In "Eco-Spiritualism: Communicating with Gaia and the Consciousness of the Planet," readers are invited to embark on a profound exploration of our interconnectedness with the Earth. This transformative journey unveils the Gaia hypothesis, viewing our planet as a living, self-regulating organism. Delve into indigenous cultures' wisdom, revealing deep connections with nature, and learn how different cultures communicate with the natural world. The book unfolds the concept of Earth as a conscious entity, blending scientific perspectives with metaphysical insights. Practical gateways such as meditation, sacred sites, and connecting with nature offer tools to foster a deeper connection with the consciousness of the planet. As environmental challenges loom, the narrative takes a poignant turn towards Gaia activism, inspiring readers to become stewards of the Earth. The therapeutic benefits of nature, the intersection of technology and eco-spiritualism, and the emergence of eco-spiritual communities as catalysts for global transformation are explored. Mythology becomes a guide, revealing ancient stories that depict Earth as a conscious being. Ethical frameworks rooted in eco-spiritualism are discussed, offering principles to guide sustainable living. The journey expands to the cosmos, contemplating the interconnectedness of all existence. Each chapter unfolds a tapestry of insights, encouraging readers to reflect on their role in the collective consciousness of the planet. Practical tips, rituals, and a celebration of art as an expression of eco-spiritual experiences empower readers to actively contribute to Gaia's legacy. As the book concludes, readers are encouraged to nurture the seeds of connection, implementing daily practices, exploring eco-spiritual communities, and continuing their learning journey. "Eco-Spiritualism" is not just a book; it is an invitation to a lifelong odyssey, fostering a deep sense of unity with the living consciousness of Gaia.

"A love of green may be a human universal. Deepening the palette of green scholarship, Bron Taylor proves remarkably to be both an encyclopedist and a visionary."--Jonathan Benthall, author of Returning to Religion: Why a Secular Age is Haunted by Faith "This important book provides insight into how a profound sense of relation to nature offers many in the modern world a vehicle for attaining a spiritual wholeness akin to what has been historically associated with established religion. In this sense, Dark Green Religion offers both understanding and hope for a world struggling for meaning and purpose beyond the isolation of the material here and now."--Stephen Kellert, Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies "In this thought-provoking volume, Bron Taylor explores the seemingly boundless efforts by human beings to understand the nature of life and our place in the universe. Examining in depth the ways in which influential philosophers and naturalists have viewed this relationship, Taylor contributes to the further development of thought in this critically important area, where our depth of understanding will play a critical role in our survival."--Peter H. Raven, President, Missouri Botanical Garden "Carefully researched, strongly argued, originally conceived, and very well executed, this book is a vital contribution on a subject of immense religious, political, and environmental importance. It's also a great read."--Roger S. Gottlieb, author of A Greener Faith: Religious Environmentalism and our Planet's Future "A fascinating analysis of our emotional and spiritual relationship to nature. Whether you call it dark green religion or something else, Bron Taylor takes us through our spiritual relationship with our planet, its ecosystems and evolution, in an enlightened and completely undogmatic manner."--Dr. Claude Martin, Former Director General, World Wildlife Fund "An excellent collection of guideposts for perplexed students and scholars about the relationships of nature religions, spirituality, animism, pantheism, deep ecology, Gaia, and land ethics--and for the environmentalist seeking to make the world a better place through green religion as a social force."--Fikret Berkes, author of Sacred Ecology: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Resource Management "Dark Green Religion shows conclusively how nature has inspired a growing religious movement on the planet, contesting the long reign of many older faiths. Taylor expertly guides us through an astonishing array of thinkers, past and present, who have embraced, in part or whole, the new religion. I was thoroughly convinced that this movement has indeed become a major force on Earth, with great potential consequences for our environmental ethics."--Donald Worster, University of Kansas "In this exceptionally interesting and informative book, Bron Taylor has harvested the fruits of years of pioneering research in what amounts to a new field in religious studies: the study of how religious/spiritual themes show up in the work of people concerned about nature in many diverse ways. Taylor persuasively argues that appreciation of nature's sacred or spiritual dimension both informs and motivates the work of individuals ranging from radical environmentalists and surfers, to eco-tourism leaders and museum curators. I highly recommend this book for everyone interested learning more about the surprising extent to which religious/spiritual influences many of those who work to protect, to exhibit, or to represent the natural world."--Michael E. Zimmerman, Director, Center for Humanities and the Arts, University of Colorado at Boulder

The Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh was asked what we need to do to save our world. "What we most need to do," he replied, "is to hear within us the sound of the earth crying.” Our present ecological crisis is the greatest man-made disaster this planet has ever faced—its accelerating climate change, species depletion, pollution and acidification of the oceans. A central but rarely addressed aspect of this crisis is our forgetfulness of the sacred nature of creation, and how this affects our relationship to the environment. There is a pressing need to articulate a spiritual response to this ecological crisis. This is vital and necessary if we are to help bring the world as a living whole back into balance. The first edition of this book (published in 2013) fostered the emergence of the "Spiritual Ecology Movement," which recognizes the need for a spiritual response to our present ecological crisis. It drew an overwhelmingly positive response from readers, many of whom are asking the simple question, "What can I do?" The 2016 expanded edition offers new chapters, including two from younger authors who are putting the principles of spiritual ecology into action, working with their hands as well as their hearts. It also includes a new preface and revised chapter by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, that reference two major recent events: the publication of Pope Francis's encyclical, "On Care for Our Common Home," which brought into the mainstream the idea that "the ecological crisis is essentially a spiritual problem"; and the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference, which saw representatives from nearly 200 countries come together to address global warming, including faith leaders from many traditions. And, in Autumn 2021, we have issued a new edition, with a new updated preface from editor Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, who has also rewritten his chapter, “The Call of the Earth.” Bringing together voices from Buddhism, Sufism, Christianity, and Native American traditions, as well as from physics, deep psychology, and other environmental disciplines, this book calls on us to reassess our underlying attitudes and beliefs about the Earth and wake up to our spiritual as well as physical responsibilities toward the planet. "It's hard to imagine finding a wiser group of humans than the authors represented here, all of them both thinkers and do-ers in the greatest battle humans have ever faced. AN EPIC COLLECTION!" —BILL MCKIBBEN, founder 350.org Spiritual Ecology is a superb collection of thoughtful pieces by people who have gone deep to understand our relations with the Earth. It comes at a crucial time for humanity." —BARRY LOPEZ, landscape photographer and author Arctic Dreams (winner National Book Award), Of Wolves and Men, Crossing Open Ground, About This Life "THIS BOOK PROVIDES FRESH THINKING about the spiritual approaches of consciously and consistently making the right choices, each of us within our respective sphere of influence. As the world works towards a new global climate agreement in 2015, it is in our interest and in the interest of future generations to reflect on how we can individually and collectively contribute to addressing climate change by making our economies and lifestyles more sustainable, because solving climate change can help solve many of the issues the earth currently faces. Climate change is therefore both a challenge and an opportunity. I hope this book inspires and energizes many readers eager to rise to the greatest challenge ever to face humanity by realizing the transformative opportunities we have in front of us." —CHRISTIANA FIGUERES, Former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS are everywhere on the decline, and yet interest in "spirituality" is steadily increasing. At the same time, concerns about the environment and the planetary ecosystem are also rising, especially with the growing awareness of the risks of climate change. Thus, it is natural that we look to combine these two areas of interest: the intersection of religion and environmentalism. It was precisely this kind of thinking that led prominent eco-philosopher Henryk Skolimowski to develop, beginning in the 1980s, a new concept that he called "eco-theology." Inspired by the earlier works of Teilhard and Bergson, Skolimowski realized that the idea of evolution was much more far-reaching than merely a theory about biology. Evolution encompassed not only all life, but also the Earth as a whole, the origins of the planets and stars, and indeed the universe as a whole. More to the point, it must encompass all aspects of humanity and human culture, including such traditional concepts as God and religion. Simply stated, if everything evolves, then religious truth must evolve, spirituality must evolve, and even God must evolve. These basic insights have far-reaching consequences. Eco-theology fully integrates humanity into the natural world. We are not some mysterious strangers to the universe, not divinely created with utterly unique properties, not here to exercise our "dominion." We are part and parcel of the world. We came from the Earth, and we belong to the Earth. The cosmos is our home. The world is a sanctuary. There is indeed 'god' and divinity in this evolutionary universe, but such things reside in us; we make them real by manifesting our best and highest qualities. Skolimowski thus offers us something startlingly new: a "religion for our times." This is no New-Age philosophy, no fuzzy-headed wishful thinking. This is serious philosophical innovation by an Oxford-trained philosopher, in an area of gravest concern. Eco-theology is badly needed today; our very survival depends on it.

It has been suggested that 'spirituality' has become a word that 'can define an era'. Why? Because paradoxically, alongside a decline in traditional religious affiliations, the growing interest in spirituality and the use of the word in a variety of contexts is a striking aspect of contemporary western cultures. Indeed, spirituality is sometimes contrasted attractively with religion, although this is problematic and implies that religion is essentially dogma, moralism, institutions, buildings, and hierarchies. The notion of spirituality expresses the fact that many people are driven by goals that concern more than material satisfaction. Broadly, it refers to the deepest values and sense of meaning by which people seek to live. Sometimes these values are conventionally religious. Sometimes they are associated with what is understood as 'the sacred' in a broader sense - that is, of ultimate rather than merely instrumental importance. This Very Short Introduction, written by one of the most eminent scholars and writers on spirituality, explores the historical foundations of the thought and considers how it came to have the significance it is developing today. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

From the Psalms in the Bible to the sacred rivers in Hinduism, the natural world has been integral to the world’s religions. John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker contend that today’s growing environmental challenges make the relationship ever more vital. This primer explores the history of religious traditions and the environment, illustrating how religious teachings and practices both promoted and at times subverted sustainability. Subsequent chapters examine the emergence of religious ecology, as views of nature changed in religious traditions and the ecological sciences. Yet the authors argue that religion and ecology are not the province of institutions or disciplines alone. They describe four fundamental aspects of religious life: orienting, grounding, nurturing, and transforming. Readers then see how these phenomena are experienced in a Native American religion, Orthodox Christianity, Confucianism, and Hinduism. Ultimately, Grim and Tucker argue that the engagement of religious communities is necessary if humanity is to sustain itself and the planet. Students of environmental ethics, theology and ecology, world religions, and environmental studies will receive a solid grounding in the burgeoning field of religious ecology.

Kirkus Reviews: "A beautifully designed, thoroughly stimulating new paradigm of scientific spiritualism." "Absent-minded science" - the practice of today's mainstream science of ignoring, either intentionally or by oversight, the role of mind in nature - is the focus of this volume of essays by Tam Hunt. Hunt is a columnist for the Santa Barbara Independent and this book contains the first three years of his columns, including a bonus detailed interview with Giulio Tononi, developer of the Integrated Information Theory of consciousness that is growing in popularity in recent years. Also included is an interview with Christof Koch, a neuroscientist and biophysicist who has "outed" himself as a panpsychist. Panpsychism, a theme that runs through most of Hunt's essays, is the notion that matter and mind are two sides of the same coin, so where there is mind there is also matter and where there is matter there is also mind. Koch, Tononi and Hunt are part of a growing awareness that mind needs to be taken seriously in science as well as in philosophy. Mind is fundamental in any coherent ontology and this series of essays outlines a system that puts mind back where it should be: at the base of our worldview. "By reading Eco, Ego, Eros, you are about to embark on a voyage of discovery that uses rational analysis by some of the greatest Western thinkers, combined with the experimental and theoretical investigation of nature, to make sense of the riddle of our existence. Authored by Tam Hunt, an environmental lawyer and philosopher, this series of short chapters, reflecting their origin in a regular online column, has a magnificent writ. Starting out with panpsychism, the ancient teaching that all creatures and, indeed, all matter, are to a smaller and larger extent conscious, the book covers quantum mechanics, relativity theory, evolution by natural selection, the origin of life, scholars from Descartes to contemporary philosophers of mind, Godel and the limits of mathematics, Western, Hindu and Buddhist ideas about mind, and the author's own mystical experience when smoking dope in the Pacific Northwest." From the Foreword by Christof Koch, Chief Scientific Officer at the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Tam Hunt is a lawyer, philosopher and writer based in Santa Barbara, California. He is a Visiting Scholar in psychology at UC Santa Barbara."

Deep ecology, a term coined by noted Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess, is a worldwide grassroots environmental movement that seeks to redress the shallow and piecemeal approache of technology-based ecology. Its followers share a profund respect for the earth's interrelated natural systems and a sense of urgency about the need to make profound cultural and social changes in order to respore and sustain the long-term health of the planet. This comprehensive introduction to the Deep Ecology movement brings tgether Naess' groundbreaking work with essays by environmental thinkers and activists responding to and expanding on its philosophical and practical aspects. Contributors include George Sessions, Gary Snyder, Alan Drengson, Dll Devall, Freya Matthews, Warwick Fox, David Rothenberg, Michael E. Zimmerman, Patsy Hallen, Dolores LaChapelle, Pat Fleming, Joanna Macy, John Rodman, and Andrew Mclaughlin. The Authrs offer diverse viewpoints- from ecofeminist, scientific, and purely philosophical approaches to Christian, Buddhist, and Gandhian-based principles. Their essays show how social, technological, psychological, philosophical, and institutional issues are aall fundamentally related to our attitudes and values toward the natural world.

Spirituality and healthcare is an emerging field of research, practice and policy. Healthcare organisations and practitioners are therefore challenged to understand and address spirituality, to develop their knowledge and implement effective policy. This is the first reference text on the subject providing a comprehensive overview of key topics.

Environmental Spirituality is a timely clarion call to rediscover our roots, our interconnectedness and our interdependence in the cosmos. It energizes our faith, enkindles our spirituality and enhances our commitment to work for the protection of environment.