Counseling that focuses on the synthesis of ecology and mental health provides an opportunity for the participant to recognize and integrate personal and environmental factors through interaction and daily meaningful applications. One such application is the interaction of the ecological concept of recycling with the internal process of mindfulness. Ecological Recycling has been a priority in terms of understanding impermanence and the consequences of our choices for the present and future. While internal mindfulness has been an integral facet of acquiring introspective acceptance and cultivating mental health, in this workshop, Dr. Bassman will address and facilitate a didactic and experiential presentation that has been designed to address how the interplay of mindfulness and recycling can become a resource for enhanced awareness within the evolving ecological relationship. Accordingly, he will explore the complexity of thoughts, feelings and behaviors when one is attached to "unhealthy processes" as well as how to cultivate healthy and mindful recycling within one's inner and outer world.


Program Description and Objectives:
    
The purpose of the workshop is to provide the participants with an opportunity to learn how to deepen their self understanding by considering mindfulness and recycling as a component of an evolving mutually enhancing framework to promote health and wellness. Through lectures, demonstrations and experiential activities, the participants will be able to practice empathy, acceptance and detachment as an aspect of growth.