By Elijah Kagan
“We ourselves, individually and as a species, are a magical power or presence in this world. The other-than-humans recognize in us a form of mystery no less stunning than their own. We, too, place other beings under a spell (including each other).”
Imagine there was a version of yourself who is more loving, caring, confident, charismatic, generous, whatever qualities you long to have more of. Now imagine that there is a way to access those traits and bring them to life within you.
We all carry dormant parts of ourselves waiting to be awakened, facets of our Self that, when cultivated, allow us to live with greater wholeness, presence, and purpose. Psychologist and ecologist Dr. Bill Plotkin in his book Wild Mind outlines a nature-based model for reclaiming wholeness by embodying innate resources within each of us through archetypal representation of the self.
Throughout our lives, we encounter many experiences. Some are supportive and encouraging, helping to build a strong ego and a healthy sense of self. However, other experiences can be defeating, whether they harm us directly, force us to adapt to unsupportive circumstances, or exceed our resilience threshold, leaving our sense of self fractured, and sometimes leading us to unhealthy lifestyles, thought patterns, and behaviors.
Whether or not you have faced something so extreme, everyone has aspects of their life they can work on and improve. But with so many paths to well-being, how do you know which to take? The truth is, there is no single route to wholeness or wellness. It is a personal journey and one that only you can walk. There are many teachers, guides, friends, and schools of thought that can help you find your way, but ultimately, it is your path to take.
One such path is the one outlined by Dr. Plotkin, who encourages us to embody archetypes with attributes that lead to wholeness. By engaging with these archetypes, we cultivate aspects of ourselves that allow us to live more fully and authentically.
Such archetypes include the Nurturing Generative Adult, which calls us to act with empathy, courage, and competence, offering care and guidance to ourselves and others. The Wild Indigenous One, which reminds us to fully inhabit our bodies, feel deeply, and embrace play, creativity, and sensuality. The Innocent/Sage which nurtures clarity, wisdom, and the ability to respond calmly in the midst of life’s storms. Finally, the Muse-Beloved, which connects us to imagination, creativity, and the mystery of life, helping us dream boldly and act with vision.
Cultivating these facets is less about learning new skills and more about intentionally and mindfully enacting them in everyday moments. It can be as simple as taking a walk and leading with the Nurturing Adult, fully feeling and expressing emotion with the Wild Indigenous One, spiritual practice or playful observation with the Innocent/Sage, or engaging in creative expression and dreamwork with the Muse-Beloved. As we consistently turn inward to call on these parts of ourselves, they become increasingly accessible, allowing us to move through the world with a fully embodied sense of wholeness.
By embracing these practices, we not only unlock hidden aspects of ourselves and improve our own lives, but also cultivate a richer, more meaningful connection with the world around us, bringing more creativity, compassion, and vitality into the lives of others.
To learn more about the nature-based model for wholeness, explore the Nature Engagement module on MyBestSelf101.org or read Wild Mind by Bill Plotkin.
“This is what is the matter with us. We are bleeding at the roots, because we are cut off from the earth and sun and stars, and love is a grinning mockery, because, poor blossom, we plucked it from its stem on the tree of Life, and expected it to keep on blooming in our civilised vase on the table.”