Path To Nature

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“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

Do you ever recognize how people have a tendency to vacation or retire in natural areas?  People enjoy camping, the beach, mountains and more because there is a deeper yearning within them.  As children we know that feeling.  Children are naturally attracted to nature and being in the outdoors.  Perhaps it is society that assists them in their disconnection from natural desires by setting them in front of a television, computer or simply keeping them indoors.

Have you ever noticed that people who spend a lot of time in the outdoors have a certain glow about them?  I seem to have a natural attraction towards these folks.

A few years ago I came across a website.  After reading about Project Nature Connect I became more interested and enrolled in the course.

Albert Einstein recognized that we suffer our greatest personal and global troubles because we don’t learn to think like nature’s self-correcting ways work. The critical process to make right what is now very wrong is Educating, Counseling and Healing With Nature, a sensory-ecology book and learning program by Michael J. Cohen, Ph.D.

It demonstrates that we inherit at least 53 natural senses that spiritually enable us to live in balanced, mutually-supportive ways with our planet’s web of life and each other. It lays bare that Industrial Society’s unreasonable prejudice against nature and the natural is the critical factor that socializes us to injure and suppress our natural senses.  Many disorders result.  Educating, Counseling and Healing With Nature empowers us to correct them.

Cohen, a pioneer environmental educator and psychologist, indicates that our undue assault on our natural senses reduces the sensitivity and sensibility of our thinking. This deteriorates personal, social and environmental well-being.

Educating, Counseling and Healing With Nature gives us a remedy for the irrational ways of thinking that pay us to exploit and injure natural systems in and around us, including our 53 natural senses and the renewing powers of their spirit. It helps us refrain from spending, on average, over 98 percent of our time and thinking disconnected from the grace of nature’s peace and healing process. It shows that this monumental green-spirit separation produces a nature deficit in our psyche that leaves us wanting. We sense that we never have enough and that spawns our excessiveness and feelings of inferiority.

In natural areas, Cohen’s nature-connecting activities help us remedy this crippling disorder.  They enable us to enjoy spiritually fulfilling callings from the web of life that help us build cooperative relationships with people and places by co-creating them with nature.

Most leading bookstores carry Educating, Counseling and Healing With Nature ($48.00),  It is also available as a free e-book that you can download here.

Review copies of it are available from Dr. Cohen at 360-378-6313  nature@interisland.net

I believe in reconnecting with Nature and the concept of ecopsychology.  If we would  learn to reconnect with Nature, many of life’s issues would be healed.

If you want to learn more please check out the website or contact Dr Cohen.

When becoming a parent we are bombarded with all the must have gadgets that are out.  What does your baby really need for his or her well being?  Love, nourishment and nurturing are perhaps the most important.  Here are 10 simple tips to consider when choosing to raise a green baby.

1.  Natural Pregnancy and Birth

Choosing a natural pregnancy and birth can be the beginning of a healthier life for your baby. The  atmosphere, the people present at birth, and the mothers well being all have an impact on the baby.  Whether you are birthing at home with a midwife, in a birth centre, unassisted or even in a hospital you can make a conscious birth choice.

2.  Nourishment for Baby

So, baby  is born and the first thing is to offer the breast.  Breastfeeding is the most natural and ultimate nourishment you can share with your baby.  It takes no bottles, no prep time and is ready whenever baby is.  If you choose not to breastfeed or have a situation where it is not possible then I would suggest organic baby formula.

3.  Cloth or Eco Diapers

Natural elimination is a great way to keep from using diapers at all.  It does take patience.  I will be honest.  Most of the time my children ended up in diapers even though I love the concept.  For choosing a green diaper there are many cloth options.  From simple pre folds, all in one and one size fits from birth to toddler you have an array of choices.  If cloth isn’t your thing there are eco conscious disposible diapers.  They are made from natural materials rather than filled with chemicals.

4.  Cloth or Eco Baby Wipes

The easiest baby wipes I have found yet are to take old recieving blankets made from cotton and cut them into pieces.  If you really want to take the time you can sew around the edges. Baby wash cloths work well too. You can just keep them in a convenient space and wet them with warm water as needed.  Another option if you prefer disposible is to use select a size paper towels.  You put these into a container with a natural combination such as baking soda and water.  The wipes are inexpensive and healthier.  If you would like to buy pre made wipes there are cloth and eco disposibles available as well.

5. Natural Skin Care Products

The amount of products your baby needs on his or her skin is minimal.  Babies naturally smell sweet so why cover them with lotions and stuff that they do not need. Washing baby simply with water is enough especially when they are in arms.  For diaper rashes you can make or purchase calendula salve which is excellent for healing.  You can also make or purchase herbal baby powder.  There are many natural baby skin care products if you choose to use them.  They are much better as a green alternative to synthetic choices.

6.  Natural Clothing

Your babies skin needs to breathe.  If you choose natural fiber clothing the skin breathes better.  Cotton, hemp, bamboo, linen, flax, and wool  are some natural choices.  Buying clothing at a thrift or consignment store is a green option to buying new.

7.  Wear Your Baby

We can learn many things from indigenous cultures.  Many have worn their babies on their backs and carry them wherever they go during daily activities.  There are so many baby slings and wraps to choose from.  Choose one that is comfortable to your body.  I highly recommend finding one that does work for you though because this I have used more than anything else.

8.  Natural Toys

A baby does not need to be surrounded by toys, toys and more toys.  After all they are exploring the world and people around them which is a lot.  After a few months if you choose a toy or two going simple is really the best.  It does not overwhelm you or the baby.  There are non toxic wooden rattles and cloth options which are much better than plastic toys.  Staying away from battery operated, noisy toys can keep things simple and peaceful.

9.  Blanket

A nice natural fiber blanket is something that I use often with my babies.  It can be made from cotton, bamboo or silk and something that is soft for them to lay on, cover and cuddle with.

10.  Nature

Aah how could I have saved the best for last!  Spending time in the natural world with your baby can help bring balance into life.  A fussy baby can often be calmed in the peaceful outdoors.  It also helps establish a connection to nature for the future.

These are a few simple green tips for your baby and you.  Enjoy!  Please visit Path to Nature’s Marketplace for your green baby goods.