Nature and the Human Soul

By: Bill Plotkin PhD

Narrated by: Matthew Josdal

Length: 25 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

Addressing the pervasive longing for meaning and fulfillment in this time of crisis, Nature and the Human Soul introduces a visionary ecopsychology of human development that reveals how fully and creatively we can mature when soul and wild nature guide us. Depth psychologist and wilderness guide Bill Plotkin presents a model for a human life span rooted in the cycles and qualities of the natural world, a blueprint for individual development that ultimately yields a strategy for cultural transformation.

With evocative language and personal stories, including those of elders Thomas Berry and Joanna Macy, this book defines eight stages of human life - Innocent, Explorer, Thespian, Wanderer, Soul Apprentice, Artisan, Master, and Sage - and describes the challenges and benefits of each. Plotkin offers a way of progressing from our current egocentric, aggressively competitive, consumer society to an ecocentric, soul-based one that is sustainable, cooperative, and compassionate.

At once a primer on human development and a manifesto for change, Nature and the Human Soul fashions a template for a more mature, fulfilling, and purposeful life - and a better world.

©2008 Bill Plotkin (P)2017 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"With Nature and the Human Soul, Bill Plotkin once again works miracles. This vital book provides a road map to help us remember how to be human - which means how to be a human being in relationship to the natural world, to our home. We owe Bill Plotkin a deep debt of gratitude for this important work." (Derrick Jensen, author of A Language Older than Words and coauthor of As the World Burns)

Performance distracting

Great book HOWEVER reading word emphases VERY DISTRACTING -I almost gave up listening several times

4 people found this helpful

Brilliant Book, Cheesy Narrator

Bill Plotkin is an amazing man, a centr figure in the nature connection and cultural/ecological regeneration movements.
What i find extremely frustrating is bring an audio-learner who has to hear such phony, put-on, spruiker voices read such profound material. So much of what is read i have to re-hear in my head as a GENUINE voice in order to have things land, because it's clear as day that the narrator isn't FEELING or even UNDERSTANDING what he is saying. This is an all too common mistake. DON'T GET VOICE ACTORS. Get the author or someone who cares to narrate. Imagine your favourite book being written in silly fonts. You don't want to have to cobstantly bracket out the narrator, you want to absorb the meanings and messages. Most of human history we've had oral traditions, we're deeply wired to listen, do you think Socrates feigned a radio advertising voice? C'mon, we audio-listeners are in it for the wisdom, please infuse this with real authentic caring narrators so our right hemispheres and feeling realms can read along too!!!

8 people found this helpful

Wow. My worldview is transformed.

I think this book is incredible. It provides a detailed and colorful map of the life-cycle of the human soul as a great wheel. There is a deep recognition of a mystical dynamic at work in our lives and the importance of free-play in nature during childhood to aid passage into and through middle and higher “soul-centric” stages of life. i don’t believe that I will ever look at life, community or global society the same again. In the end it is potent warning about our ego-centric society yet a hopeful book about the potential of individual and societal development provided a healthy childhood and the guidance of true elders.

3 people found this helpful

Narrator takes away from book

I am having a hard time with the narrator. It seems to me that he doesn’t have any interest in hiding a seeming disdain for the subject matter and anyone listening to it. His selection of what syllables to emphasize and seeming sneer or snide inflection suggests to me he might have a strong dislike for either the content, his job as a narrator, or both. Wish I had sampled it first. Won’t be finishing.

1 person found this helpful

ONE OF MY TOP TEN BOOKS

This book is a must for anyone looking to expand their view of what it means to be human and what it takes to find real meaning. Should be a foundational subject in all universities and required for all students no matter what their career path is.

1 person found this helpful

Not for the faint of heart, but world changing

This book has completely changed the framework for how I understand humanity's development cycle as welll as its relationship with itself and the Earth. Plotkin's framing of our Western society as egoic and eternally adolescent was eye opening and extremely helpful in tracking and explaining our cultural pathologies. However, Plotkin's writing style leans academic and can be pretty dense. I will read (listen to) this book over and over.

A transformative and vital book for being human!

This is a vital read for being humans. Plotkin's model needs to be spread far and wide.

Whyb

I am looking for the entire book however I am only getting the first 10 minutes of f chapter one.

Disappointing naive perspective on life

The author has somewhat naive perspective on the world. It’s extreamly annoying to listen to his misunderstandings and lack of enlightenment.

1 person found this helpful

Important information for soul embodiment/ development.

Great book, important information for anyone looking to grow and mature into a more soulful life, which is necessary for many reasons and has largely been lost in modern culture. Here is a map for those looking, it’s a good map. Many thanks Bill Plotkin for sharing this with the world.