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Reality and the Now

reality and the now

“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.”

-Phillip K. Dick

How do reality and the now influence the journey on the Way of the Coyote? What is reality? What does it have to do with the way we perceive time? From the perspective of ecospirituality, the past only exists in memory, and the future is just a projection of our memories. This means that both the past and the future only exist in our minds. The present moment is always becoming the past as we continue to move forward in time, and the future is always becoming the now as we continue to move forward in time.

Is time real? If the past and the future are products of memory and projections of the mind, do they have any real existence outside of this present moment? If so, how? Can a thing exist only in memory? If the past and the future are just imagined experiences created by the mind, then we are free in the now to create different experiences.

If there is any such thing as real time, then it can only exist right here, right now. If there is any such thing as free will, then it too can only exist right here and right now. This is because the past is gone, and the future is not here yet. We cannot travel back in time and exercise our free will about conscious choices in the past, because it no longer exists. Likewise, we cannot travel forward in time to choices that have not presented themselves yet because the future isn’t here yet.

But here in the now, we can make choices. Here we may exercise our free will to believe anything we want about the future…or the past. That is because this present moment is all that is real.

Reality and the Now: Pathway to Change

Reality and the Now is the Pathway to Change

We’ve often heard the saying that the only thing to fear is fear itself. Our brains can conjure up scarier monsters than actually exist in real life. When our brains do this to us, we sometimes do well to prepare ourselves for the worst-case scenario. Suppose an abused wife needs to leave her abusive husband. If she doesn’t think about the possible things he could do to her, she may find herself in a dangerous situation. In such a case, fear of the unknown has a basis in reality.

But much of what our imagination doles out when facing the unknown can get in the way of progress unless we deal head-on with it. This is what crossing the first threshold, psychologically, is about. Until we look closely at the dark stuff that stands in our way, we may not realize exactly why we can’t progress. We may make excuses of limited time, money, energy, or choices when really we’re suppressing our will to overcome all odds and make things better for ourselves.

We have to cross thresholds into the darkness of the mind throughout our lives. Does it get any easier? I think it unintentionally does because we learn to surrender. We say things to ourselves like, “Here we go again,” or, “Get ready to feel crappy.” In such a scenario, we are not acting out of personal power, but out of learned helplessness. We’ve grown so accustomed to the way things were in the past that we no longer believe we have a right to something better in the future.

Of course, we all have dark times, and we all feel like giving up from time to time. But the passage through the dark places can bring light and strength if we have the patience to endure. Without darkness, you could not know the light. Without the bad times, you could not acknowledge the good times. Although sometimes we must walk through the darkness, as long as we keep sight of the path, we may emerge on the other side wiser and stronger. If we can remember to trust the path in spite of our fears, we will have crossed the first threshold into the Belly of the Whale.

In future posts, we’ll talk about what the Belly of the Whale is, and how it can lead to personal transformation. For now, just remember that the only place you can change your current reality is here. The only time you can change your current reality is now. The past is gone, and the future is an illusion. Now is when we can make the change.

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NOW AVAILABLE! Sandtray Eco-Art Therapy in Clinical Practice

Sandtray Eco-Art Therapy in Clinical Practice

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

ABOUT Sandtray Eco-Art Therapy in Clinical Practice

Sandtray Eco-Art Therapy in Clinical Practice offers an innovative approach to mental health treatment by blending the tactile engagement of sandtray therapy with the expressive potential of eco-art therapy. This comprehensive guide shows clinicians how to integrate these two powerful modalities into a cohesive therapeutic framework, promoting healing and transformation in clients of all ages.

Designed for therapists who wish to incorporate mindfulness, creativity, and nature-based practices into their work, this book provides step-by-step guidance on how to create meaningful therapeutic experiences. It covers a wide range of topics, including clinical case studies, session outlines, and practical tools for addressing common mental health issues such as trauma, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or new to sandtray and eco-art therapy, Sandtray Eco-Art Therapy in Clinical Practice provides the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to create a safe, nurturing space for clients to explore and heal through creative expression. This text is essential reading for mental health professionals seeking to deepen their practice by tapping into the healing power of nature and creativity, as it offers a way to introduce the healing power of nature through ecotherapy for therapists who may not have ready access to an outdoor therapy space.

Sandtray Eco-Art Therapy in Clinical Practice offers a nature-based approach to therapy by combining the rich symbolism of sandtray therapy with the expressive, healing power of eco-art. This textbook introduces readers to a pioneering model that bridges two therapeutic methods, creating an innovative framework for clinicians working with individuals and groups facing various emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges.

Rooted in mindfulness-based ecotherapy, this text emphasizes the role of nature in the healing process, helping clients reconnect with the environment and, in turn, with themselves. Sandtray Eco-Art Therapy (SEAT) blends the tactile, reflective process of sandtray therapy—where clients use miniatures to build symbolic worlds within a sandbox—with eco-art therapy, which invites clients to work with natural elements like leaves, stones, and wood in their artistic creations. This combination enhances therapeutic outcomes by fostering emotional expression, self-awareness, and grounding in the present moment.

The book offers clear, step-by-step instructions for integrating SEAT into your clinical practice, covering practical considerations for setting up a sandtray eco-art space, selecting materials, and structuring sessions to facilitate healing conversations. Through case studies, clinicians will gain insight into how SEAT can be applied to a variety of populations, including children, adolescents, and adults, helping clients navigate issues such as trauma, anxiety, grief, and relationship challenges.

Sandtray Eco-Art Therapy in Clinical Practice provides theoretical underpinnings that link SEAT to current trends in ecotherapy, expressive arts therapies, and mindfulness-based interventions. Readers will also find practical tips for tailoring SEAT to specific therapeutic goals, as well as methods for evaluating and documenting client progress.

Whether you are new to sandtray or eco-art therapy or are seeking to expand your existing toolkit with nature-based interventions, this textbook serves as a valuable resource. With a focus on creativity, environmental connection, and client-centered care, Sandtray Eco-Art Therapy in Clinical Practice offers a holistic path toward healing that integrates mind, body, and spirit. Perfect for therapists, counselors, social workers, and students, this text equips you with the knowledge and confidence to bring the benefits of nature and creativity into the clinical setting.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF Sandtray Eco-Art Therapy in Clinical Practice

Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD is the author of multiple books on using mindfulness and ecospirituality to facilitate change within families and individuals, and he has presented research worldwide at conferences and seminars on this and other topics. In 2020 Dr. Hall retired from his position as a Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor and Registered Play Therapy Supervisor to serve full-time as the Executive Director of the Mindful Ecotherapy Center, LLC. Learn more at www.mindfulecotherapy.org.

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Spiritual Power

spiritual power

Ultimately, spiritual power means connection. The way of the ecospiritual shaman is the way of spiritual power. This could be a connection to nature, others, self, or your sense of a higher power. We have been tracking the seeker’s journey over the last few months with these blogs, and we are now at the beginning of the true seeker’s quest for spiritual power.

At this point in the seeker’s journey, reluctance has been overcome, the decision has been made, and the purpose and intention have been set. Supernatural Aid has been found, and the quest for true spiritual power can begin.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and the Crossing of the First Threshold is the first step on the journey to spiritual power. Although there is still a long way to go, at least the quest has begun. At times when you feel overwhelmed at how much still remains, just remember to focus on one step at a time. If you are walking a thousand miles, and you focus on the fact that you have a thousand miles to go, you’ll get so discouraged that you’ll never take the first step. But if you just focus on the first step, and nothing but the first step, then focus on the next step, and only on the next step, and so on, the thousand miles will be over before you know it. It may help to remember that life is a journey and not a destination.

The key to walking in the Way of the Coyote is to enjoy the trip, in the present moment.

The whole purpose of setting out to answer the Call of the Coyote is to partake in a process of self-discovery that leads to the ability to live fully according to your own true nature. To answer the Call and to follow the Way means learning who you are, and what your place in the world might be. It is a quest to seek power of a spiritual nature.
The Way of the Coyote is the way of personal spiritual power. Such power is not power in the way the world conceives of power. It is not power that is involved in the accumulation of material possessions, or power that seeks to dominate and destroy other people. It is a spiritual power that operates in the spiritual realm. Such energy is the power to master the self, to heal, to nurture, and to gain wisdom.

Spiritual Power in the Way of the Coyote

You are leaving your old life behind as you set out on the Way of the Coyote in search of spiritual power. This means that you have already learned everything your old way of being in the world could teach you. Sometimes the baggage we carry from this older life as we cross the threshold can hinder us. Sometimes it can help us. In either case, the old way of being is part of your own personal mythology. At some point, this personal mythology has either failed you, or no longer satisfies you. If it did, there would be no reason to answer the Call of the Coyote, and you would have never begun this journey.

As you look back on the story of your life up until this point, consider why you find yourself now on a new path. What did your personal mythology teach you about the path you now seek to walk? If you are like many others, you may have been told that the Way of the Coyote is a dark and dangerous path. You may have been warned against following such a path. The spiritual power of this nature may go against your religious upbringing, or it may seem too “weird” to some people in your life. People in your life may have actively discouraged you from answering the Call of the Coyote.

Perhaps you were told that life is about the accumulation of material possessions, and not about answering a spiritual calling. Maybe you learned this from people whose idea of success is the accumulation of property rather than the accumulation of personal power. Maybe it’s just frightening to contemplate going off on a path you know little or nothing about. If these or any other reasons are conspiring to keep you from crossing the first threshold, don’t despair. With much risk comes much reward. As Mark Twain said, “Why not go out on a limb? That’s where the fruit is.”

By the time you finish reading this sentence, the experience of reading it will lie in the past. At which point does the present become the past? Now? How about now?

How about never?

Where exactly does the past lie, anyway? Once you have finished reading this sentence, the only place it will exist is in your memory. This means that all of your past experiences, all of those journeys you have already taken, only exist in what you remember about them. The past is a product of the mind.

Let’s turn to the future now.

Can you tell me exactly what will happen to you tomorrow? How about the next day? Or the next after that? Of course not, because you haven’t experienced it yet.

The problem with catastrophizing about what we think may come is that such thinking tries to predict the future. We are quite good at negative thinking. This is because negative thinking helps us to plan for the future. We look towards what might go wrong as a means of being prepared for any contingency. Without a little planning and prediction, we would never make any progress. If I don’t plan to make the house payment, I may not have a house in the future. If I don’t plan to eat today, and the next day, and the next, I might eventually starve to death.

But there is a difference between planning and catastrophizing. Catastrophizing involves focusing our attention only on the bad things that might happen in the future. I sometimes refer to it as musturbating, because it often takes the form of phrases like, “I must do this,” or “I must not do this.”

The difference between planning and catastrophizing is that planning involves setting concrete, measurable goals for the future while catastrophizing often ends in a storm of musterbation. Planning is a way of relieving anxiety, not of causing it. So if you’re feeling anxious while planning, you’re probably musturbating.

When you find yourself anxious while planning for the future, check to see if you are indeed catastrophizing or musterbating. Planning for the future is a way of anticipating negative outcomes and preparing for them so they don’t catch you unprepared further down the river. It is a way of relieving anxiety by minimizing future catastrophes. When planning for the future, watch out for statements that focus on negative outcomes rather than positive ones. This doesn’t mean that you cannot anticipate and plan for negative outcomes. If it did, nobody would ever buy health insurance! What it means is that you’re planning for negative outcomes in order to prevent or guard against them. When discussing possible negative outcomes during planning, it is as a means of having positive outcomes at a later time.

Spiritual Power and Catastrophizing

What if we do find ourselves catastrophizing? How do we escape it?

It’s called “catastrophizing” for a reason. It focuses only on potential future catastrophes. But unless you have a crystal ball, you cannot know the future with any certainty. This can be a scary proposition for people who have experienced catastrophes in the past, but if I find myself anticipating further disasters in the future, that possible future only exists in my mind. It is just as likely that something good might happen in the future. But if I’ve set my perception filter to only anticipate and look for bad outcomes, will I see a positive opportunity even if it presents itself?

Our perception filters only exist in our minds. The good news is that we are in charge of how those filters are set. We can choose which events in our lives to pay attention to.

The past only exists in memory, and the future is just an educated guess about what may or may not happen further downstream. Both past and future are nothing but products of the mind. We can consciously choose in the now which thoughts and feelings about past or future to give our energy to. When we do so, we are living in the now.

When we have anxiety, stress or depression, it is almost inevitably because we are dwelling on the past or on the future. As you read this sentence, are you having any stressful thoughts or feelings? If so, how many of those stressful thoughts or feelings are about what is going on right now, as you read this? How many of them are the result of things that happened in the past, or how many may or may not happen in the future?

To dwell on memories of the past, or projections of memory onto the future, is to be trapped by the mind. In the now, we can escape the mind trap and make conscious decisions on how much attention to give to those thoughts and memories. When we escape the mind trap, we step outside of time to the now. Here in the now, the past and the future cannot touch us unless we choose to let them.

In the now, we recognize that time is just the mind’s way of keeping everything from happening at once. Once we grasp the concept that time is just an illusion, we are free to connect with our True Self, in nature, and in the present moment. When we learn this lesson, we are on the road to true spiritual power.

Share Your Thoughts!

What does spiritual power mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Thought Streams

thought streams

Thought streams can impact one’s ability to cross the First Threshold. Setting out on the path by Crossing the First Threshold means being open to new ways of thinking and new ways of being. One way to do this is to change your thoughts by learning to live in the present moment, with intention.

Imagine that your thought streams and feelings are like a river. The river is always flowing, ever changing. In this river of the mind, sometimes positive thoughts float to the top, and sometimes negative thoughts float to the top. If we find ourselves in a spot on the river where those negative thoughts are floating to the top, our goal isn’t to stop the river by trying to dam it up. If we try to dam up the river, the water will only continue to back up behind the dam until either the dam bursts or the water overflows.

This is what happens when people have panic attacks or “nervous breakdowns.” The water behind the dam has no place to go, and it eventually builds up until a catastrophe happens.

Trying to stop negative thought streams and feelings by damming up the river isn’t the answer, since it could lead to catastrophe. So how do we deal with such thoughts?

What if there was an alternative to trying to stop the river by building a dam across it?

Thought Streams and the River

If we find ourselves at a place on the river where those negative thought streams are flowing to the top, we can consciously decide not to drown in the river by choosing instead to get out of the river, sit on the riverbank, and watch those thoughts and feelings flow by.

When we make this choice, the river is still flowing. We haven’t tried to dam it up. We’re just not swimming in it. From our viewpoint on the banks of the river, we can watch those thoughts and feelings flow by without being carried downstream. Using our intentional powers of observing and describing our own internal states, we can acknowledge the river’s presence without being at the river’s mercy.

In our analogy of the river, the thing that makes it flow from Point A to Point B is the presence of time. The sage has said, “You can’t step twice on the same piece of water.” This is because the water is always changing from moment to moment.

If you have the opportunity, find a gently flowing river near you. This should be a river where the water isn’t flowing too rapidly, and where the water isn’t too deep. Remember, safety first! This should be a river you know well, and it’s best not to do this activity alone.

Once you have found your river, go out into it. Don’t go any deeper than your waist. It’s preferable to find a spot on the river where nature surrounds you. If in doubt, find a footbridge you can walk across instead of going into the river.

Now stand in the river and do a little deep breathing. Inhale and exhale deeply for at least three breaths. Ground and center yourself. You may wish to do a brief meditation before continuing.

Now call upon your own Supernatural Aid. You may call upon the archetypal energy of your spirit animal, or it may help to hold a talisman in your hands. When you are ready, contemplate the river.

This is a river of the mind. Upstream, your thought streams about the past spread out behind you. Downstream, the river flows into the future. To return to the past would involve wading upstream against the current. To visit the future would require swimming downstream with the tide.

Suppose you tried to wade upstream or swim downstream. Once you got to your new location, the past would still lie behind you upstream relative to where you are now. Likewise, the future would still lie downstream ahead of you.
No matter which direction you move, you will always find yourself right here, right now, in the river.

Imagine yourself turning now to face upstream, towards the past. You already know what lies behind you. There may be rocky shoals and rapids behind you. There may even be high waterfalls and boulders. But the fact that you are standing right now at this place and this time in the river means that you survived the journey. Regardless of what lies behind you on the river, you have made it this far. This means that you are a survivor! You have met the challenges on the river and have gotten to where you are today.

Now turn to face downstream. The thought streams in this part of the river are unknown to you. You haven’t ventured there yet. There is no way of knowing whether more rapids lie ahead, or whether there is smooth sailing for the rest of the journey. You might try to make educated guesses as to what the downstream journey might be, based on the parts of the river you have already traveled, but there is no way to know with any certainty whether or not those guesses are correct. Rivers can suddenly change, and if you spend all your time worrying about what lies downstream, you miss the moment in which you find yourself. Worrying too much about what might lie downstream takes energy away from enjoying the pleasant experience of the river here and now.

Even if the worst happens, and we encounter catastrophes downstream, the choice to remain in the river is still ours. We can, at any time, make the conscious choice to step outside of the river for a while to watch it flow by.
We can’t know what lies downstream, but we can prepare ourselves for it. We can’t change the river, but we can change ourselves in order to increase the likelihood of a safe journey.

Life is like a river. When we learn to go with the flow, we decrease our chances of running aground.
Now cultivate an open and accepting attitude towards everything you are experiencing. What do you see? What do you hear? Can you feel the river’s currents with your body? Are there pleasant aromas on the breeze? Enjoy the experience of being in the river right here, and right now.

When you feel at peace with your surroundings, take a mental snapshot of all you have experienced here in the river. Mentally record the river in as much detail as possible. When you have done so, you may recall and retrieve this experience the next time you are feeling stressed out.

When you are ready, leave the river and sit on the riverbank while thinking over these questions:

  1. Once you were grounded and centered, did you find yourself thinking about what lies upstream or what lies downstream, or neither?
  2. Once you were grounded and centered, did you find your mind wandering to your mental “to do” list of daily activities, or did your thought streams subside?
  3. What was it about the river that made this experience different than your day-to-day life?
  4. Is there a way to carry this experience with you into your day-to-day life?
  5. How might this experience help you to see things in new ways that will lead you to your True Self?
  6. How might this teaching metaphor help you to cross the first threshold on your own Call to Adventure?

Though Streams and the First Threshold

thought streams

So, here we are, in the middle of the river. On one riverbank is the life we are leaving behind. On that other, unknown shore is the new life we’re moving towards. Crossing this river of the mind is consciously making the spiritual quest that is the Way of the Coyote the first and foremost quest in our lives. Rather than making pleasures of the flesh and accumulating material goods our goal and ambition in life is seeking a higher calling.

Seeking True Self doesn’t mean that we’re leaving our loved ones behind. It’s just the opposite. The more we are able to live according to our own true nature, the more we are able to help others. This is because when we are able to be the person we were born to be, we set aside the obligations that others have placed on us against our will. When we learn to do this, we learn to act for others because it is what we have chosen to do for ourselves, and not out of a sense of guilt, or shame, or self-blaming. This frees us to fully act for others of our own free will and to set aside resentments.

As we cross the river into the realm of the shaman, it’s not that we are leaving the material world behind either. We are instead learning a new way of seeing and being in the world. That way of seeing shows us that there is more to life than the trinkets and baubles of material possessions and status symbols. It is the path of true wealth that leads to love, connection, and ecospirituality.

This phase of the quest that is the Way of the Coyote involves emptying your cup. In order to be reborn as a seer, one must leave behind the former life. This means setting aside a life of pursuing material wealth just for the sake of owning things and instead seeking a life that makes room for nature and the spirit.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the idea that material things are the key to happiness, and a certain amount of material goods are necessary to survive. But if that is the sole motivation for life, our lives become meaningless and empty. The vision seeker instead searches for, and finds, things of spiritual significance. These spiritual things guide and enhance the quest. It is the path of true success and personal power.

Crossing the First Threshold, or crossing the river, involves announcing to the world and to yourself that the old ways have passed away. From this moment on, now and forever, a new journey begins. By announcing your intent to yourself and to others, you hold yourself accountable to staying on the path until the journey’s end. It is an acknowledgement that things will never again be as they were before.

Are you ready?

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What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

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The First Threshold

the first threshold Coyote call of the coyote

The time had come for Coyote to cross the First Threshold. Since the fire had gone out sometime before dawn, Coyote had begun to get cold again, so he leaped up and set out on his journey. Following the directions White Buffalo Woman had given him, he ran north towards the mountains.

Coyote ran all day and most of the night, stopping to rest only when he was too exhausted to go on. After three days he had journeyed further than he had ever been before. He came to the river that marked the boundary of the tribal lands of his people. The snow was thick on the ground here in the north, but the river had not yet frozen, and he could not cross. So Coyote ran up and down the river bank looking for a way to get to the other side. The more he ran the more frantic he became. He could not find a shallow spot or a place with rocks that he could cross.

As he ran up and down the riverbank, Sister Beaver sat on a log by the river watching him. Amused at his antics, she called out, “Are you trying to cross the river?”

“Yes! I must get to the other side!” shouted Coyote, “Do you know of a way?”

Sister Beaver was wary of Coyote. He had played pranks on many members of her family, and in the spirit of vengeance, she was eager to do the same to him. So she said to him, “Continue on downstream and you will eventually come to a huge beaver dam. It’s old, and a bit rickety, but I’m sure one as agile as you could cross it with no problem!”

“Thank you very much!” shouted Coyote as he ran down the river bank searching for the dam.

Sister Beaver knew that the dam was too old and rotten to support Coyote’s weight for his river crossing, but she was out for revenge for his many tricks at the expense of her and her family. Anxious to see what happened next, Sister Beaver swam downstream silently, out of sight. When she arrived at the rickety old dam ahead of Coyote, she climbed out of the river and hid behind a tree to watch.

Coyote eventually arrived at the dam and began to make his way across, stepping gingerly on the rotting twigs that made up the dam. Things were going well, but about halfway across he stepped on a twig that gave way, plunging him into the icy water. The water was so cold that it took his breath away when he fell in. Gasping, he grabbed for a twig to keep from being swept downstream by the swift current. He managed to fight his way back to the shore. Shivering, he climbed onto the river bank, shook the icy water off his coat, and began again. Meanwhile, Sister Beaver stood behind her tree laughing at him.

Once again Coyote made his way about halfway across the dam, and once again he stepped on a twig that snapped beneath his paws. Once again he plunged into the icy river, and once again he barely managed to rescue himself before he drowned. All the while Sister Beaver gleefully watched his predicament, trying hard not to laugh out loud. She tried to giggle quietly while hiding and watching, but Coyote’s keen ears heard her snickering. Quick-witted Coyote soon deduced what must be going on here. Needing to cross the river, but not wanting to spend the day plunging again and again into its freezing depths, Coyote quickly formulated a plan.

As he stepped onto the dam for his third attempt, he said aloud, “I just can’t seem to find the right path across the river! If I do not succeed this time, I’m surely doomed, for Sister Cougar is hot on my heels, and she appears to be so hungry that even my scrawny carcass might look like a meal to her!”

Just as he expected, he heard a rustling from behind the tree where Sister Beaver was hiding. He knew what she was thinking; that if scrawny Brother Coyote would make a good meal for Sister Cougar, how much finer a meal would Sister Beaver’s plump, well-fed body make!

Sister Beaver hesitated for only a moment before bounding out from behind her tree and onto the dam. Leaping from twig to branch, she made it all the way to the other side of the river. Coyote watched where she stepped, and careful to place his paws only where Sister Beaver had stepped, he followed her path across, making it safely to the other side without falling in again.

Crossing the First Threshold

“In the universe, there is an immeasurable, indescribable force which shamans call intent, and absolutely everything that exists in the entire cosmos is attached to intent by a connecting link.”

-Carlos Castaneda

For every journey, there is a first step. For those of us who seek the path of the Vision Seeker on the Way of the Coyote, the Crossing of the First Threshold is that first step to a wider world. The significance of that first step is that it indicates a commitment to the journey. The reluctance and refusal are over, and the intention of the seeker has been set. Once your intention has been determined, and you announce your intention to the Universe, there is no turning back. Crossing the First Threshold means that we can never return to the way things were before, because our world has changed.

In our story of the Way of the Coyote, Coyote has learned that if he sits still long enough, the fire goes out. This coldness before dawn is a reminder that spiritual practice is a daily practice. If we don’t tend the fire daily the fire grows cold. So Crossing the First Threshold is an acknowledgement that we are accepting a new way of seeing and being in the world. With that new way of being comes a new responsibility of living intentionally.

As we talked about in an earlier session, the Hua Hu Ching, by Lao Tzu, says this about living intentionally,
“Those who want to know the truth of the universe should practice the four cardinal virtues. The first is reverence for all of life. This manifests as unconditional love and respect for oneself and all other beings. The second is natural sincerity. This manifests as honesty, simplicity, and faithfulness. The third is gentleness, which manifests as kindness, consideration for others, and sensitivity to spiritual truth. The fourth is supportiveness. This manifests as service to others without expectation of reward.”

As you set forth on the Way of the Coyote, make it a daily habit to intentionally practice these four virtues. Do so and see how your interactions with others, self, and nature improve. When you commit to living a life of intention, you will have crossed the first threshold.

Share Your Thoughts on the First Threshold!

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Tree of Life Meditation

tree of life

The Tree of Life meditation is a grounding and centering meditation. Begin this grounding and centering meditation by finding a comfortable place to practice. If at all possible, this place should be outdoors. If you have a sacred space that you use for your spiritual practice, go to it. If your sacred space contains a tree, sit comfortably underneath it, with your back resting against the tree. By resting your back against the tree you are able to draw energy from the tree, so the tree chosen for this meditation should be a tree whose spirit is friendly to your own spirit.

If you must do this meditation indoors, sit comfortably in a quiet area that is familiar to you. Before beginning this meditation, center yourself by emptying your mind of all distractions. Start with a few cleansing breaths, making sure that your exhalations are longer than your inhalations. As you breathe, direct your attention inward. Do not proceed until you feel that you are centered. When you feel centered, go on to complete the meditation by following the steps outlined below.

  1. Begin the Tree of Life meditation by thinking of a color that gives you peace and serenity. This should be a color that brings you happiness, joy, and relaxation.
  2. Now visualize a small sphere of light in this color, radiating from your solar plexus, just above your navel. Picture this light flowing downward, out of the tip of your spine, into the earth below you.
  3. See the light branching off like the roots of a tree, drawing strength and energy from the earth. With each breath, you are drawing more energy out of the earth and into your spirit body.
  4. Your spine is becoming the trunk of a tree. The energy channeled within your spine is becoming the Tree of Life. Feel the energy rising from the ground to become part of your being. Feel the energy rise through the trunk of your spine into the crown of your head. See the energy as colored light, bursting forth from the top of your head. The light energy emerging from your head is branching off in all directions, reaching out to touch the heavens above with each exhaled breath.
  5. Watch the energy rise far above you, like the branches and leaves of the Tree of Life. Feel yourself becoming a part of all that is. You are merging with the life force of all existence.
  6. The energy beneath you is reaching deeply into the center of the Earth, drawing upon the life force of Gaia herself. The energy branching out above your head is reaching beyond the Earth. It is reaching to the stars. It is expanding into eternity.
  7. Now that you are completely grounded, seek your own supernatural aid by sitting quietly upon the Earth. You are not trying to go anywhere. You are not trying to do anything. You are simply enjoying the bliss of being. You are waiting quietly in the silence for your supernatural aid to present itself and to speak to you in its own way.
  8. Meditate on the silence, allowing your own supernatural aid to speak to you when and if it will.
  9. When you feel you are ready, you may close the Tree of Life meditation. To close this meditation, see the roots and branches of energy slowly returning to the center of your being. The energy of the life force is not leaving you, it is simply concentrating itself into your center of being.
    When you have returned to this world, open your eyes, and open your spirit to the world that surrounds you. Be ready to receive your supernatural aid in whatever form it chooses to manifest itself to you. If your supernatural aid did not make itself known to you during this meditation, then the meditation itself and the stillness it brings is its own reward. You may try again on another day to seek wisdom from your supernatural aid.

Tree of Life Meditation Video

The video below contains a Tree of Life guided meditation.

With visible breath I am walking.
A voice I am sending as I walk.
In a sacred manner I am walking.
With visible tracks I am walking.
In a sacred manner I walk.

—Prayer for Bringing the Sacred Pipe, White Buffalo Woman

As you walk the Way of the Ecospiritual Shaman, realize that you are not alone. When you set out to fulfill your destiny, things have a way of working in your favor. The stars align to assist you. Doors open. The Universe puts things in your pathway to assist you in your travels. Jung called this process “synchronicity.”

When you set out on your path, it is easy to get discouraged when things don’t always go as planned. The purpose of supernatural aid is to give you an otherworldly confidence in your ability to complete the tasks that lie ahead. Remember that as the trials appear, their purpose is to teach you what you’re capable of.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the journey. Mistakes are learning opportunities. If you never made a mistake, you’d never learn anything, because you’d be doing what you already know. Learning involves risk, and that is why your supernatural aid is there…to help you manage the risks along the way so that you may learn from them and not be overwhelmed by them.

As you set off on your own personal journey, rest assured that this is the path chosen for you. All the events in your life up until now have led to this moment. When things are difficult, keep this in mind. This is your destiny, so you will succeed. How could it be any other way?

Share Your Thoughts on the Tree of Life Meditation!

What do you think about the Tree of Life Meditation? Was it helpful? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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LABOR DAY 2024 SALE!

labor day 2024 sale

In honor of Labor Day 2024, we will be offering 20% off of all products!

As Labor Day approaches, the time-honored tradition of honoring the hard work and dedication of professionals in every field is upon us. At the Mindful Ecotherapy Center, we believe that the commitment to growth and learning is at the heart of professional excellence. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our Labor Day Sale, offering a generous 20% discount on all our continuing education courses for therapists. Whether you’re looking to expand your expertise in mindfulness, enhance your therapeutic practice, or stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of mental health, this is the perfect opportunity to invest in yourself and your career.

Why Choose the Mindful Ecotherapy Center?

At the Mindful Ecotherapy Center, we’re dedicated to providing top-tier education that meets professional requirements and enriches the lives of therapists and their clients. Our courses are designed to blend the best of mindfulness practices with the latest therapeutic techniques, ensuring that you leave with practical skills and deep insights that you can immediately apply in your practice.

Expertly Designed Courses: Our courses are crafted by seasoned professionals who bring years of experience in mindfulness, ecotherapy, and mental health. Each course is thoughtfully designed to offer a balance of theory and practical application, ensuring that you not only understand the material but can also use it effectively in your work.

Flexible Learning: We understand the demands of a busy therapist’s life. That’s why our courses are available online, allowing you to learn at your own pace, from the comfort of your home or office. Whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, our courses are accessible 24/7 to fit your schedule.

CE Credits: The Mindful Ecotherapy Center, LLC is an approved provider of continuing education with the National Board for Certified Counselors, ACEP #7022, making it easy to fulfill your licensure requirements while gaining valuable new skills.

    What Courses Are Available for the Labor Day Sale?

    Our course offerings cover a wide range of topics, all rooted in mindfulness and ecotherapy. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:

    • Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy (MBE): Dive deep into the principles of MBE and learn how to integrate nature-based mindfulness practices into your therapeutic work. This course is perfect for therapists looking to bring the healing power of nature into their sessions.
    • Advanced Mindfulness Techniques: For those who have a foundation in mindfulness and are ready to take their practice to the next level, this course explores advanced techniques that can help clients manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges more effectively.
    • Ecotherapy and Trauma: Explore the intersection of ecotherapy and trauma-informed care. This course offers valuable insights into how natural environments can support trauma recovery and how you can incorporate these elements into your therapeutic approach.
    • Mindful Communication: Enhance your communication skills with this course focused on mindfulness-based approaches to listening, empathy, and dialogue. Ideal for therapists who want to improve their client interactions and foster deeper therapeutic relationships.

    How to Take Advantage of the Labor Day Sale

    Taking advantage of our Labor Day Sale is easy. Subscribe to our newsletter, where you’ll find the exclusive coupon code that gives you 20% off any of our courses. The sale starts September 1 at midnight Pacific Time and runs through the end of September, giving you plenty of time to explore our offerings and decide which courses will best meet your professional needs.

    To use the discount, just enter the coupon code at checkout on our website. The 20% savings will be applied automatically, allowing you to enjoy high-quality education at a fraction of the cost.

    Don’t Miss Out – Invest in Your Professional Growth Today

    Continuing education is more than just a requirement; it’s an investment in your future and the future of those you serve. With our Labor Day Sale, there’s never been a better time to enhance your skills, deepen your knowledge, and expand your therapeutic toolkit.

    Join the community of mindful therapists who are committed to bringing the best of ecotherapy and mindfulness to their practice. Subscribe to our newsletter today, get your coupon code, and start your journey toward greater professional fulfillment.

    Remember, this offer is only available until the end of September, so don’t wait. Take the next step in your professional development with the Mindful Ecotherapy Center, where mindful practice meets therapeutic excellence.

    This Labor Day, honor the work you do by investing in your growth and well-being. With 20% off our continuing education courses, there’s no better time to start. Subscribe to our newsletter now and unlock the savings that will take your practice to new heights.

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    Spirit Animals

    spirit animals

    Spirit animals have been used as teaching tools for countless ages. Animal wisdom is about using nature as a metaphor and teacher through animals’ archetypal energy. At the start of Coyote’s journey, he has answered the Call to Adventure and has overcome the Refusal of the Call. Like Coyote, if you are following the path of the ecospiritual shaman, you are on a trip to find your ecological self. At this point in the journey, you are about to undertake a new, sometimes dangerous, quest through unfamiliar territory. It’s as if you are about to go into an uncharted, deep, dark forest without a map. It is dangerous because it is leaving the familiar behind and venturing off into unknown territory. Such a challenge can be quite daunting. This is why, in most legends and on most spiritual quests, some sort of Supernatural Aid is required to begin.

    If you have a belief in any supernatural entity, then by all means feel free to call upon your own higher power for assistance. But such a belief is unnecessary to tap into nature’s supernatural powers for guidance. There are several ways to do this, and all of these ways involve using nature as a teaching metaphor. Any metaphor will work, but for our purposes, my favorite type of supernatural assistance is Animal Wisdom.

    If you’re a sports fan, you’re no stranger to the fact that many professional sports teams are named after animals. There’s the Chicago Bears, the Seattle Seahawks, the Atlanta Falcons, the Philadelphia Eagles, etc. We also use animal names as terms of endearment (for example, “Teddy Bear”) or as nicknames (Richard the Lionhearted, or King Arthur, whose name means “The Bear”). This tendency is a vestige of a time when we lived closer to nature. We chose these nicknames because certain animals have specific characteristics. In using these names for ourselves, our loved ones, and our sports teams, we are either consciously or unconsciously invoking the characteristics of those animals. We are using the archetypal energy of animals to make changes in ourselves.

    Animal wisdom is the wisdom our spirit animals give to us. A spirit animal is an animal soul that functions as a teacher, companion, and helper. Some consider the practice of taking a spirit animal as the practice of drawing the archetypal energy of that animal into yourself, while others believe that animal spirits are real and assist us in our endeavors.

    Regardless of what you may personally believe about the actual existence of animal totems or spirit animals, you may call upon the archetypal energy of your animal totems to help you begin your journey. You may also call upon them at any time during the quest, should the going become difficult.

    Do you have an affinity for a certain animal? My wife and I both love cats, and she collects cat figurines and pictures. Other friends I know collect cows, pigs, bears, etc. When I ask people about their reasons for collecting a particular animal, the usual response is, “I don’t know, I just like cats (or dogs, or whatever).”

    Finding Your Spirit Animal

    If you have a favorite animal, have you ever stopped to think about why? What is it about that particular animal that attracts you? There is an almost universal tradition in indigenous spiritual paths of taking a totem animal. Sometimes even whole tribes took on the name of a particular animal (The Wolf Clan of the Cherokee people would be an example). Such connections with the animal world are important. But why are they important? Think about your favorite animal for a moment. You may have more than one favorite animal. If that is the case, pick the one that first comes to mind. Picture that animal clearly in your mind. It may help to do a mindful meditation while focusing only on your chosen animal. When you feel that you have established a connection in your mind with your animal, we will be talking about your spirit animal further in future posts.

    You may have more than one animal helper, but most of us have a primary power animal who serves as a helper. To call upon your own supernatural aid to begin the quest, you must first find your own spirit animal. You may already have at least one. If so, that’s okay. But if not, here are some ways of finding out what your spirit animal is. Begin by asking yourself the following questions:

    • If you’ve ever gone hiking, were you followed by a particular animal? If this happens to you, pay particular attention if the animal seems to be trying to tell you something.
    • Is there a particular animal that you find yourself drawn to? Is there something about the energy of this animal that you could use in your own life?
    • When alone in the woods, is there a certain animal you find yourself looking for?
    • When you find this particular animal, do you study its behaviors to see what it might be telling you?
    • What animal do you enjoy learning about? Have you studied a certain animal enough to be an expert on it? This animal could be a cherished pet or a wild animal that calls to you.
    • Does a particular animal keep showing up in your dreams? If so, what is this animal doing? Pay particular attention to animals that might attack or devour you in dreams. When this happens, the animal is symbolically killing the old you so that you may be reborn to partake in your spiritual journey.
    • Have you ever been bitten, chased, or attacked by a particular animal? Again, this doesn’t necessarily mean that this animal is your enemy. It could mean that this is the only way your totem animal can get your attention.
    • Do you collect paintings, statues, stuffed animals, or trinkets of a particular animal? Have you thought about why you do this? What does this animal mean to you?

    If you’re still uncertain about your spirit animal after reading this list, then do a brief meditation before bedtime, and ask your power animal to reveal itself to you. Make a note of your dreams that night. Did any animal show up? If not, keep doing a meditation and recording your dreams until your spirit animal reveals itself to you.

    Spend some time contemplating your own spirit animal. We’ll be talking more about how to connect with the archetypal energy of your spirit animal in future posts, but for now, just get comfortable with the idea of finding yours and meditating on its energy.

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    Nature as Supernatural Aid

    nature as supernatural aid

    Last week we discussed Supernatural Aid. This week we’ll talk about Nature as Supernatural Aid. While there are many forms of Supernatural Aid an ecospiritual seeker could rely on, nature is one of the more convenient ones, since most of us have the opportunity to experience nature in some form.

    I grew up on a 400-acre farm in the 1960s and 1970s. Back then there were no video games, and the television only had three channels, and that was if the wind was blowing in the right direction. My best friend lived five miles away, and if we wanted to visit each other we had to ride our bikes or walk. Our afterschool entertainment consisted of building forts in the woods, taking hikes, fishing, or collecting plants and animals. Growing up this way not only allowed me an opportunity for fresh air, it also stimulated my imagination and curiosity. The mythology of my time consisted of stories from my Scots-Irish great-grandmother about Native Americans, faeries, and Celtic lore, and Christian tales from my Scottish grandmother about the biblical patriarchs.

    I was never much interested in Christian mythology, as it mostly seemed to consist of people getting zapped by God for doing things in a way that displeased him. And he seemed to be displeased quite a bit. The Native American and Celtic lore were much more alive to me. Those stories were not black-and-white moral tales, but puzzlers where the right answer was often difficult to find. The more I studied these stories, the more I gained insight into myself and the world around me.

    As I became much more acquainted with mythology and learned to interpret it not as literal stories, but as teaching metaphors, fables, and parables, I returned to some of those Bible stories and got a lot more out of them the second time around. If you look at those stories as teaching tools and not as literal textbook descriptions of actual places and people, they become useful again. They come alive again. The secret is to focus on the message and not on the messenger.

    Nature as Supernatural Aid: The Power of Myth

    This poetical use of story and myth can also extend to nature. It is possible to use the wilderness as a metaphor for spiritual growth. In fact, many religious mythologies do just that. When Jesus asks us to, “Consider the lilies of the field’ which don’t toil or spin, yet they’re complete,” or when Buddha tells us that, “The Way lies in the nature that surrounds us,” these spiritual teachers are using nature as a training manual.

    A lot of the great enlightened teachers began their spiritual journeys by going off into the woods. Buddha did it, Jesus did it, Mohammed did it, Moses did it, the Native Americans did it, and so did most of the great spiritual masters throughout history. There is something about seeing the wild places firsthand that awakens our deeper, more intimate, and more personal levels of awareness. It is a rite of passage that uses nature to give meaning to our lives while returning to our most primal instincts.

    Science in recent years has begun studying the psychological aspects of wilderness experiences. In a 2005 study, van den Berg & Heijne researched some of these characteristics. The study, Fear versus Fascination: An Exploration of Emotional Responses to Natural Threats, explains that there are two basic types of attention: focus and fascination.
    Focus is the type of attention we experience most often in artificial environments. Human hands make most, if not all, of the things we see indoors. Since we evolved in the wilderness, but have only been living in increasingly artificial environments for a few thousand years, our brains are wired to be on guard in unfamiliar surroundings. The more primitive parts of our brains recognize artificial places as somehow alien. Because of this, we tend to use more energy to focus our attention while indoors to avoid these man-made distractions.

    Fascination is the type of attention we experience more outdoors. The deeper, older parts of our brains recognize natural environments as something familiar, so we tend to use fewer mental resources for focusing attention. This means that more mental energy is available to generate more meditative states. So unless a bear is chasing you, you’re calmer and more relaxed in the woods or on a beach than in an office or classroom. Such serenity is a prerequisite to spiritual events, so experiences in nature are highly conducive to developing more spiritual awareness.

    Such ecospiritual awareness, enhanced and induced by nature, is not about a particular religion. All religions contain aspects of nature, and all religions, when understood properly, hold a deep reverence for the natural environment. Ecospirituality is about fostering a spiritual connection by using nature as a tool to experience those awe-inspiring moments that make life worthwhile. When nature is experienced in this way, it is Nature as Supernatural Aid to the seeker. Sitting or hiking quietly in the woods or in another natural environment will allow your own inner wisdom to come forth. This Supernatural Aid will help you to find your own fires of inspiration when you walk the ecospiritual path.

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    Ethics and Ecotherapy Webinar

    ethics and ecotherapy

    This Ethics and Ecotherapy Webinar covers some of the common ethical challenges unique to the practice of ecotherapy. Ecotherapy usually includes doing therapy outdoors. Therapy in non-traditional settings presents unique ethical challenges. These ethical issues are not usually covered in therapy or counseling graduate school programs. In this course, we will discuss how to address some common ethical issues for therapists and counselors that are unique to the process of ecotherapy.

    • Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals
    • ONLINE Continuing Education Hours: 2 (Two)

    Ethics and Ecotherapy Course Information Packet

    CLICK TO PURCHASE

    Ethics and Ecotherapy Course Objectives

    After taking this course the student will be able to:

    • Discuss and describe confidentiality and informed consent issues common to the practice of ecotherapy
    • Discuss training recommendations regarding the practice of ecotherapy
    • Discuss assessment and client safety issues common to the practice of ecotherapy
    • Discuss and describe what constitutes dual relationships in ecotherapy
    • Discuss and describe values conflicts in ecotherapy settings
    • Develop a sense of self-awareness for counselors and therapists practicing ecotherapy

    Ethics and Ecotherapy Course Instructions

    This is a LIVE WEBINAR continuing education course that will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

    PLEASE NOTE THE TIME AND THE TIME ZONE.

    Once you have purchased the course, course documents will be available for download. You will also have access to the Zoom conference link, which will be embedded in the lessons for the course. Use that link to attend the live conference.

    Upon conclusion of the webinar, you will have access to a brief course review and a link to the final exam. When you have completed the webinar and the course review, take the final exam. You have three attempts to pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have passed the final a certificate of completion will be generated in pdf format for your records.

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