The Between Place
Marlow Shami
Summer 2006.
Dear Friends of Nature—
Summer greetings!
Reflection on time I spent at a summer Y camp inspired my essay. Perhaps you grew up in an urban area and found nature touching you through a window, on a tar roof at night, or in a park under a special tree. Wherever you grew up, nature was with you; the wonderful thing about being a part of nature is that it’s always with us.
My wish in writing this issues essay “The Between Place” is to spark your memory and inspire rediscovery of this precious resource.
I wish you the touch of Nature’s wisdom each day—
Marlow
PS Take a look at my NaturalSense Phone Program designed to help build your Nature-Wise skill power without leaving your neighborhood! Following this link to learn more http://anaturalsense.com/dailyhealth.htm
With Nature in heart and mind--
Marlow
NaturalSense
Volume 6 Issue 19
CONTENTS:
* Essay: The Between Place
* Activity: Your Inner Child’s Wisdom
* Marlow's NaturalSense Calendar
* Resources & Community Events
Essay
The Between Place by Marlow Shami
The canvas flaps on the platform tent were easy to roll up and tie. On hot August afternoons, the smell of the faded canvas, queen Ann’s lace, and just-cut sweet grass flowed through the open-air home, along with the quiet conversation of counselors relaxing in the staff tent located a short distance away.
At rest hour, after lunch, I would lay face up on my scratchy
maroon wool blanket, quietly shimmy myself to the head end of the bunk, and hang my head out. The view of the sky was alive with billowy animals, mythic in size and detail. Sometimes I’d shut my eyes for a while and imagine how the clouds might transform. Falling asleep like this wrapped me in a soft comfort, a feeling that brought me back to camp each summer for thirteen years.
The lake was a lot like the sky. It too changed from day to day, moment to moment; it’s color, smell, texture, and sound alerted me to the kind of swim I might experience. I loved inhaling deeply and plunging down until I touched the part of the lake in which the warm water met the cool darker parts. In this between place, I’d turn onto my back and release a little air through my nose. The tiny silver spheres of air floated up like the bubbles that connected the thought captions in my favorite DC comic books.
My brown hair floated, a part of the lake, a soft velvety mass. I watched the silent moving rhythm of my hair blend with the dark slick strings of water plants that tickled the underside of my legs. The blood flowing through my body made sounds I could hear when the water was quiet. If the sun was out, its rays would enter the water in a star shaped glow that beckoned in a way I didn’t understand. It caused a longing in my belly and the wish for wings to grow from my back like my beloved Pegasus, an animal I never grew tired of drawing.
At night we’d settled down for bed, our counselor would read a bedtime story for vespers, and then would make her goodnight rounds visiting each camper in the tent. If it was a clear night, the tent flaps would be up, and I’d spend time with the stars. They reminded me of the underwater sun stars, but these pin points were so far away, like mica chips floating in that cool between place. It wasn’t unusual to spot half a dozen shooting stars while I hung my head out of the tent. They were as special to me as four leaf clovers; tiny diamonds, shooting like fire tipped arrows across the sky. The arch of their trajectory kept me awake, or so I thought.
I’d fall asleep to dream of water stars, diamond arrows, and riding Pegasus. We could melt through walls in those dreams. I’d hear a hum and match its vibration somehow within my own body. I blended with obstacles this way, and could move through to the other side of any I’d encounter. Within some dreams I’d fly through the air, others drew me deep into oceans in which I could breathe. The white horse could breathe underwater too. He didn’t need to hear the hum to move with me through the barriers—the horse did these things naturally.
Pegasus and I spent many nights under the stars together. The greenness of wet air filled our lungs with something alive, something that belonged within us, our wings would spread, and we’d go to that between place--wild, aware, and receptive to the gifts waiting.
ACTIVITY:
Your Inner Child’s Natural Wisdom
Based on Michael J. Cohen's Natural System's Thinking Process
Over the years Pegasus took new forms and eventually became and continues to be a growing energy in my life—a force powering me through my daily challenges--helping me pass through situations that sometimes feel like impossibly “solid” obstacles. I restore myself with this creative power during that special time each day when I resonate with the natural world.
I offer this nature-based activity to help deepen your healing connection with your personal version of “Pegasus”. You may have felt a deep connection to a tree, rock, the sky, the smell of rain--perhaps a particular bird’s call or season. Take a few minutes to recall some favorite childhood attractions with nature. If you can’t recall one, take time today to go outside and notice what you are positively attracted to in nature and bring your observations to this activity.
Our minds are powerful tools, and when we reflect on past joyful connections, we rekindle a spark that enhances our true nature. The outcome of this activity may include one or more of the following; feeling rested, inspired, playful, grounded, energized, and/or deeply connected to the web of life.
Materials needed: Pad of paper, pencil
STEP 1: Plan to spend 15 minutes or more enjoying this activity. Make yourself comfortable in an attractive and safe outdoor area. Notice your surroundings. Feel yourself being supported by the earth. Spend a minute doing slow deep breathing.
STEP 2: Ask yourself, your younger self—your inner child, “Remind me of a time in my childhood in which I found deep joy with nature.” Shut your eyes if this feels OK to do and listen with all your senses. Don’t edit, judge, or ignore any details. Take your time. This is a quiet process. If nothing comes up, this is fine, just open your eyes and notice what you find really attractive in the natural area around you now.
STEP 3: Write down two (or more if you like) positive qualities that attracted you to the childhood or current experience with Nature. After you have identified two qualities describe why the quality is a positive attraction in a few sentences.
Example: “I love the huge rock because it can support me, and allows me to have a great view of the land.”
STEP 4: Ask yourself, how do the qualities of my attractions manifest in my life. Write a bit about this. Writing helps you integrate the wisdom growing out of your collaboration with Nature in this activity.
Example: I can support myself like this beautiful huge stone--when I take my time to gain perspective. Stone energy is grounded. I am grounded when I slow down and pay attention to that which does and does not nourish me.
STEP 5: Thank your inner-child /nature for the wisdom gleaned from this collaboration. Express your gratitude in any way--with a song, prayer, touch to the earth. Gratitude grows your relationship with the web of life—and feels good all around!
CALENDAR
August. 26, 1:00-1:55pm -- Feeling Good - What’s Nature Got To Do With It? This is one of many excellent workshops taking place during the Girl Scout Council of NWCT Summer 2006 Extravaganza. Workshops include Yoga Dance, Orienteering, & scrapbooking. This event is geared for girls entering 7-9th grade. To Register Contact Girl Scout Council of NWCT 26 Prescott St. Torrington, CT 06790 or email: tsallen7@sbcglobal.net
September 18 & 25, 6:30 – 8:00 pm-- Growing A Meaningful Life – What’s Nature Got to Do With It? Register with LifeLearn, West Hartford Tel: (860) 523-3535
September - November (Sept. 13 & 27, Oct.11 & 25, Nov. 8 & 22) 6:30-8:00 PM, Nature As Healer Gathering, A series of 6 Wednesday evenings designed to focus on your healing needs. These special evenings include nature-based healing/restoration, guided meditation, discussion, learning the Natural Systems Thinking Process, outdoor meditation and activities. Preregistration necessary $90. for all six sessions. Register on line. www.anaturalsense.com, or call (860)491-2067. Dates of gatherings
October 16 and 23, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Discover Your Self Through Nature’s Wisdom.
Foothills Adult & Continuing Education, Winsted, CT. Register: 800-300-4781, www.educationconnection.org
COMMUNITY EVENTS & RESOURCES
July 29, 1:00-3:00PM, Solar Technologies Tour & Seminar…
featuring a huge new grid-connected photovoltaic system, passive solar heating, solar hot water, insulated thermal mass, greenhouse, models and description of fuel cell, wind & solar technologies, Prius cars, AND MUCH MORE! $15 admission per person, ticket information (860) 693-9266, Avon CT. Sponsored by PACE, Peoples Action For Clean Energy http://www.pace-cleanenergy.org
RESOURCES
Reading:
~ E - The Environmental Magazine. Bimonthly covering a wide range of environmental issues, from rainforests to recycling and from the global village to our own backyards. Subscribe or order a free trial issue: www.emagazine.com.
~ Home Power Magazine- is an excellent resource, check this link to an events calendar http://www.homepower.com/events/index.cfm
~ “Last Child In The Woods Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder” by Richard Louv, 2005.” An eloquent, urgent, and timely book that presents important ideas and remedies for parents, schools, and communities.” ~ S. Osherson, Ph.D.
~ “Entangled Minds” by Dean Radin. The author reveals the physical reality behind our uncanny telepathic experiences and intuitive hunches, and he debunks the skeptical myths surrounding them. This book sets the stage for a rational, scientific understanding of psychic experience. ~ excerpt from book
Misc:
Yoga Practitioners looking for eco friendly yoga mats & other eco-friendly stuff check out www.ecoyoga.cpm and www.jadeyoga.com.
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy: http://www.dsireusa.org
Estimate how much money a solar water heater can save you or find a contractor to install your heater: http://www.findsolar.com
NaturalSense E-Zine investigates why our relationship with nature heals, restores, and creates a sustainable world. This publication aspires to inspire the deepening of your relationship with Nature via essay, nature-based activity, calendar, and a resource list.
Marlow Shami, M.S. is a Nature-based Healer, Certified Therapist in Applied Ecopsychology, 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.
READERS WRITE COLUMN
NaturalSense® from time to time publishes a Reader's Write column. Please don't be shy, email any questions or comments and I'll do my best to respond to them in a future column. email marlowshami@sbcglobal.net.
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Copyright © 2006, 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, M.S.. Contact her by email at: marlowshami@sbcglobal.net.
Create balance and healing by deepening your relationship with Nature.
Marlow Shami
NaturalSense ®
PO Box 333
Goshen, CT 06756
TEL: (860) 491-2067
Email: marlowshami@sbcglobal.net
www.naturalsense.org
