Eco spirituality

Eco spiritualityYvonne Aburrow

Eco-spirituality: what is it?● relating to your environment● a non-violent spirituality and spiritualactivism● deep ecology - not human-centric● sustainability● working with Nature

Non-violent● respect for life in all its manifestations, human, nonhuman,animal, vegetable and mineral● harmonious use of natural resources, with respect forthe natural order and cycles of the environment, anddevelopment compatible with the ecosystem● listening to Nature, not dictating to it

Sustainability● Caring for peopleand the environment● Social and environmentaljustice are linked

Deepecology● Other species' right to exist is independent oftheir value to human needs● The diversity of eco-systems is important● A deep ecological approach is needed forsustainability

Eco-feminismThe idea that theexploitation of theEarth is symbolicallylinked to thedomination ofwomen - talk ofconquest, dominionetc. And respect forthe Earth = respectfor women.

Working with Nature● Bioregions● "Small is beautiful"● Think global, act local● Recycling● Carbon footprint● Nature spirituality● Conversations with spirit of place

Gaia theology & Gaia theory● Teilhard de Chardin● Oberon Zell● James Lovelock● Gaia, Rhea

activity 1: bioregion quizPlease form groups of three and discuss these...1) Point north.2) What time is sunset today?3) Trace the water you drink from rainfall to your tap.4) When you flush, where do the solids go? What happensto the waste water?5) How many feet above sea level are you?6) What spring wildflower is consistently among the first tobloom here?7) How far do you have to travel before you reach adifferent watershed? Can you draw the boundaries ofyours?

ioregion quiz8 ) Is the soil under your feet, more clay, sand, rock or silt?9) Before your tribe lived here, what did the previousinhabitants eat and how did they sustain themselves?10) Name five native edible plants in your neighborhoodand the season(s) they are available.11) From what direction do storms generally come?12) Where does your garbage go?13) How many people live in your watershed?14) Who uses the paper/plastic you recycle from yourneighborhood?15) Point to where the sun sets on the equinox. How aboutsunrise on the summer solstice?

ioregion quiz16) Where is the nearest earthquake fault? When did it lastmove?17) Right here, how deep do you have to drill before youreach water?18) Which (if any) geological features in your watershedare, or were, especially respected by your community, orconsidered sacred, now or in the past?19) How many days is the growing season here (from frostto frost)?20) Name five birds that live here. Which are migratory andwhich stay put?21) What was the total rainfall here last year?22) Where does the pollution in your air come from?

ioregion quiz23) If you live near the ocean, when is high tide today?24) What geological processes or events shaped the land?25) Name three wild species that were not found here 500years ago. Name one exotic species that has appeared in thelast 5 years.26) What minerals are found in the ground here?27) Where does your electric power come from and how is itgenerated?28) After the rain runs off your roof, where does it go?29) Where is the nearest wilderness? When was the lasttime a fire burned through it?30) How many days till the moon is full?http://connectedbynature.com/2010/01/happy-2010-where-you-at-abioregional-quiz/

Carbon footprint● What is your personalecological impact?● How many Earths areneeded to sustain yourlifestyle?

Ethical and ecological audit● Household● Personal● Food and drink● Transport● Fair Trade● Sustainability● Recycling● Pollutionhttp://is.gd/eeaPagan

Spirit of place● Sense of presence / immanence / immediacy/ personality at a particular locale● This does not have to be a "traditional"sacred space - could be your favourite placein the landscape● Build a relationship with your special places- commune with them, make art, writepoetry, do ritual there (ask the place first)

activity 2:visualise your special place● take a moment to think ofyour place● what do you love about it?● how does it smell, feel,sound, look?● what emotions does itevoke?● write down 5 words todescribe itTree of Life by Christy Freeman

The sit spotFind a place outdoors and sit there everyday for at least 15minutes.● patterns in nature become apparent● "deepening sense of place" (Barry Patterson)● "subtle embodied communion with one chosen placecan pattern a sacred relationship to the world" (AdrianHarris)http://www.adrianharris.org/blog/2011/03/the-sit-spot/

WildnessInstinctIntuitionConnectionIntimacyFreedomSolitudeNature

The seasons● celebrate seasonal festivals● keep a nature diary● grow plants outside● eat local seasonal fruitand vegetables (betterfor the environment)

Sacred landscape● visit places, walk mindfully● find out about geology, history, wildlife,place-names in your area● draw a map or mandala of your local landforms (hills, rivers, woods, marshes, lakes)

activity 3: sacred geography● sketch a mandala ormap of your local area● what elements (Earth,Air, Fire, Water) wouldyou associate withspecial places?● are there any sacredsprings, stone circles,sacred groves, chalkfigures, etc in yourarea?● local flora and fauna?Wildflowers landscape mandala,Lindy Longhurst

Further readingBarry Patterson,The Art of Conversation with the Genius LociGordon Maclellan,Talking to the EarthClarissa Pinkola Estés,Women who runwith the wolves