|
|
Green Coaching, Therapist and Psychologist: Online Alternative and Natural Holistic Degrees Courses and Careers that find love, unity and psychotherapy intelligence in nature. They help us stop oil spill harm and nuculear devastation, health and wellness disorders, destructive roots and addiction. They include life experience, inherent love powers and prior training. Guaranteed: A Powerful and Daring Love Remedy for What Ails Us
Educating, Counseling and Healing
With Nature: Save the World
If
you have ever had a renewing experience in a natural area, then you,
like many others, know, firsthand, the unifying spirit and restorative
power of
nature's love for human life and all of life.
Without a doubt, nature's tranquil balance and beauty revives and heals our mind and heart. However, to our loss, conscious sensory contact with nature's love for us is missing from 99 percent of our daily thoughts, feelings and relationships. Less than 12 hours of our total lifetime is spent in tune with the perfection of nature's purifying ways. Is it any wonder that we suffer our unsolvable troubles and discontents? A lasting, unifying process that provides us with simple, yet potent, nature-connecting activities, has been available for decades. It enables us to benefit from, and teach, the therapeutic art of thinking and feeling like nature's balance and beauty works. The side effects of this science strengthen our ability to love, and receive love from, nature, in and around us. This holistic love empowers us to increase personal, social and environmental well-being. It strengthens hope through effective action.
We
best support and protect the things that we love. Nature is a very
important
"thing." It
is creation's
love-of-life expressing itself around, through and in us. How and why
don't we continualy feel our inherent love of nature and its love of
us?
"See
what your love for money has done."
- Woody Guthrie
A DARING LOVE REMEDY FOR WHAT AILS US We know that our devastating oil spills, global warming and health disorders are rooted in our addictions. Our catastrophes reflect how our thoughts, feelings and spirit have been socialized in misguided ways. We are in trouble. We hate how we are and we know we need help. We want to change, but we don't know how. Our addictions are strong within us, with a thousand threads tied to every part of our personal lives. Educating, Counseling and Healing With Nature (ECHN) offers a remedy and hope for the harm that our thinking creates. By using its sensory, nature-centered activities that have produced consistent results for decades, people are able to re-awaken their deep love for nature, its beauty and its renewing powers. It is a unifying love that is strong enough to fuel healthy changes in our personal and collective lives. It enables us to reverse addictions. Through ECHN, nature's self-correcting ways help our thinking restore our 53 natural senses, our inborn ability to live in unity, balance and well-being as part of nature. As people recover by engaging in the ECHN process, researchers, counselors and clients report a reduction in anxiety, increases in peace of mind, clarity, self-esteem, and wiser judgment in lifestyle and relationship choices. Our online Orientation Course will provide you with the basic concepts of ECHN activities and you can continue to apply them in your life and livelihood. Additional course work enables you to master this nature-connecting process under professional guidance, so that you can teach it, or apply it professionally to any discipline or career. As part of the process you may attain Certification, or a Master's or Ph.D. degree in Applied Ecopsychology. Partnerships are available. ECHN helps us, locally or globally, walk together, hand in hand, in the real-life beauty, wellness and cooperation of nature's amazing grace. You can start becoming its avatar right now, visit http://www.ecopsych.com nature@interisland.net 360-378-6313 "Who
among us should we trust? The deteriorating state of Earth and its
people demands
that we do everything possible to transform our destructive ways into
balanced and peaceful,
whole-life relationships. Any person or program that
is not learning, using or supporting ECHN to this end is simply not
doing all that they can easily do."
- Michael J. Cohen
Journal Entries from Participants in the ECHN Program "I go to nature
to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
- John Burroughs
Composure and Happiness "What we call education or psychotherapy does a lot of gluing. We think by considering and rearranging glued-together stories, not by responsibly ungluing and re-gluing their roots based on sensory experiences that include conscious sensory contact with the unity of nature's balancing and purifying peace powers. For this reason we continue to think our way into repeating the harm and problems we already suffer. When I read the directions for this nature-connecting activity I was caught off guard and then smiled with enthusiasm. You see, a few days ago I was visiting my ex boyfriend. Its been a month since we finally ended our relationship -that had been off and on for five years. While I started feeling myself getting sucked into the feelings of the past and all its difficult emotions, I looked to my right to a beautiful tree for support. We were standing on a bridge and I just took time to be quiet to ask the tree for permission for me to be there and connect with it. I found myself breathing deeply and was so present, mesmerized by the calming beauty, I was truly able to disengage from the feelings and thoughts that were causing me pain. I remembered that everything is unfolding as it should and the tree - an avatar of nature which neither of us could identify - held my hand. I even told my ex that I was doing an ecopsychology exercise at the moment. He was probably just grateful that I was able to regain my composure and happiness. It was an extraordinary realization that I would use the tools I am learning in this course amidst my intense situation, and have it work." - Journal
of an Anonymous Reconnecting-With-Nature Student
I see my own vibrance. "I was attracted to a large potted flower in my parents back yard. I approached and then explored the yard further, coming upon a lily. I suddenly was repelled by the lily and knew that I needed to return to the pink and purple flowering plant I had left. As I approached I asked for permission and, obtaining it, I stood and admired the plant. I liked this flowering plant because of its beautiful and vibrant colors, the wild and strong off-shooting vines that bore purple flowers, and the balanced asymmetry. When I apply this sentence to how I like myself, I see my own vibrance, my wild and adventuresome nature and the balance I find through relaxing and working very hard. I very much enjoyed this activity as it increased my value and self-worth. I learned that I am attracted to bright colors, I am not afraid of my strengths and I very much want to share these activities with others" - Journal of an Anonymous
Reconnecting-With-Nature Social Worker
Enjoying the Benefits "As I began this nature-contact activity and went into a natural area to find my connection, I was also looking into relationship issues that have been very difficult for me in my life. These issues have caused the greatest problems that I continue to struggle with (emotional pain, economic loss (severe-to the point that I can barely provide for my basic needs), self-destructive behavior, confusion, hurting others unintentionally). As I read the chapter describing the activity and it purpose, I connected with it intellectually and vicariously. I didn’t experience any personal connection with the ideas or have a felt sense of them. I went into nature and asked permission from the land and all the nature around me. When I received a yes through attractions I strongly sensed, I felt connection and gratitude. I recognized the wisdom and intelligence that trees embody like non-judgment, the ability to sense what is real, the ability and knowledge for living cooperatively and in harmony with other living things, knowing how to turn carbon monoxide into clean air, knowing that pace of life has an impact on living, knowing that everything is connected, knowing that when leaves fall off they will be reborn in the spring, knowing that one aspect of being able to really listen and connect with nature involves slowing down, knowing that nature is the way and that there is not another way, knowing that individualism is a social construct and that reality involves our oneness. It seems to me that using words to describe nature’s knowledge is almost completely inadequate. As I am writing this, I am aware at my inability to express with words the intelligence of nature. As I was connecting with this natural area, I noticed the projections I was putting onto nature. Some of the projections felt accurate or like I was seeing my true nature. Some of the projections felt like unwanted or disconnected aspects of myself that I didn’t want to identify with. I noticed that the trees didn’t seem to pay attention to my literate-verbal way of being. As I sat with their non-judging presence, I was able to see things about myself that I had not noticed before. I noticed how I project unwanted or scary parts of myself onto other people and especially with intimate relationships. I noticed that I never had the support to develop my ego and that from that I never had a solid sense of self. I noticed how not valuing or having a stable ego to interact with life caused me to over-identify with social constructs as my real identity like: musician, therapist, talented, smart. I spent a lot of time developing skills that I was disconnected from because the idea of developing the skill was for other people to see me in a certain way and not because I was following my true nature. I noticed how sad I felt that I had been led away from my true nature and connection with nature. In this painful realization, I also was able to differentiate my nature from my trained disconnection from nature, which felt real and congruent. In seeing the disconnection, I am able to see the connection that has always and continues to exist with nature. I also noticed how I was hiding aspects of myself from nature in fear that I would be rejected. When I noticed this, I found it very exemplary of how I have been trained to interact with my environment. That is to say, when I am doing, feeling, thinking something that I view as embarrassing, scary to reveal, threatening to others or myself, I hide it. There is no way to hide from nature, it sees. So, I am only hiding reality from myself like I hide my connection with nature. I noticed that no matter what I try to do, nature remains nature. I noticed that I have always noticed, mostly on semi-conscious or unconscious levels nature’s intelligence. I noticed this when I was congruent with nature that I felt genuine and whole and when I was incongruent with nature I felt struggle and suffering. I discussed the activity above. I liked all the quotes in this chapter very much. “The world is not to be put in order, the world is order. It is for us to put ourselves in unison with this order.” - Henry Miller “Until mankind can extend the circle of his compassion to include all living things, he will never, himself, know peace.” - Albert Schweitzer I learned that my connection with nature brings awareness to the ways I have been trained to be disconnected from nature and all the ways that effect my interaction with the world and myself. I learned that nature has no preferences and doesn’t use words to express intelligence. Intelligence isn’t taught, it’s known. I learned that hiding myself from my connection with nature doesn’t change reality. I would feel sad if this experience were taken away from me. This chapter enhanced my self-worth and trustfulness of nature in a powerful and new way. I sense that this was the most powerful experience to date in terms of re-educating myself. Nature is the ultimate intelligence. Hiding from our intelligence does not make the intelligence go away. I am connected to nature, I am a particle of nature, all I have to do is be open to enjoying its unifying benefits." - Journal of an Anonymous Reconnecting-With-Nature Psychotherapist Self Worth Increases "I sat outside in the concrete at the edge of a forest - my spine straight and I relaxed into the meditative posture. I felt present and enjoyed the sounds of the soft breeze blowing through the air. I was concentrating on staying present and without really being aware thoughts of a past relationship crept in and dominated my mind unless I was shaken from the distraction by a sudden gust of wind, and felt immediately grateful for the wisdom in that action and it being the catalyst for bringing me back to the present. I continued to sit with my awareness on the wind, the constant change involved in life and living the with flexibility of the tree branches as they embrace the current of air and the celebrate the movement and evolution of the moment - and I felt like I was celebrating the evolution of the moment and then another thought came to me, one of fearlessness - to live so presently and contently that the confidence to be able to live in such a way erases any of the fear stemming from the attachment to living in such a manner. I learned that despite my best intentions I get distracted by the same thoughts entering my mind and that meditating outside allows me to be more present than when inside I enjoy the refreshing feeling I experience when I interpret the natural world to be offering me lessons and insights into the nature of my own life. I see that anytime I sit alone and experience nature and being part of it, my sense of self worth increases." - Journal of an Anonymous
Reconnecting-With-Nature Psychotherapy Student
Appreciating and Letting Go "The essence of Reconnecting with Nature is that its activities always enable the new brain to include tangible, nonverbal old brain sensory connections. It is like us putting the unified field theory into action. I walked a trail through a beautiful forest and adopted the idea of thinking "connection" each time I noticed or was attracted to one of nature's many gifts. I looked at the leaves rustled by the warm breeze and the word connection came to me, I noticed the dirt under my feet, connection, the leaves on the forest floor decomposing, connection, the birds chirping and invisible, connection - and slowly slowly my mind no longer was dominated by the labels I have learned to attach - but was free to connect and be a part of something so large, so interconnected it is truly impossible to label. The simplicity of this exercise initially was not attractive to me, though while conducting it I was moved and felt myself indeed connected, and most of all with myself. In applying the same activity to my thoughts, the patterns that repeat and morph just slightly in my mind - I recognize them as a connection, appreciating and letting go -as I would the sight of a beautiful butterfly I might discover." - Journal of an Anonymous
Reconnecting-With-Nature Psychologist
Remember to Create Moments "I enjoyed pondering the questions... Where is nature's essence in you? (my eyes, heart, the quiet places...) What is the nature of my inner child? It truly is the natural world within me. My inner child doesn't always feel good because I'm not always in nature. Or I see my fellow man so disconnected from their Mother that they are living at an insane pace, seeking worldly treasures. This brings disconnect and sadness. When I am in sync with nature, I don't have to think much. I can be more easily. The natural world is a perfect example of peace. I am nature. Nature is me. I am so grateful for these activities which educate and re-educate. I am more grounded, my self-esteem is reinforced. Isn't it amazing how these few moments we take doing these activities become the soul altering moments in our day. We think we don't really need these moments as we run wild through our days, but then when we stop to take time to reconnect, these moments become by far the most valuable of the day....the moments that make life meaningful, intact. Thanks, Paul, for helping us all remember to create these moments." - Journal of an Anonymous
Reconnecting-With-Nature Therapy Student
Further
information: contact Michael J. Cohen, Ph.D.
|
... |
|
.. |
Yoga
Reiki
Self-Improvement
Self-Confidence
Self-Esteem
Weight Loss
Ecotherapy
Intimacy
Holistic Leadership
Organic Psychology
Friendship
Happiness
Unitarian Universalist
Pantheism
Mental Health
Peace
Climate Change
Shamanism
Earth Day Activities
Retreat Centers
Energy Medicine
Natural Systems
Parenting
Therapy
Child Development
Alternatives
Dog Cat Pet Care
Tao
Healing Touch
Return to the top of this page
.................................................Art Therapy
Massage Therapy
Ecopsychology
Therapist Training
Hypnotherapy
Wilderness Therapy
Human Services
Social Work
Counseling
Teaching
Life Coaching
Integral Therapy
Hospice Caregiving
Home Schooling
Creative Writing
Life Experience
Naturopathy
Consciousness
Jesus & Wilderness
Biophilia
Psychotherapy
Herbal Remedy
Life Science
Violence Prevention
Outdoor Education
Continuing Education
Anger Management
Energy Healing
QigongHope & Life Relationships
Stress Relief Management
Natural Health and Wellness
Parenting & Child Development
Spirit & Spiritual Development
Administrative Services
Continuing Education
Complimentary Medicine
Native American Indian Ways
War On Terrorism
Multiple Intelligences
Environmental Education
Psychotherapist Training
Body Mind Spirit
Tai ChiRecovery from:
Addiction disorders
Eating Disorders
Sleeping Disorders
Attention Deficit Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Food Disorders
Nature Deficit Disorders
Depression
Abuse, Addiction, Loneliness
Midlife Crisis
Burnout
Global Warming
INSTITUTE OF GLOBAL EDUCATION Special NGO consultant United Nations Economic and Social Council
PROJECT NATURECONNECT SUBSIDIZED EDUCATION, COUNSELING AND HEALING WITH NATURE
Accredited CEU Courses, Certification, Grants and Degree Programs
online to sustain the well-being of person, planet and
spirit. Prior training and life experience
incorporated in all programs.
P.O. Box 1605, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360-378-6313 <email> www.ecopsych.com
The Natural Systems Thinking Process
Dr. Michael J. Cohen, Director
send email
All programs start with the Orientation Course contained in the books
The Web of Life Imperative and Reconnecting With Nature.
