SOURCE: Project NatureConnect, Institute of Global Education

Earth Day 2004: Addressing Our Ecological Craziness as the Risk to Earth and its People Increases

Environmentally Supportive Personal Healing Techniques Are Now Available to Help Counselors, Therapists and the Public

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash., April 15 /Xpress Press/ -- In recognition of Earth Day, April 22, 2004, organic, ecologically sound, nature-connected psychology tools are now available to counselors, therapists, healers, their clients and the public at http://www.ecopsych.com/2004earthday.html

Due to studies indicating an accelerated rise in global warming carbon dioxide levels, an increase in oceanic dead zones and soaring mental/emotional disorders, Dr. Michael J. Cohen, director of Project NatureConnect at the Institute of Global Education has issued a proclamation and therapeutic tools for Earth Day 2004 that have been submitted to the American Psychological Association, the EPA and the National Education Association (http://www.ecopsych.com/earthproclamation.html).

The tools include a new organic psychology book and several potent, but easily-learned, nature-connecting activities for use by the psychotherapy, healing and environmental communities. They strengthen the healing process and address the threat to life on Earth by the dysfunctional parts of our mentality. They are also available to teachers, clients and interested members of the public. See http://www.ecopsych.com/2004earthday.html.

"The proclamation and Earth Day page show that we and our mentality are part of nature," said Dr. Cohen. "It also shows that when nature and its renewing powers are absent in the environment of the human mind, even our best thinking leads us to behave in ways that abuse Earth's natural systems in our body, our psyche and in the environment. Our troubles result."

In his new book "The Web of Life Imperative," Cohen reports, "Leading experts now recognize that individuals, society and the environment suffer dysfunctions because our thinking is excessively separated from nature's balanced ways and restorative powers. It is these powers that produce the social and environmental perfections found in natural systems and nature-connected people. Now, to our benefit, Organic Psychology helps us easily restore them in our psyche."

Cohen demonstrates that over 99% of our thinking is disconnected from and out of tune with nature. He says, "The nature-disconnected way we learn to make sense is the point source of our personal dysfunctions, such as stress, depression and anxiety, as well as environmental dysfunctions. Over the eons neither nature nor nature-connected people(s) have produced these problems."

"Producing mutually supportive ecosystem bonds is an essence of how nature works. It is our mentality's sterile isolation from this process that underlies our troubles." Cohen continues, "Our organic, nature-reconnecting activities, training and degree programs online are useful all year long in reversing this omission. They are welcome as special gifts for Earth Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Christmas and most other occasions."

Contact: Mike Cohen Ed.D., 360-378-6313, nature@interisland.net