Grief and Traumatic Loss Journal
Rev. Dr. Glen B. Maiden PhD, DMin, LMHC, CSAT, CMAT, CST, ANFT
Grief and Traumatic Loss
Nature Immersion:Creation Walk Journal
Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………2-6
How to Use This Journal……………………………………6-7
The 7 Intimacies………………………………………..…..8-11
Creation Scriptures……………………………………..…12-20
Journal: Session One…………………………………..….21-25
Journal: Session Two……………………………….….….26-31
Journal: Session Three………………………………….…32-29
Journal: Session Four……………………………….….….37-40
Journal: Session Five………………………………..…….41-44
Journal: Session Six………………………………….……45-48
Journal: Session Seven…………………………………….49-51
Journal: Session Eight…………………………………..…52-55
Journal: Session Nine………………………………..….…56-59
Key Vocabulary………………………..………………….60-79
The Author
Rev. Dr. Glen Maiden is a 40 year senior pastor serving Bible believing churches. He studied Bible, Greek, and Hebrew at Asbury University, ground zero for the 1971 and 2023 revivals. Glen received a Master of Theological Studies in New Testament and Christian Education from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He completed a Doctor of Ministry at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan focusing on the treatment of addiction and trauma in the church. He earned a PhD in Clinical Sexology from the International Institute of Clinical Sexology in Miami, Florida. This doctoral project focused on the Book of Genesis as a sexual health primer for faith-based families. Glen has certifications in sex addiction and multi addiction therapy through the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals, Sex Therapy through the Therapist Certification Association and Sex Therapy Training Institute, and Forest Therapy by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Dr. Glen has full licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington.
Introduction
This journal is the compilation of over 4 decades of pastoral counseling serving thousands of Christians. The approach in this journal relies on Scripture with the life of Christ. Jesus is the exact image of God inherent in all Creation. Please download the free Hope XP app in all stores and click on Imago Curo, Caring for the Image of God, for this beautiful theology of God’s image. All Bible references are from the New International Version.
In addition to Scripture, you will find evidence-based therapeutic exercises, and an anxiety regulation health practice called, Nature Immersion: The Creation Walk. This practice is the most impacting spiritual discipline of prayer and meditation I have ever experienced. I believe you too will love connecting to God with prayer in His creation. When you download the Hope XP app, you may also enjoy a fuller treatment of Nature Immersion and the Creation Walk by clicking on the link.
Nature Immersion builds upon an evidence-based health initiative called Forest Bathing. Forest Therapy, founded by Amos Clifford, of the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy, is the next generation of this treatment. Nature Immersion builds upon this evidence-based research using Scripture and prayer for faith based participants.
Forest Therapy with its Biblically-based counterpart, Nature Immersion, features a 2 hour gentle wander connecting to the image of God in nature. Participants will find this unique stress management downregulates anxieties establishing prayer with reflection as transformational Christian disciplines. Studies show neurological effects are not only immediate, but also endure from one to several days.
The practice of Forest Bathing, known as “Shinrin Yoku” in Japanese, originated during the early 1980s to combat the escalating medical crisis among Japan’s labor force. The term, Shinrin Yoku, translates to “taking in the forest atmosphere,” encouraging participants to immerse themselves in nature to enhance their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
The Japanese government officially recognized forest bathing as a reimbursable form of health insurance, promoting it as an evidence-based medical treatment to reduce stress. Studies conducted in conjunction with Forest Bathing reveal numerous health benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced cortisol levels, improved mood, and enhanced immune function.
Today, Forest Bathing is embraced as a global disease-prevention phenomenon, with many organizations and practitioners offering guided experiences focusing on polyvagal sensory engagement within natural settings. This movement continues to highlight the importance of spending time in nature as a means to promote health and spiritual wholeness.
Over 2000 years ago, Jesus first modeled prayer and reflection in nature. Christ, baptized in the Jordan river by desert prophet, prayed and relied on Scripture while tested in the wilderness, transfigured on mountain summit, and then surrendered to divine will in an olive grove. Jesus then atoned for humankind’s sin by crucifixion on a tree. After three days, Christ rose from death in a garden for grieving loved ones. Do you see connections to the Genesis Creation and the life of Christ?
Scripture reflects the premier pleasure of God at Creation in the forest of Eden. The final scene in the Book of Revelation restores these same beautiful images to post-apocalypse survivors. The forests of Genesis and Revelation both border crystal waters healing humanity broken by trauma. Life-giving light radiates from the Creator of all things without whom only darkness reigns.
Nearly 4 billion humans embrace the Biblical God of Genesis and the Creation. 50% of earth’s inhabitants acknowledge on some level the Creator of Genesis and the image of God in nature. This may be the largest faith based homogenous group on planet earth.
Could nature serve as a “container” for the God of Genesis to transform the human heart? In this place of Eden pleasure grow healing leaves, nurtured by life giving waters, birthed in light created from the heart of God. Does it seem intuitive that nature is the place where the Gospel was first preached to humankind?
Though the Bible does not teach nature is deity, the forest does reflect the image of God. Could the Creator of Genesis and Book of Revelation reconnect the broken places of the heart within nature’s beauty?
The Holy Spirit connects to nature. The Spirit first appears in Genesis 1.1-2. The premier task…nurture chaos darkness to light. The beauty of this scene produces the forests to which is given the first commandment in Scripture, “sprout, grow, reproduce.… (Genesis 1:11)
What if the image of God within nature by design can rewire the human system? Is it possible to connect to the Spirit of God among healing leaves and forest splendor?
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)
Does the Creation still pour forth the speech of God? Do the works of God in nature continue to speak today without words? Could it be nature is the Bible’s container for the Gospel?
Nature Immersion: The Creation Walk
The Creation Walk literally breathes life into lungs of weary worshipers. This gentle 2 hour “wander” connects faith-based people to the God of Creation through His Word. Nature Immersion’s evidence-based techniques lower anxiety allowing the spiritual center of the brain to “come online”.
What to expect on the “Creation Walk”
1. The Creation Walk begins by introducing prayer with reflection.
Group Reflection
2. The 7 Intimacies connect the neurology of the brain with the body.
Group Reflection
4. Prompts for listening prayer with reflection wire the intimacy region of the brain called the insular cortex which regulates the entire human system.
Group Reflection
5. Communion with Gratitude
Closing Group Reflections
How to Use this Journal
The Nature Immersion: Creation Walk Journal is a prayer and reflection discipline assisting to transform the neurological wiring of the brain and body. You will find your nervous system actually resetting to a place of health and balance using these practices. The first mention of the Spirit in Genesis 1:2 carries the nurturing image of a mother caring for and protecting her young. She brings her offspring from the liminal place of dependence to wholeness and transformation. The theology of the Spirit of God throughout Scripture transforms the human heart.
Connecting to the Word of God in Creation begins with the 7 intimacies of Genesis 1-4; intimacy which is spiritual, beautiful, pleasurable, restful/rejuvenating, compassionate in presence, reconciliatory, and creative. Intimacy in this journal means, “I notice the image of God in Creation, and Christ sees into me, intimacy.”
Your guide will lead you through each of the 7 intimacies. You will experience immediate anxiety regulation with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) coming back “online”.
Three evidence based exercises assist the neuroplasticity of the brain to rewire health and wholeness to the body. These disciplines focus on the reward circuitry of: the pleasurable will of God, attending to triggers, and finally, boundaries.
The 7 Intimacies of Genesis
Anxiety Regulation Exercise
Spirit: What do you notice about the wind? On your skin? What do sense about your skin under your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell? What taste do you notice in your mouth?
Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created being around you. What is the texture? (Please see “created being” in the Key Vocabulary.)
Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.
Rest: What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice moving nearest you? What do you sense about your body’s motion? What do you notice about the tightness in your body? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Do you feel gravity’s pull? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?
Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Compassionate Presence: If a benevolent God made nature for you by His Word, what message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?
Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation?
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (covering their shame).
Creation: Do you see any created beings that touch your heart? Pick up as many as you wish.
Genesis 1:11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.
Gen 4:1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.”
Creation Scriptures
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:6-8,14,15
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters…
Genesis 3:8
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day….
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight (pleasure) is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 8:3
When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—
Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 23:1-4
A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Psalm 33:6
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Psalm 46:1-11
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
The desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 115:116
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
the firmament.
Psalm 136.1-9
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
Psalm 150:1-2
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power…
Proverbs 3:19-20
The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. By His knowledge, the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.
Job 9:8-9
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
Job 38:4-7
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone, …
Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 45:12
It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I ordained all their host.
Jeremiah 10:12
The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.
Daniel 12:3
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.
John 1:3
Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.
John 20:11-16
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene in Garden Beauty
Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
Acts 14:17
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”
Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to every one who believes….
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Colossians 1:16
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Hebrews 11:13
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”
Revelation 22:2
On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Nature Immersion: Creation Walk Journal
Session One
In this session we will:
- Enjoy these beautiful passages of Scripture on God’s Creation
- Find a Shalom Space free from the artificial to practice the 7 intimacies of Genesis 1-4
- Journal specific pleasures for spiritual, relationship, mental, and physical health.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 3:8
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day….
John 1:3
Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.
John 20:11-16
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene in Garden Beauty
Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
The Book of Genesis and the Gospel of John follow the same beautiful storyline. God crafted the natural world. Jesus made all created beings. In Genesis 3:8 God walks with and talks to humankind. The container for connection between the Creator and the created is forest splendour. In John 20:11-16 Jesus, The Creator God, raised from death, once again speaks to humans in Eden beauty.
Let’s begin to connect to God in The Creation.
Find your “Shalom Space”, a place where your heart can rest undistracted from anything artificial. (Please see “Shalom Space” in the Key Vocabulary.)
The 7 Intimacies of Genesis
Spirit: What do you notice about the wind? On your skin? Beneath your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell? What taste do you notice in your mouth?
Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created being around you. What is the texture?
Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.
Rest: What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice moving nearest you?What do you sense about your body? What do you notice about the tightness in your body? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Do you sense gravity? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?
Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Compassionate Presence: If a compassionate God made nature for you by His Word, what message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?
Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation?
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (covering their shame).
Creation: Do you see any created beings that touch your heart? Pick up as many as you wish.
Gen 4:1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.”
What do you notice about your anxiety state? When your anxiety lessens, write down what the focus for your spiritual health is today. What aspects of God’s pleasurable will can you focus on for your spirituality: prayer, gratitude, Bible reading, service?
Next journal the pleasure you will focus on in terms of your intimate relationships: text kind words, make amends, reach out, ask partner for a date, inquire how you may serve your family?
Thirdly, can you journal, if you wish, the pleasurable focus you will have for your mental health: rest, go to counseling, connect with your group, read a good book, take pleasure in…?
Finally, can you journal what you will focus on in terms of your physical health: exercise, eat one green meal today, take a nap, enjoy the pleasure of a healthy snack?
Can you end your journaling with gratitude for the life of Christ? His birth, death, and resurrection? What gratitude do you sense in your body?
Session Two
In this session we will:
- Take pleasure in these Scriptures
- Find a Shalom Space free as much as possible from the artificial world to practice the 7 intimacies of Genesis 1-4
- Journal “triggers”
Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”
Revelation 22:2
On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Please read these beautiful passages of Scripture. The Creation speaks. Always. The created order carries the image of God telling us about the character of Christ. Notice how a focus on Creation connects to God’s character in the Law. Creation and the Law reflect similar beauty. The Revelation 22:2 passage speaks of the healing nature of the trees. The Creation in nature speaks of God’s image in goodness, beauty, and pleasure in right living with healthy boundaries.
Please find your Shalom without artificial distractions. Then, can you engage these 7 intimacies?
The 7 Intimacies of Genesis
Spirit: What do you notice about the wind? On your skin? Beneath your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell? What taste do you notice in your mouth?
Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created being around you. What is the texture?
Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.
Rest: What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice moving nearest you?What do you notice about your body? What do you notice about the tightness in your body? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Do you feel gravity pulling you? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?
Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Compassionate Presence: If a benevolent God made nature for you by His Word, what message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?
Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation?
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (covering their shame).
Creation: Do you see any created beings that touch your heart? Pick up as many as you wish.
Gen 4:1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.”
In session one, we journaled the beautiful, pleasurable practices we will engage in this week. Now, can you journal what you notice about your spirituality when triggered (Please see the definition for the term, “trigger”, in the Key Vocabulary): what is the trigger for temptation; perhaps grief, isolation, threat?
Second, can you journal what you notice about your relationships before conflict takes place: what is the trigger for arguments with the people you love; erotic image use, compulsive spending, criticism?
Next, please journal if you wish, triggers for your mental health: shame, financial pressure, rejection, lonliness?
Finally, can you journal triggers for your physical health: intoxication, binging-food, problematic sex, spending?
Can you end your journaling with gratitude for the comfort, guidance, conviction, and cleansing of the Holy Spirit? What gratitude do you notice in your body? What shows up, when you reflect on “being grateful”?
Session Three
In this session we will:
- Take pleasure in these Scriptures
- Find a Shalom Space free as much as possible from the artificial world to practice the 7 intimacies of Genesis 1-4
- Journal “boundaries”
Psalm 46:1-11
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
The desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Romans 1:16-20
I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to every one who believes…For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Colossians 1:16
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Hebrews 11:13
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”
Please find your Shalom without artificial distractions to practice the 7 intimacies.
The 7 Intimacies of Genesis
Spirit: What do you notice about the wind? On your skin? Beneath your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell? What taste do you notice in your mouth?
Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created being around you. What is the texture?
Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.
Rest: What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice moving nearest you?What do you notice about your body? What do you notice about the tightness in your body? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Do you sense gravity? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?
Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Compassionate Presence: If a benevolent God made nature for you by His Word, what message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?
Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation?
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (covering their shame).
Creation: Do you see any created beings that touch your heart? Pick up as many as you wish.
Gen 4:1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.”
I love Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” The word “know” means, to be intimate with. This sensation of knowing is spiritual, beautiful, restful, pleasurable, compassionate in presence, reconciling, and is only healthy.
You have journaled the pleasureable focus points for your life this week, then trigger awareness. Finally, please journal the boundaries you will choose this week.
What will you not participate in spiritually this week: shame, condemnation, resentment, distance from God?
What will you avoid with the people you love: criticism, silent treatment, resentment, rage?
What will you not permit for your mental health: shame, self loathing, binging erotic images, work obsession without rest?
What will you not allow your physical health to suffer: intoxication, binging food, over spending?
Can you end your journaling with gratitude to God, for your relationships, mental health, and the image of God in you? Can you pray your journaling to God in nature?
Session Four
Circulatory Shock
In this session we will:
- Take pleasure in these Scriptures
- Find a Shalom Space free as much as possible from the artificial world to practice the 7 intimacies of Genesis 1-4
- Take care of the image of God in you when you sense your system is in shock
- Seek the compassionate presence of healthy people
Job 3:25-26 What I feared has come upon me; what I dread has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, only turmoil.
Matthew 26:38 My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.
Luke 22:44 And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Find your Shalom apart from the artificial. Can you practice the 7 intimacies in your Shalom Space?
Spirit: What do you notice about the wind? On your skin? Beneath your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell? What taste do you notice in your mouth?
Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created being around you. What is the texture?
Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.
Rest: What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice moving nearest you?What do you sense about your body? What do you notice about the tightness in your body? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Do you sense gravity? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?
Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Compassionate Presence: If a benevolent God made nature for you by His Word, what message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?
Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation?
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (coering their shame).
Creation: Do you see any created beings/non-artificial that touch your heart? What gratitude do you feel for The Creation?
Genesis 1:24And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.
One of the early experiences of traumatic loss is literal circulatory-shock. (Please see the Key Vocabulary for “shock”.) The brain dysregulates, adrenaline transfers, catastrophic thinking escalates, and we may feel we won’t survive.
Shock is responsible for the disabling of PFC with its compassion, reason, choice, awareness, and the ability to regulate sexual neural pathways. Attending to physical shock is essential in recovering from traumatic loss.
When adrenaline transfers, heart rate escalates to approximately 120 heartbeats per minute. As adrenaline releases into the brain, negative intrusive thoughts can spin due to the transfer. You may feel catastrophic sensations like, “my relationship is done, I won’t make it through this, etc.” Adrenaline processes through the body between 15 minutes to an hour. Do some light exercise, go for a walk with your breath work of 4 seconds inhale and 8 seconds exhale. When your heart rate normalizes and catastrophic thinking diminishes, you know your body is regulating and the PFC is coming online.
When you are in a state of shock, seek the compassionate presence of safe people. Isolation is the killer at this stage of grief. Being alone in grief can escalate the sensations of shock and increase adrenaline transfer with catastrophic feelings.
Can you journal the safe people you can connect with when you experience loss?
Session Five
Guilt and Shame
In this session we will:
- Take pleasure in these Scriptures
- Find a Shalom Space free as much as possible from the artificial world to practice the 7 intimacies of Genesis 1-4
- Journal the guilt and shame you notice
Job 4:7 Eliphaz: Consider now; who being innocent has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.
Job 8:3-4 Bildad: Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.
John 11:2-37 Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died…Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?
Find your Shalom apart from the artificial. Can you practice the 7 intimacies in your Shalom Space?
Spirit: What do you notice about the wind? On your skin? Beneath your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell? What taste do you notice in your mouth?
Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created being around you. What is the texture?
Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.
Rest: What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice moving nearest you?What do you sense about your body? What do you notice about the tightness in your muscles? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Do you feel gravity? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?
Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Compassionate Presence: If a benevolent God made nature for you by His Word, what message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?
Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation?
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (covering their shame).
Creation: Do you see any created beings/non-artificial that touch your heart? What gratitude do you feel for The Creation?
Find your Shalom with as little artificial distraction as possible.
Breathe in 4 counts and exhale 8 seconds. Do this breathwork until you sense your anxiety diminishing and your focus increasing. I enjoy praying the Lord’s prayer at this point.
The writer of Proverbs 4:23 instructs us to, “above all else guard, protect, watch or be aware of our heart.” (Strong, H5341)
Can you place your hand (if you wish and feel comfortable doing so) over your heart? Do you have any sensations of guilt or shame? Like peeling an onion, can you look underneath? What do you see?
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
James 5:13-1 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
When you are at the bottom of your emotional assessment, can you journal this meditation? End with gratitude to God for the forgiveness of sin by Christ’s atonement on the cross? Can you pray your journaling to God on the Creation Walk?
Journal
Session Six
Anger and Rage
In this session we will:
- Take pleasure in these Scriptures
- Find a Shalom Space free as much as possible from the artificial world to practice the 7 intimacies of Genesis 1-4
- Journal anger and rage
Romans 1:18-20 The wrath (rage, Strong G3709) of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Job 3:1-3 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born. He said, “Let the day be lost on which I was born, and the night which said, ‘A boy is born.’
John 11:33-38 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved (snort with anger: Strong, G1690) and troubled. …Jesus once more deeply moved (snort with anger: Strong, G1690) came to the tomb.
Ephesians 4:26-27 In your anger (rage, Strong G3710) do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry (enraged, Strong, G3950), and do not give the devil a foothold.
Find your Shalom apart from the artificial. Can you practice the 7 intimacies in your Shalom Space?
Spirit: What do you notice about the wind? On your skin? Beneath your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell? What taste do you notice in your mouth?
Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created being around you. What is the texture?
Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.
Rest: What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice moving nearest you?What do you sense about your body? What do you notice about the tightness in your muscles? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Do you feel gravity? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?
Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Compassionate Presence: If a benevolent God made nature for you by His Word, what message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?
Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation?
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (covering their shame).
Creation: Do you see any created beings/non-artificial that touch your heart? What gratitude do you feel for The Creation?
Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Place your hand on your heart if you feel comfortable to do so. Do your breathwork, inhale 4 seconds, exhale 8 seconds. When you feel anxiety diminishing, can you identify the emotion in your heart area? Do you notice anger or rage? Breathe 4 seconds in, and 8 seconds out. Can you notice any emotion underneath the anger and rage? Keep moving through this exercise until you reach the bottom of your emotional assessment and there is no more sensation of anger or rage.
If anger and rage remain, can you write a letter to the person or persons you feel anger or rage about? Pray the letter to God on a Nature Immersion Creation Walk?
Journal
Session Seven
Despair
In this session we will:
- Take pleasure in these Scriptures
- Find a Shalom Space free as much as possible from the artificial world to practice the 7 intimacies of Genesis 1-4
- Journal despair you may notice in your body
Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.
Job 3:11-24 Why did I not perish at birth and die as I came out of the womb? …for sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water.
Lamentations 1:16 This is why I weep and my eyes overflow with tears. No one is near to comfort me, no one to restore my spirit. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed.
John 11:35 Jesus wept.
Find your Shalom apart from the artificial. Can you practice the 7 intimacies in your Shalom Space?
Spirit: What do you notice about the wind? On your skin? Beneath your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell? What taste do you notice in your mouth?
Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created being around you. What is the texture?
Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.
Rest: What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice moving nearest you?What do you sense about your body? What do you notice about the tightness in your body? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Do you feel gravity? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?
Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Compassionate Presence: If a benevolent God made nature for you by His Word, what message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?
Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation?
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (covering their shame).
Creation: Do you see any created beings/non-artificial that touch your heart? What gratitude do you feel for The Creation?
Genesis 1:31God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Find your Shalom Space away from the artificial. With your hand on your heart, do your breathwork? When your heart will let you, do you feel catastrophic feelings, guilt or shame, anger or rage, despair? If you feel despair, can you peel back that layer and notice what lies underneath? When you are at the bottom of your sensation of despair, can you journal the underlying drivers of despair ending with gratitude? Can you pray your journaling to God in the Creation?
Session Eight
Intimacy of Surrender, Gratitude, and Worship
In this session we will:
- Take pleasure in these Scriptures
- Find a Shalom Space free as much as possible from the artificial world to practice the 7 intimacies of Genesis 1-4
- Journal gratitude for transformation
Job 42:5 My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.
Isaiah 53:10-12
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied: by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore, I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
John 11:43 Lazarus, come out! The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Revelation 11:16-17And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was,because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
Find your Shalom apart from the artificial. Can you practice the 7 intimacies in your Shalom Space?
Spirit: What do you notice about the wind? On your skin? Beneath your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell? What taste do you notice in your mouth?
Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created non artificial being around you. What is the texture?
Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.
Rest: What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice in motion nearest you?What do you sense about your body? What do you feel about the tightness in your muscles? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Can you feel the pull of gravity? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?
Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Compassionate Presence: If a benevolent God made nature for you by His Word, what message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?
Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation?
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (covering their shame).
Creation: Do you see any created beings/non-artificial that touch your heart? What gratitude do you feel for The Creation?
Genesis 1:27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Can you journal the transformation you have experienced and read it to your safe friends and perhaps to God in prayer on a Creation Walk?
Journal
Session Nine
Trauma Shutdown
In this session we will:
- Take pleasure in these Scriptures
- Find a Shalom Space free as much as possible from the artificial world to practice the 7 intimacies of Genesis 1-4
- Journal your trauma narrative
- Pray your journal to God in The Creation
Post traumatic stress literature has long identified one response to trauma called “shutdown”. Porges uses the term polyvagal theory to describe this phenomenon in the human body. In this journal shutdown will be connected to the processing of sexual health content. (Please see polyvagal theory and shutdown in the Key Vocabulary.)
When the body experiences real or perceived threat, the polyvagal protective system acts as last resort when fight-or-flight responses are insufficient. It’s characterized by a drop in heart rate, respiration, low energy, dissociation, and feelings of disconnection or numbness.
In shutdown, the body conserves energy and reduces pain perception by:
- Dissociating to feelings of detachment from the body or surroundings. When trauma triggers this shutdown, the dissociative brain is unable to process sexual health content. At this point many people of faith report inability to control the urge to use erotic images or act out sexually contrary to their belief system and spiritual discipline.
The disabling of the PFC during shutdown, prevents processing of sexual content. The treatment for sexual trauma shutdown therefore has potential to associate the prefrontal cortex with awareness, compassion, and reason. The Nature Immersion Journal is designed to assist the brain to associate, come back online, and attend to problematic sexuality with compassion and reason.
Find your Shalom apart from the artificial. Can you practice the 7 intimacies in your Shalom Space?
Spirit: What do you notice about the wind? On your skin? Beneath your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell? What taste do you notice in your mouth?
Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created being around you. What is the texture?
Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.
Rest: What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice moving nearest you?What do you sense about your body? What do you notice about the tightness in your body? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Do you feel gravity? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?
Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
Compassionate Presence: If a benevolent God made nature for you by His Word, what message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?
Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation?
Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
Creation: Do you see any created beings/non-artificial that touch your heart? What gratitude do you feel for The Creation?
When you have achieved a state of balance, can you speak to God about your trauma? Place your hand on your heart, and speak to Jesus about your pain? Do you feel comfortable to ask the Spirit to heal this narrative? What if the problematic sexuality you experience during shutdown, speaks of the trauma you experienced earlier in life? What if this transparent prayer tenderly leads you to redemption and the healing grace of God in Christ?
Can you pray your trauma narrative to God in His Creation?
Journal
Key Vocabulary
This key vocabulary list looks at the Biblical-theological and neuroscience terms used in the Nature Immersion: Creation Walk.
Addictive Process: An anxiety reaction begins the initial transfer of chemicals from neuron through axon to neuron, called feedback. If anxiety state continues at an elevated level, the brain adjusts to restore balance, by changing structure. In terms of alcohol addiction, the alcoholic drinks six beers. The ethyl alcohol metabolizes to dopamine and the result is the intoxicating feeling of euphoria. During the transfer of dopamine through axons, the tubes conducting the neural chemicals expand four to five times carrying the greater volume. The change in axon structure is called tolerance or habituation (May, 1988; Carnes, 2014). After chemical transfer, axon diameter decreases in size but not as small as the original. The axon is now larger in diameter and requires more dopamine to have the same euphoric feeling. The next time the alcoholic consumes six beers, she will need more ethyl alcohol to have the same soothing effects because the diameter of axons has increased. Since the axons have tolerated or changed in structure, more of the intoxicating substance or behavior is needed to have the same analgesic or pain reducing effect. If anxiety reaction continues, the brain achieves a state called adaptation (May, 1988). Brain cells transform in composition, personality alters, DNA changes. This addict state now depends on the substance or relationship which began the anxiety reaction whether chemicals, sex, erotic images, gambling, working, etc (May, 1988, Carnes, 2014).
Adaptation: When axons tolerate or change in structure, more of the intoxicating substance or behavior is needed to have the same analgesic or pain reducing effect. If anxiety reaction continues, the brain achieves a state called adaptation (May, 1988). Brain cells transform in composition, personality alters, DNA changes. This addict state now depends on the substance or relationship which began the anxiety reaction whether chemicals, sex, gambling, working, etc (May, 1988, Carnes, 2014).
Anxiety State: There are four anxiety states in the human body. 1-Homeostasis is a balanced state of awareness, The Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) is online with spiritual connection. 2-Striated muscle anxiety is a lower anxiety state in which hands and fingers move, eyes blink, facial muscles respond to emotion. This state means the brain is capable to process, be intimate. 3-Smooth muscle anxiety is an anxiety state in which deeper muscles are effected and the body seems stiffer. A person sits without expression or facial muscle movement. The subtle facial reactions of smiling, blinking, itching disappear. The brain is disabling and not able to process content in a compassionate, reasonable, aware state. 4-Cognitive perceptual distortion is a disabled state in which the mind cannot process information and in fact may distort input. Words can be misinterpreted, conspiracy thinking presents, sight and sound altered.
Association and Dissociation: Association is a regulated brain state in which the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is engaged/online with awareness, intimacy, compassion, and reason. This state can be termed, spirituality activated. Dissociation on the other hand is a dysregulated brain state in which the preftontal cortex (PFC) is disengaged/offline. The white matter wires connecting the hemispheres begin separation due to elevated anxiety with loss of blood flow to the PFC. This produces a dissociative brain state in which people, places, things, sights, sounds, smells may not be associated. The dissociative brain is now “unaware” and cannot be intimate. This spiritual state is deactivated or offline.
Cognitive Perceptual Disruption: Cognitive perceptual disruption refers to a disturbance or alteration in the way an individual processes thoughts, perceptions, and sensory information. This can manifest as difficulties in understanding, interpreting, or responding to stimuli from the environment. Such disruptions may affect attention, memory, decision-making, and overall cognitive function, leading to challenges in navigating daily activities and interactions. This phenomenon is caused by various factors, including stress, anxiety, fatigue, or neurological conditions, impacting how one perceives the God of our understanding and engagement with the world around them.
Communion: The final act of the Nature Immersion Creation Walk is communion. The Greek term for communion, eucharist, means “giving thanks”. Sharing the cup and the bread of Christ gratefully celebrates the redemption of humankind from sin to intimacy with God through Christ by His Spirit.
Creation: The natural order of beings formed by the intentional will of a compassionate Creator God. Creation by God refers to the divine act of bringing the universe and all its beings into existence. It encompasses the intentional and compassionate will of God, who forms and shapes beings with purpose and meaning. According to theological beliefs, God’s creation is often viewed as not just a one-time event, but a continuous process of nurturing and sustaining life.
In many religious contexts, creation is celebrated as a reflection of God’s character, reflecting His creativity, power, and love. The natural world, with its intricate ecosystems and diverse forms of life, is seen as evidence of God’s glory and artistic expression.
Furthermore, the idea of being created in the image of God establishes a connection between humanity and the divine. This belief emphasizes the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, suggesting that each person carries an aspect of the Creator’s character within them.
Ultimately, creation by God is viewed as an invitation for humanity to engage with the world, recognizing the sacredness of life and the importance of stewardship over the environment. Through this lens, all creation is a manifestation of God’s ongoing involvement in the world, encouraging believers to experience and reflect on the divine presence in every aspect of life.
Created Beings: The use of the term “being” affirms the image of God in the Creation. This moves meaning from an object or item only concept like a “rock” to a more accurate connection of a solid complex creation of essential minerals and compounds. This term can de-objectify the created order focusing rather on benevolent intention of God. Historically culture “objectifies” humans distancing them from the image of God to become items, commercial containers for economic gain, and or ultimately victims.
Creation Theology: God exists always creating, changing, restoring, redeeming, healing, and speaking. The Holy Spirit in Creation constantly nurtures the natural order as a mother cares for her young. (Genesis 1:1-2) The Created order “declares the glory of God”.
Feedback: Chemical transfer in the brain when anxiety reacts. The purpose of feedback brings balance or homeostasis. For example, when new prescription glasses are worn for several days the prescription may be uncomfortable until the brain responds chemically to reduce the anxiety. When walking on the beach, the brain responds to the sound of crashing waves with feedback to block the sound. Suddenly, attention is drawn to the sound of the waves breaking on the beach and awareness that the brain was blocking the sound. Dairy farms smell pungent. The farmer however no longer reacts to the smell because the brain has adjusted chemically to the acrid aroma bring system balance reducing anxiety.
God Speaks in Creation: The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal “intimacy with God”…their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)
Habituation (Also called Tolerance): The initial transfer of chemicals from neuron through axon to neuron is called feedback. If anxiety state continues at an elevated level, the brain adjusts to restore homeostasis or balance, by changing structure. In terms of alcohol addiction, the alcoholic drinks six beers. The ethyl alcohol metabolizes to dopamine and the result is the intoxicating feeling of euphoria. During the transfer of dopamine through axons, the tubes conducting the neural chemicals expand four to five times carrying the greater volume. The change in axon structure is called tolerance or habituation (May, 1988; Carnes, 2014). After chemical transfer, axon diameter decreases in size but not as small as the original. The axon is now larger in diameter and requires more dopamine to have the same euphoric feeling. The next time the alcoholic consumes six beers, she will need more ethyl alcohol to have the same soothing effects because the diameter of axons has increased. Since the axons have tolerated or changed in structure, more of the intoxicating substance or behavior is needed to have the same analgesic or pain reducing effect.
Homeostasis: Neurological homeostasis refers to the state of balance and stability in the brain’s functioning and processes. It involves the regulation of neurotransmitters, neural pathways, and overall brain activity to ensure optimal functioning. In a state of homeostasis, the brain is able to effectively process information, maintain emotional stability, and perform cognitive tasks efficiently. This state is characterized by a well-functioning prefrontal cortex, which is involved in reasoning, decision-making, and emotional regulation. When homeostasis is disrupted, it can lead to various issues, such as anxiety, stress, or other mental health conditions. Overall, achieving neurological homeostasis is crucial for maintaining mental and spiritual well-being.
Humility and Generosity: The PFC focus with Nature Immersion.
Intimacy with God: The 7 intimacies of Creation are: Spiritual, beauty of the created order, rest, pleasure, compassionate presence, reconciliation, and sexually healthy intimacy. (Genesis 1-4) The insular cortex located in the pre frontal cortex is responsible for intimacy in relationships and associating people, places, things, sights, sounds, and smells. Intimacy is essential to bring a dissociated state to an associated state. We call this associated state, “online”.
Meditation: Intentional focus on the character of God in creation through sound, sight, somatic sensation, and movement for the purpose of spiritual growth. Meditation connects the neurology of the brain and body, specifically the prefrontal cortex responsible for spirituality. Blessed is the one whose…pleasure is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water…whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3) Meditation reconnects white matter wiring connecting left and right brain hemispheres producing an associated neurological state called interoception.
Meditation on Motion (MOM): A meditation technique to increase attentive prayer. MOM connects the neurology of the brain and body to movement. This activates the intimacy part of the prefrontal cortex called the insular cortex. Specifically, meditation activates the proprioception and enteroception system of the brain. This system enables the brain to process information externally called proprioception, and internally termed enteroception.
Nature: The word nature originates from the Latin, “natura” meaning birth, origin, natural constitution or quality. The verb form is “nasci” meaning “to be born”. Biblical theology makes a distinction between nature and deity. Although nature bears the image of God, the Bible does not equate nature’s essence to be divinity. Nature and the created order include land and wildlife. The term can also relate to inanimate beings and the processes effecting them. For example, a stone can be referred to as a being as opposed to a product made by conscious decision by humans we call, artificial.
Pleasure: One of seven intimacies of Genesis 1-4. The word “Eden” as in Garden of Eden means, pleasure. The final images of the Book of Revelation 21-22 restore “Eden” to the earth for God and man to enjoy together.
Pleasure of Compassionate Presence (PCP): A meditation technique connecting the neurologcial circuitry of the brain to the body through sensing sight, sound, somatic information, and smell. The Pleasure of Compassionate Presence is a prayerful meditation on the benevolent presence of God in our being.
Polyvagal Theory: Polyvagal Theory, created by Dr. Stephen Porges, is all about understanding how our nervous system affects how we feel and interact with the world. This theory suggests that we have three main parts to our nervous system. First, there’s the sympathetic nervous system, which kicks in when we’re stressed or scared—think fight-or-flight. Then there’s the parasympathetic system, which helps us relax and feel calm. A key player in this is the vagus nerve, which helps us manage our emotional responses and social connections. One interesting concept from Polyvagal Theory is “neuroception,” which is how our body instinctively senses safety or danger around us. When we feel safe, we’re more likely to connect with others and enjoy our surroundings. But when danger looms, our body reacts to protect us—sometimes by revving up for action or, in other instances, winding down to conserve energy.
Prefrontal Cortex: In mammalian brain anatomy, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the cerebral cortex which covers the anterior part of the frontal lobe. Many scholars indicate a direct link between the will to live, personality, intimacy, and spirituality with the prefrontal cortex. This brain region is responsible for spirituality, planning complex cognitive behaviors, system homeostasis, decision making, regulating sexual neural pathways, awareness of social cues, and some aspects of language. The activity of this brain region is called executive function organizing thoughts and actions with meaning.
Executive function analyzes conflicting ideas, good, bad, better, best, same, different, future outcomes, working for goals, predicting results, expectation, and social control. One aspect of social control is regulation of sexual neural pathways. The frontal cortex forms boundaries, and moral code. More anterior regions of the frontal cortex support boundary formation at higher levels of abstract thinking (APA Dictionary, 2021).
Providence of God: The both historical and present care, guidance, nurture, and control of the creation by God moving in divine purpose. Providence refers to God’s ongoing involvement in the world and in the lives of individuals. It encompasses the belief that God not only created the universe but also continues to care for and sustain it. This divine guidance means that God is actively orchestrating events and circumstances to fulfill His purposes and plans.
Providence can be understood in various ways:
1. **Sustaining Power**: God’s providence involves maintaining the existence and order of creation. This includes the natural laws governing the universe, as well as the life and well-being of all created beings.
2. **Guidance and Direction**: Providence implies that God provides direction and guidance, leading people toward their destinies and helping them navigate life’s challenges. This can manifest through circumstances, wisdom, or a sense of peace regarding certain decisions.
3. **Care and Protection**: The concept of providence also emphasizes God’s care for humanity. This includes protecting individuals from harm and providing for their needs, even in times of hardship.
4. **Purpose and Redemption**: Ultimately, God’s providence aims toward the fulfillment of His redemptive plan for humanity. This culminates in the belief that God works all things for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Understanding God’s providence can offer comfort and assurance, especially during difficult times, reinforcing faith in His loving and purposeful engagement with creation.
Sexual Trauma Shutdown
PTSD literature has long identified the parasympathetic response to trauma called “shutdown”.
Porge uses the term polyvagal theory to describe this phenomenon in the human system.
Polyvagal shutdown is a state of prefrontal cortex disabling triggered by the dorsal vagal nerve when the body experiences real or perceived threat. This protective mechanism, acts as last resort when fight-or-flight responses are insufficient. It’s characterized by a drop in heart rate, respiration, low energy, dissociation, and feelings of disconnection or numbness.
Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, outlines a hierarchy of nervous system states:
- Ventral Vagal State: .
This is a state of prefrontal cortex activity is characterized by calm, relaxed breathing, and a sense of connection to oneself and others. - Sympathetic State: .
The fight-or-flight response, triggers by perceived danger followed by increased heart rate, breathing, and alertness. - Dorsal Vagal State (Shutdown): .
When fight-or-flight is not possible, the dorsal vagal nerve activates, leading to shutdown or immobilization.
In dorsal vagal shutdown, the body conserves energy and reduces pain perception by:
- Decreasing heart rate and breathing thus reducing the body’s metabolic demands.
- Dissociation involves a feeling of detachment from the body or surroundings. When sexual trauma triggers shutdown, the brain is unable to process sexual health content.
- Numbness and emotional detachment manifest as a lack of feeling or a sense of disconnection from awareness, compassion, and reason relating to sexual health content.
- The body conserves energy by reducing activity levels with feelings of fatigue.
- Digestive problems, nausea, or changes in pain perception may occur.
In this work the disabling of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in shutdown, prevents processing of sexual health content.
Shalom Space: A place of prayer and reflection on the Genesis God of Creation, Jesus the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Shalom Space has limited artificial distractions, enhancing connection to God in Christ. Jesus speaks about prayer in private. His example often models intimate prayer in nature.
Shock-Biological circulatory shock is the body’s instinctual, fight-or-flight stress response to the profound emotional trauma of a significant loss. This is not a metaphor; grief triggers a physiological cascade of hormones and nervous system changes that can have significant physical and mental health consequences.
When a person experiences a traumatic loss, their brain interprets the event as a threat to survival. This activates the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, initiating a series of physiological changes.
- Release of stress hormones: The adrenal glands flood the body with cortisol, adrenaline (epinephrine), and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). While useful for a short-term crisis, persistently high levels of these hormones can damage the body.
- Fight-or-flight response: Adrenaline and noradrenaline cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate as the body prepares to confront or flee from a threat. This diverts blood flow away from non-essential functions like digestion and toward major muscles and the brain.
- Immune system suppression: Elevated stress hormones suppress the immune system, leading to inflammation and a reduced ability to fight off illness. Studies show that bereaved individuals can experience measurable differences in immune function for many months after a loss.
- Changes in brain activity: Neurological changes occur in the limbic system, which controls emotion, and the prefrontal cortex, which handles executive functions like memory, concentration, and emotional regulation.
Physical and mental symptoms of biological shock
The physiological changes induced by the shock of grief can manifest in a wide range of intense symptoms.
Cardiovascular
- “Broken heart syndrome”: Medically known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, this is a real and temporary condition where intense emotional stress causes a sudden weakening of the heart muscle. Symptoms can mimic a heart attack, including chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Higher heart attack risk: In the days and weeks following a significant loss, the risk of having a heart attack increases.
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure: These effects can last for an extended period after the initial loss.
Nervous system
- Brain fog: Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, confusion, and disorientation are common cognitive effects.
- Anxiety and panic: The persistent stress response can create feelings of anxiety and panic, sometimes with a heightened sense of alertness.
- Numbness and dissociation: The brain may attempt to protect itself from emotional pain by inducing a feeling of numbness, fogginess, or detachment from reality.
- Oversensitivity to noise: This can be a result of the heightened state of awareness characteristic of the fight-or-flight response.
Other physical symptoms
- Sleep disturbances: Insomnia, frequent waking, or excessive sleeping can occur.
- Fatigue and exhaustion: Processing emotional trauma is draining and can lead to persistent fatigue.
- Digestive problems: Stress hormones can upset the digestive system, causing nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, or constipation.
- Aches and pains: Muscle tension and increased inflammation can cause headaches, back pain, and joint pain.
- Changes in appetite and weight: People often experience a loss or increase in appetite, which can lead to weight fluctuation.
Shutdown
PTSD literature has long identified the parasympathetic response to trauma called “shutdown”. Porges uses the term polyvagal theory to describe this phenomenon in the human system. In this work shutdown will be connected to the processing and communication of sexual health content.
Polyvagal shutdown is a state of prefrontal cortex disabling triggered by the dorsal vagal nerve when the body experiences real or perceived sexual threat. This protective mechanism, acts as last resort when fight-or-flight responses are insufficient. It’s characterized by a drop in heart rate, respiration, low energy, dissociation, and feelings of disconnection or numbness.
Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, outlines a hierarchy of nervous system states:
- Ventral Vagal State: .
This state of prefrontal cortex balance is characterized by calm, relaxed breathing, and a sense of connection to oneself and others. - Sympathetic State: .
The fight-or-flight response is triggered by real or perceived danger followed by increased heart rate, breathing, and alertness. - Dorsal Vagal State (Shutdown): .
When fight-or-flight is not possible, the dorsal vagal nerve activates, leading to shutdown or immobilization.
In dorsal vagal shutdown, the body conserves energy and reduces pain perception by:
- Decreasing heart rate and breathing thus reducing the body’s metabolic demands. Dissociation involves a feeling of detachment from the body or surroundings. When sexual trauma triggers shutdown, the brain is unable to process sexual health content.
- Numbness and emotional detachment manifest as a lack of feeling or disconnection from awareness, compassion, and reason relating to sexuality. The human system becomes unable to process sexual health and safety content.
- The body conserves energy by reducing activity levels with feelings of fatigue.
- Digestive problems, nausea, or changes in pain perception may occur.
The disabling of the PFC in shutdown, prevents processing of sexual content. The treatment for sexual trauma shutdown therefore has potential to activate the PFC with awareness, compassion, and reason.
Smooth Muscle Anxiety: This still state of the body may become more rigid, and individuals might experience symptoms such as digestive discomfort, increased heart rate, or shallow breathing. This condition indicates a higher level of distress where the brain’s processing capabilities diminish. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) becomes less engaged, leading to difficulties in emotional regulation and rational thinking.
Smooth muscle anxiety can impede one’s ability to feel present and connected, thereby hindering personal intimacy and engagement with the environment. Recognizing this state is essential for developing coping strategies that promote relaxation and facilitate a return to homeostasis. Techniques such as deep breathing, prayerful meditation, or gentle physical movement can help alleviate smooth muscle anxiety and improve overall well-being. Smooth muscle anxiety refers to a state of tension and stress that affects the body’s involuntary muscles, which are responsible for functions such as digestion, circulation, and regulation of internal organs. Unlike striated muscle anxiety, which involves voluntary movements, smooth muscle anxiety typically manifests as stiffness or tightness in areas that may not be readily noticeable, such as the gastrointestinal tract or internal organs.
Striated Muscle Anxiety: Striated muscle anxiety refers to a state of heightened tension and activity in the body, particularly involving the skeletal muscles that control voluntary movements. In this state, muscles may tighten, and individuals may exhibit physical signs such as fidgeting, tapping fingers, or shifting positions. This type of anxiety indicates that the brain is still capable of processing experiences, as the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is engaged.
However, it is characterized by a reduced ability to be present and intimate due to the stress response. While people may be aware of their emotional state, their ability to fully engage and process situations compassionately is compromised. This level of anxiety can often manifest in feelings of nervousness and restlessness, making it difficult to focus or maintain calmness.
Understanding striated muscle anxiety is important for recognizing how physical tension relates to mental, emotional, and spiritual states, providing insights into methods for relaxation techniques that may improve overall well-being.
Trigger: A trigger is a stimulus (such as people, places, things, sounds, sights, smells, thoughts, or situations) causing a strong and often disproportionate emotional or physical reaction in a person, typically because it reminds them of a past traumatic event or worsens the symptoms of a mental health condition. The response can feel like the past trauma is happening again in the present, and it differs from a typical reaction because the intensity of the emotional response doesn’t match the current situation. Triggers are common in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but they can also affect individuals with anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders. A trigger is the leading edge of yielding to temptation. Understanding our unique triggers and the competence to attend to them can assist as Paul says, to prevail over temptation. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Hope Experience 