Living Nature - a nature-based immersion in the wild human soul
From May 4th to May 2022, a colony of 20 courageous souls joined paths at the top of a Rhodope Mountain peak, in the magical land of Bulgaria. Following their longing, their bravery and their curiosity, they had come from Romania, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, England, Slovenia, Serbia, Latvia and Greece. Leaving the demands of their respective daily lives by the foot of the mountain, they spent 7 days immersing in the mysteries and the rabbit holes of wild nature and the wild human soul. Guided by Via Magus guide Lucie Klein in partnership with Learning for Change guide Ognian Gadoularov, our pilgrims dove into timelessness and hectic adventures. With Bill Plotkin’s “Nature-based map of the Human Psyche” and “Nature-based Human development wheel” in each pocket, our questers launched into an exploration of their most intimate longings, fears, grief, pattern behaviour, visions and gifts. Through daily solo wanders in the mountains, encountering Deer, Stag and Salamander and teased by the mysterious tales of Bear and Wolves, they met lost parts of themselves and courted new edges of their consciousness. Guided to feel more deeply, to open their imagination and shed the parts of themselves that held them back, they awoke to the new horizons of their soul’s gifts and of the Earth’s dream. Dancing, singing, conversing with their night dreams, drawing, drum journeying, poetry and fire tending were just some of the many practices they re-membered from their ancestors and breathed into their envisioned future. Tears flowed, laughter resounded, doubts seized, clarity struck, pain burnt, inspiration shone. Each to their own journey, welcome home ceremonies were performed and departure rituals were offered. Courageously sowing the seeds of “the only life they could save” (Mary Oliver), they each left with one or many promises in their heart and a glimpse of the unique part they are called to play in regenerating our human cultures and restoring connection with the wilds within and without. Here is how some of them described their journey:
“A cathartic course which left me breathless and fulfilled by the deep connection and understanding of my own personal soul, mission and gift! It helped me discover my wounded inner child and embrace it with a hug. The course made me experience a whole spectrum of emotions and find practices that suit best to my ongoing journey to wholeness.”
Stela, Bulgaria
“Living nature will be with high probability one of the experiences that will change my view on the world in the next years. Thanks to this program and the guidance of the facilitators I put the first few bricks to build a more regenerative and eco-centric life which I am willing to cultivate and foster to my surrounding.”
Matteo, Italy
“In our modern societies it is very easy to be lost. This course was exactly what I needed to reconnect with my soul and purpose in life. I feel inspired and learned very useful tools to keep working on myself and my connection with nature. Forever grateful!”
Paula, Spain
“The course living nature is a course where my soft empathic being feels safe to be, just how the Inner world is calling for him to be. It is a dance between surrender to discover " You" and do action to break through to " You". I would recommend this course to all People that feel ready to be responsible for their life, to become one with nature and stop fearing life, but rather take the power lying inside of our heart and do great things for self, others.”
Patrick, Slovenia
Future versions of Living Nature are coming in the Autumn 2022 and places will be limited, stay tuned for dates and opening of application by leaving Via Magus your email address. We look forward to journeying with you.
