Do you ever wonder what nature would say to you if you took the time to listen?
Try this ten minute exercise in natural system thinking from Project NatureConnect and share your experiences with us.
"In a Balance with Earth is a unifying nature connected psychology experience for use year round. It enables anyone to create and share moments in nature that let Earth's regenerative qualities sensuously touch us and teach us its peace, balance and cohesiveness.
Because this activity helps people release their destructive bonds and reconnect them to constructive relationships, it enables us reverse our irresponsible tendencies. It is appropriate with friends and family, It contributes to the celebration of most holidays by, year round, promoting peace on Earth through peace with Earth." - Michael J. Cohen: Reconnecting With Nature
The following condensed instructions are drawn from the elements of the Applied Ecopsychology book Reconnecting With Nature : Finding wellness through restoring your bond with the Earth by Dr. Michael J. Cohen. The full chapter is here: In A Balance with Earth
Purpose:
To discover immediate outcomes of treating Earth, nature and our inner nature justly and with respect.
Object:
1. To learn how to obtain a natural area's consent for us to visit it.
2. To enjoy the benefits from obtaining a natural area's permission to visit it.
Procedure:
1. Notice how you feel right now. Then, go to something in nature that you like, that you find attractive.
2. Thank the natural attraction for being there for you and safely activating a good feeling in you. Thank it for consenting for you to enjoy it, and vice versa.
3. Recognize that, justifiably, this natural area or thing desires and has a right to exist, build beneficial relationships and grow. Decide that you are going to respect its integrity.
4. Ask this natural area for its consent for you to be there and do this activity there.
5. Sense the area for 10 seconds or more in silence and respect. Be aware of signals of stress, discouragement or danger from it.
6. As soon as you gain a natural attraction's permission to visit, genuinely thank it for giving its consent.
7. Now compare how you feel about being there with how you felt when you first arrived at it.
Write down if you obtained good feelings or rewards from doing this activity.
Be aware that nature exists in people, too. We are part of nature and deserve to relate through consent.
Learn to trust the process and sensations in this consensus experience.
Descriptions of students' experiences in an online course at Project NatureConnect can be found here, and here.
Feel free to create your own page of observations and link to it here:
Threads: Spiritual Practice