Publisher's Synopsis
This essay aims to explore the spiritual connections between humanity, God/Universe, and Nature. Despite the increasing separation between humans and Nature due to technology and urbanization, people have recognized the spiritual potency of the natural world throughout history and across cultures. The book will investigate how different religions, philosophies, and experiences have emphasized Nature as a spiritual force and how serving Nature is deemed a worthwhile pursuit in the eyes of the divine. It will examine how various cultures and belief systems have interacted with and understood Nature and how it has played a central role in their spiritual lives. Ultimately, the book aims to inspire readers to deepen their spiritual connections with the natural world and to acknowledge Life itself as a vital and integral part of our spiritual lives.
The author lives in the lush green hills of Miyagi, near the Yamagata border in Japan. He cares for plants, animals and the earth with his family, guests and friends. Living so close to Nature inspired him to write this essay. *Excerpts from the book: "... in the New Testament... there is no specific verse in the Bible where Jesus is depicted as caring for nature directly..." "...For the Maori people, all living beings, including humans, are interconnected and part of a larger system. It's called Kaitiakitanga, which means guardianship or stewardship. This belief system emphasizes that it is our job as humans to be guardians of the natural environment, to look after resources, and ensure survival for future generations..." "Shinto beliefs center around the idea of kami, which are spiritual beings or forces that are believed to exist in all things in nature. Kami are often associated with specific natural features such as trees, rocks, and bodies of water, and are believed to have the power to bring blessings or misfortune to humans. Forests are believed to be the dwelling places of the kami, and as such, they are regarded as sacred." "...Their philosophy is an ancient system of thought and beliefs that originated in West Africa. It highlights the interconnectedness of all things in the universe, including human beings, animals, plants, and the natural environment. Yoruba people believe that everything in the world has a life force or energy, known as Ashe, which is interconnected and flows through all living things." "...In the 19th century, the Transcendentalist movement emerged in the United States as a response to the growing industrialization and materialism of American society. Led by writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, Transcendentalists sought to connect with a higher spiritual truth through direct experience of the natural world." "The Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, share a common belief in the existence of one God who is the creator of the universe and all that is in it. While these religions have been criticized for their perceived lack of emphasis on environmentalism, they do contain teachings that encourage stewardship and respect for nature..." "... Dr. Masaru Emoto claimed that positive words and emotions, such as "love" and "gratitude," created beautiful and symmetrical crystal formations, while negative words and emotions, such as "hate" and "anger," created disfigured or broken crystal formations... Despite the controversy ... research opened up new avenues for exploring the relationship between human consciousness and the natural world... our thoughts and emotions can have a real and tangible impact on the world around us..." Excerpts FromThe Earthly Embrace: A Journey through Humanity, Nature and the Sacred
Steve Hakkarainen
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