Get Happy, Get Nature

We deem those happy who from the experience of life have learned to bear its ills without being overcome by them. —Carl Jung

[image]: Apollo, god of music, Athenian red-figure kylix C5th B.C., Archaeological Museum of Delphi.

A friend of mine who also studied Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute posted this this morning which she found on the CJ Jung twitter feed. I find this quote particularly profound and poignant partly from reading notes from my students where several shared their struggles in life and as their stories resonate and reside in me I reflect on how best to be their teacher this semester. Part of the challenge as a mentor, a guide, a teacher is for us ourselves to find the balance where we have learned how to bear the ills of life and not become overcome by them.

But how exactly do we do this? And can it be taught? For me, a key element is a sense of purpose and accomplishment, that I am being of service and doing something with my life–giving back, creating, participating, not just consuming. I feel better about myself and the world when I live consciously on the earth and with others.  And I am always better able to bear life’s challenges when I spend time in nature whether I am walking, hiking, camping, sitting, contemplating. When the going gets tough, the tough get going –outside! There’s even a website and a commercial for Nature Rx

.

Class will also include this video version of Dr Seuss’s book Oh The Places You’ll Go which uses Burning Man 2011 as a backdrop (and yes I was there that year!) and a clip from Wall E. Ah the places we’ll go this semester…