(An online course)
Self-Study: Register anytime
Enriched Study: October 2, 2016 - April 1, 2017
As the state of the biosphere grows ever more perilous and modern culture becomes increasingly alienated from the natural world, we believe it is critical that humans return to right relationship with the land. We manifest this conviction in part by guiding people toward an ecological identity based on a healthy Human-Nature relationship.
Working with nature as guide and mirror, Ecology and the Soul invites you to explore human nature through an investigation of Nature’s ways.
This course reviews fundamental concepts in ecology and explores their relevance to the human journey. Positive cultural change is the outcome of healthy individual development and with this in mind, Ecology and the Soul contains a strong personal growth focus. As a participant in this course you will explore fundamentals of ecology that can help you to understand how metaphors and images can either hold a framework in place, or stimulate the creation of a change in attitudes and behaviors.
Goals of this course include:
1. To enhance your mindfulness and awareness practice in nature.
2. To sharpen your skills of observation and interpretation.
3. To expand your sense of imagination, aesthetics, and ethics.
4. To develop your appreciation of principles of ecology as they pertain to natural ecosystems
5. To deepen your sense of your personal ecosystem and how you engage with the world based upon this inner view.
There are two streams for this course:
Option 1: The Self-Study is offered to anyone wishing to complete the course material on their own. Every 2 weeks (for a total of 10 modules) you will receive an email consisting of content to read and contemplative nature activities to complete. The course will provide you with food for thought and offer practices to enhance your daily life and connection to nature. In this self-directed course, what you do with the material is very much up to you. You may be inspired to write or create in different ways. Or, you may simply value the content as nourishing food for the soul whose value will continue to ripen in you over time.
This course is ongoing throughout the year and participants may register any time.
Option 2: The Enriched Study includes guided discussion through email threads, video conferences, and additional course work and feedback from instructors. Students in the Windwalker Dragonfly Guide Apprenticeship are required to registered for this option. There is a schedule for this course and participants are expected to meet deadlines for all assignments. You can expect to devote at least one hour per week to the course materials and communications, plus whatever time you give to the course activities.
Deadline to register for the Enriched Study is September 30, 2016. If you are registering for this option you must submit a 1-page (approximately 250 words) paper describing your reasons and intentions for taking this course. Take this seriously. Our experience is that the clearer you can be now about your intentions, the more present you can be for what is available to you during the course.
Email your paper (Word attachment, please) to both Wes: [email protected] and Corinna: [email protected]
Exchange
Self Study: $100
Enriched Study: $220
Guides: Corinna Stevenson & Wes Gietz