Institute of Global Education PROJECT NATURECONNECT The Natural Systems Thinking Process     Complimentary Exploring Course...Part One Exploring Psychological Connections With Nature   REMINDER: "If you count a dog's tail as one of its legs, how many legs does a dog have? " Nine leg thinking consists of our sense of reason considering 4-leg and 5-leg information and then helping us act accordingly.     Thoughtful Contemplation Think about and share the following 4-leg information with the List : A good prior experience you have had in nature: where you were; how you felt; if you would want to repeat it. What was enjoyable or rewarding about the experience? Were you taught to have this good experience in a class? from a book? a person? or was it your natural sensory attraction connections to the natural area that provided most of the rewards and learning? Do you recognize from this experience that there are intact, inborn parts of you that inherently have the ability to register and retain attractive sensory contacts with nature?   Has going through this brief activity made your life feel a little more attractive to you in this moment? For example: more worthwhile, less stressed; happier; more centered, hopeful, together or relaxed? Is there value to you in increasing your ability to have this feeling or helping others find it?   SUMMARY Q: Because I am a sensory being, in the activity (above) sensory contact with the attractions in the natural area provided most of the rewards I obtained from my good experience in nature. OPTIONAL: On a piece of paper, record the SUMMARY letter above (Q) along with the number (below) that indicates your agreement with the summary statement. 1.........2..........3........4.........5.........6.........7.........8..........9.........10. disagree..........................so partially agree...........................fffully agree   Supportive Reading: 1. Carefully read the Insight Article and consider the questions it raises with respect to your life and to the activity (above) that you shared, or will share, with the NatureConnect List. 2. Thoughtful verbalization: Send an email to the NatureConnect List, whose subject is PART 1 EXPLORATORY COURSE RESPONSE so that other course members and List readers can identify it, read it, and share their attractions, thoughts and feelings about your experiences with it. In the email, share your experiences, thoughts and feelings from the activity and reading assignment on this page to the group along with the following Seven Interact Catalysts: 1) a general description of how you did the activity and what happened, along with quotes you like from the readings and how they added meaning to the experience. 2) the three most important things you learned from the readings and webstring connections in the activity; 3) how would you feel about having the webstring attractions you experienced in the activity taken away from you? 4) whether or not the activity and reading enhanced your sense of self-worth and your trustfulness of nature; 5) the part of you, if any, the activity identified or re-educated inside or outside of you; 6) your reactions to what you found attractive in the postings you read from the other group members. Be sure to save the interact postings of yourself and others that are attractive to you so that you can refer to them and quote them at another time. 7) What value, if any, was there to doing the Summary Option (If you did it.) The use of the Seven Interact Catalysts will enhance your learning experience and that of the others in the course as well. REMEMBER: You will increase your learning from this activity by 75% if you teach this activity to another person. You may ask your interact group for help if you need it.   Optional Strengthening: Learn from others what using a process that strengthens connections with nature can do. View and study what others have experienced. Dreamtime: Get at least one night's sleep before doing the next activity. Note, during the following day, whether any changes have occurred with respect to your outlook or the way you feel.   When you have completed this page, go on to Part Two   Return to Course Index Page Institute of Global Education PROJECT NATURECONNECT The Natural Systems Thinking Process P.O. Box 1605 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 360-378-6313 www.ecopsych.com www.webstrings.org Dr. Micheal J. Cohen, Director send e-mail .