MBE in Clinical Practice Session 10 Discussion

Session 10: Nature as Nurture

10.2 My Animal Totem
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Think about your favorite animal. Hold the picture of that animal clearly in your mind as you complete the questions below:

What is your favorite animal? Why?

I had a very difficult time with this one - as I have many ‘favorite’ animals, in fact I love all animals. I spent several weeks thinking about this and even doing the “find your spirit animal guided meditations”. I still don’t think I can narrow it down to one.

The animals I feel most connected to are birds, dogs, and deer/elk. I will choose the wolf - as I always thought they were so beautiful and majestic. I have always loved domesticated dogs and my favorite were ones that looked like wolves. I also love wolf folklore and legends.

What are the characteristics of your favorite animal (for example, if your favorite animal is a lion, you might include ‘fierce’ or ‘independent’)?

Strong, playful, elegant, resourceful, friendly, intelligent, confident, strong but kind, loyal to pack, social


In what ways are you like your favorite animal (personal traits you share in common with your favorite animal)?

I think many of the wolves quality that I respect are ones I would like to grow in myself. The qualities that we already share are intelligence and resourcefulness.


In what ways are you different from your favorite animal (personal traits you do not share in common with your favorite animal)?


I think that I am not aggressive when I need to be - and I don’t think that I am as loyal or pack oriented as the wolf.


Of those ways that you are different from your favorite animal, are there any characteristics you would like to have, but don’t? For example, if your animal is a lion, and the lion is independent, and you don’t see that quality in yourself, but would like to possess it, list it below:

I would like to be more consistent with my “pack” and better at working with others. I would also like to be more patient. I would like to be stronger with my boundaries and know when to be aggressive and when to back away. I would also like to be more playful and wild.


How might your totem animal bring these qualities into your life? How could you draw upon the energy of the archetype of your totem animal to help you to live more fully in your True Self?


I think I could remember the reason for the wolves’ aggressiveness. I believe the wolf is aggressive for food or safety of self or pack and other times retreats.

I also can remember to have more fun, wild and be more playful. I often feel a deep desire to let go and be ‘wild’ but feel constrained by my surroundings and responsibilities.



10.5 An Attitude of Gratitude

For this exercise, enter your sacred space. If you have not yet established a sacred space for yourself, find any natural spot outdoors that seems to call to you. This spot will be your sacred space for the purposes of this exercise. Ask the spot’s permission before continuing. If you feel that you have been granted permission, then express your gratitude by making an offering of some sort. This offering can be food, or a libation, or a colored ribbon, or an act of nurturing like watering or pruning a plant or removing debris from the area. While engaging in this activity, remain open to nature’s voice by performing a mindful breathing exercise or some other form of meditation.
After you have made your offering, sit quietly in your sacred spot and observe for a few minutes. Write down your observations by answering the questions below.

Did nature grant you permission for this activity? If so, how did this permission manifest itself?

Yes - I asked for permission and I waited. I felt welcomed and no ‘negative’ vibes or weird feelings so I took that as a permission granted.


When you made your offering, how did you feel? Did your perceptions of the location change? How?

It was quite powerful and I was not expecting to feel so different. I did not actually read the directions of the exercise before I got to my sacred space. I did not plan out an offering. (as a side note - in order to practice leave no trace and reducing our alterations of natural spaces - I don’t not think it wise to leave any items that would not be found in that space).

I decided to leave a strand of my hair and I burnt some frankincense resin. I also picked up trash that was around my area. My perceptions of the location changed dramatically - when I gave my offering, I experienced quite a shift. Although I deeply respect and love nature - and try to do my best to be an environmentalist - I never quite ‘thanked’ the space and contemplated that I could give it something in return. I always just thought how much nature gave me.

After the offering - I immediately noticed all of the exposed roots that were winding and twisting around the creek. I felt like a part of this land - not just a visitor.


When you made your offering, did you notice any changes in your thinking? If so, what changes?

Yes - I started thinking about how everything is connected. How I am a part of the landscape and it is a part of me. I felt extremely soft hearted and connected on a level I had not felt before.


If this is the first time you have ever established a nurturing relationship with nature by making an offering, did this act of gratitude change how you feel about yourself? In what ways?

This was my first time doing this in such a way. It made me feel less dualistic in my relationship with this space and more one. I also felt softer towards my self and loving.



If this is the not first time you have ever established a nurturing relationship with nature by making an offering, when did you first start the practice? How has the practice helped you to grow in your relationship with nature?

Last year I started routinely picking trash everywhere I went - especially near a creek that runs through a public wooded park, with hiking and biking trails. I are in my relationship with nature by doing this - as I felt more respect for our ‘mother’ and picking up trash made me aware of how much is on our land. It made me be more mindful of all that I do - from walking on earth, to other activities.


After you made your offering and began observing this sacred space, what did you notice?

As mentioned above - I noticed all of the tree roots.

How might the things you noticed or observed change how you feel about yourself?

Maybe I can feel more soft and connected - and see that I have offerings to give as much as the offerings I receive.

Was anything you noticed nurturing to you? If so, how might it help you to live more fully in your True Self?

The act of an offering - made me feel more gratitude as well as soft hearted. The water and cool air felt nurturing to me and I think it can help my true self to be giving and know that that giving is sacred and part of the connection and nurturance that is given to me by nature.


10.7 The Cycle of Nurture

If we expect to receive nurturing from nature, we must first expect to be willing to offer such nurture in return. Nurture is a two-way street. In order to establish the cycle of nurture with your own sacred space, first go to your sacred space and find a comfortable place to sit or stand. Next ground and center yourself by engaging in a brief meditation. Now ask permission for what you are about to do, and wait for a reply. If permission is granted, continue with the exercise below. If permission is not granted, find another place or wait until another day.
When you have received permission from nature, make an offering to express your gratitude, then sit or stand comfortably and recite the following three times to all the life present in your sacred space:

“I understand that you are suffering. I am here for you. I hear you. I care. Please tell me how I may help.”

Once you have recited the above three times, open your heart and your mind and wait for an answer. This answer may come in the form of a visit from an animal, or the way the wind moves through the trees, or a sound, or just a feeling within yourself. If you don’t receive an answer, end the exercise and try again on another day, following the same formula described above.

When you have gotten an answer, write your responses to the questions below.

What answer did you receive?

I heard three words - love, acceptance and flow.


How do you plan to respond? In what ways may you nurture nature?

I plan to respond by fully experiencing love more and practicing what it feels like to give love by being love - not by giving things (words, gifts, compliments, etc.)

I may nurture nature by remembering we are all the same. I am not receiving more than I am giving (which was what I previously thoughts). I will cont. to remove trash and debris and I will be intentional about recognizing the sacredness of nature (and within myself) at all times.


How might the actions described above (your plan to help nature) help you to receive nurturing from nature in return?


As mentioned above - remembering that we are all connected and equal can remind me to treat myself as good as I treat ‘nature’ - I make conscious efforts to reduce my impact - maybe I could do that for myself as well - by making more thoughtful choices that help myself.


How might nature manifest its gratitude to you for your help?

By giving me peace and reflection - my safe space.

How might you prepare yourself to receive this expression of gratitude?

By being mindful - aware and PRESENT.

How might establishing this cycle of nurture with nature help you to become the person you were born to be? To live more fully in your own True Self?

By allowing myself to love myself as much as I love others - and respect myself as the sacred being that I am. I think I can be more confident and free knowing that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.