Navigating The Depths of Grief

Grief is often associated with negative emotions and the hardships in life that we desperately hope never to revisit. However, as I delved deeper into the process of grieving, my perspective on it began to shift. Since embarking on an intentional healing journey in 2013, I've confronted the realities of my grief head-on. Like all emotions we experience as human beings, grief holds immense significance and serves as a crucial process if we seek to live authentically.

Fortunately, nature provided a sanctuary where I could truly feel and embrace my authentic self. I began searching for ways to access my grief through the embrace of the natural world. Through these experiences, I have gleaned invaluable lessons about the profound emotion of grief. I share them with you now, in the hopes that they will help you reimagine your own relationship with grief and serve as a testament to nature's unwavering support throughout your healing journey.

Grief Feels Like….

ocean waves of sadness and joy rise to the surface at their own accord, on their own time. The ebbs and flows of grief are most manageable when we surrender to the process, but of course, that's easier said than done. 

The Elements….

have become an integral part of my healing work. Water, in particular, held immense significance when I was still navigating the early stages of self-discovery, trying to understand my essence and origins. Studying its properties, observing its behaviors, and witnessing how it interacts with other elements, water became a representation of movement, action, and the reflection of my soul. Just like dreams of traversing through water, I learned that our emotions of grief and loss flow through our beings and find release through our tears. Embracing the act of shedding tears became a pivotal step in my healing process. It was cathartic, even though it didn't change the circumstances or situations that initially gave birth to the grieving process.

The Heaviness…..

used to weigh heavily on me, feeling born out of the uncertainty and the void it created. It pressed upon my soul, burdening me with its weight, because even though I knew what needed to be done, I felt constrained from speaking openly, free from judgment from the external world. Until...

Receiving my batok (traditional Filipino tattoo)….

it was then that I discovered the vantage point from which my ancestors once traversed the waters. The ocean became a symbol of processing grief because from their eyes, traveling on the open ocean was like seeing the unearthing of new worlds, new lands, as they emerged from the horizon, as if coming from the underworld. In our cultural beliefs, it is said that we journey back to the stars on a bangka (canoe), as we transition from physical beings back to spirits. 

What Feels Lighter Now....

is my presence with grief. The weight has lifted as I embarked on a journey of reconnection, delving into the teachings and traditions that have recently revealed themselves to me. I began by comprehending the significance of water and how it plays a vital role in the process of grief. The fragments of knowledge shared by storytellers, the custodians of culture, and active practitioners have guided me on this plane, as I yearn to understand the essence of who I am and where I come from; this is what I call– Ancestral Healing.

Continued Gratitude….

to all that have been and will be. I cannot pinpoint exactly where my journey of grief commenced, whether it began on this plane or another. Nor can I predict its ultimate destination. However, what I can share with you is the realization that I belong to multiple dimensions, and it is through these dimensions that I become whole, standing firmly in my power. 

Grief has no definitive endpoint; it transforms into other emotions such as passion or, my personal favorite, praise (learned from Martin Prectel’s, The Smell of Rain on Dust). Grief does not exist in isolation, and neither do you. Stay tuned for part two of this series, "Grief: Death and Transformation," where we'll delve further into this profound journey. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay connected.

Your Nature-Based Coach,

Raynelle

3 Ways Nature Helps You Process Emotions

The word trauma carries a lot of energy on its own, creating barriers to your healing. So in order to work with our trauma more effectively, let us think of how it moves as emotions that need to be processed. One of the most common questions I get from people that are first diving into using nature for their emotional and mental healing is, what do I need to get started? I call this getting to your “trailhead”.

For those who may not know me yet, welcome! I am Raynelle– an experienced nature based coach + consultant from the San Francisco Bay Area who leads healing hikes. I have had the pleasure of supporting clients, businesses and most importantly myself through nature-based coaching! I am so excited to share with you the top 3 ways I use nature to support my emotional processing while your out in the elements on an actual hike or a virtual one.

Connecting in Silence

With all the noise during our day to day, our mind, body and spirit crave silence to be able to heal and feel clearly. I start my time in nature with a deep breath and asking for permission as I set my intention for this time. I try to keep my intentions simple such as– I need to re-ground after a busy and stressful week. 

Remembering Who the F*** I Am

Everything is energy. Energy is not created or destroyed, instead it flows and is transmuted to something else. While in nature, I make a conscious effort to focus on prioritizing the movement of my energy through my body, in and out as needed. Just because it is energy, does not mean that it is serving you from a higher source so pay attention to how you feel and if any plants or animals stand out for you during the journey. 

I believe that the language of healing is accessible metaphorically in the four elements. As you are looking for where to spend time in nature, consider which element may be playing a bigger role in your present moment.

Earth: your physical body, your needs, your space

Fire: your energy, passion, action and movement

Air: your chi or life-force, your beliefs, your breath, your mindset

Water: your creativity, your emotions (especially grief), what brings you meaning

“People can only meet you, as deeply as they've met themselves.” -Matt K.

Releasing

Receiving the support of nature is one of the most important gifts we have in this realm. As you wrap up your intentional time, remember to make an effort to release what no longer serves you. This can look like washing your hands in a nearby water source while setting an intention of releasing a specific emotion that is weighing you down as you heal. For me, it can sometimes look like having to let out a good yell in the middle of the Redwoods as I am processing my feelings of overwhelm. Don’t forget to give thanks to the land, your ancestors and guides as you close your time.

There are so many ways to use nature based coaching for your mental and emotional healing. For those near to me in the San Francisco Bay Area or interested in our virtual options sign up for my newsletter to get the VIP invitation to the next in-person or virtual journey. So proud of you and wishing you all the best.