[Hannah]

Reflecting on what it feels like to be in the “threshold” experience, it feels like a vortex, or amplified space for the opportunity to re-create who you see yourself in the world. A opportunity to shed the layers and begin anew. There is anticipation, unknowingness and yet excitement for what is on the other side, where it will lead you. The first time I felt the threshold experience I was very nervous and a little rigid, because I felt and saw differently, my reality shifted. However also a sense of “Ohhh I know what this is”, and a sense of unlimited support.

It feels like nature has you in the spot light, time begins to slow down and nothing is of more importance than where you are in your journey. This tells me that nature has my back when I am coaching, that nature is truly the container where anything is welcome, presence and pure being ness.

The core competencies that are essential for me to practice and build on are in order for me to feel more confident as a coach are…

– Demonstrates openness and transparency as a way to display vulnerability and build trust with the client. (the piece of allowing myself to be human and myself while in session, while at the same time holding the space alongside with nature, and holding into integrity.)

– Partners with client and relevant stakeholders to establish an overall coaching plan and goals. ( maintaining a focus throughout session, and through sessions to be able to stick to a course). This is a struggle at times in my own life aswell, so it reflects externally.

-Uses awareness of self and one’s intuition to benefit clients. ( I am re-learning how to be in relationship with my own intuition as I pushed it away for a long while, now re-learning how to use it in my own life and in session.

Reframing in my own words the agreements and parameters before the kick off of the coaching session. This really helps me feel centered, sets the space and makes me as coach and the client feel safe.

[Hannah]

Apologies on being so late in this discussion… better late than never 🙂

What does it mean to be connected to Nature, and how can that relationship support your coaching?

Each individuals connection to nature is so different, which makes this relationship especially special. It is a place to drop into a “being” rather than a “doing” state. A timeless place that helps guide your nervous system back into rhythm and connection with the natural external environment. In this timeless place, I am more able to appreciate and see the subtle beauties of life. A sense of deep fulfillment, happiness and feeling that I am always supported by the container of nature.

Birds, trees, plants, bugs all start to become more apart of my awareness. They seem to share information and come at the perfect timing to share its wisdom and lesson. It seems like time and movements start to slow down, my eyes focus on the present. A deep curiosity about what is happening around me. Breathing becomes fuller, smells more potent, vision more vibrant, sensations more sensitive. The feeling of aliveness sweeps over. Awhhh I am home…

As Jon Young mentions in the Coyote Guide book ” We miss much more than just the cries in nature. Children grow up not noticing the beauty of a robin song in the morning, or the fragile first flowers of spring. Grownups walk through streets blind to the hawks soaring majestically overhead, or the fox tracks lacing the back alleys with stories. The oils and clouds stop speaking to our imagination and the paths to the streams and forrest get overgrown.” Without nature, what do we have? This quote shows me how important it is to have respect and communication with the outside world. We are made of earth, from the elements. Earth is like a mother. My connection with nature reflects the connection with myself. If I am feeling lost inside, going into nature to help guide the answer. Nature provides everything, it is limitless.

My relationship with nature can support my coaching by being the neutral container of endless possibilities. A place of inner discovery that is found by the client. With nature always by my side, a trust worthy side kick, the trio of nature, the client and a guide makes the perfect team to unlock inner gems of a clients healing journey.

The more connected I am with nature, the deeper I can connect with a client and their current experience of life. Guiding them to the other side of what current matters have appeared on their plate.

“First and foremost, guiding like Coyote requires that you get to know the people you mentor. You have to watch carefully for what will capture their curiosity, engage their natural gifts, and challenge them in ways they can handle in their own personal learning journey. Look for their edges, the edge of their comfort zone, the edge of their awareness. Then, stretch and pull them to a new edge, and then another, deeper and deeper into a sense of comfort and kinship with the wildness of the natural world. “

[Hannah]

John,

I always love reading your posts! Such depth and poetry!

I feel the same when I enter into threshold “Fear, apprehension and release”. The detail of your core competencies is pure beauty. I resonate with Demonstates Ethical Practice, how you mentioned especially in the early phases of the coach/client relationship how important it is to demonstrate personal integrity and honesty. Also how important it is to set the space of boundaries and safety by naming confidentiality and establishing the guidelines of what it means to be in a coach/client relationship.

[Hannah]

John,

I love how you mention nature is out natural birthright, and the use it or lose it. What truth! When I am out of my practice of nature connection I notice how my connection to the external slowly fades, and a deep sense of sadness or longing comes through.

In your post I see/hear a responsibility to nature that many have discarded.

Thank you for sharing your summer childhood and how transformational those experiences where for you.

[Hannah]

Hi Amy,

I am still looking for a way to get from Denver/ Boulder to Gunnison,

I saw that you and Lindsay connected, and curious is you have any more room in your carpool?

If works better I can make my way to Boulder from Denver. Let me know 🙂

Looking forward to further connecting!

Hannah