The full web page version can be found at: http://www.journeyofhearts.org/jofh/resources/nature. Nature Awareness as a
Therapeutic Modality:
Nature cures—not the physician. Hippocrates
People instinctively turn to
outdoor and nature-loving activities as a way of relaxing and enhancing
their well-being. Nature can aid in facilitating self-awareness and promoting
healing. For many the outdoors is a source of inspiration, solace, guidance
and regeneration.
Time spent outdoors can be restorative and healing. Whether running through a canyon, walking on the sunny beach, hiking through a fern-filled forest, scrambling over rocks along a creek side, watching the last few rays of the setting sun, strolling along a moonlit night, or just sitting breathing fresh clean air, being out in nature is one of the best prescriptions for overall health and encouraging healing. Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Søren Kierkegaard
Nature provides us with a multitude
of ordinary, reaffirming and renewing experiences—the sound of the first
bird of spring, the sight of the early morning sun, the smell of ocean
mist, or the feel of sand in between toes.
One has to be alone, under the sky, Thomas Merton
Being in nature one becomes
aware of the infinite circle of life. There is evidence of decay, destruction
and death; there are also examples of rejuvenation, restoration, and renewal.
The never-ending cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth can put life and
death into perspective and impart a sense of constancy after experiencing
a life changing loss or a death.
Yea, I am one with all I see, Robert Service
The many unending cycles of
nature provide real-life examples of hope after a loss and of rebirth following
death and/or destruction illustrating that loss is part of life. Nature
reminds us that time stops for no one. The earth rotates around the sun.
The sun sets on one day, only to rise again on a new day. Spring returns
after the dark clouds of winter. Sunny days of summer follow the spring
rains.
Sad soul, take comfort nor forget,
Celia Laighton Thaxter
The constancy of the seasons
provide some stability when everything else may be crumbling. In the darkest
of times, memories of better times—past winters melting into spring can
sustain us and provide hope—that happy spring days filled with joy will
once again emerge out of the gloom of winter.
Like a crocus in the snow, Joan Walsh Anglund
During the abundant dark days
and difficult times that inevitably follow a significant loss, the grieving
can utilize the ever-present power of nature for healing. Sometimes just
simple words and unassuming imagery can serve as reminders of the strong
natural forces around us and evoke the internal forces that exist deep
within us. If the bereaved are able to look beyond their grief and become
aware of the remarkable earth around us, these inner forces may surface
and help provide them with the strength to survive the loss.
In the depths of winter, Albert Camus
Nature’s Healing Forces
Nature has strong regenerative capabilities to heal damage caused by fire, lightening, flood, earthquakes or blights. Looking closely amidst the ruins of fire or flood affected areas one can find signs of new growth and new life. Nature demonstrates the ability to survive despite strong forces that challenge her. If you watch how nature deals with adversity, Bernie Seigel, MD
In May 1980 Mount St. Helen’s
erupted destroying an area 24 square miles. Scientists predicted the region
would remain a dead zone for decades to come. Yet, only five years later
after this natural devastation, a lupine bloomed at the base of the mountain,
as a testimony to the tenacity and the regenerative forces of nature.
Nature is always lovely, invincible, glad, John Muir
The giant sequoia trees have
adapted to withstand fires by becoming fire-resistant. Black scars on the
tree trunks serve as reminders those that have survived fire and lightening
strikes. Fire is also a part of the sequoia’s life-cycle. Natural fires
are needed to open up the forest, thin out the competing species and make
way for the new seedlings.
Earth has no sorrow that earth cannot heal. John Muir
Nature’s healing forces can
serve as powerful recuperative images for those who have experienced a
death or other significant loss. Images of the rebirth in nature can be
useful as symbols for the strong internal forces, bringing hope of surviving
the loss. From monumental newsworthy events to ordinary insignificant occurrences,
one can witness the incredible destructive power and the amazing healing
capabilities of nature and be reminded that:
Nature is the one place where miracles Thomas Wolfe
Nature as a Therapist
It is such a secret place,
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Nature can become a place of
refuge for difficult times. When life stresses start closing in, one can
escape to the wilderness physically or mentally. Being in nature helps
to clear one’s head of life’s demands and disruptive thoughts. This clarity
of thought may lead to finding answers to life’s questions and discovering
insights to life problems.
Look deep, deep into nature,
and then
Albert Einstein
Raising our conscious awareness
and tuning into nature, we can begin to tap into her abundant healing powers.
Nature can be utilized as an ever-present trusted therapist to assist in
the healing journey, a source of solace, and a close friend who is always
ready listen to share our grief and our tears during hard times. Nature
can provide a place on can turn to in times of deep sorrow, a place to
stretch the legs.
When we need these healing times, Anne Wilson Schaef
Many of us find it difficult
to see the blue skies beneath the passing gray storm clouds. It is true
that if one hopes to see the rainbow, one must first live through the rain.
Writer, speaker and author Helen Keller, who faced life being both visually
and hearing challenged, shared her optimistic perspective on dealing with
dark times:
Keep your face to the sunshine
Helen Keller
In nature one can discover many
tangible, examples of powerful, natural imagery. Putting into words, verbally
or in writing, the ordinary natural processes of the life cycle gives the
grieving symbolism for rebirth and faith in the future. These images can
help to instill hope in overcoming adversity and surviving loss.
Expect to have hope rekindled… Sarah Ban Breathnach
Grief descends like a winter
snowstorm, covering everything in sight, in a mind-numbing blanket of sorrow.
When a life-changing loss occurs, it is as if one has entered an eternal
state of winter. Yet, the seasons that change year after year serve as
constant reminders that nothing is permanent. After the long winter come
the warm days of spring to melt away the enshrouding white blanket of grief.
The once white landscape is altered turning into bright fields of multi-hued
wildflowers, as the lands and animals awaken from their long winter’s sleep
into springtime as if to tell us that:
Grief melts away George Herbert
Another effective nature imagery
scene for dealing with loss is to envision a mountain of grief that must
be climbed. The journey up the mountain begins with one small step, followed
by another and another, until somehow, with time, the grieving ascend the
mountain and reach the summit. Ultimately, those who reach the top of the
mountain of grief do it by taking step after painful step.
What saves us is to take a step, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
In the process fears about the
climb, hopes about reaching the end of the journey, at first seemed insurmountable;
but they are met and conquered. Coping with loss, it is our own internal
grief response which must be faced. Sir Edmund Hillary, who climbed Mount
Everest, points out:
It is not the mountains we conquer,
Sir Edmund Hillary
or a variation on this quote:
You never conquer a mountain. Jim Whitaker
Healing from Loss & Grief I drop my head in my so empty hands Norah Leney
During the healing phase of
grief, the bereaved need to be reminded by those close to them, of all
they have endured, commended for the monumental effort to face the pain
from the loss and admired for coping with the intense, internal struggles.
I never knew a night so black John Kendrick Bangs
With many losses, the pain never
entirely departs, rather it becomes a part of the bereaved, tucked away
in a corner somewhere in the deep recesses of the heart. There it remains
at a constant low level ache. As one begins the healing process, the pain
lessens to a level that he/she can function. Hopefully in time, the loss
and the grief are integrated and become barely perceptible. Life begins
anew, but it is a life forever changed. The bereaved person has been transformed
by the loss—like a caterpillar spinning a cocoon to hibernate during dark
times before emerging as a butterfly in the spring. The grieving process
usually ends when people realize that they will survive and focus their
energy on living.
He'd begun to wake up in the morning Jon Hasser
The recovery phase begins slowly
piece by piece.
Piece by piece I re-enter the world. Tony Talbot
Elements of nature can aid in
the healing process providing hope where there appears to be none, knowing
that the dawn follows the darkness, sunny skies emerge after storms and
spring follows winter.
We must live through the dreary winter Anonymous
This article on Nature Awareness continues as Part 2: Coping with Loss Using Nature. A single copy can be made for personal or professional use. Contact Dr. Dyer at griefdoc@journeyofhearts.org for permission to use materials from this website for other ventures. |