Questions and ecopsychology Someone wrote saying my position on issues was confusing and all the philosophy looks weak and indecisive. On another list someone asked what the ideal eco-lifestyle looked like. I wonder if these questions have answers outside of the individual asking them. This line of reasoning appears at times in ecopsychology and here is a definition: http://clem.mscd.edu/~davisj/ep/aboutep.html Ecopsychology integrates ecology and psychology. Among its contributions are bringing psychological principles and practices to environmental education and action, bringing the contributions of ecological thinking and the values of the natural world to psychotherapy and personal growth, and fostering lifestyles that are both ecologically and psychologically healthy. Ecopsychology is rooted in three insights. (1) There is a deeply bonded and reciprocal relationship between humans and nature. Ecopsychology has presented two metaphors for this relationship: (a) nature as home and family (siblings, Mother) and (b) nature as Self, in which self-identifications are broadened to include the "greater-than-human" world and Gaia. (2) The illusion of a separation of humans and nature leads to suffering both for the environment (as ecological devastation) and for humans (as grief, despair, and alienation). (3) Realizing the connection between humans and nature is healing for both. This reconnection includes the healing potential of contact with nature, work on grief and despair about environmental destruction, ecotherapy, psychoemotional bonding with the world as a source of environmental action, and sustainable lifestyles. Ken Wilber. (1996). Brief History of Everything. Shambhala. p 202-204. THREE INSIGHTS OF ECOPSYCHOLOGY 1. On Human-Nature Relationships Our views of our relationships to nature are central to our mental health and to the health of the environment. These paradigms govern our feelings and actions toward the environment. Ecopsychology calls for shifting the mainstream paradigm. A. Nature is a danger or prison and should be controlled and developed. This is the dominant modern Western view, some would say. It may also be a "straw man" in that I doubt few people would explicitly agree with it. B. Nature is a resource for humans. In the narrow view, it is merely an economic resource, a warehouse. In a broader view, it is also a rec center, amusement park, museum, scientific resource, even a therapist's office and a place of worship. Nature should be used wisely, preserved, protected. Some variation of this view is the dominant modern Western view, I would say. It is found in both the "Wise Use" or development community and the mainstream environmental movement. C. Nature is Home, and its inhabitants are family. Nature as Mother, teacher, healer, sister/ brother. This view brings a deeper bond with nature. Action to protect and preserve nature is based on love. D. Nature as Self, a holistic, ecocentric, somewhat transpersonal view. Environmental action is then Self-care. E. "There is no human-nature relationship" Daido Loori, a Zen master at the Zen Mountain Monastery. This view suggests a more deeply transpersonal view based on nonduality of nature and humans. (How could he say that.. .no relationship!? Perhaps he means it as a koan. How do you understand it?) All but (A) have been associated with Ecopsychology. Most ecopsychologists express (C) and (D) in their work. A few have hinted at (E), the extension I am calling for. 2. On the effects of the disconnection of humans from nature (or more precisely, the illusion of a disconnection) A. Implications for the environment: non-sustainable behavior and environmental destruction B. Implications for humans: alienation, denial, numbness, despair, and other forms of psychological and existential suffering To live in the midst of environmental devastation takes either great denial or big heart and great faith. 3. On reconnecting humans and nature Renewing the connection between humans and nature is essential for both. Contact with nature is healthy and healing. There is much research on this point from a variety of theoretical perspectives. An ecopsychological paradigm shifts the source of environmental action from shame, blame, coercion, and sacrifice to devotion, love, joy, and invitation. Authentic service is selfless and skillful. ---------- Jeff Owens ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Zone 7, http://www.teleport.com/~kowens Underground house, solar energy, reduced consumption, no TV
