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PROGRAM OUTCOMES:
Frank B., an online program participant, shares his results from
a nature-connecting activity.
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COLUMBIA PARK HIKING: A FEELING OF BEING HEALED
Before we went hiking I went
to a small park next to my home. It was a rainy, windy day and
in spite of the weather, I felt an immediate attraction. I ask
for permission to join with nature and I could feel an strong
attraction and a welcome. The trees and bushes were blowing in
the wind as if to wave me closer to join in with them. The wind
was blowing and I had the sensation of the healing force of nature
flowing into all things including me. It filled me with joy,
it made me feel content and I had a feeling of being healed.
I gave thanks for all the above
sensations and felt a closer attraction as if more of nature
was flowing through me or as if nature was flowing through me
easier.
Later, walking up a steep trail
along the Columbia River gorge in search of waterfalls began
as a exhilarating excursion of energy up a steep slope that was
rewarded with a spectacular view of the river cutting through
the rich green land on its journey to the pacific. We continued
up a ever steeper path which lead us to a stream. Our immediate
reaction required no words as we walked straight in to the stream,
enthusiastic about its cool waters washing over our overheated
bodies. It is here that I realize what a spectacular force the
forest is and will always be. It supplies all my needs, and without
words (5-leg language) it knows what I am attracted to most at
that time and place. I allow my intuition to take hold of me
in realization that I too know myself just as well as the forest
does, and instead of listening to the "chatter in my head."
I thought that when you give
to nature, you will receive more because Nature can heal and
that we must make space for nature heal itself, in order to heal
ourselves.
This experience with nature
showed me that I am a person who gets pleasure and contentment
by letting the forces of nature flow through as experience with
my sensation when the wind blew on me. I am a person who can
be accepted by nature as noted when the trees waived me closer
in order to
join with them. I enjoy connecting with nature as noted by the
contentment and well being feeling that I enjoyed. I must allow
my inner nature to flow through my life, and I will be complete.
This activity has led me to
acknowledge a disconnection that has fueled our inability to
feel secure, at peace, loved, and happy. I can now see that our
decision as a society to continuously try to conquer nature has
left us continuously grasping for something that is right in
front of us, but we can not reach it, because at the same time
we are pushing it away - nature. We have become addicted to a
way of thinking that does not allow us to experience our full
potential as beings of nature, and instead creates waste such
as stress, depression, and anger.
Acknowledgement of the webstring
naturally satisfies our needs and provides unconditional love
and support that once we acknowledge will aid in allowing us
to realize the natural part we play in our natural world, and
or society as a whole. It will also improve our relationships
by acknowledging the natural connection that exists between all
of us.
If I lost these contributions
from nature I would feel in constant chaos. It would make it
difficult to establish direction in my life.
All my life the forest has
supplied safety and security both physically, mentally, and emotionally.
It has unconditionally provided for my needs as a being of nature.
This activity has reminded me that my inner nature knows best.
I recognize that I have the
power to connect with my environment in a way the creates a supportive
relationship with myself and nature.
I discovered that I get pleasure
and contentment by letting the forces of nature flow through
me, as experienced with my sensation when the wind blew on me.
I can be accepted by nature as noted when the trees waived me
closer in order to join with them My health improves from connecting
with nature as noted by the contentment and well being feeling
that I enjoyed from doing this activity.
Act now.
Master Organic
Psychology by doing it.
Explore it from our homepage
Read
Additional Student Reports
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Contact us at 360-378-6313 mailto:nature@interisland.net,
http://www.ecopsych.com
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