Nature of Heart

Each experience reduces itself to a mood in the mind.

—David Henry Thoreau

Feeling to Learn

Invisible Currents—Nature's Lessons for the Mind and Heart is a tool that can be consciously used to explore personal and professional issues in a relaxed way. Observations from the natural world can encourage us to "feel" these issues "in here," (in our bodies) rather than "out there" (in some unknown, unfelt place).

Since all of our senses work by using muscles, moving all parts of our bodies helps us to think and learn better. When we move we are using nerve pathways to, from, and within the brain.

The more we stimulate these pathways by using them, the better they work for all activities. Especially important are cross-lateral activities, such as walking, where the arm and leg on one side of the body alternately cross over the body's midline (center of the body) and coordinate with those on the other side.

Moving to Learn

Walking is a great way to stimulate whole brain thinking. When you take that walk in nature, in addition to activating whole-brain thinking, it also produces raw materials for metaphors as described elsewhere on this site. Developing personal metaphors by observing nature is basically a simple process. The payoff is that metaphors can be powerful, and can transform our thinking and our lives.

If you start feeling stuck at any point during the process of creating your own metaphors, it may help to drink a glass or two of water and "walk in place" by lifting one knee and touching the opposite hand (or elbow) to it. This can be done standing or sitting. You may also find that listening to music, doing some Brain Gym© activities ("how to books" are available at braingym.org and braingym.com), or practicing a relaxation technique can be helpful in relieving stress and activating the whole body-mind for learning and creativity.

Invitation: We'd like to hear from you. Feel free to offer your comments. Also, check out the Nature of Heart blog.

References

Dennison, Gail and Paul E. Dennison (1994). Brain Gym® Teacher’s Edition, Revised. Edu-Kinesthetics, Inc.: Ventura, CA.

Dennison, Gail, Paul E. Dennison, and Jerry V. Teplitz. (1995). Brain Gym® for Business: Instant Brain Boosters for On-the-Job Success. Edu-Kinesthetics, Inc.: Ventura, CA.

Hannaford, Carla (2005). Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head. Great River Books, Salt Lake City, UT.
 

  Recognition
  Cindy Mueller