Nature

October 9, 2025.

Recently, concern for the environment and protecting Earth and all of creation seems to be taking a back seat to other concerns. And even more disturbing is that some countries are even reducing or eliminating environmental protections.

You might wonder what that has to do with our spirituality, our connection to the Divine. Quite simply—a lot.

In Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si', he describes Earth, our common home as a sister that we share life with [1], and reminds us “that we ourselves are dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7)," [2]. Relying on scientific knowledge the late pope says that “our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters,” [3].

In other words, while we may have thought that we are separate from the Earth community, we are actually but one small part of a complex interconnected web of creation.

Social scientists and others are recognizing the benefits of being in nature. Pam McPhail’s blog Nature Deficit Disorder, outlines what can happen when humans don’t spend time in nature, [4] and she encourages us to go outside, to connect with nature in a variety of ways.

All of creation can be teachers, catalysts for understanding ourselves and can help us to connect with the Divine. Thomas Merton describes trees, flowers, colts, lakes, and mountains as saints and says that they give glory to God simply by being what God means them to be, [5]. He then goes a step further, inviting us to give glory to God in the same way that creation does, by being ourselves, by choosing to be true to ourselves, [6].

It isn’t always easy being true to ourselves unless we know ourselves well. And remarkably, nature can assist us to be catalysts in deepening our self-understanding, [7].

Christine Valters Paintner says that by paying attention to the rhythms of each day, the seasons, migrations, as well as cycles and processes of the natural world we can have a better understanding of our bodies and our souls, which in turn can give us “access to an immense and ancient source of wisdom,” [8].

I would add that nature, as God’s creation, reveals something of the Creator. And so, entering into intentional relationships with nature can encourage and support our relationship with the Divine.

There are many ways to connect with nature. The "nature connecting" practice on the video is based on my own ideas and several from Joyce Rupp, [9].

1. Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, [On Care for our Common Home], https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html, 2015, 1.

2. Ibid, 2.

3. Ibid.

4. Pam McPhail, Nature Deficit Disorder, https://sunsetyears.ca/nature-deficit-disorder/ , October 16, 2021.

5. Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation, New Directions Books, New York, NY, 1962, 29-31.

6. Ibid, 31.

7. Christine Valters Paintner, Earth Our Original Monastery: Cultivating Wonder and Gratitude through Intimacy with Nature, Sorin Books, Notre Dame, IN, 2020, x.

8. Christine Valters Paintner, The Wisdom of the Body: A Contemplative Journey to Wholeness for Women, Sorin Books, Notre Dame, IN, 2017, 174.

9. Joyce Rupp, Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life, Sorin Books, Notre Dame, IN, 2018, 147.

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Maureen Fowler, a beloved spiritual mentor.