Ecopsychology - Educating, Counseling and Healing With Nature
I just finished my first course in Ecopsychology through the Institute of Global Education and Project NatureConnect. Tomorrow I start co-facilitating this course for new students as a requirement for my next course.
Final Paper - Tania Tyler
Our industrial society has caused our disconnection and disassociation from nature which has created a state of imbalance within life. Society and the media have taught us to believe that we are superior to nature and that it is acceptable to exploit it for the sake of our future and growth. Yet what is happening is that we are destroying both ourselves and our future. We are well aware of what we are doing. We don’t react and change because we have become numb; senseless. We have allowed our innate knowledge to be suppressed to the point where we don’t remember its importance to the balance of life.
“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” ~ Albert Einstein
Dr. Michael Cohen’s model, Natural Systems Thinking Process (NSTP) is a unique and effective, nature-connected learning tool which promotes healing and balance through and in cooperation with nature. The model’s effectiveness is accomplished through connecting with and learning from nature’s natural attractions on a personal level rather than through scientific theories and stories. Personal experience creates personal truths; what is “real” rather than abstract concepts. The model uses the terms 4-legged intelligence - knowledge gained through personal experience, 5-legged intelligence - knowledge based on theories and stories, and 9-legged intelligence - personal experience expressed through language.
“I learned that Western culture 5-legged labels and concepts work to short circuit the relationship between the “old” and “new” brain resulting in the distorted assimilation of information.” (course participant)
The Web of Life Imperative course starts with a personal introduction to the other participants; fostering the development of community. Participants recall early childhood experiences with nature, full of innocence and free from judgment.
“One of my earliest memories is when as a one or two year old, I would go out first thing every summer morning to a spot where a purple iris was blooming, squat down, and stare at the flower. Of course, at the time I didn’t know it was an Iris plant or that it was purple.”
“As a child my happiest times were spent outside in nature or inside creating art of some kind, often inspired by my natural surroundings.”
“I can remember sitting on the hill in my backyard looking down across the meadow, and when the wind blew past I distinctly remember feeling something inexplicable.”
“As a child I loved nature and somehow learned to be quiet with it.”
It is important for us to recognize our importance in the web of life. We are all interconnected and part of life’s balance. The way to get back to our natural intelligence is by removing all of society’s stories that we have adopted as “truth” and creating our own truths through personal experience. The activities in the NSTP develop these types of experiences. NSTP teaches how to connect with nature through our 53 natural senses and sensitivities; to feel and then express what we know to be the truth, free of society’s influence.
“A man has not seen a thing who has not felt it.” ~Henry David Thoreau
Participants learned that letting go of stories is not always easy but as we spend time really “feeling” and connecting on a sensory level; nature’s way of communication, we are able to experience the balancing and support from Nameless-Intelligent-Attraction-Love (NIAL).
“I want to preface the assignment by sharing, once again how challenging I have found this work to be. I’m not sure why I am struggling so much, but I find it difficult to concentrate, and really take in the words I am seeing in front of me on the page. I find my ego jumping in and dismissing what I am reading, and some deep resistances to some of the languaging used in the books.”
“Perhaps a reason that we struggle is because of the dichotomy between the earth teachings and the online technical aspect of posting our thoughts and feelings about our connections.”
As the course progressed and labels were let go of, trustfulness of nature developed and participants experienced and were able to express this non-verbal sensory communication (NIAL) as 9-legged thinking.
“We can learn to participate in Earth’s non-verbal, webstring ways since, we, as part of all of nature, are born knowing them and able to register them. This is part of our natural substance and inheritance.”
“We can non-verbally communicate with nature & nature will communicate back.”
“That natural attractions and webstrings provide a powerful means of truly meaningful learning.”
“I feel strongly that our connection with nature allows the sharing of messages and insights. I have learned much about myself through these times of being connected. When I have a question, nature has always guided me to my answer. Sometimes it comes as just a “knowing” or unspoken voice and sometimes I am guided to notice something in nature that gives me insight into my question.”
Nature’s webstring attractions are shared unconditionally in order to maintain balance of the whole. One powerful aspect of NSTP is gaining consent and offering gratitude from the natural area or webstring attraction. Being respectful was rewarded to participants through stronger sensory connections. Feeling these stronger connections proved the interconnectedness of all and that nature does in fact use non-verbal communication to connect with us.
The NSTP model teaches us the importance of community and increases self-worth and the trustfulness of nature through personal experience. Participants experienced their roles in the web of life; feeling part of the whole and knowing that nature is able to maintain and promote balance. Through this trust and “knowing”, judgments are released.
“By creating or using labels, we limit our experience of others, nature and life.” (course participant)
“It is in nature that one loses all judgments and false pretenses because nature does not judge.” (Dyer, 1998)
Because we are a part of nature and the web of life, all knowledge and understanding gained through the activities of NSTP pertain not only to natural areas but also to ourselves and others. Achieving balance in our lives is healing; stress is reduced, self-esteem and trust grow, respect increases, relationships become healthier, communication is from the heart, and a sense of lack disappears.
Works Cited
Dyer, W. W. (1998). Wisdom of the Ages: A Modern Master Brings Eternal Truths into Everyday Life. New York, NY: Harper-Collins Publishers, Inc.
by Michelle Casto
Here is a post from my friend Colin at 
What is my life’s purpose? What is the purpose of my life? How do I find my purpose in life?
by Jack Canfield to help with finding your life purpose, which I will outline here.
