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 7
... especially in the realms of parenting and education. The primary focus of this book, however, is on the third dimension of the Great Turning, which Joanna and Molly deem “the most basic.”7 They note that, in order to take root and ...
... especially in the realms of parenting and education. The primary focus of this book, however, is on the third dimension of the Great Turning, which Joanna and Molly deem “the most basic.”7 They note that, in order to take root and ...
Page 15
... especially given that, from the start, I had intended the Wheel to be faithful to both nature and culture. What has become clear is that the always-shifting dance between nature and culture is one of the principal dynamics that make us ...
... especially given that, from the start, I had intended the Wheel to be faithful to both nature and culture. What has become clear is that the always-shifting dance between nature and culture is one of the principal dynamics that make us ...
Page 20
... especially in childhood, and that all of them had great sensitivity to the stirrings of the soul's deep imagination.21 Although the Wheel resonates with the life ways of many traditional peoples, it is not a description of their ...
... especially in childhood, and that all of them had great sensitivity to the stirrings of the soul's deep imagination.21 Although the Wheel resonates with the life ways of many traditional peoples, it is not a description of their ...
Page 22
... especially of those qualities awakened by free-play time in nature, qualities like wonder, imagination, creativity, the love of learning, intimacy, and joy. This research shows that children with these dysfunctions, when allowed regular ...
... especially of those qualities awakened by free-play time in nature, qualities like wonder, imagination, creativity, the love of learning, intimacy, and joy. This research shows that children with these dysfunctions, when allowed regular ...
Page 24
... especially parenting, educational, and initiatory practices for children and adolescents — that allow for optimum individual maturation. In doing these things, the community begets true adults and elders, who in turn engender, through ...
... especially parenting, educational, and initiatory practices for children and adolescents — that allow for optimum individual maturation. In doing these things, the community begets true adults and elders, who in turn engender, through ...
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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