The Origin Story of Naturally Conscious

As you may have read elsewhere by now, I am an avid lover of life in all of its expressions. This deep affection has naturally led me to fall in love with biomimicry. My journey with Naturally Conscious began as a heartfelt exploration into how we might remember our wholeness, both individually and collectively, through the reconnection and ethos seeds of biomimicry.

The Challenge: Shifting Paradigms

We stand at a crossroads where significant shifts in values and worldviews are essential. To transform our linear, siloed, and extractive systems into regenerative ones that align with Earth's operating conditions, we must realign ourselves with the natural world—and with our own true nature.

As Albert Einstein once reflected:

“A human being is part of the whole called by us 'universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest—a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.”

This delusion restricts us, but by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature, we begin to dissolve these illusions of separation.

The Seed: Conversations at Wild Spirit

While living at Wild Spirit in Nature's Valley, I engaged in countless conversations around evening fires with individuals from all walks of life. These organic storytelling encounters revealed a common thread: a yearning to live more regeneratively and a curiosity about biomimicry beyond its traditional design and engineering applications.

Many resonated with the concept of biomimicry but found it abstract or out of reach for their daily lives. This realization sparked a question: Could the ethos and reconnection seeds of biomimicry offer more accessible pathways into this practice?

The Vision: Reconnection Through Play

Inspired by these questions, I envisioned a practice that invites us to reconnect—with nature, with ourselves, and with each other. Drawing from experiential and embodied learning theories, I remembered the uninhibited play of childhood: baking mud cakes under the sun, climbing trees, and exploring with wonder.

I sought to create a modular, adaptive, and self-driven experience that engages the whole being—mind, body, and soul. A practice that encourages us to live the questions deeply, as Daniel Christian Wahl suggests:

“By asking the appropriate guiding questions repeatedly and entering into conversations about our collective future... we may be able to find a set of patterns and guidelines that will help us to create a culture capable of learning and transformative innovation.”

The Prototype: Cards and Practices

The first iteration of Naturally Conscious took the form of a digital prototype featuring a set of cards and guided practices. Each card served as an invitation to explore nature's wisdom through prompts that encouraged observation, reflection, and playful interaction with the natural world. (Click here for an example of the first prototype)

These practices were designed to be:

• Experiential and Embodied: Engaging all senses and inviting movement.
• Reflective: Encouraging inner inquiry
• Relational: Fostering connections with others and the environment.

The future vision extended to a physical format—a beautifully crafted journal and card set to accompany seekers into nature, free from digital distractions and a Nurtureship - a facilitated mentorship journey 

The Evolution: From Prototype to Practice

Feedback from the biomimicry community and beyond highlighted a profound insight: even those involved in environmental change-making, often struggle to maintain their own consistent nature-based connection practices. This affirmed the need for accessible, engaging, and meaningful tools to support this journey.

Thus, Naturally Conscious evolved into a holistic offering that includes:

• Nurtureship Sessions: One-on-one spaces for deeper reflection and integration.
  
• Reconnection Immersions: Group experiences that blend individual and collective practices in natural settings.
  
• Printed Cards & Journal: Tangible tools for self-guided exploration. (Coming Soon! Add your name to the waiting list)

The Invitation: A New Way of Being

At its heart, Naturally Conscious is an invitation to remember that we are nature. That our inner landscapes mirror the ecosystems around us. That by reconnecting with the natural world, we rediscover parts of ourselves long forgotten.

As Charles Eisenstein beautifully articulates:

“We are offering a world of more beauty, more joy, more connection, more love, more fulfillment, more exuberance, more leisure, more music, more dancing, and more celebration.”

May this journey guide you back to the wisdom that resides within and all around you. May it inspire new ways of being that honor the intricate web of life we are all part of.

With love and gratitude,

Jane Lourens