How do you find meaning in the world? Why is it important to immerse yourself in moments of stillness and nature’s beauty? How can you find healing on the trails?
In this podcast episode, Dawn Gabriel speaks with Hunter Teets about hiking trails, getting out into nature, and how it can impact your family.
MEET HUNTER TEETS
Hunter has spent the last 20 years working with people in a variety of settings including outpatient therapy, residential therapy, after-school groups, intensive home-based therapy, and the wilderness.
The son of an engineer and an artist, Hunter began his professional career as an engineer. He finds that therapy gives him a place to blend his love of science and art. He enjoys staying current on the technical studies in psychology, eager to transfer this insight into the art of clinical practice.
Currently, Hunter is the director of a group counseling practice in Charlottesville, Virginia and he and his wife run a small CSA farm using permaculture principles to heal the land.
Visit the Full Life Counseling Website and read their Blog. Email them at FullLifeLPC@gmail.com
Connect with Hunter on LinkedIn.
IN THIS PODCAST:
- Finding meaning in the world
- Life on the trail
- Exploring spirituality
- Listening to fear
Finding meaning in the world
A lot of my interaction with the natural world does feel spiritual. And one of the ways I think about spirituality is simply in how we find meaning in the world. (Hunter Teets)
Hunter finds a lot of meaning in the world by caring for things and helping things heal. He also loves hiking and this is connected to what he believes is his purpose in his life.
Life on the trail
Having grown up in Boulder, Colorado, Hunter had access to an abundance of hiking trails. From a very young age, he would hike with his dad.
Some of it I think connects to the sense of simplicity and life being easier when you’re on the trail and when you’re hiking. (Hunter Teets)
During one of the first backpacking trips Hunter did with his dad, he remembers that it was all about spending a lot of time together, being playful, and enjoying the beauty of nature.
And thinking about the exhortation to “whatever is good, whatever is lovely, whatever is noble, think about such things”. And to be in nature when it is so palpably beautiful and lovely and delightful.. It’s easier to be in that posture internally as well. (Hunter Teets)
Exploring spirituality
Religion has provided a framework for Hunter as he further explores his spirituality and asks himself what it means to live well and what it means to love other people.
Some of what I noticed is that when I am worn down or tired, in the pursuit of something meaningful, then I have a closer connection to spirit. And that is a lot of what hiking is for me. (Hunter Teets)
Listening to fear
Oftentimes, what you’re afraid of is exactly where the magic and change lie. You can, however, also get too far outside of your comfort zone, and that is not helpful either.
The Divine is so much bigger and grander than we can understand and there is that healthy fear in the Divine, but also this kindness and gentleness too. So, when I am out in the natural world, in these places, that sense is more alive for me too. (Hunter Teets)
Connect with me
- Instagram @faithfringes
- Email Dawn@faithfringes.com to apply to Beta-testing soul care retreat in January 2022 – $429 all included price
- Practice Of The Practice Network
Resources Mentioned And Useful Links:
- DECONSTRUCTING THE AMERICAN CHURCH FROM A MISSIONARY’S PERSPECTIVE WITH EMILY BAUERLE, LCSW | EP 37
- Check out the Conundrum Hot Springs hiking trail
- Visit the Full Life Counseling Website and read their Blog.
- Email them at FullLifeLPC@gmail.com
- Sign up for my free email course
- Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and TuneIn.