Illustration of a meditating human face superimposed on the planet earth.

Following the Gaian Way

A new religious philosophy aims to help humans understand again that they are part of and utterly dependent on the living Earth. By Erik Assadourian

Spring/Summer 2023

Featured

Drawing of a Dandelion

Rethinking Weeds

Greater awareness of these ubiquitous healers can have implications for ecological restoration, reverence for nature, regenerative living, and environmental justice. By Vanessa Chakour

Person wearing a costume of leaves and cloth, standing in front of a massive tree trunk.

The Ecological Value of Igbo Spirituality

The Igbo understanding of their land and water bodies helps the human person tread with caution. By Ikechukwu Anthony Kanu

Photo of an orbweaver in its web

Wisdom of Webs

An interview with Sarah J. Karikó on studying spiders and exploring our interconnectedness. By Natalia Schwien

Himalayan mountains rising above the clouds

Caring for the Warming Valley of Abundance in West Sikkim, India

Seeing cardamom as a fellow member of the sacred landscape points to a future built on multispecies justice. By Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia

Nalu woman holding a wooden figure, surrounded by other women

An Earth-Centered Indigenous Spiritual Revival in Guinea

The relationship with nature is always deeply spiritual and woven into every aspect of life in Nalu religion, culture, and society. By Bintou Camara

Historic photo of a Native American fisherman in a canoe, holding his spear over the water

Flora, Fauna, Fish, and Fowl

For Ojibwe-speaking communities, Creation is ongoing and cultural teachings include humility, respecting natural boundaries, and replenishing resources to support biodiversity. By Tammy Lynn Pertillar

Dialogue

Tierra Encantada—Enchanted Earth, Enchanted Body

Due to their artistic and embodied qualities, flamenco performances create a physical, sympathetic, emotional response. By Sofya Yampolsky

Illustration of a flamenco dancer in a wide red dress that blends into a desert landscape
Photo of a lake in a green forest, with a stone arch bridge reflected in the still water

Is Neo-Paganism a Nature Religion?

Pagans need to find ways to speak with harmonious voices on the crucial issues of the day, especially climate change. By John Halstead

Illustration of an childless couple blending in to the light, surrounded by families

Childfree for the Planet?

Can one be childfree for the planet and simultaneously be a good Catholic or a good Vaishnava? By Trish Tillman

Photo of Piestewa Peak and monument identifying the peak

Rematriation and MMIWG2S Soldiers

Sharing testimonios about Lori Piestewa, Vanessa Guillén, and other MMIWG2S peoples is a form of rematriation. By Delores (Lola) Mondragón

In Review

Photo of a museum exhibit reflected in the image of a tiger

Art

Contemporary Art as a Spiritual Tool for Facing Eco-Crisis

The Next of Kin: Seeing Extinction through the Artist’s Lens exhibition created space for mourning and discovery. By Christina Seely

Collage of book covers

Syllabus

Ecotheology

A selected reading list from Dan McKanan’s course.

 

Word cloud

Art

Indigenous Practices in Contemporary Art

The thematic presence of ecological spiritualities in artworks found at four art exhibitions. By Daniela Cordovil

Image of a head created by a landscape, with one side dying with leaves floating away

Required Reading

Climate Grief and the Secular Spirituality of Earth-Mourning

We need to approach earth-mourning as a necessary spiritual practice that reckons with the disorienting power of grief and the potential for meaningful change. By Dorothy Dean

Richard Doyle illustrations of fairies "Feasting Among Fuschias"

Books

The Trouble with Oneness

Three recent books offer helpful frameworks for considering temperament and conversion in experiences of “oneness with nature.” By Shane Baker

Poetry

Hallowed Earth Sestina

By Zia Pollis

Perspective

Spring/Summer 2023 cover

Making a Space for ‘Alternative Spiritualities’

One of the most important expressions of spiritual emergence today is the work Indigenous communities are doing to defend threatened ecosystems through spiritual practice. By Dan McKanan

 

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