Much of the power of forest therapy is a result of how effectively it separates us from the ordinary experiences of our day-to-day lives, and reconnects us to the elemental realities of nature, experienced directly through our senses and imaginations. When we are in the forest on a skillfully guided journey, for a few hours we are in between experiencing in ways that are culturally "normal." This in-between state is called "liminality."
Carl Jung showed how liminal times have particular potency for supporting our journeys to authentic selfhood. They are an opportunity to look into the mirror of nature, which offers clear reflections undistorted by social pressures and expectations. The freedom to connect with our authentic selves is the foundation of well-being. This essential growth process is called "individuation."
In this workshop, participants explore the dimensions of liminality with special focus on how forests interact with the active imagination and support the individuation process. Using expressive arts, making mandalas and other expressions from natural materials found in the forest, and supported by the techniques of forest therapy, we journey into our own mythic landscapes.
Amos Clifford is the founder of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs and author of the best selling Your Guide to Forest Bathing (Conari Press 2018). A student of Buddhist philosophy for over 20 years, Amos founded Sky Creek Dharma Center in Chico, California, where he emphasized the importance of meditation practice in wild places. Amos is also widely known for his work in restorative justice. He is founder of the Center for Restorative Process, where he has led the inquiry into how the principles of restorative justice can inform ways to heal the broken relationships between humans and the more-than-human world of nature. Amos holds a BS in Organization Development and an MA in Counseling from the University of San Francisco. Amos has been the primary developer of ANFT's acclaimed training programs.