Working in the outdoors with groups

Lesson 3: Work forms

 

As discussed in the previous lesson, you can apply the following basis structure when designing your programme:

  1. Welcome & introduction
  2. Introductory round
  3. Silent walk / meditation
  4. Experience based exercise
  5. Sharing of experiences
  6. (Ritual) closing

With a day programme, repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 in the afternoon, and move step 6 to the end of the day.

 

Tip

Allow ample time for the process of creating your programme. If not, there will be tension, and this well have a negative impact on the quality of the programme you will be offering. Taking time for things has never been a bad thing!

 

The 10 working methods

Below are the 10 teaching methods, with detailed explanations as to how to apply them, which you can use when completing your programme.

  1. Making a creation
  2. Searching for symbols
  3. An image in nature
  4. Metaphors
  5. Meditation / mindfulness
  6. Creating a space
  7. Seasons
  8. Playing with perspective
  9. Constellation
  10. Ritual act
 

 

Work form 1: Making a creation

You can have participants make a creation or still life with materials from the surrounding nature on a specific topic. This can be an individual assignment, but it can also be a group effort, making it a co-creation. With a co-creation you make a structure or artwork together, one where each participant adds their own part. This can be one at a time, with lots of attention, or spontaneous, whichever way it comes to people. If it concerns a team building workshop you let the group work it out and observe what happens.

The process of insight already starts at the execution of the assignment. The participant has to think through the theme and what they wish to express through the use of symbols. However, the deeper insights become clear after completion of the creation, once we ask questions. By looking once more at the still life and asking questions based on what is noticed, you arrive at a deeper level of consciousness that is less accessible in daily life. You will also notice that working with images, or still life offers an easier entry to the emotional and physical world.

 
Examples for individual creations or still life:

  • One that shows: Who am I?
  • One that shows: What am I good at? What are my talents?
  • One that shows: What is my desire?
  • One that shows: What is my struggle?
  • One that shows: What’s my mission?

Examples for co-creation:

  • A creation on the subject of Connection
  • A creation on the subject of Thankfulness
  • A creation on the subject of: What I bring...
  • A creation on the subject of: Pausing on... (or giving Attention to...)
  • A creation on the subject of: Committing to...

 

Asking the correct questions

Which questions are asked and the way in which they are asked is what truly determines the depth of the exercise. The purpose of the questions being to bring the participant to say out loud what is visible or what is being felt. Making real that which is real. Nothing more, nothing less. The greater the simplicity, the more powerful the impact.

This is why you should get used to asking open questions; questions that will invite contemplation, instead of yes or no answers. Remember, closed questions can be suggestive and can influence the answer.

It’s also important to refrain from thinking along, analysing, or giving meaning to the symbols yourself.

And final: don’t ask too many questions. Keep it minimal.

 

Asking questions on individual creations:

When working with individual creations, there’s several ways in which you can ask questions:

  • Plenary. Together with the group you walk past the different creations and you as a trainer ask deepening questions. This will only work well with a group of maximum 6 people.
  • You divide the group into smaller groups, or in pairs of two or three and let the participants ask each other questions. To ensure the feeling of safety for the one being asked the questions, it’s very important to give the following guidelines:
    • Only ask open, curious questions
    • Don’t give any meaning to what you see. So the one who asks questions doesn’t fill in anything for the other person
    • Refrain from giving any advice
    • Don’t compare the image or the answers to your own story, let it be purely about the other person right now
    • Don’t analyse or act like a therapist
  • You give the individual participants a few questions that they will answer for themselves. Once they are ready you can let them share their insights in the group.
 

Examples of what type of questions you can ask:

  • Is there a reason for placing this here or in this particular way?
  • I notice that… what does this say about your situation?
  • Does ... also have a meaning?
  • Do the surroundings play a role?
  • What do you notice if you look at it from a different perspective? (closer or perhaps even further away)
 

Asking questions on a co-creation

When it’s a co-creation, the following questions are a possibility to ask:

  1. The trainer offers one central question during the creation of the image. Whilst adding his or her material, the participant answers that question.
  2. The trainer poses one or several open questions once the participant has added something to the creation.
  3. Participants are allowed to let the questions arise spontaneously and ask them during the course of the creation. (Taking into account the guidelines previously mentioned).
  4. The trainer or participants ask questions at the very end, once the creation has been completed.

In the ready-made programmes the questions have already been included.

 

 

Work form 2: Gathering symbols

A second work form is the gathering of symbols along a walking route. The assignment could be to look for 1 symbol, or for several. Depending on the day’s purpose, you could choose to let people search for these symbols individually or in small groups. At their return you invite the participants to share what they have to say about the symbol. A few examples of this work form:

    • As an introductory assignment you can give the following invitation: Take a walk and look for a symbol that represents how you relate to being in a group. How do you feel within a group? How do you behave within a group? Afterwards the participant shares out loud in the group (or is a sub group) what symbol they found and the story attached to it.
      This immediately connects the group because people share from a place of vulnerability and there’s likely to be some recognition amongst them.
    • At the end of the day or multi day course, you can also let each participant look for a symbol which represents a quality from another participant.
      This is a beautiful exercise that gives a huge positive boost to each participant.
    • Something that is also suitable towards the end of a training is to look for a symbol that represents what the course has given you. Or two symbols: what do you leave behind and what do you take home with you?
      This is a lovely way to end the course, to experience gratitude and allow for the gained insights to be rooted.
  • When it revolves around a team, you can let each individual symbolise their vision on the company. Or which company or organisation values matter to the participant. Or what each person's unique contribution is towards the company.

When you brainstorm a moment, there’s plentiful ways to make use of these work forms.

 

 

Work form 3: The story behind the image

There are many beautiful stories hidden within forests or heath. A fallen tree could become one participant’s story who finds it represents the calm they so desire. A majestic beech could represent the strength and potential of a participant who has started to acknowledge their own value.

A story gets a deeper meaning through asking the right questions. What is the tree saying? This isn’t a helpful question, because it’s not connected to a theme or a question. It’s too broad which may lead to a shallow answer.

What does the tree say about who you are? That’s a good question. As well as: What does the tree say about your past? Or about what’s currently on your mind? Or about your resilience, your potential, your sadness, your struggle, your desire?

The image can be a specific tree, a fence, a crossroads, a ditch. Anything you may encounter along the way holds a story within when you pause to connect with it.

This works the other way around as well: What do you feel in this moment and where do you see that symbolised in these surroundings? What is your desire and where do you see that reflected? How powerful do you feel and what mirrors that strength?

 

How do you include such a work form in a day with a group?

An example:

  • Give the participant an individual assignment to go walkabout (optionally along a designated route) or to take a seat somewhere.
  • Give the participants ample time to connect to their surroundings (through a priorly guided meditation for instance).
  • Hand out the following question or direction on paper:
    What draws your attention in these surroundings?
  • Describe all the characteristics of this image in detail (Ex. straight path with trees alongside it. The trees slightly bend toward each other. The treetops are full with leaves and touch each other. There’s one dead tree amongst them. Etc.)
  • Then answer the following question: what does this image say about... (your place within the organisation, how you feel in your mourning process, your hidden talents... etc.)
  • Afterwards give the possibility to share the experiences in a group (or smaller groups).

Another example:

  • Have each participant choose a tree to which they feel most connected to.
  • Let them write all the characteristics of the tree in detail.
  • Then let them answer the question: what does this tree show about who I am? (or my qualities, what I find important... etc.)
  • Have the participant make contact with the tree again.
  • Continue by asking the following questions:
    • what is this tree’s place within the larger whole?
    • how does it relate to the rest of them?
    • how does it nourish itself?
    • Should it be trimmed to come into its own?
    • and what does that say about you?
    • What message do you take from this tree?

You can also let the participants walk in pairs of two or three and have them ask each other these questions, instead of writing them down. Or the others simply listen while one participant shares its answers out loud.

 

 

Work form 4: Working with metaphors

Another way to work with images is through the use of metaphors. A landscape holds countless metaphors in it. Simply imagine a three forked path, the first question could be: In your life (or with the organisation) you’ve arrived at a crossroads. Which path leads us towards growth and development? Is it the hobbly path with holes? Or should we deviate from the beaten path? Or is it wise to choose the paved road? And what will we encounter there? Each path holds its own metaphors:

  • A stone on the path. Which obstacle is in your way?
  • A gate? What are we closing? What are we opening?
  • A bridge. What needs bridging?
  • A ditch. What’s on the other side?
  • A lake. What source do we need to tap into?

Always make sure the questions are linked to the theme of the day. And narrow it down as much as possible. For example: What obstacle is in your way to reach your fullest potential? (And what does that look like specifically?)

With this work form it’s nice to priorly lay out a route and to allocate questions to each image ahead of time. Again, it’s the simplicity of a few questions, combined with an image that can bring tremendous depth to a person’s or company’s process.

 

 

Work form 5: Walking meditation

The combination of silence & nature to me is the most powerful way to reconnect to our true nature. Through feeling and knowing that we aren’t separate from nature but a part of it. It’s that one life source, that ensures that we breathe, that our hearts beat and that our blood flows through our veins that also cares for all other life inside and outside of us. Where else that in pristine nature do we feel this best? And what better way than to experience this through being silent?

We need silence in order to feel. We also need silence to feel what truly matters in our lives. And when we’ve gone through a process, we also need silence to root the insights.

Therefore, make sure that quiet moments and walking meditations are a set part of your workshop. They bring so much and are the most important pillars of your program. For some audiences (for example people with burn-out or caretakers), silence can even form a bigger part of your workshop.

Of Course silence can also be the theme of your entire day.

 

Guided walking meditation

Myself I always choose to start each workshop with a guided walking meditation. Which can look as follows:

  • We purposely walk in a slower pace and direct our attention to our feet for a while. Being very aware of every step you take.
  • When a thought comes up, that is fine. As soon as you notice this, bring your attention back to your feet.
  • Then we move our attention slowly upwards. Through your calves, knees, thighs, pelvis. Then belly, chest, lower back, upper back, shoulders. Then arms... hands... and finally neck and head.
  • Your attitude remains open and curious. All the sensations in your body are welcome. And if you don’t feel anything, or feel constantly distracted, this is welcome too.
  • Now we start noticing our emotions and feelings > this is a neutral awareness, nothing needs to go away, or has to be different, bigger or smaller. Everything that comes up we meet with a loving kindness. Simply let everything rest within itself.
  • Once we are fully able to embrace what is, we direct our attention outward. With awareness we connect to the sensation of the wind on our skin, the smells and sounds that surround us and we look at our surroundings openly and curiously.

After completing the walk, allow the group some time to process the experience.

 

Important directions

  • Make sure to face the group when you offer guidance, to make sure they are able to hear you. Sometimes you’ll need to wait for the group to assemble before doing this.
  • Experience the meditation for yourself as well to avoid giving directions too hastily and to allow yourself to slow down together with the group.
  • When you notice some participants going too fast, kindly invite them to be curious what would happen when they would slow down a bit more.

 

Work form 6: Creating a spot

Another beautiful and deepening work form is creating a spot (as a group or individually) in nature. The assignment will be to search for a spot and actively change something there (removing materials, adding, replacing) in order for it to become their own unique spot. The assignment can be linked to several themes. Such as:

  • Create a spot where you feel most comfortable
  • Create a spot that is optimal for your evolvement
  • Create a spot that brings you calm
  • Create a spot that invites you to come into action
  • Create your ideal stage

And for groups or teams:

  • Create the ideal work environment
  • Create a spot where everyone comes into their own
  • Create a spot that leaves room for development
  • Create a spot that suits the vision of the company

Allow enough time to create the spot as well as time for silence in order to feel what it’s like there.

In this assignment it’s once again the trainer’s or fellow participant's questions that you handed out on paper that determine the depth of the exercise.

Deepening questions are for example:

  • What makes this spot the right one for... (the theme)?
  • What did you add or remove?
  • In what way was that valuable?
  • What do you notice when you look at the spot from a distance?
  • What does it feel like at the actual spot?
  • What makes it feel like that?
  • Can you say something about the borders?
  • Is it clear where the spot begins and ends?
  • Is it free and easily accessible?
  • Is that beneficial or not?
  • And how does all of this relate to... (the theme)?

It’s possible that once after discussing the spot, individually or in group form, a need to change something might occur. In that case, it’s a good thing to invite them to do so. Allowing enough time to pause and feel what difference that made is important as well as asking the following follow up question: how does this act translate into reality? Or more precisely: what would you like to change in your life or work to experience this same optimal feeling or result?

If the questions are divided amongst smaller groups or individually, remember to allow time for the group as a whole to share some of their insights or experiences.

 

 

Work form 7: Working with the seasons

Seasons also tell their own story. During winter, life retreats. Nature goes into stillness. It’s a season of silence and inwardness. Of doing nothing for a while. As soon as temperatures rise again, life starts to reappear. Sprouting buds, unfolding leaves, germinating seeds and growing shoots. A time of birth and new life. Of growth and expansion. Of carefully appearing.

Spring is inspirational and carries a promise with it. It is also a time of welcoming. And then, summer is a time to enjoy the many shades of green, the blooming trees, the light and warmth. Sunlit days, summer fruit. Life is juicy. Until fall enters. The fruits have been harvested, work is done. This is a time of completion and letting go of that which is no longer necessary. New seeds may be dispersed, and that which withers becomes fertile soil for a new cycle.

To use the seasons for inner reflections is of great beauty. My advice with this work form is to stick to the power of simplicity. A silent walk, through which you use all your sensors to connect with nature and the characteristics of that season. Once more, it’s the questions that add depth. Don’t hand out too many questions. Maybe only one or maximum three. By the end of the walk, depending on the size of the group, you can share the findings plenary or in pairs of two or three.

Practically the assignment could be as followed:

  1. Think about the subject that preoccupies you and what you’d like to further explore
  2. After the meditative walk, look for a quiet spot and reflect on the following question(s)...
  3. Share your answers with...

Questions for Spring

  • What would like to reveal itself in you?
  • What is about to sprout?
  • What would like to move forward?
  • What is still vulnerable within you and requires extra attention?
  • What would like to grow and blossom?
  • What would you like to bring colour to?
  • What gives you energy?

Summer questions

  • What do you want to celebrate?
  • What makes you feel grand and full?
  • What fruits may you reap now?
  • What makes you warm?
  • What makes you glow?
  • What makes you enjoy intensely?
  • In what part of your life is there room for more playfulness?

Questions for autumn

  • Which benefits have you reaped?
  • Which of these benefits has led to need seeds being planted?
  • What no longer serves purpose and can you let go of?
  • Has something within you lost its colour?
  • Which situation has come to its end and could serve as fertile soil for something new?
  • What requires being cleaned up?
  • Which treasures would you like to collect?

Winter questions

  • Are you taking enough time to rest?
  • What needs slowing down?
  • What would it be like to seek total silence more often?
  • What needs to be reflected on?
  • What would be gained if you were to bring more attention to your roots?
  • Is there a situation where it would be better to do nothing?
  • Is there something waiting under the ground?

 * Of course you could also apply these questions to organisations.

 

 

Work form 8: Playing with perspective

Natural surroundings lend themselves perfectly to have a different perspective on things. We often get stuck in our thoughts, repeating the same old story. New insights occur when we are invited to change perspective. For instance when we are invited to let go of all presumptions, thoughts and judgements and look and experience things through the curious eyes of a child. Or when we are being asked to look beyond that which we can see with our eyes. Or to imagine perceiving the world through blind eyes, or to zoom in on one detail, or to zoom out for the greater picture. What if you were to make yourself really small or climb high into a tree? Once again, the best insights arise when the questions are related to a subject or problem that the participant or group faces.

Assignments could be:

  • Look at a tree from as many perspectives imaginable. (High in the sky, low to the ground, from a distance, under the ground, close by, around, etc.) What do you see? What do you notice? Imagine the tree represents... What important insights does that give you?
  • Look for something in these surroundings. First factually describe what you see. Then use your other senses (scent, sensory, auditory, taste). Lastly, add your feelings. What have you been able to discover?
  • An exercise for pairs of two. Walk hand in hand. Once leads, the other follows with their eyes closed. The leader brings the follower to a detail that they have noticed in the surroundings. Bring the head into the direction of that detail and say: ‘Click!’. The follower opens their eyes for three seconds and then closes them again. That’s how you guide the other person to surprising elements. At the end of the exercise, exchange experiences.
 

 

Work form 9: Constellation

Natural elements such as trees, shrubs or boulders lend themselves perfectly towards working with constellations. When working on a constellation, you place members of your family or organisation or parts of yourself in a space to discover how it feels at each spot. This can bring lots of understanding and insight. Skilled trainers in this line of work can uncover deeper layers within a system and undo energetic blockages. Here, I offer a very simple form, with the emphasis to keep it simple indeed. The power (and safety) comes through simply feeling and being aware. And to let that be true. Nothing more, nothing less.

In this work form, the elements from nature represent a person or the theme of the day. A few examples:

  • Theme: autonomy & confidence. Find two trees. One that represents your adult self and one for the needy child within you. First describe the differences between the two trees. Then lean against each tree with your back. Take enough time to really feel. What do you experience? Write down how you recognize these feelings in situations in your life. Finally, what insights did you get from this exercise?
  • Thema: me and the other. Find two trees. One that represents you and another that represents someone you have a relationship, or a conflict with, etc. Then lean against the trees with your back. Take enough time to really feel what you experience during this contact? Finally, what insights did you get from this exercise? Write down your experience.
  • Theme: we. The entire group finds an individual spot. Place a card with your name at that spot. First describe the spot and then how you feel at that spot. Also describe how you feel in comparison to the others. Switch spots several times and answer the same questions again. Exchange experiences in a sharing round.
 

 

Work form 10: Ritual act

At a celebration, a new beginning, a departure, or the end of an important period, it can be beautiful to hold a ritual, together or alone.Nearly all cultures and spiritual or religious movements have rituals, so there’s enough inspiration. Personally I find it beautiful to create your own, separate from any tradition. The importance with a ritual is to consciously pause at a specific moment. And that you invite gratitude and respect for it and connect it to a symbolic act.

A ritual can be very small and simple, like making a bow at an altar when you enter a sacred space. Or more elaborate such as creating a medicine wheel, making profound contact with your heart and the group, calling to gods of all directions through the drum of the shamans and expressing your gratitude towards then and seek guidance for that which is yet to come.

A few examples:

  • Gratitude: Find a symbol that represents what you are grateful for. Place the symbol in the middle of the group and share what you are grateful for. This way you create a shared circle of gratitude.
  • Letting go: Create a fire. Look for a symbol that represents what you’d like to let go of. Stand around the fire together and each take turns to share your story. At the end of your story, throw your symbol into the fire.
  • Walking a new path: All members of the group are partaking in this workshop because they are ready for a new future. They deliberately want to do things differently than before. Lay out a path. Start with a walking meditation. Towards the end you give the following guideline: with each step that you take, you let go of that which no longer serves you. Feel supported and carried by the energy of the whole group. You are not doing this alone. (Utter these sentences with a minimal 5 minute silence in between each one.) Extend the silence. Offer some guidance here and there to keep the focus and attention with the ritual. Towards the end of the walk (of minimum an hour), you exchange experiences.
 

 

Important notes

 

The power of simplicity

I thoroughly believe in the power of simplicity. It is my experience that a lot happens when you keep the program and your questions simple. You create a framework and a safe space wherein you allow the natural flow to take its course. The idea is that we create so much emptiness, that the space can be filled with truth. With that which truly matters.

That may look simple, but it’s not at all. We usually think with our scarcity mindset. Afraid that we don’t give enough. That the result will be too little. Afraid they won’t take us seriously. When we’re not aware of this, we’ll likely include too much into the program, too many work forms and too much of ourselves. Too much story, too much action, not enough silence, not enough space. Less is more. Don’t forget.

Ensuring safety

It should go without saying, but we would like to remind you that it is vital as a trainer to create a safe space with your training. This begins by being non-judgmental. It is also the calm you exude, and that you exercise a peaceful acceptance of all that will unfold on the day. Plus, make sure you ask your participants to keep everything that has been shared inside the group.

Time and efficiëncy

Of course it’s important to keep an eye on the timing of your program right. Some segments will take longer than others. Take that into account. Don’t be too rigid in your time management, but certainly not neglectful either. Determine ahead of time what segments are indespensible and what segments leave room for leaving them out. Have the courage during the sharing rounds to take charge when participants take up too much time.

 

Practical notes

  • Make sure you know the area you walk in really well. Know that most work forms take place at one spot, which means that ultimately you only walk a few miles in the course of your day. And the walking meditations are also at a slow pace. A route of about 2,5 to 3 km is more than enough.
  • Take all weather conditions into account by wearing appropriate gear, like a rain coat. (Thermo underwear during colder months for instance!) Communicate this clearly to the participants. No such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
  • Action or other outdoor shops have small sitting mats. This is a handy purchase to make for your group.
  • Make sure there’s water and snacks, or ask your participants to bring their own.
  • Choose a starting point where there’s the possibility to have a coffee or go to the toilet. Especially when people come from far.
  • Don't forget to bring a first aid kit.

 

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