Nature's Embrace


Book Description

Based on extensive fieldwork, Nature’s Embrace reveals the emerging pluralization of death rites in postindustrial Japan. Low birth rates and high numbers of people remaining permanently single have led to a shortage of ceremonial caregivers (most commonly married sons and their wives) to ensure the transformation of the dead into ancestors resting in peace. Consequently, older adults are increasingly uncertain about who will perform memorial rites for them and maintain their graves. In this study, anthropologist Satsuki Kawano examines Japan’s changing death rites from the perspective of those who elect to have their cremated remains scattered and celebrate their return to nature. For those without children, ash scattering is an effective strategy, as it demands neither a grave nor a caretaker. However, the adoption of ash scattering is not limited to the childless. By forgoing graves and lightening the burden on younger generations to care for them, this new mortuary practice has given its proponents an increased sense of control over their posthumous existence. By choosing ash scattering, older adults contest their dependent status in Japanese society, which increasingly views the aged as passive care recipients. As such, this study explores not only new developments in mortuary practices, but also voices for increased self-sufficiency in late adulthood and the elderly’s reshaping of ties with younger generations. Nature’s Embrace offers insightful discussion on the rise of new death rites and ideologies, older adults’ views of their death rites, and Japan’s changing society through the eyes of aging urbanites. This book will engage a wide range of readers interested in death and culture, mortuary ritual, and changes in age relations in postindustrial societies.




Nature's Embrace


Book Description

Ivan Bunin was the first Russian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. For his poetry, he was twice awarded Russia’s highest literary honor, the Pushkin Prize. While Bunin’s prose writing is well known, his poetry—though highly praised by critics and contemporaries such as Blok, Gorky and Nabokov—has been unjustly ignored. This collection of over 100 verse translations is the first English language book of Bunin’s poetry. Spanning a long period of poetic output (1886-1952), this selection includes both published and unpublished poems. In a variety of forms, they cover an astonishing range of topics and reveal a writer with singular artistic precision and deep humanity.




Kindred Nature


Book Description

"Centers on what a number of British Victorian and Edwardian women said and did in the name of nature -- what part they played in the cultural reconstruction of nature that transpired in the years just proceeding the publication of Darwin's major work and in the wake of the Darwinian revolution"--Introduction.




Freedom's Embrace


Book Description

To be free is to escape all limitations and obstacles&—or so we think at first. But if we probe further, we discover that freedom embraces its own necessities, a set of conditions without which it could not exist. Freedom's Embrace explores these necessities of freedom. J. Melvin Woody surveys competing conceptions of freedom and traces debates about the nature and reality of freedom to confusions about knowledge, humanity, and nature that are rooted in some of the most fundamental assumptions of modern Western thought. The preemption of freedom as an exclusively human privilege with all nature relegated to mechanical necessity is a fatal error that renders both humanity and nature equally unintelligible. What distinguishes human beings from other animals is not freedom but the use of symbols, which vastly extends the range of available options and enables us to envision freedom as an ideal by which customary institutions and norms may be judged and transformed. By carefully surveying its necessary conditions and limitations, Woody reconciles the salient competing conceptions of freedom and weaves them together into a richer and broader theory that resolves old controversies and opens the way toward an ethics of freedom that can meet the challenges of relativism and nihilism that arise from recognizing the historicity and malleability of culture.




Nature's Resilience


Book Description

**Nature's Resilience Rediscover Your Strengths in the Wild** Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature? "Nature's Resilience" is your ultimate guide to reconnecting with the wilderness and uncovering your hidden strengths, both physical and mental. Whether you're an experienced adventurer or a curious novice, this eBook offers a comprehensive exploration into the profound ways nature can shape and heal you. **Chapter 1 introduces you to the wild call of the great outdoors**, delving into the urge to reconnect with nature and how to prepare for the transformative journey ahead. You'll learn to embrace solitude in Chapter 2, where the importance of alone time and self-reflection are emphasized. Face your fears head-on in Chapter 3 with techniques for building confidence and heartwarming stories of triumph. Chapter 4 guides you through the essentials of building physical resilience, from enduring challenges to nutrition and sustenance in the wild. Mental toughness is the focus of Chapter 5, offering coping strategies, mindfulness techniques, and visualization exercises. Find inner peace in Chapter 6 with meditation tips and the healing power of silence that nature provides. Chapter 7 teaches you to learn valuable lessons from the landscape, adapting to seasonal changes, and discovering the wisdom of mountains and rivers. Get hands-on with wilderness survival skills in Chapter 8, mastering fire-making, shelter building, and water purification. Chapter 9 helps you build trust in yourself by listening to your instincts and celebrating small victories. Deepen your connection with the natural world through observation in Chapter 10, as you learn from wildlife, plant life, and weather patterns. Chapter 11 focuses on reconnecting with your community by sharing experiences and inspiring others through storytelling. As you journey back home in Chapter 12, apply the lessons you've learned to foster personal growth and rebuild with a new perspective. Discover nature's teachings of patience, simplicity, and renewal in Chapter 13. Strengthen your bonds with group expeditions in Chapter 14 and navigate any conflicts that arise. Finally, Chapter 15 sets the stage for your ongoing journey, encouraging you to set new goals and inspire continuous growth. "Nature's Resilience" is more than just an eBook—it’s a testament to the unbreakable bond between humanity and the natural world. Ready to discover the wilderness within? Order your copy today and take the first step towards embracing the resilience of nature.




Healing the Inner Child Through Nature


Book Description

Healing the Inner Child Through Nature: Reconnecting with Your Authentic Self in the Great Outdoors *******************Healing your wounded inner child with Nature********************** In the bustling cacophony of modern life, where digital screens dominate our vision and concrete jungles surround us, the soul often yearns for the gentle embrace of nature. But what if this embrace could offer more than just a fleeting moment of tranquility? What if it could heal the deepest wounds of our past, those carried by our inner child? "Healing the Inner Child Through Nature" is not just a book; it's an invitation to embark on a transformative journey. A journey that intertwines the therapeutic power of nature with the delicate process of inner child healing. It's a guide that beckons you to rediscover the wonders of the natural world and, in doing so, rediscover the lost parts of yourself. Dive Deep with Nature Therapy Nature has been humanity's oldest healer. Its rhythmic patterns, from the ebb and flow of tides to the changing of seasons, have provided solace to souls across ages. This book delves into the heart of nature therapy, illustrating how the simple act of being in nature can catalyze profound emotional healing. Reconnect and Reflect Our inner child, the core of our emotional self, holds memories of joy, wonder, but also pain and trauma. Through guided exercises set in nature, from forest walks to mindful moments under the stars, you'll be encouraged to reconnect with this often-neglected part of yourself. As you immerse in the natural world, you'll reflect on past wounds, understand their impact on your present, and chart a path to healing and wholeness. Practical Tools for Growth Beyond reflections, this book offers tangible, nature-based exercises designed to foster inner child growth. Whether it's journaling by a babbling brook, practicing mindfulness atop a hill, or engaging in therapeutic art in a meadow, you'll find tools that resonate with your healing journey. Journey Beyond the Self While the primary focus is on self-healing, the book also emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life. As you heal, you'll be encouraged to recognize your place in the larger web of life, fostering a sense of responsibility and reverence for the natural world. For Everyone, Everywhere Whether you're nestled in the heart of a city or residing by the countryside, the healing power of nature is accessible to all. The book offers insights into creating personal nature sanctuaries, engaging in urban gardening, and even virtual nature experiences, ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can benefit from its wisdom. In "Healing the Inner Child Through Nature," you'll not only find a guide but a lifelong companion. A companion that will stand by you as you navigate the complexities of emotions, helping you find your way back to your authentic self. Through its pages, you'll be reminded that in the vastness of nature, in its sounds, sights, and silences, lies an everlasting embrace-one that heals, nurtures, and loves unconditionally.




The Better Angels of Our Nature


Book Description

Faced with the ceaseless stream of news about war, crime, and terrorism, one could easily think this is the most violent age ever seen. Yet as bestselling author Pinker shows in this startling and engaging new work, just the opposite is true.




The Harmony of WHISPERS


Book Description

"The Harmony of Whispers" is a poetic journey through the delicate and profound moments of life, where words serve as both the vessel and the destination. This collection of poems invites readers to explore the intricate symphony of emotions, from the quiet serenity of solitude to the grand crescendo of love's embrace. With each verse, it seeks to capture the essence of the human experience, allowing readers to find their own resonance within the gentle cadence of whispers.This book offers a lyrical exploration of the harmonious interplay between the ordinary and the extraordinary, revealing the beauty that lies within life's subtlest melodies. "The Harmony of Whispers" is a poetic reflection that both soothes and inspires, inviting readers to listen closely to the whispers that shape our existence.




The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative


Book Description

"Highly informative and remarkably entertaining." —Elle From forest trails in Korea, to islands in Finland, to eucalyptus groves in California, Florence Williams investigates the science behind nature’s positive effects on the brain. Delving into brand-new research, she uncovers the powers of the natural world to improve health, promote reflection and innovation, and strengthen our relationships. As our modern lives shift dramatically indoors, these ideas—and the answers they yield—are more urgent than ever.




The Spectrum of Positive Infinity


Book Description