Metaphysical Analysis - Nature Connection Workshops

Top to bottom: Some of the members of the project team walking down Ario River to begin the River Connection Work-shop. The projcet team prepares for the Beach Connection workshop.

35 | Sustainable Tourism Maser Plan for Ario Ranch | July 2008 |

To create the Master Plan for Ario Ranch with a truly holisticand sustainable perspective it is necessary for us to consult nature and learn from the wisdom of the elements. To connect with and be willing to learn from nature is a profound acknowledgement that our sphere of skills, talents, knowledge and experience are not complete without inclusion of the rest of the natural world. The purpose of the nature connection workshops is to facilitate a two-way communication process between humans and the rest of the natural world in order to be in tune with the ‘spirit of place’ or Genius Loci. When this is achieved the planning begins in harmonious alignment with the ecological system and any decisions and development emerges naturally from the land rather than being imposed upon it. Earth Activist and Permaculture Teacher Starhawk summarises this process by stating that: “We cannot intervene effectively, cannot say something back to the world, unless we fi rst understand and hear something. And we cannot hear unless we open our ears and realize that the world is speaking to us. And as soon as we do, we become more alive, more wild, more at home in a vital and dynamic universe

The workshops begin with a circle of gratitude to give thanks for everything in the present moment from the beautiful surroundings, to each member of the team and the unique opportunity to consult with nature. Gathering in the circle is a crucial part of the process that is continually returned to as it allows everyone to be equal and able to see one another clearly. In order to begin the sessions in a grounded and present moment state of being participants are initially guided through full body, sensory meditations. This enables a more clearly focused and centred approach to the work ahead.

The workshops then continue to include a range of activities that involve solo exploration of the chosen site. After each activity participants are asked to write about the activity and then come together in the group circle where everyone can share their insights with others. These group sessions are a vital opportunity to allow everyone the space to speak about their experiences and have them heard because even in situations where the clients are very connected to the land it is rare they articulate this fully to each-other or to the site planners in everyday conversations. As only one person speaks at a time, every member of the team has the opportunity to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings whilst everyone else silently listens. The process of writing about the experiences serves to preserve them, allow them to be recorded for future use and refl ection, and offers more validation and clarity than is gained if using spoken word alone. The journaling process also opens up new doors of creative expression that can lead to a deeper and more meaningful account of the process and the participant’s inner thoughts. The space and time spent as a group engaging in this practice allows for a deeper level communication than in normal discussions or meetings and builds a greater sense of trust, respect and sharing between all the team members.

Many of the activities that are used in the nature connection workshops are techniques that have value beyond the duration of the sessions and are highly useful to be employed throughout the entire site analysis to give a deeper awareness and connection to the land. The collected contributions of the participants are a rich resource that are used to guide the development of the Master Plan and are lucid reminders that keep the consultants connected to spirit of the land long after they have returned to their drawing boards.

To create the Master Plan for Ario Ranch with a truly holistic and sustainable perspective it is necessary for us to consult nature and learn from the wisdom of the elements. To connect with and be willing to learn from nature is a profound acknowledgement that our sphere of skills, talents, knowledge and experience are not complete without inclusion of the rest of the natural world.

This page: A leaf fl oats down the Ario River

| Site Analysis | Nature Connection Workshops | 36

“We cannot intervene effectively, cannot say something back to the world, unless we first understand and hear something. And we cannot hear unless we open our ears and realize that the world is speaking to us. And as soon as we do, we become more alive, more wild, more at home in a vital and dynamic universe”

The Web of Life:

During the nature connection process most participants comment on the inter-connectedness of all life and in order to emphasise this from the outset, we played the web of life game where each person chooses an element of nature and is joined with string to each of the others as they say what connects them. For example the otter is connected to the river, which is connected to the rock, which is connected to the waterfall etc… When a complete web is created and each element is connected to several others everyone is asked to pull back slightly and feel the level of support and intertwined. Then a key element is removed, in this case the river, and the web starts to unravel very quickly. This simple game is a fun and effective way to feel the vitality of the web of life and increases appreciation for every detail which supports further nature connection.

Giving Thanks:

It is estimated that the services of nature would amount to a US$35 trillion expense per year if we humans could replicate what nature does for free each moment. And yet in the course of everyday life much of this is taken for granted. Water is the life force of life on which we depend on for so many aspects of daily living. Research has shown that crystals of water respond to words and images, and that expressions of gratitude and love have a profound positive impact on the quality of the water. Since we are also 70% water these thoughts and words also have an uplifting effect on us also. Participants were asked to take 5 minutes to express gratitude to the river and to refl ect on the reciprocal feelings that this process offered them.

The Sixth Sense:

The ability to communicate and truly listen to the voice of nature is a skill well known by the shamans of the world. We all have the capacity to truly harmonise with aspects of nature and embody them to the extent that they can speak through us. If we can allow ourselves to step aside and deeply listen we can effectively become conduits and channels for the voice of nature. Participants were asked to chose or be chosen by an element of the ecosystem and listen to its story and its opinion on the process of developing the land.

River Connection Workshop

Top to bottom: Members of the project team walking down Ario River to begin the River Connection Workshop. The projcet team prepares for the Beach Connection workshop.

37 | Sustainable Tourism Maser Plan for Ario Ranch | July 2008 |

The river connection workshop began with an immediate immersion

“Light. My eyes were cleaned by fresh breaths of a widened view. Colors and movements surprised me as I could see much more from a calmed perspective. The river is more beautiful and alive. It gives a sense of peace and cleanliness, washing away leaves and floating pollen in its slow green current.” ~ Nick Grew

into it as we hiked and kayaked down the Ario river to a perfect spot where we could sit on the land next to the river. The workshop began with a circle of gratitude; giving thanks for the beautiful surroundings, the presence of each team member and the unique opportunity we had before us to consult with nature.

Grounding Meditations :

After personal introductions we began with a grounding series of 3 linked activities where participants were led in a guided, eyes-wide meditation to connect with the earth beneath by ‘growing roots’ and remaining present to the surrounding ecosystem through their sensory capacity. This is worthwhile in itself as a nature connection opportunity andalso lays the foundation for the rest of the activities as the mind becomes centred and focused. Participants were asked to take a moment to express how they were feeling after the activity and share in the circle one of which is quoted below by Nick Grew.

This page: water fl ows down the Ario River

| Site Analysis | River Connection Workshop | 38

“I live on the bank of the river Ario. It is the dry season and the river is far below me. This year at the height of the rainy season the raging current reached for me clutching at my roots. They are strong roots stretching from my base, taller than a man sitting within them writing my thoughts and feelings. I am hundreds of years old and have seen many changes. I feel blessed that I have been spared this long. My size is the tallest I the forest. My appearance is the most beautiful. I am so different from my neighbors. I reach up the highest in the sky and my body is in many separated trunks that extend down to my roots that stretch out over the forest floor for a great distance. They are the home for many animals who have burrowed between them to live and raise their young. My many trunks are the home to a busy hive of bees and nests for the birds that spread my seeds. I even have room for the perfect house if some loving human would like to end his years living with me and sharing my life.” ~

Forest Connection Workshop

On the property. Mangroves are a vital and yet endangered ecosystem around the world. The group kayaked across the river to reach the forest and spent one hour engaging in connection activities within this fragile environment.

Grounding Meditation:

The grounding meditation was conducted to allow everyone the chance to become present and centred within the forest. The analogy of growing roots was particularly relevant as we stood on the forest fl oor which was thick with protruding roots from the mangroves. After the meditation we had a quick one word check in to monitor the pulse of group energy.

The Sixth Sense:

Once again we used our sixth sense to transcend the confi nes of our own bodies and minds and embody that of another element in order to speak from the perspective of another. Below is some words from one of the participants and more can be found in the Appendix section of this booklet.

Asking Permission:

Nature is often treated as a resource or commodity which has no rights or opinions of its own. Many natural systems are violated and destroyed throughout the world because we did not ‘ask’ if we could engage with or take from them. This activity is designed to restore the balance and give participants another experience of engaging in two-way communication with the web of life.

The Forest Connection workshop took place in a mangrove forest

Top to bottom: Members of the project team walking through the forest to begin the Forest Connection Workshop. Participant transcends into the forest. Hollow tree in the forest.

39 | Sustainable Tourism Maser Plan for Ario Ranch | July 2008 |

“My heart appears hollow when you take a first glance but I will tempt you to take a deeper look and see that I am filled with love and I embrace this forest every night and day.” ~ The ‘hollow heart’ tree speaking to Caroline Grew

This page: The mangroves at Chapeton Estuary

| Site Analysis | Forest Connection Workshop | 40

“I am privileged to be in the forest growing taller, spreading my leaves to be searching above the canopy with my peers. Darwin’s theory of ‘survival of the fittest’ and the ‘origin of species’ We mangrove trees are living harmony. We accept birth, life and death – we are not afraid. We sprout leaves, the chlorophyll is part of the cycle of life and photosynthesis. I see competition of 4 palm trees yonder back but we live in harmony offering habitats of love.”~ The mangrove tree speaking to Rosamond Grew

Ocean Connection Workshop

Top to bottom: Rock formations on the beach-ocean interface. Workshop participant wades into the ocean.

41 | Sustainable Tourism Maser Plan for Ario Ranch | July 2008 |

stretch of the Ario Ranch. The tide was low and the group gathered in the shade of a naturally constructed temporary shelter built by the Grew family. We sat in a circle on the sand and gave thanks for the blessing of such a beautiful day and the opportunity before us to connect with the coastal ecosystem and each other.

Grounding:

The grounding meditation was similar to those conducted in previous workshops but instead of ‘growing roots’ into the earth, participants were guided to explore the depths of the ocean fl oor where they would fi nd stillness, peace, mystery in the deep dark blue. They were then guided to rise to the surface and explore the sandy ground of the shore with their feet in an earth walk and expand their range of vision to take in the fullness of the surrounding environment. Time was given for journal writing and some of the responses are as follows:

Giving Thanks:

An important part of the nature connection process is in giving thanks and appreciation for the natural ecosystem. The power of showing gratitude near water was explained during the river connection and reiterated here. Science has shown that water has the ability to absorb emotions and intentions and by fi lling the surrounding water with positive mes-sages we benefi t ourselves as beings fi lled with 70% water. This exercise highlights the reciprocity of nature and how to enhance the two-way relationship by increasing sensitivity and perceptions. Some responses from participants after the activity are as follows.

The Ocean connection workshop took place in the morning on a

The 5 Senses:

In order to inform the planning with a full picture of the sensory experience of the ocean environment, participants are invited to explore the area taking note of what is perceived through each of the 5 main senses. They could choose one or do all in turn and to aid the sensitivity of the process they are asked to block off the other senses whilst exploring the chosen one. For example whilst exploring the sense of sight they could put fi ngers in ears and hold the nose. They are also asked to refl ect where relevant how the sensory experience makes them feel. The reports, rich with detail and insights, show the diversity and panorama of the ocean experience.

The Sixth Sense:

Once again participants were asked to extend their imagination and physical boundaries to merge into the experience of another element of the place and report from their perspective on their daily experience and the thoughts and wisdom they have about further development. When ego is suffi ciently loosened and receptivity allowed the opportunity arises to really hear and learn from nature’s perspective and record the messages. The results are profound and vital for the holism of the planning process.

“Looking into the coastal forest I was taken in by a balance of thick old trees and old spaces in which life seems to have room to pass through freely. The coast is different to the land. Temperatures are cooled by the ocean breeze and the soft sand below softens the ground. There are many animals and much to see.” ~