"In learning how to think with nature is the salvation
of our sanity and Earth. Stressfully separated from
nature's rewards, we psychologically bond to
destructive gratifications. Genuinely reconnecting
our thinking with nature replaces destructive
bonds with constructive passions."
- Dr. Michael J. Cohen
Hi
Thanks for your letter.
Do you, like many other people, think paragraphs 1 and 2 below are the most
important news you have read since Earth Day 1970?
Recently, some people with high Globally Balanced Thinking Scores (GBT) did
a Natural Systems Thinking Process activity. The following repeatable,
teachable, discoveries resulted with respect to living in balance and peace
with people and the environment. If you use and teach the Process, you can
produce similar results.
Consider what Earth and our personal relationships would be if many people
learned to think using these activities:
1. Consumerism/materialism: "As I continued the special forest activity, I found myself attracted to the
various songs of the birds and then gradually to the various stones and nuts
and shells in the path. I would stop in the path, pick up the stone, admire
its beauty and then feel clearly called to return it to its appropriate
place. So often other times I have felt I needed to put it in my pocket and
carry it home. Now, through the activity, I had a real sense of appreciating
each rock, each shell, each leaf in its place for the time I was there. I
felt suddenly freed from the need to possess something. I had a growing
sense of letting things be and to just be still and glory in the fullness of
the moment. As I allowed myself to connect, appreciate, thank and move on
with so much of what surrounded me, I felt a letting go into being present.
In this transformation, I began to feel I was part of the scene more, not my
other self that needed to possess. I learned that I do not need to possess
something to have the joy of it."
2. Peace: "I was never taught to ask permission to relate to people or the
environment, I just take that for granted, as we all do. However, this
activity required my senses to learn how to ask an attractive tree covered
area for its consent for me to walk through it. The area continued to feel
attractive, but something changed. It was the first time in my life that I
totally felt safe. It felt like Earth's energies were in charge of my life,
not me. It gave me a wonderful feeling of having more power to be myself. I
felt in balance with nature and the people here because I could distinctly
feel their energies consenting to support me. I never experienced nature and
people that way before. It was like a powerful law that protected not only
my life, but all of life. I felt very secure and nurtured as I walked under
those trees and spoke to people. I learned that when I seek permission from
the environment and people I psychologically gain energy and unity, I
belong."
A reaction:
"The experiences expressed in the above paragraphs may even be some of the
most important since Earth Day 4 1/2 billion years ago. They are at least
important for anyone in our possession-addicted, excessively destructive
culture to contemplate. It is significant that the nature-connect activities
help us make such breakthroughs."
Dr. Mark Brody, Psychologist
The Globally Balanced Thinking Score (GBT):
Earth and its people are at risk. Most of our personal and global problems
don't readily improve because we are emotionally bonded to the destructive
way of thinking that produces them. Our dilemmas are psychological
addictions. They must be treated as such if they are to improve.
The Natural Systems Thinking Process provides a psychological key to
personal and environmental wellness. It helps us make conscious sensory
contacts with nature that replace our destructive subconscious bonds with
responsible ways of relating. Learning the process also produces a GBT score
that you can improve.
You may learn the Process and obtain your GBT score by participating in an
online GBT study. The study numerically indicates the amount of trust you
can place in a leader, a friend or yourself with respect to building
responsible relationships. Would you, or others you know, be interested in
participating in the Study for about 30 minutes? You would not only make a
contribution to evaluating psychological and natural system knowledge. In
the process, you would gain the means to apply and teach the process. You
may also link your website to the study. We invite you to visit the GBT
study at http://www.ecopsych.com/millecopsy3.html
A Participant's Reaction "Through the study I found myself feeling profoundly grateful when I
identified my strong attraction to my wife as part of the web of life. It
broadened that feeling. I experienced the sun more warmly, the grass under
my feet more gently. My respect for nature in general was enhanced. It made
my heart open to my surroundings and to care for them. To survive, our
environment, and people, too, need and deserve this kind of recognition".
Institute of Global Education
An associate of the United Nations Department of Public Information
Project NatureConnnect
P. O. Box 1605,
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
1-888-285-4694 (toll free) http://www.ecopsych.com nature@pacificrim.net
NATURE CONNECTED PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION: Walk nature's path to a fulfilling
livelihood, self-improvement and responsible relationships. Build resiliency
through self-guiding ecopsychology books and online courses, degree programs
and internships: http:/www.ecopsych.com/ http://www.pacificrim.net/~nature/
