Nature spirituality is a powerful way to deepen our connection with the Earth, enhance well-being, and inspire a more mindful life. What began as a personal reflection during a morning walk evolved into a deeper exploration of nature spirituality. With that said, here’s the post I’ve written on nature spirituality. I hope you find it as meaningful and helpful as I did.
Nature spirituality: a personal note
These past months, I’ve been trying to wrap up my dissertation, but it’s proving challenging. The reworking is endless, leaving me to wonder if I’ll ever finish it. One October morning, looking for a break, I stepped outside to clear my mind and walk along the nearby trail.
The sky was cerulean blue, and the birch trees glowed a brilliant yellow in the sunlight. The path through the woods resembled a Mark Rothko painting—fields of vibrant red, orange, and brown.
The chilly wind carried the sweet, tangy scent of damp leaves, synchronizing the harmonious rustling along the path.
As I walked, I felt in awe and paused to watch the scenery. Out of nowhere, a gust of wind showered the path with confetti of yellows, reds, and browns. In that instant, there was no ground, no sky. The world became a swirling display of shimmering speckles.
As I stood there, I realized that the trees, the earth, and the entire forest were alive—not just as living creatures, but as conscious beings, feeling, thinking, and sensing.
Returning from the walk, I was sure of my newly found clarity, but it made no sense.
Was the realization an actual insight, or merely a momentary lapse in judgment?
It felt more like a silent conversation. But how could I even describe it? Perhaps the closest comparison is how Romantic poets described nature in their lush language.
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud , By William Wordsworth
The experience of nature
There are different ways of understanding the world around us. One of the most familiar is logical reasoning, which we apply when reading, writing, and making conclusions.
This approach offers a sense of security and feels closer to the truth.
For example, if A → B and B → C, we can conclude A → C.
Logical thinking clarifies our understanding and satisfies our uncertainty. As a result, it feels assuring, like standing on solid ground.
But what happens when we face uncertainty that isn’t explained through logic? The experience of a deep connection to nature is like that. Reason can’t justify it.
Yes, we sense a connection, but we can’t describe why or how it’s possible.
Experiencing nature along a trail isn’t a mental or logical process. Instead, it calls on our emotions, instincts, and thoughts to work together.
It’s embodied and involves sense perception. This means the experience engages our whole being—muscles, eyes, nose, ears, and skin.
What’s more, the connection to nature is deeply felt. We might notice wonder, awe, joy, peace, or even fear. Imagine standing before a spectacular sunset over a lake or sensing wild eyes watching you from the shrubs.
While logical reasoning is essential for our survival, it doesn’t capture the intimate experience of nature. That experience is personal, emotional, instinctive, and transcends the ordinary state of mind!
In fact, one could argue that it’s spiritual!
What is the nature of spirituality?
In the religious context, spiritual experience might be described as saying prayers, listening to a sermon, or engaging in communal worship. Here, spirituality is often about the connection to the divine and belonging to the community. However, spirituality is not confined to religion.
Merriam-Webster defines spiritual as “relating to the spirit” where spirit is described as “the immaterial, intelligent or sentient part of a person.” So, according to this definition, a spiritual experience could be about a personal connection to the higher or better part of the self.
Spirituality has always been part of the human experience. A clear example of this can be found at Laas Gaal in northwestern Somalia, from 5,000 to 10,000 years ago. The site depicts a group of small human figures with raised arms, standing among large-horn cattle adorned with decorative markings. The images are widely interpreted as worship and ritual for two reasons. First, the act of creating them was special, requiring rare, vibrant colors and careful protection in granite alcoves. Second, the veneration of bull deities has deep roots in prehistoric ritual practices. 1
One could argue that ancient societies used spiritual experiences to make sense of reality and guide their social life.
Yet, spirituality is timeless and universal. Why?
The science behind spirituality
Genetics and neuroscience show us that spirituality is not just a mysterious experience. In fact, spirituality is a natural human capability, more like thinking or feeling.
Spirituality and genetics
Dean H. Hamer, a geneticist and author, is a Harvard Medical School graduate who studies the relationship between human genomes and behavior.
In his research, he discovers traces of spiritual experience in human genes.
In his book, the God Gene, he writes that we are hardwired for spiritual experience. Hamer’s work challenges the view that spirituality is solely a cultural or environmental phenomenon, suggesting instead that it is rooted in our biology. 2
Spirituality and neuroscience
Neuroscience research has aimed to understand the experience of spirituality more objectively. That is to say, through looking at the link between brain imaging, body temperatures, and blood pressure during a spiritual experience. Through these experiments, neuroscience researchers have uncovered pathways for spiritual experiences.
These pathways map the neurobiological mechanisms associated with spiritual practices induced through meditation, prayer, or other trance states.3
So, it seems that having a spiritual experience is something we’re all biologically wired for, which raises the question: why?
For one thing, spirituality has long been associated with meaning and resilience in life.
Spirituality and Meaning
Spirituality and meaning often go hand in hand. Namely, a lack of spirituality may lead to feelings of emptiness or even an existential crisis. In Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl writes about his experience as a prisoner in a concentration camp.
He observed that strong spiritual beliefs helped prisoners survive unimaginable hardship. Their beliefs protected their inner selves and gave them access to “a life of inner riches and spiritual freedom.” Above all, it allowed for hope and resilience in the most dire situations.
In Frankl’s work, spirituality and meaning are closely intertwined. Spirituality helps us rise above our struggles, connect with our core values, and discover purpose—even in suffering. It’s like stepping outside our immediate pain to see the bigger picture. Spirituality allows us to draw strength from something greater, giving us the courage to persevere through the hardest times.
Key Principles of Spirituality
The spiritual experience is about attuning ourselves to something greater. It’s a way of relating that is open, receptive, and accepting, allowing us to truly tune in.
Spiritual attunement has at least three key characteristics:
- Alignment: First, it’s about aligning yourself with something, whether that’s your deeper self, the divine, nature, animals, or the universe.
- Offering: Second, it involves giving, whether expressing gratitude, giving back as part of the practice.
- Receiving: Finally, it’s about being open to receiving, whether that’s support, wisdom, or insight that comes from this connection.
Borrowing from Merriam-Webster, spiritual attunement involves reaching out to the “immaterial, intelligent, or sentient part of” the other. This “other” could be the self, the divine, or the very “essence” of the world around us.
What is an essence? Philosophers from Aristotle to Jean-Paul Sartre and Thomas Nagel have all grappled with this term.
We can think of essence as the deeper, inner nature of something. For example, when walking along a forest trail, the essence of the trees is reflected in their growth, their ability to support wildlife, and their plant intelligence.
When it comes to attuning to nature, we connect to the essence of what we experience in the natural world. We tune into its rhythms, energy, and the deeper life that flows through it.
We can connect to this essence or the spirit of the natural world by immersing ourselves in nature. For instance, sitting quietly by a stream or listening to the rustling of leaves are ways we can attune to this essence.
The connection between nature and spirituality
Nature is everything that exists outside of human creation. It includes the Earth, all that grows and lives on its surface, the diverse living organisms, and the landscapes that shape our world.
The essence of nature
Across various cultures, the inner essence of nature is personified through folklore and mythology. For example, in Greek and Roman mythology, the Dryads and Nymphs symbolize the spirit of trees and nature itself. They manifest the essence of the natural world as conscious, living, breathing forces.
In these traditions, the spirits of the natural world are not just abstract concepts. Instead, they illustrate an active entity that can be felt and engaged with.
In her book Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Kimmerer retells the story of the Sky Woman from her Indigenous tradition. Sky Woman is a powerful story about the Earth’s generosity, transforming our image of the Earth. It presents the Earth just as a physical place, but as a sacred, nurturing spirit that gives freely and cares for all living things.
Similarly, in Greek mythology, Gaia offers a comparable vision of a nurturing and life-giving spirit. Much like the Sky Woman, Gaia represents the sacredness of the Earth, offering support, care, and abundance to all creatures.
What is nature spirituality?
Nature spirituality is based on a close relationship between humans and the natural world. Indeed, direct and personal experience with nature is at the heart of nature spirituality. It involves connecting to or attuning with the inner essence of the Earth and all other forms of being. Nature spirituality is about recognizing the sacredness of our environment, respecting it, and inviting it into our personal lives.
Nature spirituality also means trusting the intuitions and feelings that come through our experiences in nature. This includes embracing the feelings of awe and wonder and accepting the wisdom that comes through our encounters with nature. This could also mean letting go of logical and mental justifications and acknowledging that our personal experiences with nature are equally valid.
Ultimately, nature spirituality is about connecting to the natural world and recognizing that plants, animals, and nature as a whole are more than just physical beings. It’s about welcoming the idea that nature is alive with the consciousness of non-human life and that everything is interconnected, forming one harmonious whole in the universe.
Nature spirituality and religion
Many religious traditions have some elements of nature spirituality. For example, indigenous traditions emphasize the sacredness of nature and all living beings. For them, the land isn’t just a resource—it’s a conscious, living entity that sustains and nurtures life.
In the same way, Paganism places a substantial emphasis on nature, with seasonal festivals, equinoxes, and moon cycles offering ways to attune to the rhythms of the natural world.
Taoism also highlights the importance of nature and the natural order, with images of mountains, rivers, and forests woven throughout the Tao Te Ching. The Taoist idea of being in harmony with nature, or acting like water, holds a central place in Taoist thought. For instance, the concept of wu wei encourages us to observe and find mastery in what comes naturally to us rather than fighting for what doesn’t align with our true nature.
In the Christian tradition, St. Francis of Assisi is renowned for his unique bond with nature—he could talk to animals and see the natural world as a direct reflection of the divine. His life story and writings present the idea that respecting nature is a spiritual practice. In fact, In his Canticle of the Creatures, St. Francis celebrates the beauty and harmony of nature, seeing it as a powerful sign of God’s greatness.
Key principles of nature spirituality
There are a few key themes that often appear in nature spirituality:
1- Nature is Sacred
The word “sacred” means “worthy of respect.” Thus, practicing nature spirituality involves a deep commitment to caring for and protecting the natural world.
The sacredness of nature suggests that the Earth, along with all its creatures and landscapes, is alive with spirit and deserves our respect. Nature is not just a resource. Rather, it is a divine presence to be cherished, cared for, and even revered.
2- Environmental Stewardship
Accepting the sacredness of nature comes with a deep moral responsibility to care for all life and the environment. This calls us to protect, honor, and nurture the world around us, recognizing that we are part of a larger, interconnected web of life.
3- Personal Experience and Wonder
An important part of nature spirituality is the personal experience—the chance to connect with the natural world on a deep, individual level. Whether it’s a walk through the forest, sitting by a stream and listening to its flow, or simply watching the clouds drift by, these moments can spark a sense of wonder and foster a deeper connection to the Earth.
Nature spirituality in the age of ecological crisis
Nature spirituality could be a powerful remedy for ecological and spiritual crises.
Facing pollution, loss of biodiversity, and other environmental challenges, reconnecting with the natural world could offer a solution for generations to come.
Connecting to the essence of nature and recognizing our interconnectedness means feeling a personal responsibility for the well-being of our planet. It’s about seeing ourselves as part of the natural world. Moreover, it is about taking action to care for it, not just for us, but for all life that depends on it.
To engage in nature spirituality means caring for the natural world and aiming for a more sustainable, meaningful relationship with the Earth. It implies honoring all forms of life as a path to spiritual living.
Spiritual ecology
Environmental problems are not just geopolitical issues. They are, in many ways, crises of misplaced meaning. Descartes’ famous quote, “I think, therefore I am,” reflects a limited, human-centered view of our place in the cosmos. Since it assumes human thoughts and consciousness as the foundation of existence. However, in reality, to “be” does not require human cognition.
The universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects.
Evening Thoughts , Thomas Berry
Nature and being precede human thoughts and consciousness. Above all, our existence is not defined by our thoughts but by our presence on this planet. As the cultural historian Thomas Berry (1914–2009) puts it:
The human is neither an addendum nor an intrusion into the universe. We are quintessentially integral with the universe. “
Thomas Berry
In the face of many environmental challenges, nature spirituality can be considered a form of environmental activism. It is rooted in ecological awareness, re-enchanting nature, and honoring the wonder and spirits within the natural world.
Nature spirituality is the spiritual dimension of environmental activism—it blends spiritual practices with a deep concern for the environment. It calls us to rediscover the ancient bonds between humans and the Earth, finding meaning and reverence in all elements of nature, from rocks to trees and animals.
Spiritual ecology: how nature and spirituality intertwine
Thomas Berry was a cultural historian, ecologist, and spiritual thinker known for his influential work on spiritual ecology. In his writings, Thomas Berry calls for a “new cosmology.” A vision that emphasizes our belonging in the Earth community rather than our mastery over nature.
At the heart of Berry’s spiritual ecology is the idea of “Earth as a living organism,” where nature is not a collection of resources, but a vibrant, interconnected structure overflowing with life and spirit. This nature is full of intelligence and deserves our respect and care.
Ultimately, nature spirituality is about living in harmony with vital forces that sustain our lives.
As Tao Te Ching puts it:
In harmony with the Tao,
the sky is clear and spacious,
the earth is solid and full,
all creatures flourish together,
content with the way they are,
endlessly repeating themselves,
endlessly renewed.When man interferes with the Tao,
Tao Te Ching , 36
the sky becomes filthy,
the earth becomes depleted,
the equilibrium crumbles,
creatures become extinct.4
Books on nature and spirituality
I have to admit that I am a beginner on this path and still searching to find good reads on this topic. But here are a few books on my reading list:
- Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World by David Abram
- The Sacred Universe: Earth, Spirituality, and Religion in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Berry
- Sacred Nature: Restoring Our Ancient Bond with the Natural World by Karen Armstrong
- Dark Green Religion: Nature Spirituality and the Planetary Future by Bron Taylor
Footnotes
- T. Tremlin, “The Origins of Religion,” in Science and the World’s Religions, P. McNamara and W. J. Wildman, Eds., Santa Barbara, Calif, 2012. page 4 ↩︎
- Goldman, M. The God Gene: How Faith is Hardwired Into Our Genes. Nat Genet 36, 1241 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1204-1241] ↩︎
- Newberg AB. The neuroscientific study of spiritual practices. Front Psychol. 2014 Mar 18;5:215. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00215. PMID: 24672504; PMCID: PMC3957224. ↩︎
- Tao Te Ching: A New English Version Paperback – by Stephen Mitchell, Lao Tzu ↩︎
Cover image credit by Val Vesa