Conscious Nature Connection
Did you know most people spend over 90% of their life indoors and, on average, only twelve hours in conscious contact with nature during their lifetime? Conscious nature connection reverses this trend and involves getting outside on a regular basis and engaging the senses while in conscious contact with the natural world. Doing so increases appreciation and gratitude for the beauty and wonder of nature, a sense of oneness with life, and awareness of being in relationship with the living processes that sustain us.
Over time, we realize we are inextricably connected with the natural world and know that what we do to planet Earth, we do to ourselves; there truly is no separation. During this process, we also fall back in love with the world and strive to do all we can to protect and preserve life. For, we will not protect what we do not love.
Local Ecological Knowledge
Local ecological knowledge involves understanding the ecological relationships that occur where you live and what it takes to support these relationships. As a foundation, it is important to know that indigenous plants and insects form the basis for all life on planet Earth, have coevolved over millions of years, and depend on one another for continued survival. All animals, including humans, consume plants, directly or indirectly, and depend on the continued relationship between indigenous plants and insects. Consequently, what you plant in your yard matters a great deal.
Furthermore, most plants rely on the pollination and seed dispersal services provided by insects, birds, and a variety of other animals for continued propagation. This is a circle of life upon which we all depend. A working knowledge of ecology and local ecosystems increases appreciation and gratitude for other forms of life and is necessary to help sustain the wildlife you share the land with. For, how will you help nature if you know little to nothing about how she works and what she needs to survive and thrive?
Spiritual Ecology
Spiritual ecology recognizes environmental conservation as a spiritual endeavor and involves understanding the relationship between our present outer ecological crisis and our inner crisis including the spiritual dynamics at the root of environmental degradation. For what we perceive before us is a reflection of our collective inner environment. The reconciliation of spiritual ecology is certainly an inner process requiring outer action.
To preserve life as we know it, we must understand that we are part of nature and depend on healthy ecosystems to live and thrive. We must also come to the realization that all life is sacred, including one’s own, and that life on Earth is a precious gift. Our common home, beautiful Mother Earth, is endowed with intelligence and the light of Divine presence. Each being is a sacred teacher, a clue how to live in greater harmony. We must look within and cultivate heart-centered relationships, beginning with oneself, and ultimately include all manifestations of life.
Earth Stewardship
Earth stewardship involves acting on behalf of the environment and making the changes needed to live in reciprocity with the natural world. Action is the key! We are clearly at a point in natural history when nature needs our support. We certainly cannot keep doing what we have been if life is to continue as we know it. Not much will improve unless we each change our habits and do our part. This means engaging in activities that support planet Earth, such as wildlife conservation efforts at home and work, and stopping activities that cause harm whenever and wherever possible.
Fortunately and unfortunately, collective individual actions have impacts on a global level. It is up to each of us to turn the tide. As Jane Goodall so eloquently puts it, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Heart
At the center of the model is a heart symbolizing the energy of love which gives meaning and purpose to our lives and provides the fuel to successfully apply the model. There are many kinds of love and we are all familiar with love for family, friends, and pets, for example.
Biophilia, another type of love, was described by psychoanalyst, Erich Fromm, as “the passionate love of life and all that is alive”. This term was introduced and popularized by Edward O. Wilson, American biologist, naturalist, and author and he defines biophilia as “the innate tendency in human beings to focus on life and lifelike process. To an extent still undervalued in philosophy and religion, our existence depends on this propensity, our spirit is woven from it, hopes rise on its currents.”
These descriptions suggest that humans have an inherent love of nature and seek connections with life forms other than their own. When we love life, we tend to be kind, compassionate, and strive to do the right thing whenever possible. Our hearts are truly the guide and bridge in which we can welcome and embrace all beings we encounter.
A Model for Living
Each dimension of the model informs and supports the others. If any dimension of the model is left out, the system fails. For example, without conscious nature connection, we tend to feel separate from the natural world. Conversely, bonding with nature via the senses increases our feeling of oneness with life.
Without spiritual ecology, the realization that our view of the world has resulted in the destruction of planet Earth is absent and we will not recognize that all life is sacred and deserving of respect and care.
Without local ecological knowledge, the understanding of how nature works is lacking and the ability to create genuinely life-supporting ecosystems where we live will be virtually impossible. Further, when we get to know and understand nature, our appreciation and gratitude for other life forms grows and we want to do what we can to help them.
Without environmental stewardship, the action component is missing and not much will change. With appropriate action, we can certainly make a noticeable difference in our sphere of influence.
Finally, without love, meaning and purpose are deficient resulting in a lack of incentive and the energy needed to implement the model. With love, we can accomplish almost anything we set our mind to.
The model, when worked as intended, enrich one’s experience of life while promoting personal and planetary health and well-being. A win-win for all!