Nature and the Human Soul: Cultivating Wholeness and Community in a Fragmented WorldAddressing the pervasive longing for meaning and fulfillment in this time of crisis, Nature and the Human Soul introduces a visionary ecopsychology of human development that reveals how fully and creatively we can mature when soul and wild nature guide us. Depth psychologist and wilderness guide Bill Plotkin presents a model for a human life span rooted in the cycles and qualities of the natural world, a blueprint for individual development that ultimately yields a strategy for cultural transformation. If it is true, as Plotkin and others observe, that we live in a culture dominated by adolescent habits and desires, then the enduring societal changes we so desperately need won’t happen until we individually and collectively evolve into an engaged, authentic adulthood. With evocative language and personal stories, including those of elders Thomas Berry and Joanna Macy, this book defines eight stages of human life — Innocent, Explorer, Thespian, Wanderer, Soul Apprentice, Artisan, Master, and Sage — and describes the challenges and benefits of each. Plotkin offers a way of progressing from our current egocentric, aggressively competitive, consumer society to an ecocentric, soul-based one that is sustainable, cooperative, and compassionate. At once a primer on human development and a manifesto for change, Nature and the Human Soul fashions a template for a more mature, fulfilling, and purposeful life — and a better world. |
From inside the book
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Page 12
... belonging. Entry into the life of the soul demands a steep price, an ordeal, a psychological form of dying. The uninitiated adolescent does not easily give up her claim on “the good life.” Grasping this, we must invent, or reinvent ...
... belonging. Entry into the life of the soul demands a steep price, an ordeal, a psychological form of dying. The uninitiated adolescent does not easily give up her claim on “the good life.” Grasping this, we must invent, or reinvent ...
Page 24
... belonging, doing, and being. He must, as poet Mary Oliver puts it, “[stride] deeper and deeper into the world.”26 His culture will greatly influence the manner in which he wanders, as will his gender, physical constitution ...
... belonging, doing, and being. He must, as poet Mary Oliver puts it, “[stride] deeper and deeper into the world.”26 His culture will greatly influence the manner in which he wanders, as will his gender, physical constitution ...
Page 25
... belonging to the world that is consciously centered on the soul of the more-than-human community. In addition to being transcultural, the Wheel is gender-neutral, a portrayal of the deep structure of both male and female development ...
... belonging to the world that is consciously centered on the soul of the more-than-human community. In addition to being transcultural, the Wheel is gender-neutral, a portrayal of the deep structure of both male and female development ...
Page 31
... belonging to the biosphere, as unique as that of any birch, bear, or beaver pond. What makes you the individual you are is not your autonomy but your interdependent and communal relationship with everything else THE POWER of PLACE 31.
... belonging to the biosphere, as unique as that of any birch, bear, or beaver pond. What makes you the individual you are is not your autonomy but your interdependent and communal relationship with everything else THE POWER of PLACE 31.
Page 32
... belonging to the world in no way implies that you necessarily know what that place is. Although you were born with the potential to occupy that place, you were not born with conscious knowledge of it. It's possible, in fact, that you ...
... belonging to the world in no way implies that you necessarily know what that place is. Although you were born with the potential to occupy that place, you were not born with conscious knowledge of it. It's possible, in fact, that you ...
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Nature and the Human Soul: Cultivating Wholeness and Community in a ... Bill Plotkin Limited preview - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
adolescence adult adulthood archetype authentic become begin belonging birth chapter child childhood circle Cocoon conscious create culture David Whyte death deep desires developmental dreams early Earth egocentric egocentric society elders embody emotional encounter especially essential example experience explore fact feel four fully Garden gift grow healthy heart human identity imagination individual Initiation innocence it’s Joanna later lives look mature means move mysteries nature Nest Oasis parents particular passage perhaps possible practices presence primary psyche psychological qualities questions relationship role sacred Sage sense shift skills social society sometimes soul soulcentric spirit stage story tasks things Thomas transition true turn ultimate understand universe values Wanderer West Western Wheel whole wild