ประสบการณ์ความเชื่อมโยงกับธรรมชาติและกระบวนการพัฒนาความงอกงามแห่งตนของกลุ่มธรรมยาตรา

Abstract

This research aimed to study the experiences of connectedness to nature and personal growth development process of Dhammayatra group. It was regarded as the qualitative study based upon the hermeneutic phenomenology. Data collections were undertaken through the in-depth interviews with five people of Dhammayatra group. The data obtained from such interviews were then interpreted andanalyzed for their core contents.

The research found that experiences of connectedness to nature included mental happiness created from being close to nature and calmness in the heart. The informants realized their relationship with nature and reflected their viewpoints that everything was of value and on duty while they were harmonized in the cycle. Besides, nature that was touched by the informants, both externally and internally, all reflected the truth of life. The personal growth development process was the occurrence of learning process from Dhammayatra walk, pilgrimage, self-practice in daily routines, learning from the role models regarding both people and nature, and encountering experiences or knowledge beyond thinking regarded as present moment awareness. It was also the learning process which motivated a simple life with not much dependence on materials. In addition, it presented the changes of informants regarding their lifelong leaming and goals of further personal growth development.

The results from this study resulted in the understanding on connectedness between humans and nature. Once humans were close to nature, they would feel positive and realized the truth of life, including emotional self-practice through difficulties and sufferings, which eventually brought the personal growth for their further relationship development with nature and accessibility to self-truth based on their existing potentials. For people working with mental health treatment, they should be aware of and use the natural contexts as an alternative for the mental rehabilitation process. Besides, self-awareness was essential and necessary for those who desired for their mental growth development.