would change course. And in that moment I realized something. There is really no rigidity in nature. The strongest organisms on the planet are the ones that are able to bend and adapt to what is thrown at them. A rigid tree won’t last long in a wind storm before getting uprooted and thrown over. But a tree that is able to stay strong in the chaos and dance in the storm will last a whole lot longer.

And in that is a great metaphor to our own lives. How can we learn to be less rigid and learn to flow and dance in the moment? What can we start doing today to deepen our roots and stay steadfast when obstacles arise?

Because that is the building block of true leadership. By leading ourselves first from within. And when we are able to show up as leaders within our own mind, body and soul then others will see that and want to learn more.

And Taylor, that is how I see being Nature Connected while not in nature. It is when I am able to take that experience and that deeper connection within myself while in nature and bringing it to all areas of my life. To be able to go through my day and practice being intentional about staying in a place of Soul Connection and Soul Direction. It is taking that time spent in nature and making it into a whole new way of life!

[Tracy Cash]

I’d like to introduce myself since I missed the first 30 minutes of our first session. I’m Tracy Cash and live in SLC, UT. I’m a Social Worker, Reiki Master Teacher, and new STOTT Pilates instructor. I’ve been wanting to integrate my training and passions into some new offerings.

I’ve been an entrepreneur teaching Reiki (with a blend of my SW training) for over 10 years now while still working part-time as a medical social worker. I also have an interest in fitness/health/nutrition. I’d like to combine the SW, spirituality, and physical wellness into holistic fitness classes, self-discovery outings with hiking/biking/climbing, and retreats. I’ve facilitated a few coaching sessions that incorporated some of what I want to do, but have felt a need for some direction.

I’m interested in how Outdoor Education and Wilderness Therapy can help with my goals, but it hasn’t felt right to pursue either of these now. I came across EBI’s certification program and felt it would provide the direction and structure for guiding clients that I was looking for. However, I’ve just completed a personal fitness training certificate and the STOTT Pilates instructor training. I also just got married! It’s been a busy year and I’m not yet ready to pay for another certification program. My brain and calendar also need a different focus for awhile. I was excited to see this course pop up as more affordable in both time and money for me right now.

It was fun listening to everyone’s introductions on the recording. I have something in common with several of you. I look forward to getting to know each of you as we move forward. I hope to have my camera working in the next week or two.

[Daniel Brisbon]

Thanks so much for sharing your introduction here Tracy. Look forward to seeing how this material fits into your own life and your professional work as well!

[lizwyman]

Being sold-directed is listening to that inner guiding voice that tells you when you are in alignment with your values. It is following your heart and your passion.

Being nature-connected is taking time to slow down and tune in to the rhythm of the earth. It may be a sunset, a bird call, or a leaf blowing in the breeze. It may be the quiet of your own breath. It is finding the deep stillness inside of you and all around you.

[Adriana McManus]

Tracy, I can relate to what you said both a out trusting that inner voice and about not letting daily life pull us out of that deeper connection with soul. I remember early soul connection as a child and really feeling directed and “knowing” what felt right or wrong. Sometimes as we grow, that connection gets forgotten. This is why I think it is so important to have a daily practice for connecting. Our minds might need training to get with the program.

Nature connecting for me always helped me quiet my mind and feel that expansiveness that can be acquired through meditation. As a child, I was always surrounded by nature and often it was the only tool that round for me to find answers to my problems.

[coachtamara]

What does it mean to be Soul-Directed and Nature-Connected?
Thank you so much, everyone, for your thoughtful replies and comments!
To me, being Soul-Directed means being able to rise above the drama of the everyday struggles we encounter in life, so that we can see the how those challenges are helping us grow and evolve into who we are meant to become. It means being able to come from that place of Wisdom when I am making choices throughout the day. And, it means staying true to what I believe is in my own highest good and the highest good of others, even if others don’t understand or accept me.
I also found interesting the discussion about the possibility of Being Nature-Connected even when we are indoors. That definition makes me think of mindfulness in general, such as eating mindfully and focusing on every step that led from a potato being planted until it ended up on my plate. Right now, I crave the deep connection I feel by going deep into the woods. When I look out my living room window, I can see the beauty of nature, but I don’t feel it at a deep level. It’s like I’m a spectator at a sports event. When I go outside and sit on a bench that’s about 25 yards from the house, I feel more connected—like I’m sitting on the bench at a sporting event. I feel the deepest connection of all when I go out into the wild part of the property. That’s when I really feel like I’m “in the game.”
I have had instances where I felt deeply connected to nature even when I was indoors. I remember that I was leading a workshop, and we were pretending to “be” things from nature, so I became a rock. I didn’t think I would feel much, but I curled up into an almost fetal position and stayed that way for quite some time. I was surprised by how I was able to feel disconnected from the hurried pace of the world around me.
The biggest lesson I’m learning right now related to being soul-directed and nature-connected is related to accepting and working with impermanence. When I go for a walk on our property, by the time I come back, parts of the trail I walked on might be covered by water. I have to develop a sense of trust that the Universe still has my back, and the ability to be spontaneous and think on my feet.

[Daniel Brisbon]

Thanks so much for sharing Tamara! I really enjoyed reading about your awareness of the depth of the connection you feel with Nature relative to your physical proximity to it. Nature can be an amplifier to our internal state and connection to Soul. And so when we are deep in the woods it is almost like that amplifier knob can be cranked up to 11 (Spinal Tap reference), but maybe when we are back at home it can feel more like a 3 or 4.

So how can we start raising that knob again even when we are not deep in the woods and in nature? How can we practice deep mindfulness when we are out in nature and that feeling of nature connection is at it’s strongest? So that when we are back at home we can still attune and nurture that deep feeling of nature connection.

And this is why creating daily rituals is so important! Daily rituals that are created with deep intention. Because just like impermanence in the real world so is there an experience of impermanence inside of ourselves. We are not always going to feel deeply connected to nature. There are days when I go out into nature and feel completely disconnected and struggle to be present and mindful. But that’s OK! Because I know that, like all things, being deeply connected to Nature and Soul takes time. It is a process. A journey.

It’s like lifting weights or training for a marathon where the results are not immediate. There are good days and there are bad days and I am all right with that. But the more I stay focused on those times when I am in a feeling of deep connection with myself and the great outdoors when I am at home or at work then the stronger those “nature and soul connection muscles” become!

And the first step to change and greater connection is Awareness. So I enjoyed reading what you wrote because without awareness we cannot grow and transform ourselves. I look forward to reading more of your insights throughout this course!

[Ash Tallmadge]

Hi everyone, I missed the first session online but am here now and look forward to meeting you all. I’ve already enjoyed listening to the session recording and to reading your thoughts on this forum.

What does it mean to be soul-directed and nature-connected?
For me the answer to this question came in a simple statement: to be nature-connected is to live from a soul-directed place. I believe our soul is the part of us that wants to know nature the most, possibly because it is the ethereal, esoteric, non-tangible part of us that stretches far beyond the material world. The soul connects us to all manners of energy and consciousness that may exist. That can feel huge, and overwhelming, and sometimes we experience confusing feelings and questions and impulses. Often we don’t understand why we think or feel a certain way. When I allow my soul-part to have what it desires, or what I feel it is desiring, this is when I seem to always put my hand on a tree, or balance stones, or lay my bare feet in running water. It’s when I pay attention to the simplest reality. It’s when I use all my senses to completely experience the present. Nature-connection is a deep listening to what is present and true around me. It is the absolute acknowledgement of the moment. And for me, it is my soul-part that directs me to do this. The challenge I think is to integrate this mindfulness with daily experiences that vary immensely. In the forest or fields, it can be easy to allow for this interplay, but in an office, or school or even in partnership at home, it can be complicated. Being human is far from simple!

[Ash Tallmadge]

I saw Tracy’s introduction to herself so I thought I would offer a quick one as well;

I am a naturalist who has worked as a professional guide in a few different aspects for many years. I’ve guided educational, experiential tours in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and then started my own outdoor company in New Mexico called “Hearts & Bones Hiking” where I focused on helping clients to connect to nature and to themselves on day hikes. I would share ecology as well as bring in the spiritual/soul experience. I felt very strongly about this work and sharing with others. However, it was big learning lesson for me to start a business, and it ended up taking more effort than I anticipated. It also took me away from the vision I had, which was to help people to experience the world in a deeper, more meaningful way. I had many happy experiences with clients and loved the work, but I felt it wasn’t as full as it could be. I think all the busy-work of the business distracted me too much, so I eventually decided to take a break from and spend some more time on myself. My intention for this course is to step outside of my identity for a while and be open to receiving of new perspective. I am excited to speak with like-minded people as you all seem to be! And I’m really encouraged that I made a good choice at the spur of the moment when I decided to join! Yes for those moments!

[Daniel Brisbon]

Ash, I really hear a deep understanding and awareness of how deeply intertwined Soul and Nature connection are to each other. It is almost like they work together and in harmony where a deep connection to Nature creates a deep connection to Soul and vice versa.

And all of you have shared, in one way or another, that deep connection happens when we are present, mindful, and attuned to all of our senses in the moment. This is so true! But it is not always easy to drop into this way of being. This is why daily visits to your Sit Spot and listening to Vision Council are so necessary! It creates the container for us to drop into this space within ourselves and allows us to be quiet and centered in the moment.

Thanks so much for sharing!

[coachtamara]

Hello, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed your weekend. I wanted to share a nature-connected experience with you, and to ask you a question
1. Nature-connected experience. Much of our property is flooded with ice, which makes it very tricky to navigate. So, on Sunday I decided to take the easier route, and focus on an area closer to our house. I sculpted a new trail, letting some of the trees “show me” the way. It was so much fun, and wonderful, because I hadn’t really noticed those trees before! I felt like I “met” some very nice trees.
2. Vision Council. This is something I haven’t really tried or heard of before. I made a list of who I want on my council. I’m guessing the next step is to meditate with them and seek their wisdom about my vision? Can some of you tell me how you use your Vision Council, or are there articles or books I can read about this topic? Thanks so much!!

[Ash Tallmadge]

Thank you Daniel for sharing about the uses of the Sit Spot and Vision Council several times and ways in this forum. Nature connection and mindfulness practice are something I am familiar with and have a practice with, but I feel like you Tamara that the Vision Council is a very new practice for me. I have to say its been an interesting and revelatory one. I realized as I was seeking members for mine, that I do not often do this in the daily life; seek council. Without going to deep into why, the sum is that it is probably a protective measure, an long-ago learned behavior based on trust, and most likely, vulnerability. So I like this idea so much; being able to sit with people in total ease and freedom of expression and having a dialogue with them in that place. It has made me appreciate also the many “parts” of myself who need different council embodied by different “people”. For example, I was surprised to find a few men in my council, but clearly there are a few parts of me who really need that particular connection and wisdom. So humbling and fascinating! I am looking forward to hearing more about how others encounter this and what it feels like for them.
Happy New Year!!!

[Joanna K.]

Thank you for being vulnerable enough with us to tell us about this struggle to seek council! You are right it is so humbling to sit in that position! Plus building trust can be a daunting process. I love that the Vision Council is defined only by people you really admire and trust and who are not critical but build you up. It’s a really great exercise to sort out who are those truly loving inspiring people in our lives and experiences. Thank you for highlighting this aspect of the homework for me!

[Ben Marchman]

Really enjoyed reading everyones input here! I feel that if I responded to everyone then this reply would be extremely long!! haha.

So to piggyback on everyone I also liked seeing Michaels example of the indicators. It reminds me a lot of The 8 Attributes of Connection that Jon Young & 8 Shields Institute uses to define in a person. I will summarize them to spare you some time…

North – Love & Forgiveness
North East – Quiet Mind Presence & Creativity
East – Inner Happiness
South East – Vitality
South – A commitment to mentoring
South West – Empathy & Respect for Nature
West – Being Truly Helpful, Gifts, & Vision Activated
North West – Full Aliveness

Notice that these are in the cardinal directions….

I resonated with all of this because my business uses the 8 Attributes in everything. With 1-on-1 coaching clients I use it to bring out specific qualities and even moods of a person so that they merge into the linked attributes of connection. What I have found most interesting is that what with Michael presented and what 8 Shields uses can be laid into how you even construct meetings and programs. Out of my past trainings with 8 Shields in the past I was able to use these energies on how I create flow and structure to my meetings, lessons, daily programs according to the time of day/direction of sun/etc. From a 1 hour meeting or lesson to a multi-day program!

Its fascinating stuff yall and I hope that EBI talks about this more! 🙂

Vision Council –– Super excited about this component from the Session 1 and really wanting to learn more from you all on your success too. I am no expert in this but have found great support with seeking people in the community to fully support my personal and career visions. For example, before I started NatureLink I reached out to people of mentor status and simply asked if they wanted to be part of an Elder Council. Now my Elder Council is being used as sort of like an advisory board….. with people that can help me fully support families and individuals as they transition back to “Society”. Sort of like setting up containers of support in the community for individuals involved with NatureLink.

Anyways I hope all of that rambling makes since to yall and can’t wait until session 2.

[Ben Marchman]

Whoops!

I meant to say earlier that you can find some visuals and understandings about the attributes of connection in Coyotes Guide.

[Ben Florsheim]

For me to be soul directed I have to understand all of my other parts and know which is which. This can be very difficult without outside perspective and direction. I do believe the skill can be honed, however it takes lots of practice. At time my other parts can make me believe they are the soul or know what the soul needs or wants. I have to be in a very clear mind state to be able to separate all the parts give them their appropriate names and dig deep for the soul.

[Joanna K.]

Wow you must already know a lot about partswork to have that much self awareness! I only just recently learned about “parts” and am really processing what that means for understanding my soul. I agree, it can be really difficult to dig out our real motives and desires and we humans seem to need other human “mirrors” to know what we look like and what is true about us.

[Sheri]

Soul-directed to me means being in touch with the divine (higher power, creator, life force, I call it God/Christ) within, listening to and following, it’s guidance. They come in whispers, shoulder taps, nudges, intuition, signs in nature or daily life experiences. All seem to be ways our soul communicates with us, I am sure there are many more I have yet to experience. I do know that when I am my best self, most in tune with my soul, through doing the things I need to care for myself (mind, body and spirit) and be in balance I am more aware of this guidance. I have had times when I would sense a thought and share with a friend. They’d thank me for it, but I knew it didn’t come from me, it wasn’t my idea. I just followed that nudge to share. Of course, the opposite can be true at times when I ignore these nudges, etc. Or push them aside, procrastinate acting on them. Or when I am not my best true self and don’t hear, or feel this guidance at all.

I think of being soul directed as also being in connection with your true authentic self. Rather than your ego self. Daily Sit Spot time, meditations, or Centering Prayer, are tools to help us quiet that false self or ego and connect with the true self, whether to hear or feel what your soul is directing you towards. I too am very interested in learning more about this Vision Council as I sense it will be a very helpful tool to add to my tool box.

I believe being nature-connected, is another way to be in that true self state. As all life is connected it brings us closer to our creator. We are all One, sharing a life force. Being in nature surrounds you in that life force. I feel supported, embraced in nature. One with all. Connection to my soul feels stronger in nature and I look forward to learning more tools for this connection and bringing this connection into my day to day experiences without having to step into nature. Although, even while typing the idea of not going into nature I felt a drop in my heart space, a sadness at that idea.

[Joanna K.]

Sheri,

Aw! I agree it makes me sad to think about not going in nature. I think you should keep going in nature! It sounds like your experiences in nature are so positive and life giving! And it sounds like you have a real sense of your soul too, what you think and feel and when you sense a leading to be life giving to someone else in a specific way.

[Joanna K.]

Hi everyone,

I look forward to “meeting” you all in tomorrow’s class. I value reading through all of your reflections that you offer! It may sound like I am stating the obvious but here it goes: Nature is natural (?) Does that count as an answer? Haha! I mean, really though, you finally put your phone down and look up at the trees and the sky. You are transported. The world is big and beautiful and it grows, teaming with life and beauty down to every detail. The intricacy and profound mysteries in nature are inexhaustible! And it is there for me for free to delight in. Nature is a gift and connecting to nature is unwrapping and receiving the gift.

Our soul, like so many of you have said, is our deep inner self. I am sure we all know what it is like to tell ourselves what to do or think or say and even to shut ourselves down. But to connect to our soul must mean instead of telling ourselves something we listen to our feelings because they reveal something true about us. Deep personal honesty allows us to admit and reveal our true selves. This vulnerability opens the door for authentic relationships with ourselves, God, and others. We can then experience love and acceptance for who we are not what we do.

Does this resonate with anyone? I look forward to “connecting” more directly tomorrow! 🙂