Nature-Based Spirituality as Healing Practice

If you ask many people “When do you feel closest to the transcendent (or your definition of God)?” they will often answer “in nature.”  Whether they belong to one of the traditional religions, another new or ancient spiritual path, or are agnostic or even atheist, it’s rare to find a person who hasn’t experienced a deeply moving and pleasurable sense of oneness with something awesomely larger than themselves just through looking at the stars on a clear night… hiking in the woods in the snow… riding a horse… or planting seeds.

But what does this “ecospirituality” have to do with ecotherapy?  Can the ecstatic and transcendent aspects of nature-connection heal the psyche?

This has certainly been my experience.  The stresses and pains of living as unnaturally as we do in Western culture can melt away when we reconnect with  creation on a deep level.  Some folks worry that this is “worshipping nature” but others feel that appreciating the blessings and the life all around us in the universe only honors the ultimate Source.

What do you think?  Can connection with the spiritual side of nature heal psyche as well as body and Soul?

For those of you who are interested in ecospirituality, I highly recommend subscribing to EarthLight, “the magazine of spiritual ecology” at www.earthlight.org  People from many different paths and traditional religions write about how understanding and connecting with nature is one of the most exciting trends in spirituality today. From “creation care” to “stewardship” to Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry’s “The Universe Story,” a lot of exciting stuff is happening that directly relates to how we can heal the human-nature relationship.

Comments

[amy lenzo]

Linda,

I had to laugh at your question about 'the spiriual side' of nature. Is there another side? :-)