Brian Crosby
Forum Replies Created
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Tuesday sounds good
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I get in Sunday and leave Friday with Zak and Kent. I am also unavailable on Thursday night. Got a dinner with my old roommate. Thanks for putting something together Hannah!
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This module has been the most revealing one so far for me personally. It seems that it hit at the right time for many of us in this group for many reasons. We all seem so excited about getting something up and going. It is inspiring. Near the beginning of this module I was questioning my commitment to EBI. I was concerned that what we were learning, while incredible, wasn’t moving me closer to my vision of working with children in nature. As this module went on, my mentality shifted in a way that has me back and fully committed to this process, as everything we are learning is transferable and applicable to any group of people.
Since this ‘re-committment’ I have made some great connections and had some cool opportunities come up as related to nature connection and children. Interviews, program observations,employment, workshops and a conference. All within an hour of my home. Looking forward to further connections and possibilities as I follow the path of my vision.
In the last Zoom meeting it was brought up to me that my ideal client may not be the kids, but their parents. While on a financial level this is true for sure, and a reality, my clients truly are the kids. Again not in the financial sense, but in my purpose and vision. In a more abstract way my client is actually the relationship between child and nature. I have never been driven by money, but by passion, connection, and community. I think at this point of my journey that is what I want to focus on. The financial piece will come later once I have a more clear picture as to what kind of programs I will be doing with kids. I will continue to put energy toward building connections and seeking vision.
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Wow David…It seems you have a solid grasp on the big picture of where you want to go with your training and career. It will be interesting to see where you take it all. I think there is a problem with the way our culture interacts with (or lack there of) our young. It is wonderful to hear your desire to ‘turn the tide’ so to speak. I am certain those you work with in the future will benefit greatly. A couple of organizations I thought of that may be of interest…New Moon Rites of Passage, Circle of Air & Stone, Animas Valley Institute, Wild Sacredness, School of Lost Borders, and Cascadia Quest.
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When you think about coaching and/or guiding others, who comes to mind? What is the population that most excites you, and why? How do you imagine working with them? Take time to consider all that you’ve learned during these Foundation Modules and express how you might work with your ideal client. What would be the common categories of goals that you foresee them working towards?
The answer to this question has shifted nearly 180 degrees from when I started this program. Because of this shift, some challenges have shown up. The largest of these is how do I use what we are learning at EBI to fit that mold? I know what we learn at EBI is transferable to any scenario in life. It is just a matter of figuring out what that looks like for me.
I originally wanted to work with young men as they transition into adult life. As the foundation intensive moved along, images of children began to rise. Over time these foggy images of children in nature became a crystal clear snapshot of small children curiously experiencing the natural world through inquisition and excitement. This solidified when my wife and I watched a 1.5 and 2.5 year old last week. We took these boys into the woods near our house. In an hour we walked maybe ¼ mile. Not because they move slow, but because they stopped at nearly every bush, bug and pinecone to investigate. One of the boys kept looking up at the moon in the evening sky saying “hello moon” or “bye bye moon”. It is so incredible to watch these children explore and learn in such an instinctual and self directed way.
As I really sift through more specifically what group of children I would want to work with most I think about how can I help facilitate the extension of the experiences these two boys had last week beyond 2.5 years old. It seems clear in my mind, at this point, that modern pre-school/elementary school is a large contributing factor to the start of the disconnection from nature process. Small children sitting in a desk for 6-8 hours seems to go against what children need. I am not saying education isn’t valuable, because I think it is absolutely vital. This type of school is an inevitability for most children. So, my vision seems to be drawing me toward working with kids 3-5 years old. My role here is to extend that natural inquisition for just a few more years before technology, public schools, and a higher level of distraction and expectation are forced upon them. Through specific programming (unknown at this point) I hope to create opportunities for play and learning through connecting with the natural world. I can utilize the format we use when working with coaching clients to facilitate this experience for the children. The ‘Severance’ can be looked at as the setup for the activity or game. Rules, boundaries and intentions. The ‘Threshold’ is the game or activity itself. Let’s go experience this. The ‘Incorporation’ is the coming back together to discuss the experience and to talk about how the kids can do this type of activity at home. The 50/50 plan will be an integral part of this. I want these programs to have context, intention, and opportunities for learning as well as freedom for their imagination to guide them to discoveries and inquiry.
There is another piece to this puzzle. Watching children play and interact with nature inspires me. I hope to get back to that place of curiosity in my own interactions with nature. Young children are one of the best examples of basic nature connection and a group of people all adults could learn from. With guidance my hope is that the children I work with will carry this connection to their families and their friends in the school systems. I hope that they desire to connect with the natural world more than they desire the technological one. A feat not easily reached in this day and age.
The goals I see these kids working toward may seem a bit more basic than an adult coaching client, yet equally as important on a foundational level. Which is what kids are doing…setting a foundation for their future. A few of these goals include, curiosity, inquisition, understanding, connection, comfort in nature, excitement, and of course…FUN!!!How would you like to collaborate with nature to support their awareness and success?
With every program, activity, and game the kids will be out in nature. Weather will not be a deterrent. There are lessons to be learn and there is fun to be had in all types of good and inclement weather. In the same way Michael had us outside doing many activities at our face to face. Nature will be collaborated with throughout the child’s time. They will be immersed in it and this will naturally support their awareness and success.
Also, search the web and share with us a few examples of individuals or organizations who work with similar populations. Add to your post, a comparative critique of these organizations based on what you know about Nature-Connected Coaching.
There is an organization here in Corvallis called Coyle Outdoors. This program specializes in teaching survival and primitive skills to kids age 5-15. Every program is done either outside or in a teepee. His pitch is that our culture has become so sanitized (physically, emotionally, and mentally) that kids have lost touch with what is ‘real’. The first line of his website description literally says, “Here at Coyle Outdoors, safety does not come first.” Whoa…bold statement. To a degree I get what he is saying, yet for me, the child’s safety is always the most important. I really like his down and dirty approach to being down in the dirt teaching kids how to work with the land to ‘create’. I think the big comparison to NCC is the underlying ‘trust in nature’ to reveal and teach. The context is different, but the meaning is the same. This program has a very hands on approach to connecting with nature as opposed to a ‘heady’ one.
The other program that I have chosen to look at is one called Trackers Portland. They have programs for Adults and Children. I will focus on the children here. Here are a few quotes from their website…”At Trackers we are champions of land and village. We are navigators of an epic world that needs to exist. We are a community where we remember the celebration of hearth, family, respect for the land and a timeless human story.” and “Our purpose is to create a village of connection to the land, accountability, common sense, and limitless enthusiasm.” These two quotes land for me. These guys do camps, preschool, primitive skills, rewilding skills, and other nature connection practices. It seems by reading through their programs it is more a skills based nature connection. Except for their forest school. This is what I am talking about!!! Learning through structured and unstructured time in nature. This parallels the 50/50 plan we learn at EBI. It teaches trust in nature and collaborating with it to find what one is seeking.
I know I took some liberties with this discussion post. I am trying to figure out how to link this amazing EBI experience with what I see as a future in working with children in nature. I know some of my answers didn’t fully answer each question, however, this assignment has helped me dive into how EBI and working with kids are linked. Thanks for your openness with my post.
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In summary, I am reminded of something I heard and experienced at the foundations intensive…”All Roads Lead to Home.” This is something Daniel and I have talked about on several occasions since the intensive ended. This is true whether it is manifesting in our own personal lives and journey’s, or guiding and watching our clients experience the idea that all the answers are within themselves. Nature and the coach are simply there to help guide the client to that place. As my vision has shifted toward working with young children I have found it challenging to see out how I will apply what we learn at EBI to programs tailored to little ones. As I write this summary post, the basic answer lies in what I wrote in the first few sentences of this post. “All Roads Lead to Home.” If I create space for each child I work with to naturally experience and explore their curiosity and instinctual inquisitiveness I am sure I will see the direct parallels that exist between working with adults in a coaching environment and doing nature connection activities with children. The “Threshold” exists outside the world of coaching. It can be seen all over the place in varied environments and scenarios. As I move toward my vision, I think it will be imperative for me to keep these parallels and similarities between coaching adults and working with children at the forefront of my mind. Trusting that the client, or child knows what they need and trusting that nature will help guide the way.
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Again thank you all for the patience as this discussion post is way late. I enjoyed reading everyone’s thoughts
Reflect on your experience as a client in the “threshold”.
My experience in the threshold during the face to face was one of empowerment and validation. Going in to this program I had much self doubt and trust in myself. My first wander, the solo one, was very powerful. During my threshold experience with my coach I decided to retrace the steps of this original wander as a way to stay connected to my deeper need. The original wander replayed itself almost identically. This validated to me that I was following the right path and that not only did I have the capacity to listen to what my soul was telling me, but that it is necessary for me to follow what it says. The threshold for me was stepping into my power, purpose, and vision.How does that experience inform your coaching and why?
I like control. It is comforting to know exactly what is going to happen and when. Letting go and letting the client nature unfold naturally is the only way for the client to experience the threshold authentically. In my experience I had set a very clear intention about what and why. I held that as I moved through the experience. Creating the space for the client to create clear intention based on their deeper need seems imperative for the client to experience that forward movement and growth.How did Nature participate in your process and what does that tell you about coaching others?
Nature literally had me slip and fall in a pile of deer poop on 2 different occasions. The day of my original wander there was snow on the ground. Easy to follow a set of footprints. The day of my threshold experience of retracing with the Mandy, the snow had melted along most of the route. I was concerned I would not be able to follow closely. I just trusted in the pull and I was taken, by nature, on the exact same route without footprints in the snow to follow. Another item of note here is that a rabbit appeared in the same place both during my solo wander and the threshold. My coach was there with me physically, yet allowed me to have my experience and let nature “take me away” so to speak. She asked poignant questions at powerful times to help me notice what was happening at a deeper level. This just highlights again that as coaches we are there simply as a guide. The client has the power and the knowing already in them. Giving them the space with clear intent may be what they need. Allow them to make the meaning for themselves. We as coaches do not always need to be asking questions, nor do we have the answers.What ICF core competencies are essential for you to practice and build on to feel confident in that “place” as a coach?
I think that “Coaching Presence” is essential to feel confident in that “place” as a coach because without trusting you gut, being flexible, and taking risks it seems as though it would be challenging to truly meet the client where they need to be met. “Active Listening” and “Powerful Questioning” are two other competencies that are imperative. One stems from the other I think. Listening actively will help the coach to know when to ask powerful question in the threshold and when to stay in the background and allow the client to have their experience through trusting their intent and nature. -
Sorry I have been MIA. I have had some stuff going on. I will post here by the end of the week hopefully.
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I have been reflecting on my initial post the last several days. As I alluded to you all in the video call I have had personal life challenges the last week or so. I feel like ‘interference’ has been a non-stop attack on me lately. From personal health, physical injury, wife’s sick and pregnant, work stress, and family issues. I know we all have these things and for some reason this week I gave it the power to control my thoughts and emotions. That barred me from feeling into the reading and stopped the process of learning and growth. These interference’s will not stop as long as I breathe. I now have a great frame of reference as to when this is happening for me and I am aware of how it may affect me. This awareness will help me to not let it be such a barrier to the rest of my world.
All that said, I have re-read all the articles with a fresh perspective. I am not going to go into it too much with quotes from the reading, but I have a different appreciation for Ecopsychology and what it can offer us as Nature-Connected Coaches. David, in your response to my post you posed the question, “How do we nudge the nature-disconnected intellectual towards nature-connection?” This is, in part, why I am at EBI. To help guide those who are not connected to nature to a connection with it. Holding on to rigid ideals will greatly inhibit my ability to reach these people. Utilizing and being open to the ideas and practices we learn here is paramount to reaching those that are seeking.
I do believe that over intellectualizing anything can be a barrier to productive growth and transformation. Striking a balance between intellectual and practical/instinctual/simple approaches, for me, seems the key to staying in line with my vision. Walking that line as a coach will help to reach people on both sides of it.
Thank you all for your insights and posts. They were challenging, yet pivotal for me to rethink the way I look at different approaches to working with people. Much gratitude everyone! And lovely to see some of your faces on the call today! -
Kent,
I like the idea you expressed in the 1st words of your post…”Nature-Connected coaching is the bridge between Coaching and Ecopsychology.” In fact I relate very much with your whole 1st paragraph. The following quote is a really interest idea and concept, “in my opinion, “therapy” is something being given (without to within), while “coaching” could be seen as drawing out something that is already there (within to without).” This is fundamentally what we are learning to do, help guide our clients to an awareness of something inside them that has been there all along (within to without). “Herein lies the gap; human beings do not change based on information.” When I read this statement of your I began to think about how I have approached people in my life (brothers, parents, friends) who see the world very different than I do. I have passed countless bits of information on to them expecting them to “see the light” so to speak. Not once has is hit home. In fact it just causes more issues. I still do this from time to time, like yesterday! So holding what you wrote with me as I work with people as a coach and as I simply connect with friends and family, will help me to have more healthy interactions.
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Mandy,
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Cottonwood tree near your house. You paint an incredible picture of what deep connection to self and another being can be. This quotes just following your story landed in a very real. “It really is very simple for me — we are in relationship with all other beings on this planet and out in our solar system into the universe, and many of us have forgotten this. We are in large part humans that suffer from amnesia.” And it really does seem that simple, and we are all on a path towards guiding others to this realization. And wow!!!!! Your final paragraph is so powerful. It isn’t just about us connecting with Mother Earth. It is equally about acknowledging and feeling the love and reverence She has for each of us, and every other living being. Guiding others to that awareness seems so vital to this whole thing.
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Something I noticed is how the people you describe being drawn to seem to be similar to what you are trying to connect with yourself. For example, you posted in an earlier discussion about dance and how it fits into your work and life in general. And you are clearly on a soul journey by doing this EBI experience. Your future clients will be lucky to work with someone who has worked on and through what they may be. It totally makes sense to me to work with people that are going through similar experiences as we are or have in the past. Thought the parallels were interesting. And it certainly souds like you are narrowing down the field of ideal clients.
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Kaity…it is exciting to see asking the questions around how you can connect NCC with Nature. It sounds as if this is of great importance to you. Maybe your upcoming retreat to Costa Rica will present some ideas or even opportunities to explore and experiment with this. Yoga on the Beach? Or in the Rainforest? I am looking forward to seeing where this goes for you. It reminds me of an experience I had in Vilcabamba, Ecuador last year. Yoga outside on the edge of a rainforest and at the base of a stunning mountain. It poured on us the last 10 minutes of one of the classes. The point I am trying to make is, that as the student in this experience I never felt more connected in a yoga practice than I did at these ones. Feeling the breeze and raindrops on my skin as I connected with breath was powerful. Safe travels down South.
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Kent, I noticed in a few places in your post you mentioned trust. Trust in your clients experience, establishing trust between coach and client and trusting in nature to do it’s thing. Trust, for me is a challenging thing. Trusting in others, nature, and myself. The process has become easier, especially since the face to face. It was amazing to watch you “trust” during the intensive. My hope is that you continue this as you move toward your vision. You stated…”Trusting that nature would provide as I stepped through the threshold served to increase my trust that much more.” Stick with it, and excited to watch it continue!
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Thank you for sharing Kaity. The theme that stood out to me was something you repeated a number of times. “Going against the grain”. This is something that I have always struggled to do. Fulfilling others expectations instead of my own. Going into the Threshold is exactly that…Going against YOUR grain. Doing something different than you have been doing. Stepping into something that is foreign, or that has been avoided for so long is scary, yet offers immense opportunity for growth and discovery.