Earth Path

Woodland Skipper sunning on my sage.

Starhawk in her book “The Earth Path”, says: "...we must learn to be present in and interact with the natural world that surrounds us, in the city as well as the country or wilderness. Instead of closing our eyes to meditate, we need to open our eyes and observe. Unless our spiritual practice is grounded in a real connection to the natural world, we run the risk of simply manipulating our own internal imagery and missing the real communication taking place all around us."

Like Starhawk, I advocate for including nature in your spiritual practices: If you meditate, or have a daily prayer practice, do it outdoors, with eyes open. If you are a church goer, find one that will let you worship outside at least once a month, or simply schedule one day a month to take yourself outside to worship on your own. Invite nature into your spiritual life in any way you can. 

I’m suggesting that we worship WITH nature: Open a door to deep awareness. Awareness of nature leads to wonder, the recovery of that childhood ability to be struck with awe at the simple and profound experience of being in relationship with nature. When we are aware, every visit from a butterfly becomes a joyful moment to pause and greet a special guest; walking under a giant Douglas Fir tree is a stop at a sacred place; the miracle of the sunrise and sunset connects us to the turning of the planet.

The wonder-kinship-bond is a culmination of the shift from being a human, living beside nature, to being joined in sister and brotherhood with all of life.

Agenda:

1. Spiritual growth goals

2. Renewal plans

3. Eco-spiritual practices

1. Spiritual growth goals:

“...ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I am living for, in detail, ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for.” ~Thomas Merton

Spiritual growth is the basis for a better and more harmonious life, a life of calmness, courage, and inner strength. My goals for spiritual growth might include the fruits of the Spirit described in Galatians 5: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control, and the Stoic virtues of wisdom, morality, moderation and courage, and Ben Franklin’s Virtues, and my testimonies of integrity, simplicity, mindfulness, discernment, and equanimity.

What is keeping me from living fully for Love and for the earth? What spiritual discipline might help me to find greater Light?

Journal: As I move in to the fall, and transition to depth as my focus, I want to grow in simplicity and order, mindfulness, and the courage of my convictions (stubbornness).

2. Renewal Plans:

Every week on Sunday I check in to see if I'm taking care of my self. The self-renewal process must include balanced renewal in all four dimensions of my life. 

 Am I spending about one hour a day on a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual activities?

 Am I working daily to improve my social skills?

 Am I making gradual changes from day to day to maintain and improve the things that help me to accomplish my work and other desires?

Plan this week: 

• Body & Discipline: Walk every day - set some destination plans + Chair yoga 5 times.
• Spirit & Ethics: Simplicity and order practice - clearing time and things to open the door to spirit and the earth.

3. Eco-spiritual practices:

Spiritual practices are those activities you do to deepen your relationships with the sacred. They help you to grow in courage, kindness, love, and many other fruits of the Spirit.

Most religious practice leans towards ego-centric: We give much attention to the state of our own existence, and how we relate to and care for other humans; we pray for each other, grow in love for each other, and celebrate our community together. 

I advocate for a shift towards becoming more ECO-centric, towards a greater kinship with all of life. Eco-spirituality can manifest in any world religion, simply by linking the tenets and practices of your belief system to the sacredness of the earth: Add the earth to your values of compassion and respect, your celebrations, and your missions.

Some ways to adopt an eco-centered spirituality:

• Mindfulness and meditation in Nature: Sit outdoors with eyes open; grow in wonder and awareness of the earth as a link to the Divine.
• Prayers of petition for the earth: or holding Nature in the Light for healing and health.
• Practice gratitude for the Earth: Engage in a practice of opening a heart-connection with something in nature, and giving thanks to God for its existence in your life.
• Simplify your life and time: Weed out the activities and things that keep you from time in Nature. Be frugal, spiritually centered, and attentive to direct experiences and relationships. A simple life gives you more time to appreciate the wonder that surrounds us.
• Practice being comfortable with chaos: Nature is not always tidy or comfortable - practice allowing and loving the untidiness of nature.
• Demonstrate love of creation through caring acts: Just as each human is created in the image of God, so too is Nature an ongoing part of the Divine. We can interact with the Great Spirit daily by showing our love for the natural world.