Integrity 101:
The Remarkable Benefits of Thinking and Learning with Nature
(return
to start of course)
SECTION 3:
Natural Attraction
"Man is not himself only...
He is all that he sees; all that flows to him from a thousand
sources...He is the land, the lift of its mountain lines, the
reach of its valleys."
............- Mary Austin
Because John
Muir was so dedicated, passionate, and attached to nature, especially
plants, and because he made so many valuable contributions on
nature's behalf, some people believe he deserves to be known
as St. John of Yosemite. One of his most profound observations
almost a century ago was this:
"When we try to pick out
anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in
the Universe."
John Muir, (1911)
Cohen's work
takes Muir's observation and implements it to help us reverse
NADS. From empirical evidence gathered in Nature, he designed
NSTP to address our excessive disconnection from natural systems
(Cohen, 2000). NSTP works beautifully because it is steeped in
the self-evident truth that, from sub-atomic particles to solar systems, all
intact relationships, physical, mental or spiritual, are developed
and held together -"hitched"- by natural attraction
energies (Einstein, 1997; Jones 2001 #3). Natural attraction
energies are the matrix glue of the Universe. They pervade Earth and its natural
systems around and within us.
"The soul of man... is
a portion or a copy of the soul of the Universe and is joined
together on principles and in proportions corresponding to those
which govern the Universe."
...........- Plutarch circa 75 A.D.
Cohen shows
that Natural attractions are also the force in natural systems
that give them their recycling and purifying powers. While intact, in congress,
attraction energies reconnect detached attachments, dissolve
destructive associations, eradicate contamination and pollution.
They help Nature's perfection sustain its own wellness, balance
and beauty. This explains why the Natural Systems Thinking Process
works to heal NADS and its destructive effects. It enables humans
to notice that we can create moments in Nature that let genuine
sensory contact with natural attraction energies realign and
recycle our contaminated and destructive natural attraction bonds
that grow from our contact with the Boss. (Cohen, 2002p, x) .
"Always
think of the universe as one living organism, with a single substance,
and a single soul."
...........-
Marcus
Aurelius
Cohen is a
pioneer in the field of nature-connected psychology, now called
Applied Ecopsychology (Scull, 1999). The roots
of this psychology are the healing activities of attraction energies
in natural systems within and around us. For example, we can
not only scientifically recognize but can personally experience
as well, that in the atmosphere Nature's attraction energies
(those to, in, and from air) fuel the oxygen cycle. In this cycle
natural attractions beckon air to flow through people and natural
areas. In so doing, air nourishes people and Nature with each
others "waste" products. The Oxygen cycle enables different
parts of nature to feed each other. In the process, air also
recycles its own purity as well as strengthens the diverse integrity
of the plant, animal and mineral kingdoms.
"It is
most significant," says Cohen, "that on atomic as well as global levels
Nature's recycling of air is fueled by natural attraction energies,
a fundamental
binding force that some might consider spiritual."
"What nature delivers
to us is never stale. Because what nature creates has eternity
in it."
...........- Isaac Bashevis Singer
GOOD CHEMISTRY:
When we make safe, sensory contact with attractions in natural
systems they naturally trigger our brain to release Dopamine,
a neurotransmitter that triggers good feelings. These good feelings
are an important , "instinctive" gratification reward.
They help our thinking become aware that a beneficial survival
connection to natural attraction energies has been made, a connection that contributes
to replenishing, regenerating and sustaining all of life. The
fact that we feel good when we take a breath of fresh air is
how the global life community encourages us to continue to support
it, and ourselves. The proof of this statement is demonstrable.
Simply stop the process by holding your breath. You can feel
the natural attractions of your senses demanding that you breathe
(Cohen, 2002v; Jones,
2001
#4). Similarly, good chemistry occurs between people, too.
"The senses, being the
explorers of the world, open the way to knowledge."
...........- Maria Montessori
Because it
is so disconnected from Nature, 'the Boss' seldom recognizes
that our sensory appetite for air (our desire to breathe), is
a natural sensation-wisdom we can respect and learn from. Neither
does the Boss recognize that we need nature to help us purify our faulty thought
processes, heal them and thereby contribute to life's welfare
as part of the natural recycling process (Cohen, 2002m; Jones, 2001 #14). Omitting this fact from our
thinking results in many conflicts and much suffering .
"Climb the mountains and
get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as
sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their freshness
into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop
off like falling leaves."
...........- John Muir
Cohen says it is obvious that
our excessive separation from nature makes us psychologically
dependent upon nature separated relationships along with their
all too common detrimental side effects. He notes that the immediate
effect of these relationships, like a new technology, is to promote
short term, safe, personal survival. This releases Dopomine
and its rewarding feelings of well being. We have yet to fully
recognize and psychologically address this injurious phenomenon.
Information alone seldom releases the additional Dopomine needed
to promote responsible behaviorial change. Choen shows how NSTP
enables us to let contact with authentic natural attraction energies
help us in this quest.