Reading Room
Find Articles, Essays and More by Robert Hensley.
PUBLISHED MARCH 12, 2024
As the principles of ecopsychology and ecotherapy become more widely accepted, and the benefits of a connection with Nature become common knowledge, it seems only fitting for people to try to reclaim their relationship with the natural world. For many, however, this is not a task that is easily undertaken. There is a balance between the rhythms of the Earth and the world of industry that must be struck for any real connection to be made, appreciated, and honored.
PUBLISHED MARCH 13, 2024
Those of a certain age probably remember growing up, hearing things like:
“Go play outside! It’s good for you.”
“If you don’t get out of this house…”
“Go get the dirt blown off you!”
Or any number of other phrases which their parents hoped would get them out of the house and out into Nature. It was easier then, too, because there weren’t video games, mobile devices, and social media to keep them plugged in.
PUBLISHED MARCH 14, 2024
Jim Henson is credited with saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them.”
It’s a simple phrase, meaning: “why fight the current when it’s clear you can’t swim against it, so it’s better to float with it wherever it’s going.” That is the challenge and solution to trying to connect with Nature while living in a world where everyone, even children, have a tiny computer in their pocket.
It’s not a question of taking away technology, but using it.
PUBLISHED MARCH 18, 2024
According to the APA (American Psychological Association), eco-anxiety is defined as "the chronic fear of environmental cataclysm that comes from observing the seemingly irrevocable impact of climate change and the associated concern for one's future and that of next generations.” Also known as ecological anxiety, eco-distress, and climate-anxiety, this commonly unpleasant emotion is not a medical diagnosis; it is a rational response to climate change.
PUBLISHED MARCH 25, 2024
In some cities, there are large areas of undeveloped, protected, transitional green space separating urban centers from the suburban sprawl. These spaces often provide the only local outlets for outdoor activities without driving beyond the city limits and suburbia. The Bronx River Forest in New York and Los Angeles’ Griffith Park in California come to mind.
With the latter in mind, the city of Los Angeles’ Department of Parks and Recreation maintains miles of trails - some paved, others graveled, and most are just dirt tracks. These paths criss-cross the Hollywood Hills east of the 101 freeway. While they are not flat or moderately-raked to call them walking paths, they are not steep enough to be called hiking trails.
PUBLISHED APRIL 4, 2024
The practice of personal rewilding is quite simply the practice of reclaiming our inherent connection to Nature, which can involve immersion in the natural world, meditation exercises, and journaling. The process of rewilding and living with a relationship to Nature has some profound and often-espoused health benefits, ranging from lower blood pressure, lowered production of stress hormones, lowered anxiety, lessened symptoms of attention disorders, increased immune response and rate of healing, and more.
However, we must acknowledge personal rewilding’s side effects.
PUBLISHED APRIL 7, 2024
In elemental meditation, the practice focuses on the four cardinal elements - the building blocks of life, including earth, air, fire, and water - sometimes together, and individually at others. The goal of devoting attention to the elements is to honor the connection to all life by honoring the things all life has in common.
PUBLISHED APRIL 11, 2024
Wikipedia defines animism as “the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. Animism perceives all things—animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather systems, human handiwork, and in some cases words—as being animated, having agency and free will.” It is a common belief among many indigenous peoples.
PUBLISHED APRIL 21, 2024
When we think about Earth Day, annually observed on April 22, our attention is usually drawn to community action items and activities designed for “going green.” It is a day for raising environmental awareness and for people to commit to environmentally friendly practices. It is a day to talk about saving the planet.