EcoTherapy for Outdoors & Indoors

"We will simply never create the sustainable future we desire without a deeper intimacy with Nature!"
~Rich Silver, Founder ~ U of Earth
 

Here you will find a sampling of simple and effective EcoTherapy practices developed by U of Earth founder Rich Silver that will not only relieve your stress but will help you live life with more grace.  New research from several fields validates the importance of time spent in nature on overall human development, the development of the human brain/nervous system and the ability to find deeper meaning and purpose in life.  To our personal and collective detriment humans in our modern society now spend over ninety-five percent of their lives indoors.  Help yourself and help the world; Get Out There!

 

The Power of Wow! Enchanting the "Now"

"Enchantment is the oldest form of medicine"

~Carl Jung

OUTDOORS:                                                                                                                                                                It is becoming increasingly popular to attempt to stay in the "Now."  With this simple ecotherapy practice the "now" can become even more.  Research tells us that the sense of wonder and awe in nature is essential to healthy human development and is healing to the body, heart and mind.  Medival mystic Thomas Aquinas taught that wonder and awe are the beginning of wisdom.

For this practice commit to spending time outside on a regular basis wandering in nature. Go out to a natural area* that appeals to you and ask permission to be there. Bring your awareness down out of your head and into your heart or the area of your belly, whichever is most comfortalbe. Now using your primary senses wander aimlessly and intently explore nature and see how often you can say Wow!  While touching, smelling, watching, listening, and with caution, tasting, let your senses be filled with wonder and awe. Simply sense, feel and say Wow! 

 

The Miracle of COAL:  Diamond Heart ~ Diamond Mind

One of the great miracles of Nature is the transformation of coal into diamonds.  Over time and under the right conditions basic black coal can become rainbow radiant diamonds.  Another miracle is that over time and under the right conditions your heart and mind can become diamond like as well.                                             

OUTDOORS:                                                                                                                                                            

With the ecotherapy practice of COAL the heart and the mind can be transformed like coal is transformed to diamonds. Once again, go out into nature*.  Ask permission to be there and become centered in your heart. Maintain a heart centered perspective of being Curious, Open, Accepting and Loving (COAL) as you follow your allurements and encounter the things and beings of nature.  Simply remember COAL.  Research tells us that when you maintain a COAL perspective you gain the same benefits as effective deep meditation and change the neural patterning of the brain and nervous system, strengthening mental clarity, love and compassion.   As you begin to practice COAL throughout the day in nature and with others, your life, your relationships and the world will be transformed.

 

The Inner Nature Sanctuary

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
~Einstein

INDOORS:                                                                                                                                                        

Using the power of the imagination try the following EcoTherapy practice below, The Inner Nature Sanctuary.

Suggestion: Read what follows before engaging in the practice.

Take three slow deep breaths, filling the belly then the lungs, breathe out all the tension and negative sensations you may be experiencing. After three "cleansing breaths" close your eyes and begin breathing in a normal manner, bringing your awareness to your heart center, directly behind the sternum (breast bone). Imagine that you are breathing in and out of the heart center.

Continue this gentle breathing pattern throughout this practice. After about a minute or so, with your awareness centered in your heart, begin to imagine one of the most beautiful places you have been in nature, maybe it’s the beach at sunset, maybe it's the moon reflected in a placid mountain lake; just simply the most beautiful place you have ever been or imagined. Let the image emerge gently.

Allow the image to fill your awareness within your heart center. Notice how beautiful it is here; mentally and emotionally acknowledge the beauty present. Slowly see yourself in this beautiful place, feel the beauty of this place waft over you and through you.

After a minute or two of bathing in the beauty, begin to offer gratitude and appreciation for this place, your inner nature sanctuary. Breathing through your heart, as you inhale breathe the beauty of this place inside you, let it flood every cell of your body. On the exhale, gently breathe out your appreciation and gratitude for this place. Spend a minute or two, maybe fifteen if you can, gently breathing in the beauty and out with appreciation.

Leaving part of your awareness in your heart, open your eyes and very slowly return to your normal activities. This is your inner nature sanctuary, the more you do this practice, the more effective and profound it can become.

You have changed your biochemistry with this simple Ecotherapy practice, with continued practice you will begin to notice its profound healing effects on the body, heart and mind. Over time your inner nature sanctuary will become as easy to access as a deep breath and a turn of your attention. As the inevitable stresses of daily life mount and you can’t get out for a walk in nature, simply retreat to this place, the beauty of nature in your heart.

Printable poster version for home or work

 

I am a Sun!

"Even after all this time the Sun never says to Earth, 'You owe me.'"
Look what a love like that can do, it lights up the whole sky!"
~Hafiz

INDOORS/OUTDOORS:                                                                                                                                        

Close your eyes.  Go inside yourself and find your heart center, the place from which you feel loving kindness emerging. Using the power of your imagination, visualize a radiant sun shining from your heart center. Try to access feelings of genuine loving kindness and simply feel and see a sun shining in your heart center radiating light and loving kindness outward to all life.  Like our Sun, show no prejudice or judgment, radiate this light and love to friends, family and foes alike.  Light up the whole sky!  You may want to add the affirmation, I am a radiant one. I am a Sun. I am a Sun shining in pure splendor that all life might be wholly healed, wise and free.

Caution:  Do not force these feelings.  If you are having difficulty with emotions of anger or sadness, try this activity at another time.

* When out in nature be careful not to damage sensitive areas like meadows and wetlands.  In addition, be aware of potential dangers to yourself such as inclement weather, unstable surfaces, cliffs and high water.

For more EcoTherapy practices, including customized practices for your particular life challenges contact us at info@UofEarth.org