Making Friends with Nature — Canadian Art Therapy Association

Nature’s Way is a new column by Envisage writer Taylor Bourassa, exploring eco-art therapy techniques to incorporate into therapeutic practices, and invites us to practice ways of interacting with, befriending, and enhancing our relationship with the earth.

Taylor Bourassa is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and art therapist with a private practice, Wellness Grove Therapy. She incorporates the environment into her practice through the use of natural materials, meditative practices that centre the earth, inviting the natural environment into sessions as a co-facilitator, and sharing the primordial knowledge the earth provides.

As we are in the midst of a global pandemic, we find ourselves sheltering in place, limiting our social contact, and in turn limiting our access to nature. Some may be noticing a change in their interpersonal relationships, anxiety levels towards relationships and social contact, or a general disconnect from the world at large. Some may be feeling a generalized anxiety directly related to accessing the outside world, for fear of contracting COVID-19, not being able to properly adhere to regulations put in place in their regions, and a lack of familiarity or sense of safety with the changing landscape.

This eco-art therapy invitation directly addresses the potential anxiety felt in reaction to our changing world, and addresses our human need for relationship and bonding.

Take a walk in nature. Bring along simple drawing materials of your choice. Choose a location nearby that is easily accessible to you. Location is important because the easier it is for you to access this natural spot, the more likely it is for you to feel comfortable with accessing it regularly.

Explore the natural space both visually and physically. Notice the colours that are calling for your attention. Is there a variety of shades and hues? What plants and flowers do you notice? Are there multiple species of trees? Notice the different smells and sounds as you explore this space. Feel the grass with your fingers, feel the flowers and leaves in the trees. Notice their temperature and textures. Do they leave a residue on your fingers?

Allow your breath to slow down to match the rhythm of the environment.

Tree with its canopy of leaves and branches

Find a tree within this space which speaks to you. I invite you to find a tree rather than a bush or flower because a tree is likely to be more resilient and consistent through seasonal and weather changes.

Once you have found your tree, interact with it. Place your hands on its bark and feel its pulse. Notice its root system peeking through the forest floor or the ground. Imagine how deep this root system travels beneath your feet. Imagine the strength held inside of these roots. The information needed for this tree to survive, travelling through those roots to the rest of the tree. Notice the interplay between this tree and others around it. How are they sharing space and resources? Sit at the base of this tree, with your back pressed against its trunk. Notice how it supports you, how it embraces you.

Look up to its branches. Can you see the sky through the canopy of its leaves? Are its branches intermingling with a neighbouring tree?

Place one hand against the trunk of this tree, and one hand over your heart. Slow your breath to the pulse of the tree. Notice your energy, and the energy of the tree communicating, working together to share messages and sensations.

At this point, you can ask the tree for its name, and share your name with the tree. If you are having difficulty with this, and you do not hear a response, simply share your name with the tree and trust that in time, its name will be revealed to you.

Step back and draw your tree as you see it. If you feel compelled, you can write an accompanying poem, letter or narrative to the tree. Before you leave this spot you can thank the tree for its wisdom and strength. You can share with it the image you drew and the thoughts that come up for you. It is your decision how much or how little you share with the tree and how you do so. You can silently recite the thoughts and response to the tree’s presence in your mind, out loud, or you may choose to sit silently and meditate.

This part of the process is important because it recognizes the reciprocity inherent in relationship. As you form a bond with this tree ensure there is a feeling of appreciation expressed back to the tree. Thank it the way you would thank any other friend — especially for its presence.

Continue to visit this tree and work on your relationship. You can choose to practice this daily, weekly, or monthly. As you visit the tree continue to draw and write to it, taking notice of any changes in the way the tree looks or feels. This will become especially apparent as the seasons change. In these moments you can also share with the tree any changes you feel in yourself and your surroundings. As you explore these changes in yourself, you can choose to visually reflect on these alongside the images you create of your tree using simple lines, shapes and colours to document the felt sense of your experiences.

As you continue to visit your tree and walk the same nature path, you will notice a sense of familiarity with the space. You may notice anticipations and expectations for what is around the corner, or for certain colours or sounds showing up for you. This familiarity may help to ease some feelings of anxiety related to unpredictability. The experience of making friends with a tree and the act of exploring the nature of the tree and its space can be a powerful grounding exercise which invites you to stay mindfully in the present moment. This friendship also allows you to carve out a space for yourself, knowing that this same space may be shared with other humans, animals, insects and plants. When you step back and reflect, this single tree you have formed a bond with represents itself as a key figure in a much larger community. A community which you are a part of, and which you may have been interacting with through this single tree.

You can continue this process of visiting and communing with your tree for as long as you wish to, knowing that you have a friend to return to, who is always there holding space for you.