The Gospel of Nature


“The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us. Thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing. The trees wave and the flowers bloom in our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own, and sings our love.”
― John Muir

In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir took a three day camping trip in the Yosemite Valley.  Muir, who founded the Sierra Club in 1892 shared his vision for protecting places in the United States so that all could connect with nature with the President.  He was the son of an itinerant Minister and helped to start the National Park system during this camping trip.  Some said that Muir preached the gospel of nature to President Roosevelt and I am thankful that he did.

After reading The Nature Fix:  Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier and More Creative by Florence Williams in the fall, I seem to be more aware of nature around me.  As I live in a more rural/suburban area now, I hear the Woodpeckers in the morning, watch the wild Turkeys that roam my neighborhood and am aware of the Coyotes that howl at night in the woods.  But you do not have to live in a rural area to get your “Nature Fix.”  You just need to be more open and mindful of the moments of nature around you and make the spiritual connection to nature.

How do you find your Spiritual Connection to Nature?

 


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