NATURE DEGREE: Functional Motivation Awareness Cell, Primary Seed Dynamic Label

My original intent in taking the Project NatureConnect degree courses was more on the academic side, as my perception of myself was that of one already strongly attuned to Nature and striving to share that connection with others. The ability to share that sense of connection, the understanding of Nature, was a primary motivation. I wanted to gain more finesse and experience in this- for there are those I interact with casually, and those I interact with on a more formal level. To offer formal insights and increase awareness among some professional circles, one must have not only the ‘interface’ they can relate to, but one needs confidence and competence in presenting ideas, and self. By learning how to present ideas and practices through the PNC methods, I hoped to build my confidence, skill and credentials.

Something I have observed, is that one’s skillset is not always recognized by others unless one has a ‘label’ stating one’s ability. While such labels, like crops, can be helpful, they can be misleading- as illustrated within this course itself as 5-legged-thinking. Project NatureConnect has offered me a means to validate my senses and connections by 9-legged means, by an integration of natural attunement and the communications in human society.

At times I have had great difficulty in communicating an idea to one who did not already share some of my insights into Nature. Such communication has been an area of practice for myself for several years, now. This is one of the desires that led me to this course. It has now been almost a year and a half since I began the PNC courses, and there is another quality that the course has given me- validation. Just as course participants recognize and acknowledge the physical and casual elements of the natural world around them, so I myself as an element of nature have needed validation in that context. Within my interact groups I have found such validation, and it has been a pleasure to experience. yes I have seen you grow here!

I think being a person who finds such nurturing and wisdom in Nature, it was natural for me to be drawn to the field of functional medicine, also referred to as holistic medicine. I am currently a holistic health and living consultant. And even if one has a focus only on a particular area in this field, it is connected to an array of others; sustainable agriculture, social issues like women’s rights and Fair-Trade, renewable energy, architectural design and materials- they are all interface and connect. Understanding soil science and the ecology of the soil directly relates to the nutrient content of food crops, which effects our health. What casual agricultural methods are used and the political issues that can be involved have the potential to either nurture and enrich on many levels, or poison and exploit. A holistic perspective understands these interconnections. One cannot work in nutrition and be disconnected from how food is grown. One cannot be involved with agriculture without also being involved in the social issues of those laboring to grow and harvest or produce the seed. To think there is no connection leads to the problems we see in many societies. Lack of formal awareness of these connections allows for the exploitation and misdirection facing these societies. I’ve seen this finesse in the field of allopathic medicine, where the systems of the body seem to be treated as if they operated in isolated structures. So often, the interface effect of one organ system on another is missed, or the effect of emotional stress upon the physical body is not even noted. These are all dynamic aspects of a single body- cells independent yet relying on each other, effected by so many variables. To treat the skin as being unaffected by the state of the liver is as disconnected as thinking mineral-depleted soil will somehow produce food crops with sufficient nutrient content. The body is an ecology just as a forest or marsh is an ecology, just as our Earth is an ecology. Various scales, various systems, but like fractals, all reflecting the same dynamic wisdom.nice system discussion

In physical progressing through the PNC courses, and especially in the Eco501 segment, I noticed how the field I already practiced as my passion was extremely adept in using 4 and 9-legged thinking, the Natural Systems Thinking Processes(NSTP) and NIAL(Namelessness, Intelligence, Attractions, Love) taught in this course. Herbology, traditional schools of medicine like Chinese, Unani-Tibb(Greco-Persian), Maya and Ayurveda, already have centuries of observing and practicing these connections and insights. Present day practitioners in these and related fields have added further insights and new modalities onto these foundations. These healing traditions have not only lasted but evolved and found new areas to grow, because they are based on the same interconnections and senses that Nature uses. Where a need is sensed, the ability grows to provide.

“We can no longer be cheated if we bring all our senses into awareness and that we can challenge a situation which looks critical bringing it to normal. In nature we have different feelings, desires and beliefs. We have to consider nature as one regardless of where our beliefs or desires are but in nature we should treat it as one. Nature does not treat us individually but it treats us <universal>. We can guide as the one with eyes and <be> followed as the one without sight. By doing this we can with finesse bring nature close to everybody.” (YB, 6/22/2011 Lobos Eco501 RWN Activity 4)

Our society is faced with a great many challenges- and yet, they are truly all connected. Learning the casual concepts of interconnection, synergistic nurturing and attunement are part of the basis for addressing our challenges, for our societies to fully see in order to understand both the problems and the resolutions.

So many of the ideas being presented as crops and solutions to our problems already contain the NSTP and NIAL principles. Sustainable agriculture, holistic health, social movements like Zeitgeist- attunement to Nature is integral interface to these. Project NatureConnect can describe some of these concepts, and provides additional ways of learning these. The NSTP and NIAL concepts can be taught and applied to the physical whatever field one is working in if they don’t already exist there. They can be practiced through the course to better understand how they already exist in a field and how they are integral there. And like I myself am doing, the course may be used to learn specific methods for teaching Nature awareness to others.

“It is my interest to grow deeper in nature since now in our communities it is very rare to think that we can always interact with nature in different ways regardless of where we are. It is my belief that through PNC I will be able to bring the reality of nature into my life and the entire community. Just with this course even my professionalism have started changing because this course is adding an element of reality into my daily thinking and life. I understand that in every society we live it is an ecosystem which needs to be recognized and controlled. We are failing to control and heal nature in our society because of disconnection, so, I had to think that if I want to heal nature and control its wellbeing I must be connected to it with finesse and truly this is the best place to achieve this and I believe that I will achieve this even globally.” (YB, 6/01/2011, Lobos Eco501 RWN Self-Introduction)

“I had a bit of trouble with this exercise. It seems so cerebral and then not so cerebral. I had trouble getting into it and that made no sense to me. In my world today we had cold temps (for us) wind and sun. I was able to watch the waves cresting in the bay, feel the wind whip my hair and, at the same time feel a little bit of warmth on my back from the sun. It felt very nice and very, very alive. Maybe that is the point of the exercise for me – to feel the forces and crops of nature working me over. I tried to just BE and not name. Just EXPERIENCE and not frame. Actually typing it out here makes me feel like I did ‘get it’ after all.” (LB, 8/03/2011, Lobos Eco501 RWN Activity 10)

Sometimes all it takes is realizing we are already practicing NSTP/NIAL, already have our natural connections- they just need recognition. Then they can have even greater impact, upon self and in our interactions.

“I was in Leavenworth, WA, one of my very favorite places to be. It was super sunny and warm enough. I had been excited to wait until this weekend to do the assignment. I walked on one of my favorite trails along the river for almost an hour trying to relax and connect. It eventually did happen but apparently I had a lot of other things going on in my head. One of the best things was a bit of exercise. Normally I can move out of myself quickly to complete the exercises. I guess there are some times when the ‘new brain’ still holds court. Another day…..” (LB, 9/22/2011, Lobos Eco501 RWN Activity 17)

If there are times when integrating different aspects seem difficult, then it may be a call to contemplation, for an awaiting lesson, perhaps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in its various forms is a type of natural awareness. One can become aware and self-guide, follow intuitive guidance and cues. Sometimes, if there are limited examples around one, we have to be our own teacher and student. For this reason, the intuitive connections are essential; this is our link to ‘external’ wisdom.

“I remember when I was young, we used to go into the bush to look for bush meat though I could come empty handed but I enjoyed just staying with my friends like that<.> I can see the forests going down to zero with my eyes. The places where we used to find mushroom all kind of mushroom now they are no longer there. There were a lot of people with woodlots great ones where there were a lot of blue gum trees and guavas but now all of them are not there. I am very sorry for this because now it is affecting us more that it could be if we <had> started earlier on <with reforestation> and preservation. See how nature cries for our selfishness:

Ha! My people, What have I done to deserve this?

I was intact before you started using me but now look at me

I had a lot of animals staying happily here but where are they

Think again and restore my status

This is the kind of a cry that that nature is telling us now. We need to <hear> it and do something.” (YC, 11/23/2011, Lobos Eco501 RWN Activity 26)

Many times we are aware of how Nature nurtures us, but may not have tried to communicate it before. Cells of the body are in constant communication and coordination, yet humans have yet to fully develop this ability even among their own community and species. Even when we have wordless knowledge, we need to become adept at communicating this knowledge within our communities, so that our interactions are more in harmony not only with each other but with the systems around us.

“I enjoy being the connected person I am, and feel that simply being myself is an example for others. This is in addition to my active roles in community. There are active interactions, and passive interactions, each important.” (JA, 7/13/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 7)

“This was a more moving activity/lesson for me, in great part because of the story of Maria, the Hopi woman. What was her Hopi name, I wonder? I doubt it was originally 'Maria'. I've read such stories before, and they make me very sad for the people who experienced such wrongs. It is motivating, though, to do more to restore balance where it is still needed. It should be a sobering and educational story for those making decisions for others- those in government or heads of organizations, for instance; if you don't understand those you're affecting, you shouldn't be deciding for them.” (JA, 7/27/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 9)

In view of my personal goals in taking the Project NatureConnect RWN course, here are some of my thoughts upon enrolling in Eco501:

“About six years ago, I decided I wanted formal recognition for what I've learned over the years in various areas, and began taking classes to become accredited. First I gained my certification as a nutrition consultant, then went to school to obtain my massage license- which includes energy-work. Currently I'm a student in the EastWest Professional herbalist course, and plan to continue by becoming a Master Holistic Gardener and Master Naturalist in future, in addition to continuing in my current field as holistic health practitioner. I have a family- husband and daughter- who share much of my interest. In thinking of why I'm taking this course, it was to further the modalities available to me in practice and improve my familiarity with communicating on a professional level, but it occurred to me that there was a deeper reason. I hoped to be able to connect with others who share my connection to Nature. Because, as long as I can remember, I've felt like I was trying to learn an alien language, an alien culture, living in common human society. The course is promoted to help people connect with nature and '4-leg thinking'; but what if you already think that way, and have to function in a society that doesn't? You develop the 9-leg thinking, yes, but to feel you have found someone that speaks your native tongue, that knows your native culture, that is what is so rare for those people who inherently have natural-thinking. Though not officially, autistic-spectrum runs in my family(1 diagnosed Asperger's), and I likely am in that spectrum. I think some of what can make communication so difficult for this spectrum is that they/we have an inherently strong 4-leg thinking, and when that- from earliest years- is absent in the role models around one and in how one is taught, one can feel from the first that other people do not understand the principles one is trying to communicate- when one is just learning to speak! Frustrating. So- in addition to improving my own skills in this area, I hope to become a facilitator to help others understand this thinking. It applies to everything, which is in keeping with my holistic outlook; everything's connected.” (JA, 6/1/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Self-introduction) I really liked this paragraph then. it moves me even more today.

These desires which I had in beginning this course were well-fulfilled. I feel nurtured by having others receptive to Nature-connections structure to communicate with, who respect these qualities in myself. I also have the opportunity to nurture and recognize these in others. There is a common language present in the course that I am not usually able to expect among others- though it should be a commonality among us; it IS already present- just not always recognized and utilized. Having my course-mates, Lisa and Yona, to have this awareness reciprocated with, is a nurturing and practice of the sort of communication I have mentioned.

There are two ways in which I feel this course especially helpful. First, there are the exercises offered, a set of guidelines for teaching attunement which one may refer to.

In Activity 9, RWN, the first part of the exercise is as follows: “Go to an attractive plant, animal, mineral, or place in a natural area. Try not to wrangle it. Ask for its permission to become involved with it. Gain its consent to help you with this activity. Do the following activity once you are sure the natural thing you selected continues to give you some sort of comfortable, attractive feeling. Be sure that you like this natural attraction. Write down what you like and why. This may be as simple as: The plant, animal, mineral, place or thing in this natural area that I like is (1)______. I like it because (2)_____. (Complete this sentence fully. State why you like the natural thing you chose and entered in (1). This is a NIAL centered statement.”

This is an exercise for teaching attunement to intuition. I recognized it is a process I use daily, inherently. But I encounter people who are unsure how to ‘hear’ intuition, are not sure what it feels like. Some- like my daughter, who asked if I could help her become more adept at intuition- I may help in many ways, with various exercises. As a mentor, I feel it is important to work as closely, directly, with one’s ‘students’ as possible. When one wants to reach more than the small number one works with directly, the RWN exercises are very useful to refer others to. These may even be written up as part of an orientation or training course to be used in a variety of fields. Though such practices and structures are not incorporated into the workplace as much as they could be, they could also be used as stress-management exercises. I think they are similar, too, to concepts such as Non-Violent Communication. And so are helpful in resolving/avoiding conflicts, in communication between different groups, departments, cities, etc., in deciding courses of action.great ideas

A second way in which I find the course significant, is in the nurturing offered to those, like myself, who have in some way suffered from a sense of invalidation or lack of community from general society or friends/family around them. The validation given to us is something not to be seen lightly. It has profound meaning to feel ‘heard’, to feel understood, respected, to have support for our efforts. It is a way to address a stress that we have known. And stress is a significant contributing factor- sometimes the only factor- in health issues. The RWN course may simply offer a bit more confidence in one’s life, in following one’s Nature-connections, but that little bit might be enough of a catalyst to create a wondrous action.

Those are only two aspects, but to me they are enough- validation plus ideas to act on; that creates purpose. Some sense this already, some already live it. Even to those long familiar with the RWN concepts and who have long experience with using them, having the community is lifting to the spirits. On some level, it offers a sense of calming on needs to remain vital.

“I needed this activity to tell me it is time to communicate what I am learning with the people that care about me (to start with and maybe others after that).” ( LB, 9/07/2011, Lobos Eco501 RWN Activity 15)

I think knowing that others are working with the same approach, and hearing of the results, can support the confidence to act on one’s own. Those who care about you can be easier to start with because one already has an attraction dynamic- NIAL- in the relationship. Though it can be true that these relationships are potentially the most challenging structure when the dynamic is unrecognized or becomes distorted. What is supposed to be an especially nurturing relationship has a void if one of the parties does not recognize the dynamic.

“’The activities seem childish and foolish, not profound.’ I still identify with this statement. I keep trying to imagine how I will present and ‘teach’ this to others without them thinking I have gone over the deep end. I have thought about this a ton and talked to a few of my friends this week about my potential PhD topic and they were intrigued and not freaked out. yeah.” (LB, 9/14/2011, Lobos Eco501 RWN Activity 16)

‘Yea! Where did the sense of not being accepted come from, though? Was this something your parents would have criticized? ‘ (JA, 9/14/2011, reply to original/above comment)

“OMG yes. I have not told them that I am continuing on in my studies. First because they think I should be focused on work and family (which I am) and with their closed minded conservative religious right viewpoint I will struggle trying to convince them that this supports my spirituality rather than impedes it. Every time I have thought about bringing it up they start talking about one of their church or community groups and I lose momentum. I will someday (sooner rather than later) but and not ready for the fight yet.” (Lisa Bernsten, 9/14/2011, Lobos Eco501 RWN Activity 16) And when I finally did bring it up with them in a long thoughtful email they filed in a "to discuss with Lisa" later file and told me that until they talked to me about it they would pray for me instead. They only acknowledged that they even got the email after I pressed them on it. It has been two months since that topic was shoved under the carpet never to be heard of again.

The above is an example of what should be a supportive relationship- parent-child- but that is stunted because the full awareness and exchange is unacknowledged. As an example, there may be a relationship- of any kind- in which both parties share the same affections, goals, interests, etc., but where one party has a 4 or 9-leg perspective, and the other has a 5-leg perspective of the same subjects. One is approaching from connection and awareness, the other through a misleading label or concept that has no relation to the actual subject. The parties may argue about the subject, because in a sense they are each seeing something different. Someone may have offered a meal with fish to a vegan because they didn’t consider fish an animal. Or a behavior that is naturally-occurring and loving may be seen as ‘unnatural’ solely based on a particular religious label or idea. Or a soda can may be seen only as ‘trash’ when another sees the structure of ‘asset’ in terms of material to be utilized.

Even hoarding can be viewed in this way; a hoarder may see a great deal of potential- and others may even share that understanding. Where the problem can then arise is in not connecting one’s role with the subject. The 5-legged distortion can be not about what a subject is, but one’s relationship with it. A daughter may see why her mom stacks newspapers all over or keeps clothes no longer worn. They may both want them to be recycled or otherwise not go to waste. But the daughter may make the connection that the clothes are no longer usable by her mother, and Goodwill or similar place may use them. A friend who sews might even use them to make a keepsake- a quilt or such- if it was a sentimental item. This way they may find new use- the role of the person responsible for them is to be aware of how to direct such items to their use, their purpose of the time. What is it that they need to do in order for this to happen? I have observed with hoarding that the disconnect is primarily with one’s own role, not really the environment around one. Offering hoarders therapy that included RWN activities could help teach or relearn how to sense one’s role with life. One is a member of an ecology, and this takes many forms. What is one’s role and purpose in it, how does it evolve and how does one keep awareness of it? It can be easily understood that a person doesn’t want an item to go to waste, or that something holds a memory. How then does that person interact with that object to see that it is not wasted? How might
an item of sentimental value find purpose in the present? How does the person make that happen?

In the case of hoarding, there is a Nature-connection Deficit in regards to sensing one’s own purpose and direction. Many people experience this lack of direction or purpose and role. Frequently, one may only know a role through the labels attached to it, and not through one’s personal sense of the role. Everyone, each of us, has a different role, unique purpose and actions, even though we also share goals and purpose.

“Though not connected to the outdoors, I had another thing going on this week which I was attracted to include here. I have mentioned before that my mother is a hoarder, and I have had a very difficult time getting help to address this- it isn't appropriate for me to be saying all the things to my mom that need saying. This is a connection to Nature, too; I see where a need for healing exists. Like in Marty's story. Not all addictions are to substances, some are emotional addictions, that distract from actual connections. And it is sad that though my parents work in holistic health, they and many of our friends still lack the practice with connecting activities and senses. They are not always easy, but they are what heal and bring great rewards. That is where a lot of my attractions are, to helping others gain the connections to work through challenges in these areas. Just as NIAL/NSTP helped Marty, even though it was hard, I think reconnecting- gaining better awareness of our connections- will help imbalances such as hoarding. It is one of many imbalances where emotional disconnect and distraction is prevalent.” (JA, 11/09/2011, Lobos Eco501 RWN Activity 24)

I think even those who have a desire for natural connections may be wary of the experience of it- for it can be difficult to go through some of the lessons, to feel some of the sensations or knowledge it brings. Though it can be difficult, the attractions are always out of love- NIAL connections. To trust that one can go through a painful experience and be fulfilled afterwards, rather than disappointed or crushed, can take a level of trust that may be hard for the inexperienced or very misdirected to feel. That is another way in which Project NatureConnect and the reconnecting activities are important; there is a support community here, of those who have done the work and can give encouragement to others. Just like a grief or substance-abuse support group. There are people- tangible connections who give feedback- to help one. Again, the confidence provided to make it through. The NSTP does not create a dependence on others, either, but gives one the skillset to address whatever one may need to.

There are great similarities to holistic medicine, here, for a practitioner strives to help a patient/client understand their own body, psyche and needs. To help them find the awareness and knowledge to maintain their own balance, on every level. That attunement to the body is an element of the NSTP. It is intuitive understanding.

“-anything I do each day, living in attunement and connection enhances everything. It guides me through the challenges I may have, shows me what I might offer. It definitely helps me with my communication skills. It definitely applies to all my areas of interest- ecology, holistic health and living, art, science- everything.” (Jenn Atkins, 6/15/2011, Lobos Eco501 RWN Activity 3)

The following are some examples of using the steps in the NST Process:

“I asked my husband if it was a good time to share my experience, it was- and his response to my experience was that he knew such experiences were quality time for me, that I was in a better mood afterwards and was better able to cope with any stress there might be. He is comforted in turn by knowing I have that time. Which is true, which is one reason I need my dirt-therapy! XD But sharing my feelings with him was completely natural for me, and comfortable, and I felt appreciated. I already share such experiences with him and my daughter- partly because that is one way to show my appreciation for my experiences, and my senses that allow it. It's like good food, something nourishing- by sharing we show our appreciation and care.” ( JA, (9/7/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 15)

“Doing this activity was really describing how I already do my 'intake and evaluation' of my surroundings, situation. It's like meditation, but it's integrated, interactive. When I go into the yard, for example, to see what needs to be done, I just 'let it all come in'. This isn't in words. Information from every sense comes in, to my 'mobile lab of self', heh-heh, and I evaluate, collate, propose a plan, get feedback, feel grateful. Depending on what my needs are, I may then go over in my head the proper language translation of the information received.” JA, 8/03/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 10)

“I did this activity outside my house. Firstly I had to understand what it means by doing this activity, then I noticed that I was the natural being fueling the welfare of our society. I was attracted to my flowers in my garden, they are pretty green, nice texture, healthy, attractive, beautiful with a nice smell. I did this nonverbally. I knew that all these feelings that make us recognize something today, <were> printed back in our old brain as a reminder at a certain moment.” (Y C, 8/03/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 10)

“I've found that most of the activities are already familiar to me as part of my awareness, that I grew up using these senses and did not become disconnected from them. I was usually a sort of outcast who tried to get my friends, classmates, teachers, etc. to pay attention <to> Nature and see the connections. For most of them this was new thinking that wasn't reflected elsewhere in their lives. Some were actually interested and started to pay attention. Others didn't. Some did not start noticing then but in later years in reconnecting with someone, I would hear that my comments stuck with them even if they didn't believe it, only to later see through experience and greater significance in our culture the importance of living in harmony with natural systems. Sometimes our actions don't show their impact until years later, like roots growing underground, unseen. But they are there, providing a framework. Our actions now make a difference.” (JA, 7/06/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 6)

“Unity and interconnectedness in nature. This was a beautiful exercise for me. I did this activity when I was off on one of my climbing adventures this past weekend. There were miles and miles of open (albeit snowy) land to connect to. I was able to bond with the small scrubby trees sticking through the snow and tried to understand all the things they had seen in their long life. I did feel in unity with the environment in that space. Often, as I wander through the forest and mountains I feel a great level of connectedness. I think that this is one of the reasons why I love this place so much. It might also seem sort of odd but for years when I have hiked in the woods when I come across a big tree I sometimes stop and say hello to it and give it a touch. The second half of this activity did not move me as much. We were to think about a person we respected and loved and try to apply some of the attractive natural values that they exhibit to nature. The only thing I could really think of was not tied to a specific person but more to several people that exhibited a strong sense of acceptance and community. Maybe I am lucky that I have many people I interact with that serve this purpose and not just one person.” (LB, 7/14/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 7)

“Going out from school on a one day school trip, I had to be involved in that trip and the aim was to expose us to natural things that are present in our school syllabus. We went to Zomba, a small city in Malawi where we slept in a hall. It was June and was very cold. I felt it like a bad trip just because of that night but when I wake up in the morning I realized that the city was so beautiful with a lot of trees so I was relieved beginning to feel the goodness of the trip. From the city we went to a certain lake called lake Chirwa where I so the beauty that nature holds but I did not get into the water that time. I was so scared that I may get lost but I enjoyed viewing just like that. I now understand how important it is to take good care of nature because it teaches us a lot and heals our mind and refreshes our feelings. I was so happy when got back to my school. This was 1995. I much trust the teaching I am getting from this course and I have seen that it is important first to me and a community as a whole. I would like to take this far to people and places where this can be necessary and bring public awareness on NSTP. Everything I am getting in this course is trust, trust, trust, and trust! Finally, I am happy because I now know where I belong.” (YC, 11/20/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 25)

“I finished this activity last night, after the crazy day. I had been watching the weather because a front was on the way- yesterday the wind was from the South and it was quite warm out. There were scattered clouds, it was beautiful. Last night after all my activities, there was a calm for an hour or two. Then the cold front was blowing in, and though I was inside, I could feel the wind shifting the house so that it creaked occasionally- probably from the change of temperature, too. I heard branches and tree trunks creaking and shifting, the rustling hum of the leaves. This is what I chose to resonate to- and the weather was not just something to ask permission of; it was going to affect me and I was going to receive IT permission or not! <> I resonated with this, on what felt like an energetic level more than other senses; we have more subtle senses than hearing and taste and so forth- I was trying to discern which energetic fields were most touched. Magnetic? Electrical? Molecular? And these are just the more familiar to physics. Even though I didn't know how to consciously change my 'vibrations' or such to resonate in the same way, I felt myself swaying a bit, as I tend to do- a sort of dance. I like dancing, and there are so many ways of doing so. The Noh-influenced movements of Maiko dances, the percussion-reflecting stamps and claps of some African and Celtic dances, the vibrance of Salsa-- they each seem to reflect different energetic vibrations, which are felt in the body on more subtle levels. I think of epigenetics and how or environment and emotions can effect genetic expression. Of Emoto and how water can change character and molecular structure from the energetics around it. This is what I felt myself resonating with, and so whatever the energetic fields of the storm, I felt my body moving to harmonize with it. And also with the wind. I also spent more time in yoga last night, feeling these harmonics in me.” (JA, 11/03/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 23)

“The activity of framing with the SEVMRATC technique sounded like what I do to address challenges, just adding the finger technique. I attune to Nature to seek guidance. Using the framing technique seemed unnecessary to me for how I process, but I tried it to see what it did. I walked about outside this evening while Lavie-goat browsed, waiting to see what the attraction might be. I became attracted to the area under my peach trees. This attraction was thanked, and I sat down on the patio bricks. Leaves had fallen the day before when the cold front blew in and were scattered around me. I held up my hands and made the frame with my fingers. The shape was a pleasing diamond. Through it, within it, there were pots of radish seedlings, lettuce seedlings, and an aloe plant in an heirloom pot. The aloe, in particular, brought the focus of the session up. The 'wrangler' that wanted attention was the issue with my family. I say 'the', because though there are several issues, they are all connected and part of the same parcel, so to speak. My parents have sort of dropped their responsibilities as parents, as people striving to fulfill their purpose. The aloe and the other plants recalled to me very pleasing memories of childhood, in the 'plant room'(used as a greenhouse) with so many intriguing plants that created settings for the imagination, of dinosaur realms and faery homes. And of the garden, where so much care and creativity had been lavished, and my parents seemed to be at a place in their lives when they were striving for personal growth and awareness. At some point, I think when I was around 10, and progressively more so afterwards, they stopped caring for the plants, lost their connection with the natural world. Not completely, but their behavior changed, how they pursued their interests changed. It became a way of avoiding growth, a show rather than a practice. I missed the plants and the charm of the home, back then. It was nurturing. The aloe plant was affirming to me something I'd wondered already, that I was to be and have been taking over the role my parents used to have. Of creating a certain atmosphere in a home, of knowledge of plants, of creative outlets within daily life, of nurturing one's family--- Whatever they're doing now, it's only scarcely these things, it's not a focus like it used to be. The aloe and other plants were affirming to me what I'd already been doing in my home, with my family. And I want to not only continue this but continue the progress of it my whole life, in a way my parents didn't do. I can honor what energy and inspiration was once there in them by continuing what they no longer can. If they someday grow able to again, well and good, but I sense I am now the 'matriarch'. I am very grateful to the plants, and earth and cool air, for sharing this with me. Again, this is the sort of activity I do all the time, honing in without 'frame', the frame is the attraction itself.” (JA, 10/19/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 21)

““SEVMRATC is to Sense-Enjoy-Validate-Match-Resonate-Appreciate-Trust and Celebrate NIAL”. Wooh, what a wonderful way of knowing things. This is like a circle with full attraction to gain our conscious into the situation we are in. All the senses we have learnt can be enjoyed, validated, matched, resonated, appreciated, trusted and celebrated if all a mind and feelings are genuinely connected to nature (validated connection). I have trusted the value of these activities because they provide result to me and the entire society.” (YC, 10/20/2011, Lobos Eco501, RWN Activity 21)

To conclude, I want to express my great appreciation for my course-mates Lisa and Yona, my fellow Lobos, who were so very supportive, open and kind. And to Mike and Barb for their support and their part in making this course available. Project NatureConnect offers a means to validate and teach the natural connections that we are part of, that are a necessary part of the solutions to the challenges upon us. I have personally felt the benefit of this validation, and of the opportunities the course offers me. I have even seen an effect- perhaps small, as yet- in others who hear of my experience with PNC. Curiosity, motivation, joy- these have been among the responses, and also desire for participation in helping share these ideas. There are those who understand and feel their connections, who have wanted to have a purpose that nurtured Nature, and they see this as a way. They are responding to their attractions.~

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