Ecopsychology and the Ecological Unconsciousness
I'm certain most everyone has used nature as a form of healing. A quiet walk in the park to clear ones head. A camping trip to relieve the stress of work. A day at the beach to unite the family. However, how many people actually believe that being disconnected from our natural world may negatively impact our well-being?
As I briefly noted in my Odham Tree Card Post, I feel that many children today are losing their bond with nature. For that matter so are many adults. Not only does this create a population of ecologically illiterate citizens, but according to the ecospychology movement, it affects us psychologically .
According to Theodore Roszak, the historian and philosopher that coined the term "ecopsycology", all humans have a bond with the earth. He refers to this bond as an "ecological unconscious". The assumption that we are bonded to the planet is similar to the bond we share with our family. Psychotherapists often try to include family during a healing process, but Roszak believes nature should also be used for healing.
Do we exchange the sofa for wildlife refuge? Do environmentalists take over the psychotherapists duties? Hardly. But for many the notion of a greater bond and understanding of nature could be beneficial. My own experiences have taught me the power Mother Nature holds. During a very tough time in my life I considered pursuing counseling and drugs. Instead I went for daily walks, kept a journal for thoughts and wildlife sketches, and was lucky enough to take an extensive camping trip. The time alone did wonders for me. I became more observant, grounded, and I felt my connection to the planet strengthen. Would such an approach be universal? Of course not, but it is definitely one aspect to our complex spiritual being.
Taken at Bridges NTL. Monument, Utah April 05
posted by BurdockBoy @ 11:00 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
My parents have worked a lot with youth over the years, often troubled youth. They found adventure based (Backpacking, caving, rappelling) activities to be very effective. Partly because it pushed kids boundaries and help to break fear, but also because of the awesomeness of nature. It is powerful!
Stephanie:
Where I lived In Idaho, there were a couple schools that used outdoor activities as rehabilitation. Getting the kids out of their element can be very effective.
But you are correct, nature is very powerful. I hope this area of emphasis begins to become more widespread.
Facinating post. I think we all would do well to spend a little more time connecting with nature. We need to be looking at these connections more seriously.
Hello, Burdock Boy. A fascinating post. Thank you. I'll certainly look into Roszak's worK.
This notion of 'alienation' whether from work or nature or elsewhere, is very interesting.
And I have certainly been 'healed' by proximity to and interaction with nature. Though living in a sprawling metropoli, all too infrequently.
A very good day to you.
Burdockboy:
Nature is very powerful. I notice that the moment I set a foot outdoors, my entire mood changes. Our home "up north" was one block from Chester Creek. Our daily ritual was a walk up the creek. It was a wonderful experience with the children (and for our well-being).
I work for a university in the middle of a state forest (it's beautiful) and I do agree, the kids university aged are totally lacking in any kind of respect for our envrionment. Not all, but more then enough to take notice. I walk past empty garbage cans with garbage all over the surrounding ground. When getting to work very early the parking lot is covered with trash, mostly fast food garbage. They don't think about tomorrow.
On the other hand I have a few friends who teach from kindergarten up to eighth grade and listening to these teachers I feel a little more positive about when their students will be college level. It's already beginning to show. If they are correct it will really show during the next couple years.
Oh yeah, I've used nature to soothe me more than once, but one time more than all the others. It was when my dad covered me with Mississippi river mud after I stepped on a beehive and was stung over 1000 times.
Carla:
Connections are definitely key. Many people view nature as "something ou there". Some people think they need to drive across the country to a National Park to experience nature. True they are gorgeous, but becoming tuned into nature starts in ones back yard. The connection is all around us.
Barnes:
Greetings once again.
Roszak id worth looking into. He has some very positive things to say.
Alienation seems very prevelant these days. I'm afraid our lives have become so artificial it's tough to be human these days.
Emme:
Hello.
Yes nature does have a way of setting our moods. Before the snowstorm I wasn't getting out much and the brown frozen ground startedto get to me. Now we're covered with a beautiful layer of snow and i feels so invigorating to go out.
Chester Creek. I believed I hiked part of that trail. I get a lot of those creeks over there mixed up. Duluth really has gorgeous ravines.
Toby:
i'm glad there are teachers that are working nature into there curriculums. Hopefully the next generation will be more in tune.
Beehive and mud huh? I guess nature can soothe us literally as well :)
Hey .... wino.. :) - lovely post....I try to spend as much time outside as I can, and that includes with the minded kids...... some of our best days have been up the woods and paddling in the streams down the lanes with nets..... donning wellies and macs in wet weather to see what the woods are like when it rains......
Our schools over here have a 'challenger' programme for those kids that are a tad 'difficult' or should I say.. there behaviour is....... it involved hiking and camping and really roughing it.... I use to help on these weekends until I got me dodgy knee..... and to see the change in these young people after a few days of them having to pull together to sort out things, teamwork and alone time...... its a great healer......
x
Burdock, communing with nature is communing with "God." It is all "I." To truly deterritorialize in/among/with nature is to break free of self. We could do with a good bit of dealienization. Thank you for your thought provoking post.
Marmitetoasty:
I'm glad you stopped by.
I hope you will be seeing a bit of nature in your birdfeeder soon.
We have programs over here that are similar, but they are generally special schools that cost a bit of money-at least the ones I have seen. It seems that a lot of movie star kids end up there. But I agree that they do seem to heal. I have considered doing something similar to that for a career. (of course what haven't I considered for a career.)
t. Fool:
Communing with God, eh. Yes, I have spent my most spiritual moments in nature. Nature is the easiest way for me to break free of myself. Others can also find it in painting or cooking or sex. I wonder if that is the sublime to them.
Thank you.
sushil_yadav:
Very interesting stuff, would like to read more, but the links don't work, too old perhaps?
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