Addressing the pervasive longing for meaning and fulfillment in this time of crisis, Nature and the Human Soul introduces a visionary ecopsychology of human development that reveals how fully and creatively we can mature when soul and wild nature guide us. Depth psychologist and wilderness guide Bill Plotkin presents a model for a human life span rooted in the cycles and qualities of the natural world, a blueprint for individual development that ultimately yields a strategy for cultural transformation.
With evocative language and personal stories, including those of elders Thomas Berry and Joanna Macy, this book defines eight stages of human life — Innocent, Explorer, Thespian, Wanderer, Soul Apprentice, Artisan, Master, and Sage — and describes the challenges and benefits of each. Plotkin offers a way of progressing from our current egocentric, aggressively competitive, consumer society to an ecocentric, soul-based one that is sustainable, cooperative, and compassionate. At once a primer on human development and a manifesto for change, Nature and the Human Soul fashions a template for a more mature, fulfilling, and purposeful life — and a better world.
Nature and the Human Soul: Cultivating Wholeness and Community in a Fragmented World
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Our times are changing, and it's necessary for our culture to grow into a more mature understanding of what it means to be human, living whole, meaningful lives, within the context of our larger and more-than-human-world. This begins with an understanding of who we are in our own lives, our own human nature. This book provides a detailed system and map for understanding the breadth and depth of the possible for the growth of fully-expressive selves, and a vision of what our community, culture, and world might be like the more of us live from this perspective. I absolutely cannot recommend this work more highly, and look forward to a time (soon, I hope!) when this sort of understanding of our whole human nature and development might be common knowledge for all of us. -- A Profound Work With Absolute Relevance To Our Times
This is one of those books that you must really think about before you read. Not because it is no good, but because it is so good. You have to steel your self for a journey into you. To actually think about your past choices and where they have led you. It makes you take a hard look at yourself and as we all know we don't always see things that we like. An amazing book. A definite must have. -- Journey into the Human Soul
I recently found myself amidst major upheaval on many levels; a dark night of the soul, without purpose or direction. Having done a vision quest almost twenty years ago, and knowing the power of that experience, I knew it was time for another. I had heard of Bill Plotkin's programs many years ago from a mentor, and have been impressed by the quality, breadth and depth of the programs. So while searching for a program to sign up for, I decided to buy "Nature and the Human Soul" to help me through until I could quest again.
In recent difficult days, and especially in the middle of the night, reading his chapters on the Artisan and the Master have given me perspective for the process I am going through. Such comfort, when very few understand the developmental stages human beings are capable of traveling. This work is brilliant in revealing that there are many more stages to human development than simply childhood, adulthood and old age. The book is a guide for honoring developmental stages, and in the process, creating and nurturing truly mature adults. Something sorely needed in these times.
Just prior to reading Bill Plotkin's book, I read Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth". I find Bill Plotkin's book more grounding, heart-centered, practical and precise in his guidance. "Nature and the Human Soul" guides one, not only in the importance of bearing witness, but also in the power of heeding the earths guidance and consequently, nurtures each human beings' soul-purpose here on Earth. -- The Power of Here
My wife Lupa really liked this book and I was curious myself to see what it was about. Nature and the Human soul examines nature and how it informs and otherwise nourishes the human soul. The author breaks up the human life into eight stages and relates a concept of nature to each stage of human development. The author's argument is that we need to cultivate an ecocentric relationship with nature and each other as opposed to a selfish egocentric relationship.
After reading this book, I will say that I have a renewed appreciation of nature and why it's important to have activities in one's life that involves doing something to foster a relationship with nature. I'm not talking about a walk in the park or even a hike in a forest either...I'm talking more along the lines of actively being a steward of nature. In this book, the author argues that we need to bring nature back into our cultural practices so that we can build spiritual and community practices that focus on the well-being of all, as opposed to the material well-being of humans. The author uses different stages of human development to show what can be done during each stage of development to build such practices.
One thing which works against the efficacy of this book is the lack of exercises. While the author makes an excellent argument for integrating into a person's spiritual and community practices, he doesn't offer much in the way of practical exercises to show how this can be done. The theory is in place, but the practice also needs to be instituted to really make the concepts in this book workable.
Four out of Five stars. -- The essential connection between humans and nature
Nature and the Human Soul reflects 25 years of Bill Plotkin's work, life, service, knowledge, experience, and imagination. In its pages I discovered what I'd been seeking for some time: meaningful guidance from a learned soul scholar, astute insights on how to integrate the paths of enlightenment and sustainability, and a depth brilliance all around. I went on to attend one of his workshops through the Animas Valley Institute and was mesmerized by his vision and model for recognizing and respecting souls in growth and community. -- Meaningful guidance from a learned soul scholar
