Orientation Course Evaluation
Natural
Systems Thinking Process: Psychological Elements of Global Citizenship
To sum up,
the interactions and consciousness I developed with the course
participants, the professional support group, and my own awareness
came from the activities: It was to learn how to live in awe.
We learned
how to connect with nature, not simply learn about it, or analyze
it, but interact and allow nature to guide us. This process addressed
the unspoken consciousness we all have, in the example Fred Rounds
gave us ," The presence of the natural self in nature seems
to transcend thought. I am faced with the immediate, the complex
of many sensations. I believe these sensations are speaking a
truth to me. I'm not in a state of denial. My mind argues that
self-worth is meaningless amidst the remorseless aspects of nature.
I am there, I am part of it all, I am food. It is also the presence
of abiding love. I am nurtured. I am forgiven. I am always allowed."
Once this kind
of awareness or consciousness is retrieved, it changes how we
perceive (and hopefully relate) in the world, which in turn creates
a huge capacity for changes to improve the senseless destruction
not only the Earth, but the Universe has been subject to. As
Jedaluddin Rumi , states, " This
is how a human can change: there's a worm addicted to eating
grape leaves. Suddenly, he wakes up, call it grace, whatever,
something wakes him, and he's no longer a worm. He's the vineyard,
and the orchard too, the fruit, the trunks, a growing wisdom
& joy that doesn't need to devour".
Personally
I became more validated in my quest for infinity (webstrings)
in understanding how nature works. Any time I am encouraged to
view someone or something as finite, red flags appear. When trees
and water are reduced to "resources", when cows and
pigs are reduced to "lbs of meat" I stop myself. Fred
Rounds depicted the subtleness of how this occurs, and the conflict
it creates in our lives: "I look at the California Laurel
Tree. I am reminded that it's leaves are used as a spice. I can't
escape this thought, and therefore, I can't see the whole tree.
I feel tension because of this conflict".
Project Nature
Connect gave me the tools to make the infinite connection and
heal from the conflicting sensations, the depression and hopelessness
that comes from finite relating. These activities have restored
balance, hope and wholeness to me and how I relate to others.
The urge or
attraction of Beth, Steve, Fred, Roger, Will and myself had to
create a more balanced, simplified, sustainable life became apparent
to me in through the following statements from Beth: "I
knew I needed to get back to things natural and let go of or
redefine some of the things that have caused me to treat the
earth and her creatures in many forms so badly" and further,
" I wanted something to help me get back into things more
natural & being myself in nature". It is precisely why
Roger indicated his departure from the group so that he could
go out and spend an extended amount of time in the Bush in New
Zealand to begin anew. I hear it every day from my co-workers,
my children and see it in the marketplace in magazines: the urge
for simplicity, authenticity, meaningfulness, sustainability,
wholeness, and awe. The quest is no longer overwhelming, but
clarified and doable. I have made contacts with others attempting
to do the same. There are tools we have received to give this
gift to ourselves, and to others.
The infinite
guidance and healing we all gained from these activities was
summed up rather well by Will: "At times like these I recognize
that nature is my counselor. I told this place that I wasn't
feeling well, that my head hurt, and I cried as I continued to
experience the beauty and support of this place. I felt a lot
better, and have continued to do so through the rest of the day"
He also depicted the difference between being out in nature and
being "of" nature when he further described an observation
of "two women came down the trail. They were barely noticing
where they were..." So it is not how much we can memorize
knowledge about nature, or even being out in it, but a willingness
to acknowledge nature in us and nature as a teacher, counselor,
or infinite source if love & wisdom.
The activity
of asking permission, acknowledging nature, and mutual consent
allow us to move with and be one with nature, to breathe with
it. Steve communicated this with " That the act of asking
permission heightens the level of respect and trust between the
participants in any interactions or connection and that the response
can be non-verbal as well as verbal." When we pursue this
kind of consent, our perceptions change to see a more dimensional,
alive universe and self.
Our perceptions
of sensations has been strongly shaped by our society. I learned
very well how willing I was to "judge" or interpret
my senses according to filters obtained in education, religion,
and family. As William Shakespeare said "There is nothing
either good or bad, but thinking
makes it so!" So as I embrace my multiple senses, I am more
keenly aware of my interpretation of them. The activity of putting
one hand in hot water, the other in cold, then submerging them
both in warm water was a very simple and direct way to obtain
this awareness. A course participant summed up the attractions
and senses we so often deny by saying: " In the past I would
follow my attractions, get involved with something, decide I
did not like it, then beat myself up about jumping from thing
to thing. Now, I realize that these are valid attractions for
a good reason. I am not crazy, I have been following my heart
in many ways that society frowns upon, i.e. pick a job and stay
there forever. I feel that if I can keep in mind all of this
is teaching me, things i need to learn, I will not beat myself
up over any changes in my life course. Whew! What a load off!
Well, now that I see this so clearly, I am off to make more changes
and feel confident in following my heart."
At this time
I do not know how the PNC experience will change my career, but
that is what I am yearning for. It has changed my personal life
to
encompass more sensitivity, more responsibility, more authenticity,
more support, more coping tools, more confidence, and less stress.
It has diminished uncertainty and cynicism. As I continue to
utilize these activities of connecting with nature, I can only
imagine a more blissful life.
- Kris S.
Additional student reviews of the course are available at
orienteval2a.html
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orienteval5j.html
orienteval6k.html
orienteval7z.html
orienteval8.html
