Our Daily Bread
Marlow Shami
Winter 2005.
Winter Greetings-
Have you noticed the way winter touches our lives? Aside from the bundling up and snow related delays here in New England, there are more subtle effects -- if we observe closely.
For instance, I need a bit more sleep, I've put on a few pounds, physical energy is lower and I sometime have to push a bit to get to the end of my day.
As a writer, this natural slowing of pace has allowed me to notice inspiration is indeed tapping me on the shoulder, and, if not inspiration, patience, a key to creative expression. This slowing has effected my private healing practice too, offering up an opportunity to access more deeply, intuitive vision, both mine and my clients.
Take some time to look at the flow of your life now. Are you pushing too hard, seeing obstacles in many directions, experiencing the "pushing the river" effect? If so, take a deep breath and relax into what you need this very minute to expand, rather than contract. Anxiety cuts us off from our natural rhythm, creativity, and authentic nature.
Look out your window -- better yet -- take a walk outside, and experience the world with the fresh sensual vision of a child. Allow nature to do it's good work and love you back to your natural pace.
With Nature in heart and mind--
Marlow
NaturalSense
Winter ISSUE
Volume 5 Issue 16
CONTENTS:
* Mission statement
* Essay: Our Daily Bread
*Activity: Growing Your Heart
* Marlow's NaturalSense Calendar
* Resources & Community Events
NaturalSense e-newsletter investigates how and why our relationship
with nature can be a healing one. The nature of healing is rooted in
our relationship with all of life.
The quality of our life is directly related to the quality of our
relationship with Nature. This newsletter provides an essay,
nature-based activity, calendar, and resource list to inspire the
deepening of your natural healing connections with Nature.
Marlow Shami, M.S. is a Nature-based healer, teacher, and writer.
She has a private healing practice in Litchfield, Connecticut. She
conducts Nature and healing workshops, Nature Meditation Circles,
and publishes a free quarterly e-newsletter, NaturalSense®. Her
specialty is the healing connection between humans and the natural
world.
Experiencing positive nature based activities nurtures our emotional sense of love with all of life. Understanding the attractions that hold the universe together as “love in action” infers that noticing and honoring our connections with the natural world is an act of love. Thinking and acting inspired by love generates nature's daily sustenance -- our daily bread for the soul. -- M. Shami
ESSAY: Our Daily Bread
Did you have a special “fort” as a child -- an out side hideaway, a place immune to the stresses of civilization? Whether you grew up in a city, suburb, or rural landscape you most likely found your sacred place in a tree, rock formation, gazing out an open window, or on an apartment roof. Back then being a part of nature was instinctive. It attracted you just as the sun inspires the flower’s bud to bloom. A visit could bring creative imaginings, renewal, a sense of protection, warmth, comfort, or emotional mirroring.
Growing up in a “modern culture” makes this essential and life affirming relationship with nature more difficult to access. Society's unnatural pace, multi tasking, and nature-anemic values mute the sensory connections -- our lifelines with nature -- hence our authentic vitality is numbed, buried, and largely forgotten.
For those of you new to this publication, please entertain the possibility that humans have at least 53 senses not just 5 (confirmed by the Harvard Biological lab in 1984). This means most of us operate with one-tenth of our capability throughout our adult lives. For those long time subscribers, it’s important to be reminded—over and over again--of our multi-sensory potential. When we are not reminded, our heritage is easily masked the by unrelenting pressure of a consumption focused, spiritually starved culture.
Most problems unique to our species such as pollution, depression, suicide, environmental destruction, genocide, etc., are actually symptoms, not problems. They are symptoms of the trauma of being split from our true nature. Our innate wisdom is lost when we numb or forget our multi-sensory abilities. It is through the use of our senses that we can recover our authentic direction and sense of belonging. It is here in the tending of our senses that we may make sense out of our suffering and be guided by it.
Experiencing positive nature based activities nurtures our emotional sense of love with all of life. Understanding the attractions that hold the universe together as “love in action” infers that noticing and honoring our sensory connections with the natural world is an act of love. Thinking and acting inspired by love generates nature’s daily sustenance -- our daily bread for the soul.
Love could be likened to the needle of a compass planted deep within each of us. Discovering one’s true wisdom requires personal reflection and nature based experience. Each of us has a unique family history, physical and emotional constitution, spiritual background, and geographic connection. How you decide upon your life’s direction depends upon reading this compass whose workings are dependent upon your ability to enliven many senses.
Nature guides our life’s trajectory. As we cultivate our ability to be present with whatever life has to offer, and notice how we are touched by the experience--without
judgment--we naturally expand beyond the border of our tender ego and experience ourselves as an expression of the vast benevolence of a universe built of love. This is healing.
I invite you to attend one of my Nature based healing workshops this spring. Take a look below at my calendar for details.
ACTIVITY: GROWING YOUR HEART
Each time you engage in an activity with nature your experience
will be unique. This is how nature works, always flowing and
changing. The skill you cultivate in this activity contributes
greatly towards the quality of your life. Enjoy!
Connecting with nature can take 30 seconds, one, two, thirty or more minutes. No matter the time spent, keep these steps in mind. This activity is based on the Natural Systems Thinking Process. Learn more about NSTP by visiting http://www.ecopsych.com/homepagenature.html
1) Make sure you are feeling still inside, you may do this by either sitting, standing, or walking very slowly. Find a natural place outside that is welcoming. Once you select your place, make sure it still feels good to be there. If not, just move on to another spot that seems to welcome you.
2) In your own way--through visualization, humming/sound, or sensation -- imagine your heart opening, becoming receptive. Take a minute to do this. Imagine this place is helping you open your heart.
3) Shut your eyes (if you feel comfortable doing so) and imagine you are the source of the sensations you are experiencing. Feel the solid ground holding you. What does the air feel like against your skin? What natural sounds are you hearing (don't pay attention to "man-made" sounds right now). Are there any attractive smells or textures? Take a few minutes to experience all the details of the area you are relating to.
4) Use your breath to inhale your unity with this special place and exhale any disconnection's being generated to the unity perhaps by thoughts, unpleasant sound, etc., Breathe with this natural area for a few minutes.
5) Once again, focus on your heart and know it contains the love of your sensory attractions -- as a part of Nature--and with this power, your natural compassion grows bringing balance and creative flow into your daily life.
6) As always, when you feel your nature connection has come to a conclusion, express your gratitude for this experience in your own way. Gratitude grows compassion and your awareness of being a vital part of the web of life, ie. Nature.
KEEP A JOURNAL. After you thank the area take a little time to write down what you noticed and what it may mean to you.
~~~~I love reading about your experiences. If you would like to
share your activity experience with me or the whole activity group
simply email your comments and let me know if your intentions. Email
comments to Mshami@aol.com
CALENDAR
February 21, Monday, 6:15-8:00PM,
Nature As Healer Meditation Circle
White Memorial Rt. 202, Litchfield, preregistration necessary:
860-491-2067 or
MShami@aol.com. $15. Pre-register via Paypal
This gathering is for anyone interested in
experiencing the simple power of nature's healing effects through
guided meditation, natural energy touch, and the Natural Systems
Thinking Process. No experience is necessary. Bring a blanket/mat if
you prefer to lie down for meditation and wear comfortable clothes.
March 18-19 True Colors XII Over the Rainbow & Out of the Box. Last year more than 2,200 LGBTQ and ally youth experienced two days of workshops, entertainment and left with a lifetime of memories along with new friends and old. Because of the overwhelming response to my workshop last year--this year's will be a double session with more experiential activity and a 20 participant limit. See details below...
March 19, 1:00-4:00pm
Discover Your Authentic Self Through Nature's Wisdom: Learn more about your authentic Nature through outdoor experiential activity, guided meditation, journaling/drawing, and group discussion. Each participant will experience a natural-touch-healing by Marlow. You will learn the simple and powerful Natural Systems Thinking Process (NSTP) a cutting edge ecopsychological technique proven effective in treating stress related symptoms, depression and anxiety. In addition NSTP enhances your creative abilities in problem solving and play.
Location: Central Connecticut State University, New Britian, CT
For details see www.OurTrueColors.org for details
March 21, Monday,
6:15-8:00PM, Nature As Healer
Meditation Circle, White Memorial
Rt. 202, Litchfield, pre-registration necessary: 860-491-2067 or
MShami@aol.com. Cost $15. See Feb. 21 for details. Pre-register via Paypal
April 5 & 12, 6:30pm-8:30pm, meets Tuesdays both evenings,
Discover Your True Self Through Nature's Wisdom . A
LifeLearn Program, Hall H. S. -- room E119, West Hartford. $14 residents of West Hartford, $19 non-residents. Registration: (860) 523-3535 http://www.whps/whce Cost: residents $24, non-residents $34
Do you have little time, low energy, and zero motivation—yet feel a
deep longing to recover a sense of genuine value and health in your
life? Receive a nature-based healing, discover a potent stress
antidote just outside your front door, and transform your longing
into healing guidance. This class can help you transform the
constriction of a stress-filled life into spacious quality living
through powerful information and innovative practices designed to
connect you with your source of healing creativity and wisdom,
Nature.
April 15 & 16 AEE (Association of Experiential Education) Northeast Regional Conference: Voices of--listening, learning, leading -- Experience. Camp Jewell YMCA Outdoor Ctr. Colebrook, CT. For details on full AEE conference see
http://www.aee.org and click on "conferences" link.
April 15, Friday,1:00-5:00pm, Nature As Healer--A conscious relationship with Nature is essential for personal and global healing, guidance and wisdom. Humans have 53 natural senses, not just 5. You will learn to enliven your many senses through outdoor activities, guided meditation, journaling, and learn the Natural Systems Thinking Process. Each participant will receive a natural-touch-healing from Ms. Shami. Open to all. No meditation experience required.
Cost for this one pre-conference workshop includes Friday's breakfast, lunch, & workshop materials. $90 professional, $75 Student
April 18, Monday, 6:15-8:00PM, Nature As Healer Meditation Circle White Memorial Rt. 202, Litchfield, pre-registration necessary: 860-491-2067 or MShami@aol.com. $15.
see Feb 21 for details. Pre-register via Paypal
April 21-25 Annual East Coast Gathering of Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)
April 23, Sat. 1:30-4:30pm I'll be presenting an experiential workshop entitled Nature As Healer: An HSP’s Guide to Accessing Nature’s Healing Touch. For details on the conference taking place at Bryn Mawr Mountain Retreat Center in Honesdale, Pennsylvania visit
http://www.lifeworkshelp.com/hspgathering.htm
Details on my workshop ... this session is for those interested in experiencing the simple power of nature’s healing effects through guided meditation, natural-healing-touch, and the Natural Systems Thinking Process. You will learn a simple yet profound method of connecting your inner nature with the web of life, and in the process you’ll validate your sensitivity and enhance a personal source of guidance. No meditation experience is necessary. Bring a blanket/mat if you prefer to lie down for meditation and wear comfortable clothes.
To learn more about HSPs visit Dr. Elaine Aron's very informative website
http://www.hsperson.com/. She is a cutting edge researcher, author and therapist. She is a featured presenter at the East Coast Gathering.
May 7 & 14, 9:30am-12:30pm Discover Yourself Through Natures Wisdom-- both days of this two part workshop meet on Saturdays. Location White Memorial Preservation, Litchfield, CT. Cost $80 for members of W.M.C. $90 for nonmembers. Registration: (860) 491-2067 , email
mshami@aol.com, on line
www.anaturalsense.com
See April 5 & 12 for workshop details.
May 23 Monday, 6:15-8:00PM, Nature As Healer Meditation Circle
White Memorial Rt. 202, Litchfield, pre-registration necessary: 860-491-2067 or MShami@aol.com.
$15. see Feb 21 for details. Pre-register via Paypal
June 4, 11:00am-7:00pm 2005 Sustainable Living Festival & Renewable Energy Expo.
Marlow will be presenting one or two workshops focusing on Nature and healing -- the time & location TBA. This festival is a wonderful celebration of life, earth care, and filled with many educational opportunities. Don't miss it! Find out more about the festival and the Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living (producer of the festival) by visiting
www.apeiron.org, Tel: 401-397-3430, e-mail
info@apeiron.org. 451 Hammet Rd., Coventry, RI
RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
Learn more about how nature heals by visiting
the International Community for Ecopsychology website. List of
events, resources, essays, and links for more depth.
www.ecopsychology.org,
http://www.organicpsychology.com/
February 26, 1-4:30pm, Experiment with Light. Open your heart to find the Light within you, the wisdom and truth you need to guide your life; a deep meditation exercise, inspired by Quaker practice, designed to clear negative patterns. Lynn Johnson, facilitator, pastoral psychotherapist and teacher of meditation for over 25 years. Center for Serenity, West Hartford, CT.
http://www.centerforserenity.org/index.html
Fee: $20 - $40 sliding scale. Call 860-561-2343, Ext. 2 to register by Feb. 21
March 1, 8, 15, 22, & April 2, 4:00pm-7:00pm Hands-On Tools for Teaching Sustainability -- A FREE program for teachers.
Times @ Academy, 50 Fillmore St, of Douglas Ave. in Providence, RI.
In this training, teachers will acquire mastery over major themes of sustainable living, and learn available methodologies for teaching them. Strong focus will be placed on short term actions and long-term
strategies for addressing current environmental problems, and the integration of these concepts into the classroom. Info: Tel: (401) 621-3800 or e-mail riearthinstitute@apeiron.org
March 14, 7:30-9:00pm,
Earth Prayers is a monthly gathering of people of all faiths and spiritualities, to pray, sing, share and learn about the healing of the Earth. These programs are OPEN TO ALL.
Location: First Baptist Church Chapel, 90 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT. Please call (860) 521-9460 or (860) 561-2343 for information. To start an Earth Prayers in your community contact:
info@irejn.org Earth Prayers is co-sponsored by Center for Serenity, Inc. Check out their website:
www.centerforserenity.org
for details of events like Earth Prayers.
GIVE A GIFT TO A FRIEND!!
Please forward this article to your friends and colleagues, since
your recommendation is how NaturalSense® grows. Anyone can subscribe
to NaturalSense®. It's FREE. To subscribe or unsubscribe email
Mshami@aol.com with your intentions. Make sure to let me know
what email address you would like to use for delivery of NaturalSense®.
Copyright © 2004, all rights reserved. Permission is granted to
reproduce, copy or distribute NaturalSense® Newsletter as long as
this copyright notice and full information about contacting the
author is attached. The author of this article is: Marlow D. J. Shami. Contact her by email at:
MShami@aol.com, or by phone at (860) 491-2067
Create balance and healing by deepening your relationship with Nature.
Marlow Shami
NaturalSense ®
PO Box 333
Goshen, CT 06756
TEL: (860) 491-2067
Email:
MShami@aol.com
www.naturalsense.org
