Description
Book SynopsisIn the face of climate change, species loss, and vast environmental destruction, Belden C. Lane's spiritually centered environmentalism suggests that we must look to teachers in nature to understand how to save ourselves. Pairing anecdotes of personal encounters with nature with the teachings of spiritual leaders from a range of religious traditions, this book invites us to participate once more in the great conversation among all creatures and the earthitself.
Trade ReviewIn this extraordinary book, Lane explores our human need for deep and meaningful connections with nature ... This is a precious book for all nature lovers and also for those who after reading it, will be. * Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Preface Introduction: Wilderness and Soul Work Part I: Beginning to Listen Chapter 1: Restoring the Great Conversation Chapter 2: Falling in Love with a Tree Part II: Nature Teachers and the Spiritual Life AIR: The Child Chapter 3. Birds: Sandhill Cranes, the Platte River, and Farid ud-Din Attar Chapter 4. Wind: Buford Mountain and The Way of a Pilgrim Chapter 5: Trees: A Cottonwood Tree in a City Park and Hildegard of Bingen FIRE: The Adolescent Chapter 6. Wildfire: North Laramie River Trail and Catherine of Siena Chapter 7. Stars: Cahokia Mounds and Origen of Alexandria Chapter 8. Deserts: The Western Australian Bush and Gregory of Nyssa WATER: The Adult Chapter 9. Rivers: Colorado's Lost Creek Wilderness and Teresa of Avila Chapter 10. Canyons: Grand Staircase-Escalante Wilderness and Laozi Chapter 11. Islands: Monhegan Island and Nikos Kazantzakis EARTH: The Elder Chapter 12. Mountains: Hemmed-In-Hollow and the Baal Shem Tov Chapter 13. Caves: Lewis Cave and Ignatius of Loyola Chapter 14. Wolves: Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Francis of Assisi Conclusion: Taking the Great Conversation Seriously Afterword Notes Index
