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Nature Connection Activity:
A Summer Solstice Walk Summer is a glorious time to savour Nature when we can relax in the warmth of the sun and the light of longer days. In celebration of Summer Solstice, I took a walk in the woods with the intention of inviting Nature to be sensed within me.
I began my Nature Connection walk with a simple outdoors meditation by Joseph Cornell: While walking, become aware of the breath, and repeat the word “still” as you inhale, and repeat “ness” as you exhale. This simple attention to the breath creates inner space by decreasing internal chatter and increasing the felt connection with Nature through all of our senses. Next, as I continued my walk, I became aware that whatever strongly attracts my attention is what Nature wants to say to me. Following the woodlands path, I spied sprawling cedar roots along the shore. They called out to me to appreciate their pattern of rootedness. I sensed the rootedness inside me. Yes, I agreed — I can trust myself to intuitively discover what nourishes me. Along the way, a young fern called out. I admired the precision of its natural, geometric design, and the perfect balance of its branches. Know this, I sensed — no matter what breeze or gust may blow, I can return to balance. I followed the roar of water falls within the river. As I stood on the shore, absorbing the freedom and power of water, I felt expansive, uplifted and confident. I understood that my freedom to choose is the path to empowerment. For a copy of this activity, click here to download. 
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NATURE-BASED THERAPY
I offer counselling sessions outdoors in Nature. Nature accepts you as you are, which is the foundation for healing. In our fast-paced society, anxiety, depression, a sense of worthlessness, overwhelm, and alienation are common ailments. Nature grounds you in the present moment and awakens you to gain perspective. When you enter Nature with awareness, you are invited to observe and reflect. A bird's song, the smell of sea or forest, or the freshness of a breeze welcomes you to pause and take a deep breath. Perhaps a tree models resilience, a boulder offers support, or flowing water talks about letting go. "Usually we restrict our sense awareness through our intentions. We look for something, we listen for something, we reach out to touch something. . . . But suppose you try seeing instead of looking, hearing instead of listening, and being touched instead of touching." — Lane and Sarah Conn Opening to the Other, Ecotherapy My book, Sacred Trees, Sacred People of the Pacific Northwest, tells true stories about real trees in Canada and the US who became catalysts for personal and community change. To view or purchase the book, go to amazon.ca. |