My Session with 15 Therapists20thAugust
I recently taught a short program to psychology students at Lewis and Clark College so they could better apply connection to nature in their practice. I think people were expecting me to teach primitive skills or something. The first thing I had them do was throw swords. They get in a circle tossing scary bamboo kendo sticks back and forth to one another, ideally catching them by the handle. After that I had them make their own bow drill set (fire with no matches). I asked them to teach the skill to one another, limiting the questions they asked me, even though most of them had never done it before. I did give them a quick fire demo immediately before that.
At the end of both events different students asked me if I ever connected these exercises to a greater metaphor. We talked briefly about the fact that I try not to enforce personal interpretations to the people (including kids) I work with. My reason was that "every experience carries its own lesson". Now that may be heresy to the educators and higher learning folks out there. How can you only have a tactile experience such as avoiding getting hit in the face by bamboo swords and then lighting fires? The do-gooders may say, "It must be applied it to a higher moral code or academic synthesis. Otherwise its pointless." And my response to that is, "Less talk, more rock."
Every person left the sword circles with a greater physical and sensory countenance. Note I don't necessarily refer to confidence or self-esteem, these are irrelevant when people are given the opportunity for real experience. They simply carried their bodies more deftly. They were looking around with sparkly hawk eyes after throwing and catching swords. I also noted a relationship with wood. Students had to coax, cajole and court cedar into making smoke and fire for them. They had to form a complex with rapport with a part of nature, not a talking head or a Facebook feed.
The more people asked about metaphor and the need for interpretation, the more I found myself rebelling against providing it. Hands needed to get blisters from carving wood. Feet needed to dance across the grass and fingers needed to gracefully catch the leather hilt of the bamboo kendo stick. Life had to be real for a moment so humans could feel relationships unfiltered by the modern world.
I in turn learned something profound about why I was working with these therapists that day. And about my own life's work. I'm an advocate of experience over institution. I want dirt, sun, wild and rain to shape and reshape us all without the encumbrance of what I'm "supposed to learn". Everyone in that circle seemed deftly caring, wanting to create a practice and life that truly helped people. From what I saw as they tossed swords or courted wood and fire, each of those individuals are fully capable of incredible things. They did not need words from me or one another affirming this. Their bodies exuded it.
The irony is that they reminded me of a very important metaphor: Sometimes the joy of simply doing is the only medicine you need.
Side note Some wonderful concepts came out our conversation of "practical experience". We discussed how therapy sessions where nature plays a reflective role can extend beyond challenged teens in overly focused wilderness therapy programs. It can be a regular connection of day to day experience. If therapists ever want to explore bridging that gap with kids who need it, consider Trackers a resource enthused to support you.
Class calendar...
Weekend Immersion Program
Fall Term: The Wind Village Study bushcraft, wilderness survival and team development
Winter Term: The Water Village Learn boat building, fine folks crafts and winter survival.
Spring Term: The Earth Village Get the basics of Permaculture design, wild medicinal plants and nature awareness.
Summer Term: The Fire Village All out, wild, epic adventure weekends tracking bears, survival camping and embarking on "stealth mission AWESOME!"
Adult program calendar...
Free Cabin Open House September 5
Nature of the Village September 6-12 Overnight
Wilderness Survival Basics September 26-27 or November 21-22
Making Artisan Goat Cheese at the Cabin September 27
Primitive Skills Evenings November 3-24 Tuesday Evenings
Knot Tying & Ropework Evenings November 4-5
10 day skin on frame kayak building November 6-16
Wilderness First Responder January 27-February 5, 2010 or April 10-19, 2010
