Compilers: Eleni Michail, Cyprus (allaZOYME) Ognian Gadoularov, Bulgaria (Learning for Change Foundation) Bogdan Romanica, Romania (Dreams for life) Proofreading: Leta Panayotova, Bulgaria (Learning for Change Foundation) Eleni Michail, Cyprus (allaZOYME) Illustrations: Liya Savova Sabina Pop Ovidiu Talpos Ana Fit Maria Hretculesei Design: Ognian Gadoularov (Learning for Change Foundation) This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 6 About the project ............................................................................................................................................................... 6 What is in the manual ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Prologue .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 The situation of young people in Europe ...................................................................................................................... 10 Methodology for personal and professional development ........................................................................................ 11 Part 1 General concepts ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 Ecocentric development ...................................................................................................................................................... 18 A Short Introduction to the Ecocentric Developmental Wheel ................................................................................. 18 Egocentric life and the challenges of modern society ................................................................................................ 21 Ecocentric development .................................................................................................................................................. 25 Becoming Fully Human .................................................................................................................................................... 31 Five Facets of the Wheel.................................................................................................................................................. 34 Positive Psychology .............................................................................................................................................................. 42 Positive emotions ............................................................................................................................................................. 44 Broaden and build theory ................................................................................................................................................ 47 Happiness .......................................................................................................................................................................... 48 3 types of happiness ......................................................................................................................................................... 48 PERMA ................................................................................................................................................................................ 50 Mindfulness ....................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Positive education ................................................................................................................................................................ 53 Part 2 Practices, Tools and Programs .............................................................................................................................. 54 Practices................................................................................................................................................................................. 55 Interpersonal methods .................................................................................................................................................... 57 Primitive skills .................................................................................................................................................................... 62 Nature based methods .................................................................................................................................................... 65 Physical methods .............................................................................................................................................................. 73 Art methods ...................................................................................................................................................................... 78 Symbolic practices ............................................................................................................................................................ 87 Intrapersonal practices .................................................................................................................................................... 94 Contemplative practices .................................................................................................................................................. 99 Tools for development and learning .........................................................................................................................105 Sample training programs ..........................................................................................................................................117 Appendix ......................................................................................................................................................................125 Determining ones ECD stage ....................................................................................................................................... 125 Reflection questions ..................................................................................................................................................... 125 Accomplishment of ecocentric developmental tasks ............................................................................................... 129 Nature as a source for sustainable life ....................................................................................................................... 133 References (publications consulted) .......................................................................................................................134 Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................................135 Final words ..................................................................................................................................................................139 Contacts .......................................................................................................................................................................140 Abbreviations: ECD – Ecocentric development PP – Positive psychology NFL – Non formal learning EU – European Union It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing. It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive. It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitations of being human. It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, 'Yes.' It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair,