[Gina Lobito]

deanna, teddy, james, and leslie,

reading this discussing regarding “madness” reminds me something Carolyn Myss said, I am paraphrasing here, but it was something to the effect of the awakening process one must go through a state of madness…as they return to the light…” I also came across this quote: “the dark night of the souls is a journey into light, a journey from your darkness into the strength and hidden resources of your soul. Navigating the dark night requires interior dialogue, contemplation, prayer, quiet time, and sharing with those who understand the profound nature of inner transfomation. When you are in this interior place, you stand at the crossroads of your power, between your ego and your soul, between time and timelessness. (Caroline Myss).

James, your reference to the villains and batman etc…I think of End Game. So much in that movie, and even Dr. Strange in the use of energy and ability humans can have to harness energy work with it, some chose to misuse it’s power. The villain, are just a representative of what we all have within in us, shadow, it’s just another part of of ourself to bring light to. What’s the deeper, what’s below the surface that makes a villian different from the Hero. The villian allowed some past experience or desire, to turn to anger, obsession and operate from a place lead by their internal pain and suffering and/or desire to have power over others, and wants to spread that pain and suffering to be heard and seen, because the vilain moved away from the language of love, compassion, and forgiveness. Villan just represnets the living in the “negative” pole of emotion, while the hero, will still have their experience with pain and suffering, loss but chooses to stay in the heart with purpose, sometimes must walk alone and sacrifice the self for the greater good. When their ” why”becomes greater than the “how”. Yes, sometimes there is loss along of life along the way, on soul level it’s a sacrifice for the greater good and something greater than the self.

Returning to this idea of “madness” and I think Teddy referred to those being referred to has mad that speak to plants or shamans speaking to spirit. No doubt that some people due go mad or have a maddening experience while going through spiritual growth. connecting to energies that the four lower bodies (emotional, spiritual, physical, mental) were not ready to endure or had built up resilience to accept into the four lower bodies. To bring in more light, and connect to higher self and a return to source energy, also requires to “ground” the person also must be rooted into a grounded, balanced state of being, the term “as above, so below” comes to mind. A better visually, that comes to me is a Live power line that is down, and whipping about because it’s no longer grounded. This too can happen to people. As people “open” themself up, it’s important to remember to stay connected to Source of Light from which our soul comes from, stay in the wisdom of the heart, no place for doubt. It’s also important where earth energy is so important, one must work with energy of the earth just as much as the etheric in order to bring the etheric light into the body, and ultimately anchor that light into the planet. The four lower bodies will go through a purification process and transformation as well. Which I will not get into in this conversation, but does become important to understand the power of the building blocks of life, and how those same building blocks are in all living things. It’s important to work with the Nature in collaboration with our own evolution, as we evolve so does the earth and vise versa. If one only works with the etheric, it leaves the possibility of becoming unstable emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, physically. If one field is impacted so are the rest. The etheric energy would oscillate in one direction and become unstable, one would need a counter oscillation (earth) to bring balance and stabilization to the rate at which light is coming in and out of the body to support its transformation. The human body, is the conduit or vehicle in which light is anchored to the planet as well as a vehicle to give and receive energy (chakras), translate information in an isntant. It’s just a matter of learning the language and how the transformation of the body….

[Gina Lobito]

James
“However, I also see the academic field possibly falling short by ignoring the importance of a “spiritual” or “mystical” relationship as well. If forest bathing alone is “prescribed” to someone for depression, they may experience the first level of Nature Connection (as Jon Young describes it) and their symptoms may be alleviated, but without forming a deeper relationship with a particular piece of land, we are really only using the land to serve us, thus continuing the cycle of caring for the land only as much as it serves our current desires.”

As I sit here reading the above, particularly about “experiencing the first level of nature Connection” an only using the land to serve us, thus continuing the cycle of caring for the land only as much as it serves our current desires.” This brings to mind that a need of a paradigm shift in consciousness within the collective and individual is needed. When the collective can see itself as the Guardian and caretaker of the land which gives and provides for all living things, and truly live in collaboration and constant co-creation, in a constant state of gratitude, thankfulness for earths gifts. Man must see beyond their own selfish desires and be willing to give just as much if not more of himself for the greater wellness of all living things. When man choses to no longer just receive, and take, but gives back to the land as a guardian and care taker, in the same way the land is a guardian and care taker of living things. Many have fallen away from honoring the land and honoring themself and become out of harmony with what it is to hold see themself as sacred and part of nature. To be in relationship based on desire only leaves room for disharmony and and relationship that is out of balance. Thank you for this thought provoking statement.

Gina

[Gina Lobito]

Rollin,

“This blend of coaching and Ecopsychology gives me an opportunity to mutually heal with the client. While they are connecting to nature, as the guide, so am I. Where this blend falls short, for me, is coaching without the nature connection doesn’t seem as interesting. I can coach business, finance, time management and more. None of these topics light up my soul like coaching nature connection.”

I always appreciate you brining in your growth as a coach/guide while you are coaching another. I see and feel how coaching wit nature lights your soul, as it does my own, I do find it interesting, if all things are connected to nature, and nature is also energy, vibration, and frequency, as are our bodies, what is it about coaching business, finance, time management and more that you find challenging to experience the energies, frequency, and vibration of those topics? What’s the nature piece that is missing for you when coaching in these topics or arenas?

Gina

[Gina Lobito]

Rollin,

“This blend of coaching and Ecopsychology gives me an opportunity to mutually heal with the client. While they are connecting to nature, as the guide, so am I. Where this blend falls short, for me, is coaching without the nature connection doesn’t seem as interesting. I can coach business, finance, time management and more. None of these topics light up my soul like coaching nature connection.”

I always appreciate you brining in your growth as a coach/guide while you are coaching another. I see and feel how coaching wit nature lights your sould, as it does my own, I do find it interesting, if all things are connected to nature, and nature is also energy, vibration, and frequency, as are our bodies, what is it about coaching business, finance, time management and more that you find challenging to experience the energies, frequency, and vibration of those topics? What’s the nature piece that is missing for you when coaching in these topics or arenas?

Gina

[Gina Lobito]

Eco psychology and coaching come together at a place where there is a deeper need for change and awareness of cycles. Whether a person consciously or subconsciously is aware of it, one choses to listen to the little voice inside or pull on the heart that change is needed for some deeper reason, perhaps not yet known to the person, but it is still felt within the persons body, feelings, and emotions, and soul, etc. In E.O. Wilson work, he states, “ the possibility that humans possess a capacity, called biophilia, defined as the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms…He sees this as important force working to defend the endangered biodiversity of the planet. (Theodore Roszak, Wher psyche Meets Gaia, pg.4). This connection to nature is not a new idea. It reminds of what many would describe as shamanism often associated to indigenous tribes, Native Americans and similar groups of people around the world. In truth all living things, that includes humans, are connected to nature, connected to the planet and to each other and possess the ability to incorporate Nature Based Practices into their daily routine and awareness, like earthing, forest bathing, or simply breathing and going inward experience the body from a deeper perspective, or enoying a house hold plant or favorite mug to use for their morning cup of coffee. Some how along the way humans have experienced the illusion of being separate or disconnected from nature, which would lead them to be disconnected from their own nature, heart and knowing of their inner wolrd and external world around them. When a person is a ware and attuned with the cycles of nature and learn the tools to be in flow and collaboration with natural cycles of change the Human can remain or return to a state of harmony (physicaly, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, spiritually).

While there is a constant “current of change” nature/planet goes through as do humans, a person who has become or is unaware of their connection to nature and how their body will experience the “current of change” may experience many various feelings (anxiety, fear, lonely) unaware as to why that might be. Conversely, client that is aware their connection to nature may be experience love, joy, and an ability to commune with themselves and the world around them in a way that is supportive to the present moment. Eco psyche and Nature Connected Coaching would be a beautiful blend to support a client in bringing awareness of to the clients connection and experience of the “current of change” that is felt within the physical body and emotional body and support the client as the client goes through the experience of translating what he/she is experiencing.

As a Nature Connected Coach being aware of natural cycles and that all things are in a constant state of change could be supportive to a client and acts as bridge, bring awareness to the clients’ experience of change occurring within the body, heart and mind. It’s important that a coach remain in a state of allowing the process to occur at the clients pace and not the pace of the coach. It’s important that the coach remain in a state of curiosity and questioning in order to guide this process. I feel Eco Psych may fall short in a coaching session if the coach is not mindful of their scope of practice and keep the session to guiding, bring awareness and observe/track the client through the client’s process. There becomes fine line between coach/guide and acting as a counselor or therapist or just giving answers. As a coach, it would be beneficial to master the “Art of Questioning” which builds fertile ground for more questions…That is, we want folds to become self-sufficent, inquisitive, trusting in themselves to seek out and find answers.” (Coyote’s Guide, Chapter 5. Pg. 95) In order to coach/guide a client to their innate connection to Nature and that they have all the tools within them to return to themselves, a coach would need to put into practice deep listening, ability to change perspective, be in a “beginners mindset” and curiosity, the ability track, and know just when to take a client to the next “Edge” and “Beyond the Edge” … arise the ‘Childs Passion’ to discover and learn.”(Coyote’s Guide Chpt 5 Pg. 96-97). There is dance that occurs between the guide, client and the “Art of Questioning”, “Place for information”, the Place for instruction” that can support the client in bringing to the surface their own answers and innate abilities for self awareness, growth and learning.

[Gina Lobito]

Hello everyone!! I am honored and inspired by our cohort and it’s ability to hold space for each other. During This time of Foundation 1, after returning home from the January intensive and being I felt renewed, recharged and more clear about what I wanted to shift within myself to create harmony and joy in myself and home life. Connecting more to the reading material and the way I might connect to nature and be in a deeper relationship with nature and in turn with myself and the wold around me. Interesting enough, there was a different plan for me as I integrated back in to my day to day life. All I wanted was to return home to joy and a calm place to convalesce after having a surgery. The best way for me to describe my journey was as if I was in open ocean deep and vast. Started off calm and beautiful, then the “storm” came with many emotions and unpredictable waters.

Sitting with this experience now, that I have returned to calmer waters, I Realize i was experiencing multiple concentric rings. Concentric rings may not always feel concentric as the vibration and frequency of them pass through each other. Meaning, I was feeling the entire household, my partners, chaos, fear, anxiety, vacillation; doubt, her children’s worry, fear, concern, sadness, and wanting stability; and my own gratitude, mourning, clarity, confusion, love. It was like I was in the center, getting “pounded” from every direction, all I knew what to do was breath…stay in my heart…stay in my truth, stay open… when I felt strong enough to do so, I would sit outside and just breath…that’s all I could do, breath, talk to my body, talk to the wind, talk to the plants, take in the sun and feel the grass beneath my feet…My system was being overstimulated with information. I reminded myself to keep my heart open…That became a mantra “just keep my heart open”

The core piece for me I put into practice daily was breathing and calming my nervous system. Secondly, paying attention to what I was feeling from others. The earth kept me grounded, while the the breath kept me in a state of calm in the “storm” It was an opportunity to not be swept away or into someone else’s perceptions and experience. I just remember sitting outside, hands over my body, talking to my body, praying, breathing in the life changes that were happening all at once. It was in the breathing that assisted me to be present, be now, and know that I am safe, my nervous system was just taking in a lot of information at all once.

The tools brought forth from Foundations 1 have proven to be powerful, simple, accessible in every moment should I remember to use them. Power of of nature is in the now.

It make sense to me now that’s it’s taken me this long to write this response. I have been digesting a lot of information and needed the space to collate it all. I am still processing it.

As a coach, it’s a gift to experience the process and the power of practices and daily ritual can have, particularly during times of adversity and unknown. Having this experience not only make me a better person, but also a better coach/guide. Sometimes when I can’t “hear” all I need to remember is to take the breath in and release the breath out…This is not always easy, and I realize that breath work can be challenging for people to calm their system and calm their mind.

Having an intense experience will allow me to hold a deeper space of patience, inner knowing, and understanding for what a client may be experiencing. Sometimes, it just may take weeks, or months, etc… for a client to process and come to their understanding of what is happening within themself and come to what their deep need or want is. Or to even recognize what “state of being” he/she is in or experiencing. That being said, it may take a client that same time to come to an understanding of the inner nature and how they are nature, the natural world around he/she can remain and is a constant state of support. Sometimes it’s just picking out one thing to focus on and stay with that and allow it to integrate and support the system.

[Gina Lobito]

I really enjoyed hearing this discussion. I found it supportive, in the learning process, and work/practice it takes cultivate a coaching presence and style (ICF Competencies). I will definitely listen to this again to hear things that might not have stood out to me during the first listening. Being reminded it’s a dance and visualizing how the trees and wind dance in relationship to each other is a nice visual and visceral. Being reminded to take the opportunity to be in a state of curiosity at anytime, it does not just have to be while I am with a client. I can practice being curious, build that “muscle”. As Michael stated, the more eventually the competencies will become integrated within the body on a cellular level in time. I enjoyed how Ivy stating, what she would like to see of students in “fish bowl” is to just allow it to be there, but allow it just come., Not to overthink anything, just allow. I find when my mind takes over, that’s when I interrupt the flow, perhaps my own agenda pops in, my coaching presence changes from a ground neutral state and I will have to re-center myself. I will definitely listen to this discussion again. Here all four of you in this dialogue is very supportive. Makes me feel like I am in the class room at star house.

[Gina Lobito]

At Rollin,
I found it difficult to respond to this question. I connect with nature with different purposes and intention. I wrote about cycles. But found that I am challenged with the process of thinking about how I would apply it to coaching. I find my mind gets in the way. I am used to just doing, not always taking the time to ask myself and break down the steps of what I am naturally doing. Even during the required reading, which was great, I found myself feeling forced to weave the text into my response because similar thoughts and understandings are already in my head. I found this process can be helpful to assist me in breaking my experience down to support others in their transformation and growth.

The one the lights me up the most is using nature as a “school” to bring forth healing, shed old patterns, and connect with my inner light. To be in a constant state of co-creation with nature. I am nature and nature is in me. I am the universe and the Universe is in me… I enjoy using nature as a “training ground” for spiritual growth and connecting with all living things. Everything has it’s own vibration and frequency and our human body is designed to give and receive information through vibration, frequency, and energy. As I continue to connect with spirit and spirit that surrounds me through nature, a “decoding” happens, then Nature reveals more to me as I reveal more of myself. A purification happens within the body, chakra system, and energy bodies allowing the body to hold more light/energy within the system. Ultimately, the physical body becomes less dense, and begins to shift to a crystalline body. It’s a constant spiral of change and growth, journey towards self mastery and a return to my God self (that we all have within us). Self mastery is also a series of cycles and transformation.

Gina 🙂

[Gina Lobito]

At Rollin,
I found it difficult to respond to this question. I connect with nature with different purposes and intention. I wrote about cycles. But found that I am challenged with the process of thinking about how I would apply it to coaching. I find my mind gets in the way. Even during the required reading, which was great, I found myself feeling forced to weave the text into my response because similar thoughts and understandings are already in my head.

The one the lights me up the most is using nature as a “school” to bring forth healing, shed old patterns, and connect with my inner light. To be in a constant state of co-creation with nature. I am nature and nature is in me. I am the universe and the Universe is in me… I enjoy using nature as a “training ground” for spiritual growth and connecting with all living things. Everything has it’s own vibration and frequency and our human body is designed to give and receive information through vibration, frequency, and energy. As I continue to connect with spirit and spirit that surrounds me through nature, a “decoding” happens, then Nature reveals more to me as I reveal more of myself. It’s a constant spiral of change and growth, journey towards self mastery and a return to my God self (that we all have within us). Self mastery is also a series of cycles and transformation.

Gina 🙂

[Gina Lobito]

Nature is an invitation to play and experience a sense of freedom and play. Explore the familiar and the unknown. Nature pushes me forward or halts me in my tracks. ISt a practice of surrender and trust. I trust that nature will always meet me where I am at and provide me exactly what I require at that time. I may not always take notice at first, but the message from nature is there. I just have to be open to communicating with nature and let go of what I “think” and drop into my heart and take notice what I am drawn towards or what is drawn to me.

It’s also an opportunity to connect with the natural cycles of nature and be one with those cycles. Such as with the change of seasons, Fall gives way to winter. The trees drop their Autumn leaves, flowers go underground and return to the seed, the earth crusts hardens, and appears lifeless, but in reality Life under the surface preparing for spring and another generation of flowers appear, leaves return to the trees, birds migration returns to an area. I too feel and experience the cycle of the change in season. As Fall gives way to winter, I stay in “hibernate”, I want to be bundled up in my “cave” and wrapped in blankets. Winter can be a time for “incubation of new ideas. As winter gives way to the spring new Ideas can begin to take shape in the physical world. I feel the excitement of Spring and the return of life and all its colors. I realize that I am impacted by cycles, such as the change in season, whether I am conscious of the cycle or not. I can take the awareness of cycles in apply to my work or home life. For instance, there is change of shift every six months, and as that cycle returns, there is a buzz in the air about what shift someone might bide. The shift bide consumes conversation(s). Point being, I can feel that cycle’s energy in the air even if I am not part of the conversation. I can take notice of peoples behaviors within the cycle, as well as my own behavior. I have a choice how I respond to the cycle. If I am bidding for a new shift that involves new responsibilities, that I a may be nervous about, I can chose to tap into a new perspective and welcome the opportunity to learn and experience something new and challenging. “Coyote’s energy reminds us to be willing to have a true sense of play and abandon, knowing that this new uncharted way will truly be the only way out.” (Coyote’s Guide Pg. 10) I say why not apply that energy to other areas of my life, like work, my family, friends. I can experiment with a new perspective and see what happens. How do I feel? What changes do I notice in myself and others. Do I allow myself to be taken to my own edges and give myself the opportunity to stretch. “How far will I pull back my bow.” Can I walk on the edge, can I be brave enough to the step over? Or will I be caught in the fear and doubt.

As a coach, I would bring awareness to nature cycles in order to bring awareness to that a client is connected to those cycles. Or to support the client be aware of their cycle or patterns. I would be curious as to what brought the client to the session and ask questions. I might take notice of the weather and ask a question about it in order engage the client. See what the client notices. Taking the time to get to know a little bit about the client would support me in “meeting the client where they are at.” (Coyote Guide Pg. 11) It may provide an opportunity to notice where my client’s edge(s) are and where they are uncomfortable / comfortable in themself and with nature. I bring in nature as a collobarativde tool for the client to engage with and bring more awareness to themself and nature. Similar to sitting a in a “sit spot” or going on a wonder and have the client journal what they notice. Have the client be active and lead the way of their session and create a bond with nature, that they may not even realize they are creating at the time. Allow my coaching presence to fade into the background of the clients experience, so they can experience theme selves and what things may bubble to the service. I can pay attention to the clients baseline shifts to guide me when to guide, coach, or just be present. Most importantly for me, is to not be in a hurry to get to any destination. The client will discovery their direction, I just get to guide, and witness them discovery themself.

[Gina Lobito]

James,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. As you brought up: “…Jon Young’s article is really helpful in that it not only categorizes four different layers of nature connection, but he also breaks down the differences between them all, focusing on the attributes and characteristics of what he calls “deep nature connection”. He acknowledges that each layer is important, and is supportive of the next, but that the two deepest layers of nature connection are under experienced in most modern cultures.
I can see how all layers of nature connection are important to have experience in as a Nature Connected Coach, I also believe that each layer is a layer of “practice” and experience…”

To understand our own Nauture, we are meant to experience the external world which assist in bring out or drawing out the nature that lies within the individual. It is through experiences that expansion occurs, or a deeper understanding of our inner world, which then allows a deeper/broader understanding of the external world and the way nature communicates with us. I find, in the beginning practices, it’s assist to breakdown the “layers” what do they mean”. As you stated, James, each layer “ is a layer practice” and experience…” I feel you’re on point. I have experienced that “practice and experience of a layer” with a patterns in my life. Bringing in awareness, learning to listen to the layers beneath the “trigger” assist in understanding my inner world, which, practice, supported me to change internally, which inherently changed my outer wold and visa versa. Once the practice or going into the layers, and listening to the inner and outer world, that once took more time to breakdown, it will become easier to exiernce the lawyers as they all occur simultaneously. Like anything new, it takes practice and allowing for the experience, until it going into the layers inner and out worlds, comes with more ease.

[Gina Lobito]

David,
Thank you for sharing. Many things stood out to me in your post, particularly this:

“ …It is a presence in the now and an awareness of what is being reflected to me through people, non-human beings and the natural environment. My answer to this topic reminds me of a verse from the Tao, where the invitation is to “Live in accordance with the nature of things. In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. Stand by your word. Govern with equity. Be timely in choosing the right moment. One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things…”

It’s beautiful to be remind of TAO, be in accordance with nature, going into the heart, being gentle and kind with others., But what stood out the most out of what you shared is “stand by your word. Govern with equity.” I often witness people struggle to be their word, having their actions match what they say. This leads me to think about accountability. As wonderful a it is to be one with nature and in the flow, without also being your word and leading life from a place of honor and integrity, not from ego place, but from a place where the ego and soul our integrated working the same accordance as nature. Leading from truth, from the soul, allowing spirit to show the way of life. Being the I and the One the same time.

[Gina Lobito]

Hi Rollin! Welcome. 🙂

[Gina Lobito]

Cate,
Thank you for sharing and reminding me of when allowing to lead a more sole directed life, and being committed to my own inner growth, that the inner leader, naturally impacts those around me and may inspire someone to lead their life differently.

[Gina Lobito]

Kelly,
What a beautiful sharing.