Nurture Nature
Groups follow the general format of successful small group gatherings. In particular, these groups follow the outline of the book, "The
Conservationist's Way" and the Conservationist's Meditation.
Open: Understand the Call - Study and Reflection
Listen: Hear the Call - Be Embraced by Nature
Nurture: Respond to the Call - Exercises and Reflection
Conserve: Respond to the Call of All - Embrace Others
Going Forth
1. Opening
Words. Choose a short inspirational reading or meditation that addresses the
theme of the group gathering.
2. Check-in.
Invite everyone to give an update on how they are doing in general, as
well as in following the Conservationist's Way.
How has each been nurtured or need nurturing since the last meeting?
Allow space between each person's sharing with silence, and end with several
minutes of silence after all have shared.
This is a time for deep listening, and not discussion.
3. Understand the Call - Study and
Reflection. Pick a reading or sharing of
a story that comes for the fields of science, biology, ecology, evolution,
history, psychology, behavior, interpersonal neurobiology, cognitive ethology,
etc. Readings may come from The Conservationist's Way as you
progress through it chapter by chapter in this group. Another book may also be selected, or
recording or video. Discuss the material
and what it means for you. How does it impact your feeling, thinking, or
action?
4.
Hear the Call - Be Embraced by Nature.
Engage in an embodied immersion into nature. This could be a walk outdoors, cloud or star
gazing, or listening to a story from others of how they have been nurtured by
nature. Discuss your response to this.
How are you nurtured? Changed?
5.
Respond to the Call - Exercises and Reflection.
Choose an exercise that goes along with steps #3 and/or #4. You may use exercises in The Conservationist's Way or design your own. Discuss and reflect
on how this nurtures you, or changes you.
6. Respond to the Call of All - Embrace
Others. Discuss possible tweaks to your
daily activities or future plans. What
do you dream to do for others? How can
you be nurtured in ways to make this possible?
What can you commit to do for others, and with others. Is there anything this group can do together?
7.
Going Forth. End with reviewing the
groups covenant and action steps. How did you do? Are there any changes to either of
these? Then share gratitudes and blessings for yourself, one another, and this
earth. End with a meditation, song,
prayer, poem, or reading to send each other out into the world, nurtured and
nurturing.
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