About Natasha

 
“Natasha is a lover of mystery, translator of ancient thought, a shamanic buddhist feral and right-left brain passionate.”
— testimonial
 

I’m Natasha, also known by my buddhist name Nagadipa.

Welcome to the Art of Rewilding which I set up nearly a decade ago after a series of serendipitous incidents including meeting David Abram having just finished my thesis, which was in part about how his writing, influenced by Maurice Merleau-Ponty, gave context to what was unfolding in my fine art practice. At that point there were no paints and paintbrushes in sight, my fine-art medium was no longer craft-based in the ordinary sense of the word. Instead, art lived through me using the hues and tones of temporality, transience, space, philosophy and nature.

My work life began tilted towards Art and for many years has leant towards what it means to Rewild The Self.

Ecological Self: who or what needs change?

Our thinking shapes our perception of reality, and in turn, our perception shapes our experience of reality. The work I offer aims to create a profound shift in our sense of identity, transforming it from one that is isolated and separate to one that is deeply rooted in relationship. This changes us at depth. We are grown through Earth’s dream of us.

In the face of our current problems, the kind of social and environmental change we need depends on this. My work is at the service of Becoming-Elders, with the aim of actualising a future that is good for soul, soil and society.

For the last twenty six years I’ve trained, been ordained and taught as a Buddhist, for the last ten years I’ve apprenticed, assisted and guided vision quests. Since 2018 I have trained in, practiced and taught Focusing - my specialism within this field involves exploring ways to resonate with, and as nature - somatically. Being open to conversations between body, land and soul is my preference for speaking about this territory.

Elements you will find repeated throughout my work are: rites of passage supporting transformation with nature, somatic practices that listen to the wisdom of the body and aid integrated (as appose to alienated) awareness, the creative impulse, ritual and myth. All the while offering ways to ground it back home one step at a time.

As a licensed coach, my work draws on my 26 years of Buddhist practice (and ten years as an ordained Buddhist) alongside a decade of dedication to therapeutic and embodiment modalities, specifically Eugene Gendlin’s Focusing method, Identity Orientated Psychotrauma Therapy, Compassionate Enquiry and Generative Change.

I have a private practice and primarily encourage people to align with their true nature and embody the gifts they carry, so that they may live as powerful, healing influences in their communities.

I offer online and in person programmes, nature based seminars and retreats, vision quests and 1-2-1 mentoring. I’m based between Austria and the UK.

As featured in The Guardian: 10 of the Best Wellness Nature Retreats for 2024

 

  • D.S., Somerset

    If you have a chance to work with Natasha seize it. She is a rare gift of quiet determination, deep compassion and authentic wisdom.

  • A.W, Sussex

    Natasha brings a fiercely feminine perspective, full of love, raw authenticity and connected somatic movement skills. She guides with such humility and grace - you're free to seek whatever medicine the land has to offer you. It's a real gift and real wonder to behold: the power, magic and story of wild nature speaks through her.

  • N.T., Scotland

    Natasha has been my mentor for over a decade, and without her I might still be asleep to my desires, to my creativity, to what lights the fire within. Most of what brings me joy today, I can trace back to a seed that she planted in the wild landscapes of my being, before I even knew they existed. Rarely do you get such a gift in life - am so grateful to her. Without our mentors, community, our teachers and our elders we are so small. We need them in our life. Thank you.

Lineage and Gratitude

 
My deeply felt gratitude is to my main wilderness mentor Annie Bloom who I have been apprenticing to since 2016.  Annie was a lead guide with Animas Valley Institute, before stepping into her own profound and unique ways to approach initiatory rites. Having also trained and assisted with School of Lost Borders I consider Annie to be my main teacher. The way I guide is more deeply informed by her approaches and methods. 
For showing me the ways of earth, the f***ing wheel and so much more I am grateful to my co-guide Werner Pilz who is also a trainer of vision quest guides through Eschwege Institute.
For guiding me through the treacherous waters of spiritual bypassing (in both directions) I am indebted to my Buddhist teachers Vessantara, Ambaranta, Atula and Paramananda. 
For teaching me how to navigate myth, shadowlands and ritual with a sincere heart and steady ground I am most grateful to Atula.  
“They’ll eat you up for breakfast unless you can show up as yourself” -  the first of many shared wise words from Daniel Ford whom I first shadowed with on my teacher training. 
I’m forever grateful for the creative impulse that has lived with me from early in my life - without this I’d have been lost to nihilistic states of mind, for sure.
Lastly I remember and honour the land who teaches me the ways of earth and relationship every day.
 

Abridged Bio

 
Certified Generative Coach, Creative Mind & Systemic Trance. Held ICF Membership from October 2021-June 2023. Team leader for Robert.Dilts and Steve Gilligan for 3 years 
Identity-Orientated Psychotrauma Therapy training with Vivian Broughton, completed in 2022
I have deep gratitude to Karl Grunick for what he teaches me about the energy body
Accredited Mindfulness teacher having delivered bespoke courses in MBSR including within HM prison service for 4 years
Completed Certificated Focusing Skills Yearlong twice with BFA. Having specialised in Untangling with Cornell and McGavin. My current orientation is towards Full Body Focusing.
Professional teacher training certification in the form of a PGCE in post compulsory education
25 years meditation and Buddhist practice.  Ordained within my tradition 10 years ago, my work as a Buddhist has included serving as a prison chaplain
Currently exploring the crossover between my wilderness practices and shamanism with the help of Rasmus Ludvigsen from Scandinavia Shamanic School.
My Wilderness Guide Training over the last ten years includes apprenticing to Annie Bloom since 2016 (former AVI lead guide). Having also trained and assisted with School of Lost Borders I consider Annie to be my main teacher. The way I guide is more deeply informed by her approaches and methods. 
Core Team Member of Wilderness Guides Council UK 
My love of Myth, Archetypal psychology and Dreamwork began with Atula and The River of Soul.
8 year full time Fine Art/ Photography training including a Masters in Photography. 20+ years Professional Fine Art Photographer including having exhibited internationally
20 years facilitating Mindfulness and the Arts, specialising in creative and contemplative photography, myth and creative writing, and The Artist's Way; developing presence and freeing creative expression