Adriana McManus
Forum Replies Created
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*summary post*
Reading Cory and MJ’s discussion on psychology got me thinking more about the aspect of environmental health. More and more people are concerned with the pollution and toxicity of this planet and for good reason. I work with medically fragile people and I notice patterns. There is a growing number of people with autoimmune disease and sensitivities. People are “rejecting” chemicals and pollutants that they are breathing, eating and touching. There is a lack of homeostasis and balance. I myself suffer from chemical sensitives. If I touch chemical laden household cleaners, my skin breaks out in blisters. If I drive next to a field while it is being crop-dusted, I can’t breathe. I think this is a sign that we are rejecting what is happening to this planet, physically and mentally.
Can those with compassion for this planet and home help more people connect with nature? I hope so. I think there is a chance. If people realize that they are connected.
I think as more people heal, and become connected with their higher self, they will stop seeing themselves as alone and more “al one.”
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^ Initial post^ sorry
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We are nature. Simply put. I don’t think we can be anything but nature given the world we have grown up on. This is something that I have always known but the article “Where Psyche Meets Gaia” really helped bring this home for me. From what I have read, Freud, that backbone of psychology, seemed to have a rather grim view of human evolution. According to him, we are nothing but star dust. An element on the periodic table. He described nature “is eternally remote. She destroys us-coldly, cruelly, relentlessly.” Freud kept nature and humans in their own separate bubble.
In contrast, biochemist James Lovelock and microbiologist Lynn Margulis thought of the connection between humans and nature as one living organism. I agree more with this theory vs the Freud’s thoughts that nature and people are separate. Even though we have built houses and factories, earth is still our HOME. I think many have forgotten that we are completely dependent on the welfare of this planet (at this point). The air we breathe, the food we grow, everything we build is because of mother earth. I like to think of our relationship with nature as more like mother and child. It nurtures us, whether in our conscious thoughts or not.
I would go beyond this and say that our connection to nature is written in our DNA. There are numerous articles suggesting that our DNA is mutated by life events such as war and trauma. Why wouldn’t our DNA be affected by our evolution and relationship to our environment? Generations of tribes have lived in close contact with nature and have depended on it for their survival. It is woven throughout mythology and stories so why not it in our very bones. How in the WORLD can humans be separate from nature?
Coaching is a very useful tool for self-inquiry and self-actualization. Although it is not psychotherapy, it works with the psyche and it can help individuals realize what is inhibiting self-growth. When working with people, a coach is inevitable going to be working with the mind and emotions. Where coaching falls short is in the fact that coaches are not psychotherapist and an individual who is suffering from mental illness or trauma may have to be referred to someone who is. That is one of the reasons why coach boundaries and ethics are so important. The coach will need honesty, good questioning and listening skills to find out about the client.
How ecopsychology comes together with coaching is in that understanding that nature is part of humanity and seems to be therapeutic in healing. I don’t think the connection can be pinned on one thing but many things in nature human interaction. Emotional connection to living things and our home may only be part of it. Maybe it is written in our DNA. I know personally that when I am receiving coaching with nature, I feel more whole and complete. My self-limited beliefs get interrupted and I am immersed in the world. I find it comforting to see the world, feel it, and know that it is a constant in my life. It is what it is and that is how I want to feel in life. True, natural and unaffected by lies or beliefs.
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*Summary Post*
I have learned much since I started foundation 1. Most of it was learning about myself which I had not expected. Inquiry and sacred questions are so powerful for unraveling truth in a world that can leave a lasting impression on ones mind and spirit. When I get closer to my truth, I find it brings me closer to nature for it seems that there is nothing more truer than nature. This is just the start.
Vision is another big take away from this course. I have always known what vision is but what I didn’t realize is that it changes with us and I have to stay connected to feel where my vision is taking me. If I don’t, I feel lost and without purpose. I am excited for what is next.
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Initial Post-Foundation 1
When I first joined this cohort, I thought nature connection was all about using nature as a therapeutic tool for self-awareness and healing. After our face to face Foundation 1 experience, I realized that “nature” meant all things. Connections, relationships, ancestry, emotions, thought patterns, culture are all part of nature. Yes, we used the outdoors as connection to our inner selves but ultimately, both are the same in “nature.” Mind-blowing! Suddenly, I went from pondering my problems in my day to day life while walking on this beautiful planet to belonging to this earth and feeling the flow. To me, this embodies the word Nature Connection. I think physically experiencing this outside helps to develop those neuro-pathway into feeling connected. I think the outdoors are also a great learning tool for self-awareness and self-knowledge. For instance, the concentric rings can indicate what you are internally experiencing through the external impact you are having on your surroundings. The birds are listening to us, intent to discover possible threats and it can be heard through both silence and alarm sounds. As Joh Young explains in The Coyote’s Guide to Connection with Nature, “People will eventually realize that their moods-fears or angers, impulsiveness or hesitancies- send off concentric rings of disturbance, both in the natural and human worlds.” This both ties into our own self-awareness and in the awareness of out client we will be coaching.
That awareness of the concentric rings is very important in that deep listening that we will do as a Nature Connected Coach. Likewise, being able to reflect that experience back to the client will deepen their own inner connection. Also, like with my own connection revelation, bringing a client into the outdoors will invoke imagination, symbolism and provide the groundwork for change. In Coaching Skills the Handbook, Jenny Rogers explains that neuroplasticity is important for change and “one of the best ways to do this is through mental rehearsal.” Nature helps with providing imagery as well as creating the intention. The groundwork of Foundation 1 really helped bring the two worlds together, peoples’ nature along with the great outdoors to help prepare for a positive change. -
I am living in alignment with Vision now because I am here, asking myself hard questions and taking steps to improve myself and help others in the same way. When I first thought about vision vs. dream, I held on to my dream but I was not taking the step to see my vision through. This is where the vision counsel and going downstairs really started connecting me better.
First I want to say that the vision counsel was very powerful for me. They told me such wonderful inspirational words, it brought tears to my eyes. The words were that they believed in and this is support that I don’t provide myself but I should. Belief in myself is also where the hard question lies. I ask why and it is because I am hard on myself and don’t celebrate enough of my success. But if I gave myself those words of encouragement that my vision counsel had, I think it would help power me on my path of vision. -
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.
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Hi!
My name is Adriana and I am eager to start and get to know everyone. My background is holistic health and I know that nature is power. -
Hi Lisa,
When you talk about “radical madness” I just get this sense of despair and being stuck. Or a hamster wheel. That survey in Psychology Today just astounded me! It raises questions about how many therapeutic practitioners do not voice their displeasure in the therapeutic model used. Very sad. I know that there is a great desire to help people in this community but don’t know how. I am glad that this nature connection piece is helping you find a better way to help. -
Sandy,
I like how you brought up the value of “being in relationship” with both coach and nature. I think that man is not meant to work or exist alone both in the fact that we need to see ourselves to evolve and to love. It makes me think of that quote “know thyself and know god.” It seems so important to experience oneself in this universe. I also liked what you said about the wilderness within. I believe our outer world is a mirror for our inner world. Our mind is always trying to make sense of our tangled universe of neurons. It is like a jungle. When we look outward, we try to untangle our thoughts through meaning and connection. I’d also like to think we are the microcosm of the macrocosm. -
MJ,
I can relate to your experience of not having a clear idea of what nature connection was before the intensive. Being in nature is a much different experience than feeling that nature connection, “feeling” being the defining word of that experience. I guess your experience is one that most people can relate to, especially your future clients :-).I hope that you are feeling better!
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Cory,
I really enjoyed your description of connection and it really described a way of “being.” As I read your post, I got this sense that it described groundedness in the energy flow around us and it is not really a place you can reach through thinking. I think I will read your post many times to remember this description because it takes me into that feeling and being place. Thank you.