Hello & Welcome!
This world in turmoil, this Earth being desecrated, this humanity of suffering, indifference and confusion, we live in an age where the collective human voice is singing a discordant song, disharmony rippling to every corner and height of the planet. Ecosystem collapse, massive species extinction, catastrophic climate change, irradiated and controlled people, plastics from food to ocean to plate to stomach, this is no sweet lullaby.
Given the difficulty of coping with negative thoughts and feelings in daily life, whether it be witnessing climate catastrophe or coping with depression or anxiety, it is critical to pay careful attention to our inner landscape. The way we direct our attention, how we deal with our fears and stresses and the way we navigate our inner and outer world has a significant impact on our ability to cope and thrive.
We need to feel connected to the deep source of our being, to belong and relate to community of beings we share this world with, and awaken to the sacred, to the Divine. This is despite the fact that we have never been as interconnected (technologically) and disconnected (community) at the same time in history. Experiencing deep connectedness, and belonging to something greater than our lives, is an essential part of our journey to wholeness and therefore for our mental and spiritual wellness. The NatureConnect Program can offer you this.
The NatureConnect Program is offered as a face-to-face guided experiential program in natural areas (primarily in Sydney & the Blue Mountains). It can offer you an experience of profound connection with nature and deeper aspects of your psyche by offering perceptual, contemplative and nature-based experiential sessions that nourishes:
NatureConnect creates the inner and outer spaces that intertwine in a way in which the soul and ego may embrace. Within the embrace lies the seeds of healing and alignment. Through this ritual of depth connection participants have been able to deal with their own challenges to penetrate the camouflage of reality and enter into the healing inner spaces of their being. Its a truly healing, grounding experience as many others have experienced over the past decade since I began facilitating NatureConnect sessions.
NatureConnect Programs are about:
Restoring meaning in a world gone crazy
Coming home to our wider being and family
Feeling the presence of spirit and the sacred
Entering into a grateful, loving state of mind
Experiencing inner calm, spaciousness and healing
Recognising Nature's intelligence and wisdom
New location: Everglades House & Gardens, Leura
Be guided through a gentle connection practice at the National Trust property, Everglades House & Gardens, at Leura. This unique event, held Saturdays, allows participants to connect more deeply with this tranquil, beautiful heritage place famous for its landscape design, art deco house and mature exotic and natural plants. This is the first time such an activity has been held in a National Trust property.
Practice being mindful while walking amongst beautiful shrubs and towering trees, sit by a waterfall and meditate on its gentle flow, practice simple Yoga and Qi gong movements looking into a tree canopy and experience profound calmness and connection. This is a healing and revitalising activity that will help nourish your mind, body and soul.
After the two hour session, you can connect with like-minded participants over a cuppa and cake at the cafe within the historic house, share insights and experiences in a charming tea-room. The NatureConnect Program is a wonderful opportunity to experience NatureConnect sessions in an easy to walk, cultivated setting. A wonderful opportunity guided by a highly experienced facilitator to experience the heritage listed Blue Mountains and Everglades Gardens with a calm, expanded awareness.Enquire here
How can NatureConnect Programs help you?
If you have:
then the Program, with its heart-based, immersive and quietening approaches can help you with all of these motivations. Give it a try! Learn more here
TIPS FOR EXPERIENCING CONNECTION
Here are some simple things you can do on your next walk to deepen your sense of connectedness
STEP 1
Before you start your mindful walk, find a quiet space to get your Breathing Space going. Spend a couple of minutes getting your diaphragmatic breathing rhythm going - inhale for 5s, hold for 2s then exhale slowly for 5s. Establish this pattern while becoming aware of your posture, state of mind and intent for practicing. Once you feel settled and breathing deeply, begin your walk.
STEP 2
If you are in a natural, safe and quiet place walking, then walk slowly, in a comfortable rhythm so that you can be mindful of your breathing, your walking and your mind. Do not focus on your surrounds so much as at this stage you are trying to NOT over stimulate the senses so you can maintain inner awareness. Once you have maintained your inner focus and breathing/ walking rhythm then you can begin to reach out perceptually and compassionately to the world.
STEP 3
As you mindfully walk use your senses to explore your surrounds for things that draw you to engage. It can be visual, auditory, tactile or any way. If its something you can easily touch, then position yourself adjacent to it and use your senses with an attitude of openness, compassion and child-like innocence to explore it. Take your time, keep your focus on the nature being while you maintain your mindfulness. See or feel or hear the beauty and wonder in it and be mindful of any feelings that arise. Treasure that subject, treasure this space of sharing before returning to your walk.
“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk, spiritual leader & peace activist
