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October 1, 2020

The Benefits of EcoTherapy During COVID-19 By Spiritual Expert & Addiction Therapist, Audrey Hope

The Benefits of Eco-Therapy During COVID-19
By Spiritual Expert, Trauma and Addiction Therapist, Audrey Hope

Eco-therapy is a powerful healing modality that helps us return to our essential nature and go beyond the rational mind into our subconscious, where true healing takes place. It is a universal language that we can all understand because it needs no words of explanation, it is all in what we feel. Nature has the tools for healing because it connects us to something that is greater than ourselves. In nature, we are lifted beyond mediocrity into the realization that we have the power to heal ourselves. The ultimate goal of therapy and transformation is to reconnect to the truth of who we are. Eco-therapy is a successful treatment for all suffering because it is based on the principle of alchemy- the transformation from caterpillar into butterfly, base metal into gold, etc.  To see it take place outside really embeds it into our psyche. We realize, in my sessions, that the old must die before a new self is born and that all pain is an invitation to ascend and change. Many of us experience trauma and suffering, it is not a rare phenomenon but it is important to note that it is a gateway to become your best self. We have always needed the elements to heal us but now we need them more than ever.  We are in unprecedented times of being locked and isolated indoors and fearful of a virus that we can’t yet understand.  The remedy is fresh air, green grass, and gratitude for the light that lets us go for walks outside. Meditation and Eco-therapy have been proven to reduce stress and improve the immune system.

Nature is a wonderful teacher as it tells us everything we need to know. To look at a tree, for instance, we can find strength and foundation. When watching the ocean waves, we learn movement, and to plant a seed we learn to appreciate timing and patience.  If we are sad and need hope, we can walk outside and hang out with the sun, and if we need support, we can place our bare feet on mother earth and feel protected.  In my sessions, we realize that as human beings we are constantly on the go and that instead, we should take the time to slow down to hear and observe what’s around us, live in the present moment. Additionally, as human beings we are looking for answers in all the wrong places. We give top billing to our mind and try to find solutions with our intellect.  Permanent healing is not done in the rational mind. So many of us have been in therapy for years and can write a thesis on our issues, but are still not recovered fully.  With Eco-therapy you realize that healing must be an al-chemical change on all levels- body, mind and spirit.  People suffer because their minds race, spin around constantly like a monkey on a wheel, we call this “monkey mind.”  Our memories and pain circle around constantly until the loop gets embedded into our psyche.  With nature as the therapist, we enter what is called “thoughtless awareness” where we give center stage to our emotions and let our intuition/higher guidance lead the way.

There are many forms of Eco-therapy… Animal Assistance, Wilderness Therapy, Natural Lifestyle Therapy, Green Exercise, Horticulture Therapy and all lead to the same destination- a return to a higher consciousness of love and peace. My methods of healing are to use the elements of nature as tools. Watch the animals to witness authentic living.  I ask my clients to find, what I call, their animal totem and begin to meditate with them and allow them into their life for guidance. I ask them to go outside and observe any animals that might have a message for them.  To study the animals and to know the spiritual nature of them. There are many different ways to expense energy into nature. If someone is depressed or traumatized, I have them lay down on the earth and close their eyes and breathe their pain into the ground. One can feel the support of mother earth and trust it.  One has to release the truth of their pain… Cry it out or scream it out and give it away to nature. They can also put their hands on a tree and give their energy and story to the earth. If they’d like, they can also go to the top of a mountain and scream about their problems. Anxiety and depression are truly the energy of “too much.”  We as humans have a tendency to run, so we lock away our pain in a deep place. When someone holds in their pain for years or denies letting down their guard to release all of their trauma, there will be overload in themselves and this overload will take the form of depression. Yet, anxiety and depression is heal-able when it is seen through the window of emotion and energy.  That is why I ask my patients to release their energy into nature. This is a more active way of using nature to support their healing and it is less intimidating than putting them center stage and having them speak to me about their feelings.

 

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