Nature and Spirituality
In nature, children can discover many things: a new flower unfurling its petals, a rough boulder to climb, a tree with vanilla-scented bark. Along with sights, sounds and smells, they also find something more — something spiritual, composed of moments of magic, wonder and awe.
In his books, “Last Child in the Woods” and “The Nature Principle,” author and Children & Nature Network co-founder Richard Louv explores how spiritual life begins with a sense of wonder, often first nurtured by nature. He describes nature as a spiritual space that fosters inner peace, meaningful relationships and feelings of awe and joy — which can enhance social connections, life satisfaction and a sense of well-being.
Connection to nature has been identified as one of the domains of spirituality. Research shows that spending time in nature can also be a pathway to spirituality and to conservation action. Around the world, the interdependence of humans, nature and spirituality is recognized in most religious and Indigenous traditions, as spending time in nature reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.
Sacred Grounds: Where faith communities and nature meet
Few institutions sit at the heart of a neighborhood quite like places of worship. They nourish our spiritual lives, run food pantries and clothing drives and quietly steward some of the largest patches of greenspace in town. In the U.S. alone, religious and faith-based groups own approximately 2.6 million acres of land. “Congregations are both part of the problem and part of the solution,” says Edelson, Senior Director for Wildlife Partnerships, National Wildlife Federation.
GOD AND MOTHER NATURE: Mister Rogers and the gift of the honest self
It’s 1993. Fred Rogers enters a noisy hotel lobby, taking pictures of the people who have come to meet him. You realize that you have lowered the volume of your voice. I look down at my son, Matthew, who had turned six on the day before Halloween.
10 ways faith-based organizations can connect children, families and communities to the natural world
“We are not God. The Earth was here before us and was given to us.” — Pope Francis. Most religious traditions, especially in Indigenous cultures, intimate or actively offer ways to discover the divine in the natural world.
We’re all looking for the same moon
From India to San Francisco, Yakuta Poonawalla finds spiritual and human connection in nature. Read how parks can create belonging across cultures.
RADICAL AMAZEMENT: Nature and the spiritual life of children
The crescent moon was a rip in the blackness. Deep maroon spread above the island. The mirror of the lake seemed lit from below. The air was cool and trout began to rise. Coyotes howled, then stopped as suddenly as they began. I reached up and banged on the underside of the van’s pop-up bunk. “Boys, wake up. Look outside.”
What we yearn for: An excerpt from “Nature & Spirituality During the Early Years,” and a Q&A with Dr. Ruth Wilson
Fostering a child’s connection to nature opens the door to wonder and awe — magical experiences that are all too rare in childhood today. In her new book, “Nature and Spirituality During the Early Years,” author and educator Ruth Wilson, Ph.D., examines why nurturing a child’s spiritual connection to the Earth is essential for the next generation’s healthy development — and for the planet.
VITAMIN N FOR THE SOUL: How Nature Can Nourish the Spirit of Children and Adults
Matthew, my youngest son, once asked me if a connection to a higher power is, in fact, an underutilized sense—one that some people find activated in nature. This is the same son who, when he was five, asked, “Are God and Mother Nature married, or just good friends?”
Research Digest: Nature and children’s spirituality
This Children & Nature Network Research Digest comprises 16 studies related to nature and children’s spirituality. The Digest explains that connection to nature can be a pathway to spirituality. A child encountering the beauty and wonder of nature may experience awe and feelings of joy. Such encounters – or spiritual moments – can foster new perspectives, enhanced social connections, enhanced life satisfaction and a sense of well-being.
Infographic: How nature play can encourage care for the Earth
Meaningful outdoor experiences benefit children and inspire them to love and care for nature. This evidence-backed infographic details how children who are connected to nature have better health, higher satisfaction with life and more pro-environment behaviors.
This Nature and Spirituality toolkit was made possible through the generous support of the Sam and Mary Lawrence Foundation.
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