METHOD
Mountain Medicine offers a nature-based, indigenous-inspired framework for therapeutic support and counseling. Our method is rooted in the Native American Medicine Wheel—a circular map for human development, that reflects four interrelated dimensions of human health and wellbeing. In our programs, these form our ‘directions of development’ the instructions that we follow when navigating change, challenge and complexity. At its heart, these four directions, define our four main attachments in life; to ourselves, other people, the world at large, and to life itself. When these are well nurtured and in balance, we experience a sense of wholeness and wellbeing, when weakened, neglected or disrupted, we experience distress and disconnection. At Mountain Medicine we support people to recover their health and vibrance, by restoring these attachments, empowering our clients to find their way back into right relationship with self, others, the world, and life itself.
EAST - CHANGE & COMMITMENT
“Cultivating a personal relationship with creation, discovering our unique place in the world, and shaping our own vision for change, to connect to the great mystery.”
The East is the place of the rising sun, of rebirth and renewal, where life begins and hope returns with the start of a new day. It is the direction that’s connected to our birth, our coming into this world with a specific purpose, a unique role to fulfil. In a therapeutic process, East work consists of returning to the call of our spirit, the will to live, and our core reasons for coming into this world.
Element: Fire
Life Phase: Childhood
Attachment: Creation, Creator (Transpersonal).
Key: Cultivating Safety, Learning To Trust in Life itself.
Practices: Honesty, Hope, Faith
SOUTH - HEALTH & HEALING
“Challenging misalignments in our personal histories that prevent us from following our authenticity, addressing disruptive patterns and crafting nurturing, constructive and life-giving routines.”
The South is where we live our active life, the embodiment of our individualism in response to the world around us. It is the direction that’s connected to our upbringing, our entering this world and developing a personality in response to the opportunities and constraints encountered. In a therapeutic context, South work consists of revisiting our personal history, healing our wounds and trauma’s, seeking true belonging without compromising authenticity
Element: Earth
Life Phase: Adolescence
Attachment: Self, The I (Personal).
Key: Fostering Belonging, Finding Our Place in the World
Practices: Courage, Integrity, Willingness
WEST - RELATIONSHIP & REPAIR
“Confronting relational dynamics and family patterns that surround us, doing the work necessary to create balance and harmony in our lives, building supportive networks & communities.”
The West is teaches us that our entire adult life happens in relationship; our fate is bound to that of others, and a great measure of our wellbeing is the bonds we build with people around us. In our therapeutic practice, West work consists of taking inventory of our actions in relation to others, evaluating our personal balance by looking at the influence and impact we have on our environment
Element: Water
Life Phase: Adulthood
Attachment: System, Others (Inter-personal).
Key: Taking Responsibility, Living life in Relationship
Practices: Humility, Forgiveness, Justice
NORTH - MYTH & MEANING
“Creating a story of change and transformation, shaping a unique contribution to society based on our own healing journey, sharing our ‘medicine’ with the world around us.”
The North is the place of change and transformation, the direction that teaches us about the future we create through our actions for ourselves and others; the impact our life has on this generation and the next. In a therapeutic context, North work relates taking ownership of our growth, contributing to society at large by passing on what we’ve received and helping others on their journey.
Element: Air
Life Phase: Elderhood
Attachment: Service, The World (Intra-personal).
Key: Being Generative, Making Contribution & Creating
Practices: Perseverance, Awareness, Devotion