Busy doing nothing: Exploring the merits of inactivity within the context of an activity oriented challenge based wilderness therapy program

Year: 2004

Author: Nicholls, Val

Type of paper: Abstract refereed

Abstract:
The terms adventure and wilderness therapy generally conjure up images of personal growth through challenge, adventure and skill acquisition. Acknowledged but less explored is the potential for personal growth and enhanced wellbeing from experiences of quietude and silence that nestle within the overall context of activity. Whether the bliss of a quiet sit on a mountain peak, the frozen 'stuckness' of indecision or the fallow silence preceding emotional outburst, anecdotal evidence suggests that moments of stillness often serve as a potent repository for thoughts, feelings and emotions as well as a force for insight, understanding and personal growth. This paper reports on an ongoing doctoral research study exploring participants relationships with stillness within a challenge based wilderness therapy program. Details are presented about the research objectives, grounded theory methodology and the use of qualitative data collection methods. The paper presents cameos of two participants experience of stillness, discusses emerging themes and concludes with a number of questions salient to the future direction of the project.

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