Resources and References
Aligned organizations and background research that have been formative to our work.
Formative Perspectives and Practices
Relational-Cultural Theory
Relational-Cultural Theory (and by extension, RC Therapy), posits that human nature is to “grow through and toward relationships.” Connection and relationship with others is seen as essential to understanding the self and to its making and remaking. This theory places relationships at a level of importance comparable to our needs for food and water.
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Ecopsychology
Ecopsychology is the synthesis of ecology & psychology, and promotes mutual regeneration. This approach to understanding the human mind is built on the notion that our wellbeing is inextricably linked to the well-being of the Earth. In this theory, there are necessary grievances, and even more opportunities for Earth-intimacy and mutual healing.
Permaculture
The three core ethics of Permaculture align with the vision of Kindling Connection: Care for the Earth, Care for the People, Care for the Future. Permaculture offers a practical method of developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems. This approach to regenerative living turns toward biomimicry to design systems that reflect thriving and dynamic natural webs of interdependence.
The Way of Council
Council is a conscious communication format drawn from ancient practices around the world, which involves sitting in a circle as a group, listening from the heart, and speaking spontaneously & authentically of our experiences. There are many ways of utilizing the practices of council, to respectfully discuss complex topics, make decisions, resolve conflicts, or build group intimacy.
The Resilience Toolkit
This organization provides a system for reducing stress and growing resilience so we can envision, create, and implement positive change. The framework describes three states of the nervous system: social nervous system (low stress), fight/flight (moderate stress), and freeze (extreme stress), and practices to build awareness and strategies for self-regulation. The practices are very accessible, immediately applicable, and backed by sound research and abundant anecdotal evidence.
Natural Learning Relationships
NLR maps the development of children and offers guidelines to create relationships that lead to optimal well-being. Each stage is outlined with organizing principles (ways of being), and primary nourishments necessary for healthy growth. I love that this approach offers the caregiver personal empowerment and a way of embracing mutual nourishment. The stages encompass many other theories of child development, and offer a holistic understanding of who we are and what we need from each other as life unfolds.
Wilderness Awareness and Coyote Mentoring
Jon Young’s approach to nature connection is built upon four key teaching principles: Sensory Awareness, Mind Focus, Self-Reliance, and Stewardship. The Coyote Guide to Connecting with Nature is full of practical and deeply inspiring resources, activities, and maps for understanding natural rhythms of learning.
Organizations and Resources
"To be a complete person we must travel many paths, and to truly own anything we must first all give it away. This is not a riddle. Only those who share their multiple and varied skills, true friendships, and a sense of community and knowledge of the earth know they are safe wherever they go."- Bill Mollison
Research
Barrable, A.; Booth, D.; Adams, D.; Beauchamp, G. Enhancing Nature Connection and Positive Affect in Children through Mindful Engagement with Natural Environments. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 4785. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094785
Berto R, Pasini M, Barbiero G (2015) How does Psychological Restoration Work in Children? An Exploratory Study. J Child Adolesc Behav 3:200. doi:10.4172/2375-4494.1000200
Bickel, L. A., & Preston, S. D. (2022). Environmental impassivity: blunted emotionality undermines concern for the environment. Emotion (Washington, D.c.), (20220804). https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/emo0001072
Broeder, L. den, South, J., Rothoff, A., Bagnall, A.-M., Azarhoosh, F., van der Linden, G., Bharadwa, M., & Wagemakers, A. (2022). Community engagement in deprived neighbourhoods during the covid-19 crisis: perspectives for more resilient and healthier communities. Health Promotion International, 37(2).
Carolyn K. West (2005) The Map of Relational-Cultural Theory, Women & Therapy, 28:3-4, 93-110, DOI: 10.1300/J015v28n03_05
Downie, J., & Llewellyn, J. J. (2014). Being relational: Reflections on relational theory and health law. UBC Press.
Dubus, N. (2014). Permission to be authentic: an intervention for postpartum women. Affilia - Journal of Women and Social Work, 29(1), 43–55. https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/0886109913509539
Earth Charter International Secretariat. (20n.d.). The earth charter. Earth Charter Secretariat, Earth Council.
Good, M. (2014). Come home to your wild heart. Ecopsychology, 6(1), 60–61. https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1089/eco.2013.0073
Gunderson, C., Graff, D., & Craddock, K. (Eds.). (2018). Transforming community : stories of connection through the lens of relational-cultural theory. Whole Person.
Hathaway, M. D. (2017). Overcoming fear, denial, myopia, and paralysis: scientific and spiritual insights into the emotional factors affecting our response to the ecological crisis. Worldviews, 21(2), 175–193.
Holifield, B. (2015) Psyche within the Matrix of the Natural World: Emergence, Restoration, and Sustainability, Psychological Perspectives: A Quarterly Journal of Jungian Thought, 58:2, 231-243
Horn, V. G., Kimmerer, R. W., & Hausdoerffer, J. (2021). Kinship: Belonging in a world of relations. Center for Humans and Nature.
Hubl, T. (2023). Healing collective trauma : a process for integrating our intergenerational and cultural wounds. SOUNDS TRUE.
Inagaki TK, Muscatell KA, Moieni M, Dutcher JM, Jevtic I, Irwin MR, Eisenberger NI. Yearning for connection? Loneliness is associated with increased ventral striatum activity to close others. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2016 Jul;11(7):1096-101. doi: 10.1093/scan/nsv076. Epub 2015 Jun 17. PMID: 26084531; PMCID: PMC4927031.
Jordan, J.V. (2017). Relational-cultural theory: the power of connection to transform our lives. The Journal of Humanistic Counseling, 56(3), 228–243. https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/johc.12055
Kals, E., Schumaker, D., & Montada, L. (1999). Emotional affinity toward nature as a motivational basis to protect nature. Environment and Behavior, 31(2), 178–202.
Kimmerer, R. W. (2020). Braiding sweetgrass : indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants (Second hardcover). Milkweed Editions.
Littman, D. M. (2022). Third places, social capital, and sense of community as mechanisms of adaptive responding for young people who experience social marginalization. American Journal of Community Psychology, 69(3-4), 436–450. https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/ajcp.12531
Long, D. A., & Perkins, D. D. (2007). Community social and place predictors of sense of community: a multilevel and longitudinal analysis. Journal of Community Psychology, 35(5), 563–581.
Luvmour, B. (2006). Optimal parenting : using natural learning rhythms to nurture the whole child (1st ed.). Sentient Publications.
Mayer, F. S., & Frantz, C. M. P. (2004). The connectedness to nature scale: a measure of individuals’ feeling in community with nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 24(4), 503–515. https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2004.10.001
McDaniel, T., Soto Mas, F., & Sussman, A. L. (2021). Growing connections: local food systems and community resilience. Society & Natural Resources, 34(10), 1375–1393. https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/08941920.2021.1958965
Macy, J., Brown, M. Y., & Fox, M. (2014). Coming back to life the updated guide to the work that reconnects. New Society Publishers.
Mannarini, T., Rizzo, M., Brodsky, A., Buckingham, S., Zhao, J., Rochira, A., & Fedi, A. (2022). The potential of psychological connectedness: mitigating the impacts of covid-19 through sense of community and community resilience. Journal of Community Psychology, 50(5), 2273–2289. https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/jcop.22775
Mest, R. A. P. D. (2008). Ecopsychology: the transformative power of home. The Humanistic Psychologist, 36(1), 52–71. https://doi- org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/08873260701415538
Nature-based education for action. Weaving Earth. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2022, from https://weavingearth.org/
Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2009). The nature relatedness scale: linking individuals' connection with nature to environmental concern and behavior. Environment and Behavior, 41(5), 715–740.
Ntontis, E., Drury, J., Amlôt, R., Rubin, G. J., Williams, R., & Saavedra, P. (2021). Collective resilience in the disaster recovery period: emergent social identity and observed social support are associated with collective efficacy, well-being, and the provision of social support. The British Journal of Social Psychology, 60(3), 1075–1095. https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/bjso.12434
Ostrom, E., Burger, J., Field, C. B., Norgaard, R. B., & Policansky, D. (2018). Revisiting the commons: local lessons, global challenges. Policy Applications and Extensions.
Ruddle, K., & Davis, A. (2013). Local ecological knowledge (lek) in interdisciplinary research and application: a critical review. Asian Fisheries Science, 26(2). https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.33997/j.afs.2013.26.2.002
Todd, P. G., Kimberly, C., Danielle, C., Kyle, C., Debbie, I.-G., & Amy, E. L. (n.d.). Developing trauma resilient communities through community capacity- building. Bmc Public Health, 21(1), 1–11. https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11723-7
Vakoch, D. A., & Castrillón Fernando (Eds.). (2014). Ecopsychology, phenomenology, and the environment : the experience of nature. Springer. https://doi-org.antioch.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9619-9
Vogl, C. H. (2016). The art of community : seven principles for belonging. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, a BK Currents Book.
Weissbourd, R., Batanova, M., Lovison, V., & Torres, E. (2021). (rep.). Loneliness in America How the Pandemic Has Deepened an Epidemic of Loneliness and What We Can Do About It (pp. 1–13). Cambridge, MA: Making Caring Common Project.
Work that reconnects network. Work That Reconnects Network. (2022, November 17). Retrieved November 27, 2022, from https://workthatreconnects.org/
Young, J., Haas, E., & McGown, E. (2016). Coyote's guide to connecting with nature. OWLLink Media.