Ecomysticism: The Profound Experience of Nature as Spiritual GuideExplores the philosophy, science, and spirituality of nature mysticism and its Green calling • Offers a solid bridge between spiritual practice and environmental activism • Reveals how we can heal the environment by renewing our connection to it • Shows how spiritual encounters in nature are healing the Nature Deficit Disorder of our psyches and bodies Many have been struck by a majestic moment in nature--a sole illuminated flower in a shady grove, an owl swooping silently across a wooded path, or an infinitely starry sky--and found themselves in a state of expanded awareness so profound they can feel the interconnectedness of all life. These trance-like moments of clarity, unity, and wonder often incite a call to protect and preserve the earth--to support Nature as she supports us. Termed “nature mysticism,” people from all cultures have described such experiences. However, the ever-increasing urbanization of the world’s population is threatening this ancient connection as well as the earth itself. In Ecomysticism, Carl von Essen explores nature mysticism through the recorded experiences of outdoor enthusiasts as well as scientific studies in biology, psychology, and neuroscience. Citing consciousness scholar William James and a variety of well-known nature lovers such as Ansel Adams, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, von Essen shows how the spiritual transcendence from an encounter in nature--like other mystical experiences--is healing the Nature Deficit Disorder of our psyches and bodies, leading to an expansion of our worldview and a clearer understanding of our self and of our natural world. Offering a solid bridge between spiritual practice and environmental activism, von Essen’s spiritual ecology reveals how only through a renewal of humanity’s spiritual connection to nature can we effect true environmental healing. |
Contents
The Beginnings of Nature and Spirit | |
The Hunter | |
The Explorer | |
The Warrior and the Athlete | |
The Poet and the Artist | |
The Healer | |
The Mystic Ladder | |
The Psychobiology of Mystical Experience | |
Ecocrisis | |
The Future Rests with | |
Footnotes | |
Bibliography | |
About the Author | |
Other editions - View all
Ecomysticism: The Profound Experience of Nature as Spiritual Guide Carl von Essen No preview available - 2010 |
Ecomysticism: The Profound Experience of Nature as Spiritual Guide Carl von Essen, M.D. No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
ancient Andrew Wiles animals Ansel Adams apophasis awareness Bear & Company beauty biophilia biosphere brain consciousness cosmic creative cultures deep described dimension drugs E. O. Wilson earth ecstasy ecstatic Emerson emotional energy environment environmental evoke evolution evolutionary example experienced exploration expression Fechner feeling forest global Goethe’s Gustav Fechner healer healing heart human humanity’s hunter hunter’s trance hunting Ibid imagination individuals innate inner instinct intuition James’s lead light limbic system living meditation memories mental millions mind modern Mount Clark Mount Marcy mountain mystery mystical experience natural world nature mysticism nature’s noetic nurture ocean one’s organisms Paleolithic perception perhaps philosopher physical plants poet poetry psyche psychic psychology Ralph Waldo Emerson reality religion Religious Experience river rock roots scientific seems sense sensory spiritual stalking Taoism Thoreau thought transcendent transcendental understanding universe urban vision W. H. Hudson wild wilderness William James Wilson words Wordsworth writes wrote