Recently my boys and I decided to create art from nature found objects. We made little paintbrushes from dried, stripped and frayed yucca leaves, paste from ground mesquite beans, and textures from leaves, fibers and dirt. We smashed up and grinded flower petals, seeds, cacti and pomegranate fruit to make rich colors and we painted on flat stones and the soft under belly of bark from our Eucalyptus tree. Our hands and feet were stained with earth colors and it felt like a beautiful expression of our eco-soul. As we gathered our nature art we sang songs, chanted and prayed. We gave thanks and talked about how fun, calming and inviting it is to be in nature. We had wonderful conversations about what it would be like to be a bee or a Cedar tree, and how we can embody the beautiful characteristics of the natural world in our personality. Guest blogger, ‘true nature’ friend and teacher, Elijah Allan, once asked me what elements or landmarks could reflect leadership qualities. I passed this exercise along to my children and we collectively agreed that mountains, in their strong, guiding stature present a sense of leadership. We didn’t learn these techniques from a book, we sourced them from within ourselves, we discovered that we are closer to our ancestors than we realize. We discovered that nature is a boundless place of play, creativity and spirituality.
I often write on principles of Eco-psychology and how it relates to our spiritual, social and environmental healing. When we remember our Eco-Self we make more mindful choices in our living, and as a spiritual practice we can honor the divine through the exploration of internal and external True nature. Today, I write on behalf of our children. Whether or not you have children, it is clear that your choices effect the generations to come. Whether or not you have children, you once were a young, impressionable, growing little pod in the world, and lets face it, psychologically we all have deep inner child work that can be done, and as we heal ourselves I invite you to do so with nature in mind.
It is obvious that our children are growing up in a society dominated by technology, consumption, materialism and man-made stimulation (TV. video games, battery operated toys). This modern era is literally rewiring the way in which their brains are developing and adapting to this techno-pulsing environment. There is a growing amount of research about the ‘nature-deficit child,’ as well as growing research on the correlation between ADHD, anxiety and depression and a lack of consistent, meaningful environmental stimulation (both for children and adults). If we want evolve in a more eco-conscious manner then it is essential that we not only make better, more sustainable choices as adults, but we must educate the children and repair these younger generations’ relationship to nature.
I teach my children of the old ‘7 generation’ custom. In this indegounous culture belief, when the council sits down to make choices on behalf of the people and the Earth, they ask, “How will this effect the next 7 generations?’ Just as I have taught my children the A-B-C’s, please and thank you, firm hand shakes and eye contact, I have taught them how to become deeply, spiritualy, aware of their choices and actions. I teach them to grow their own food and compost, to care for the chikens and animals. I have taught them to use energy and water more efficiently. I encourage them to be responsible in their purchases considering things such where it is made, what is it made from. I ask them to look at the amount of packaging involved, does it require batteries, will it have a long play life, and can it be reused or recycled? This is not to say we don’t have Legos and remote control helicopters, nor do my eco-lessons come from a place of guilt, I simply teach them all things in moderation and how to make conscious choices from a deeper consideration and awareness.
I not only teach them to be agents of social change through sustainable practices and mindful consumerism, but most importantly I teach them to see nature as an extension of themselves, and thus worthy of great honor and respect. We use the natural environment to learn more about our own nature and divine mystery. I am helping them to learn to identify with nature in as a positive, self-sustaining and spiritual way. We have daily practices where we extend prayer and gratitude to the elements, the directions, the trees, the rocks, and the animals. We have many indoor and outdoor alters holding sacred space for our nature found objects. For our family, nature is a gateway into spirituality, it is like our church and our relationship to it is sacred and always deeply integrated and meaningful. This is why the other more practical sustainable practices come without resistance from my kids, because the have a genuine connection and value to the natural world.
We make a point to be outside for a few hours every day, hot or cold, dry or wet, they need to learn to accept the changes and adapt. And, parents, when your kids are going crazy or bickering, the best medicine can be to simply open the front door and let them be wild in the yard or park. Often times I feel they misbehave when they feel confined and isolated from natural, and almost primitive expressions. After they run ‘it’ out, I assure you they will listen more, be more grounded and centered. Adults, this applies to you too, when you get edgy or irritated, go for a walk or a hike, or take your breathing, meditation, praye or yoga practices outside. Maybe you will even try to make a picture from berries.
No matter where you are on your path of life, young, old, somewhere between, I invite you to consider nature as a source of creative inspiration, a key to adaptation and resilience, a gateway for spiritual connection, natural expression and an assessable link to ancient and honorable ways of living in harmony. There is an extraordinary amount of wisdom held within the composition of the Earth and my children and I are in love with the process of discovery. I encourage you to find your own methods and positive beliefs with nature and see for yourself the amazing benefit and healing that can come from earth based practices. Remember most of our spiritual practices help us to get back to our true nature; it makes the most sense as we reveal the true nature within, to connect more deeply to the true nature around.
Blessings, Namaste and Aho,
Robin Afinowich
