Our Philosophy…
The “8 Handshakes” illustrate our approach for working with ourselves, our partners and those we serve.
The core values of the 8 Shields Institute and the emerging 8 Shields cultural mentoring movement rest on the “8 Handshakes,” a set of agreements that define not only how we relate to each other, but also articulate how we conduct ourselves in the world at large.
These commitments enhance and strengthen the work of deep nature connection, culture repair, cultural mentoring and community resilience.
Observance and adherence to these principles drive our interactions in Unity, Peace and Understanding.
The “8 Handshakes”
- East—Deep Nature Connection: This is the essential foundation of our work. It sparks real transformation and eventually yields deep well-being for self, family, community, and world.
- South East—Mentoring: We recognize that strategic mentoring is necessary to support holistic deep connection through the generations.
- South—Gardening & Backyard Subsistence Activities: Activities that promote local resilience and interconnectivity through nature connection and community activities
- Southwest—Tending the Wild: Improving the health and vitality of our local ecosystems. Work on tending the wild as a routine, and collaborate with land-owners and innovative trusts;
- West—Peacemaking: Develop the healthy processes that support trust between individuals and in families, and build the resilient relationships and bonds that promote healthy community and organizations. Teach peacemaking by sharing practices in committed groups that learn by doing;
- Northwest—Inner Tracking and Transparent Communication: Transparent and humble inner tracking–examining, and exploring shadows in an open, transparent process based on Peacemaking.
- North— Regenerative Design: A commitment to gathering, communications, and learning cycles.
- Northeast— Creativity: Deep Nature Connection produces powerful Creativity. We leverage a process called Renewal of Creative Path that brings out the brightest light in individuals, communities, collaborators, and organizations.
We founded the 8 Shields Institute to support the development of an emerging international network of deep nature connection, mentoring, and culture repair. The 8 Shields Institute is committed to researching, testing, training, and building of healthy, supportive cultural processes that restore deep nature connection and bring meaning and hope to people’s lives.
We provide tools that will help build and strengthen families; create networks of authentic aunts, uncles and elders; and facilitate a deep connection to nature. The practices we have gathered include those modeled from the wisdom and teachings of nature and experienced elders from many traditions. We have found that these models can be effectively applied in most settings–including the modern urban environment.
We are committed to internalizing, applying, and disseminating these practices so that they emerge organically and surround our children with a healthy, immersive, regenerative culture.
