Preview
  • Nature and the Human Soul

  • Cultivating Wholeness and Community in a Fragmented World
  • By: Bill Plotkin PhD
  • Narrated by: Matthew Josdal
  • Length: 25 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (81 ratings)

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Nature and the Human Soul

By: Bill Plotkin PhD
Narrated by: Matthew Josdal
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Publisher's summary

Addressing the pervasive longing for meaning and fulfillment in this time of crisis, Nature and the Human Soul introduces a visionary ecopsychology of human development that reveals how fully and creatively we can mature when soul and wild nature guide us. Depth psychologist and wilderness guide Bill Plotkin presents a model for a human life span rooted in the cycles and qualities of the natural world, a blueprint for individual development that ultimately yields a strategy for cultural transformation.

With evocative language and personal stories, including those of elders Thomas Berry and Joanna Macy, this book defines eight stages of human life - Innocent, Explorer, Thespian, Wanderer, Soul Apprentice, Artisan, Master, and Sage - and describes the challenges and benefits of each. Plotkin offers a way of progressing from our current egocentric, aggressively competitive, consumer society to an ecocentric, soul-based one that is sustainable, cooperative, and compassionate.

At once a primer on human development and a manifesto for change, Nature and the Human Soul fashions a template for a more mature, fulfilling, and purposeful life - and a better world.

©2008 Bill Plotkin (P)2017 Tantor
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Critic reviews

"With Nature and the Human Soul, Bill Plotkin once again works miracles. This vital book provides a road map to help us remember how to be human - which means how to be a human being in relationship to the natural world, to our home. We owe Bill Plotkin a deep debt of gratitude for this important work." (Derrick Jensen, author of A Language Older than Words and coauthor of As the World Burns)

What listeners say about Nature and the Human Soul

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Great content, difficult listen

Great content, struggle to listen to because of the narration. Would've preferred the written book I think.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Whyb

I am looking for the entire book however I am only getting the first 10 minutes of f chapter one.

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1 person found this helpful

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A transformative and vital book for being human!

This is a vital read for being humans. Plotkin's model needs to be spread far and wide.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favorite books, AWFUL narrator

I think this is one of the most profound books and authors I've ever read. I love Plotkin and his work, and I recommend this book to many people. The narration is absolutely pathetic though. It would do this book a great service to have someone else narrate and just nix this one.

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Performance distracting

Great book HOWEVER reading word emphases VERY DISTRACTING -I almost gave up listening several times

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Nature and the Human Soul IS the most important book you might ever read!!!

This book has helped me to find my calling, to bring together sense out of my almost 60 years on the planet, put words to so many concepts I have known yet did not have language for. It gives us a way to vision our impossible dream and the encouragement of how exactly, a disparaging society with unhealthy cultural norms, can pair with the eco-system and those willing to risk, an eco centric awareness and eco-centric aging, which potentially can support us in acting like, “a communion of subjects, rather than how society currently experiences the world as a useful collection of objects.” In order for hope for our future generations. And a radically transformed, eco-centric life, where all is cared for. Thank you Bill!!!! You have my deepest respect and appreciation. I want to dance this book out into the world! 🦋🌻🪷🐆🦅🐉🐛🎋🌹🌈😍☺️✨👍🏽🌕🙏🏽

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Helped open my mind to what is possible.

NATURE added possibly and method to healing a chaotic self raising that was my childhood and adolescence. Deepened my appreciation of nature and added purpose to my soul work. Made me appreciate those wanting to change the arc of the planet’s story. I capped off the book with a trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

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Detailed and clear

This is a course on eco psychology that provides the stages of development in this perspective. It is very descriptive, detailed and understandable to everyone. The narration is quite good.

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Wow. My worldview is transformed.

I think this book is incredible. It provides a detailed and colorful map of the life-cycle of the human soul as a great wheel. There is a deep recognition of a mystical dynamic at work in our lives and the importance of free-play in nature during childhood to aid passage into and through middle and higher “soul-centric” stages of life. i don’t believe that I will ever look at life, community or global society the same again. In the end it is potent warning about our ego-centric society yet a hopeful book about the potential of individual and societal development provided a healthy childhood and the guidance of true elders.

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a guide to soul initiation

a great philosophy of Life rich in connection with nature and with the whole. A must read book for those who mentor adulthood and would like to change the world from the real core. Totally recommended.

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