The history of humanity's relationship to Nature has always been founded first on the expression of awe and wonder. The feeling of being overwhelmed by Nature's beauty and splendor far surpasses any need for exploitation or conquest. This is why humans have always sought refuge in Nature.

Planet Earth itself is a miracle of Sanctuary afloat in the universe. And upon Earth are multitudinous expressions of sanctuaries of nature: mountains, forests, oceans, rivers, seashores, deserts and so much more. Animals, too, are expressions of Nature. In both instances, perhaps the greatest human expression of sanctuary has been to offer refuge for natural settings and animals.

The Internet is ripe with many resources about special sanctuaries, be they for animals, natural settings, gardens, and even retreat centers established in beautiful environments.

This section of the website, however, looks at the basic premise of Nature as Sanctuary, providing a seminal essay that explores philosophical, psychological and spiritual foundations for embracing Nature as Sanctuary.

Dr. C. Forrest McDowell and Tricia Clark-McDowell share some of their insights, in part excerpted from a book-in-progress: Islands of Grace: Creating Sanctuary in Daily Life. They are Earthstewards/owners of the nationally recognized Cortesia Sanctuary in Eugene, Oregon, USA, a 22-acre refuge of deep woods and beautiful gardens. Their profound surrender to Nature exemplifies the spiritual koan: Spirit and Nature Dancing Together.

• Sanctuary in Nature
  In this lengthy essay, the McDowells offer a very personable and heartfelt interpretation of the characteristics and qualities of Nature as a potential place of refuge. [Click]
  
  
• 5 Ways to Deepen Your Connection to Nature
  Abstracted from the above essay, these guidelines are offered below. [Click]
  
  

5 Ways to Deepen Your Connection to Nature

by C. Forrest McDowell, PhD & Tricia Clark-McDowell

Most people in modern society are estranged from Nature. Many never set foot on natural ground, from the moment they arise in the morning to when they go back to bed at night. They usually walk or drive on concrete, step on carpeting, work on cement or tile floors, and minimally inhale fresh air. Here are five key principles that can support you in deepening your own connection to Nature, wherever you may live:

• Take full advantage of small amounts of time to consciously reconnect in some way with Nature.

Even if you just stick your head out the window for a few minutes on your coffee break, or watch the rain falling without cursing it, or pick up a leaf, any leaf, to spend a moment admiring its perfection. Any simple gesture will do. Just increase your awareness, and therein your appreciation, of the tremendous importance Nature holds in our lives, whether or not we think of it as often as we could.

Make room in your schedule, no matter how busy it seems, to walk and work outdoors, to breathe deeply, to feel the wind or rain on your skin, to take in the earthy fragrances that are everywhere present, even in the city. Form a long-term relationship with some special outdoor setting, visiting it at different times of the day and through all the seasons.

• Give Nature a face.

Learn to see everything as being consciously alive and thus worthy of your respect: rocks, trees, birds, insects, flowers, a favorite pet, everything. Don't try to rationalize your way out of this one. The anthropomorphic way of seeing the universe, with humans as the dominant species, simply does not work any more. The more you feel called to enter into silent conversation and communion with the micro elements of Creation, seeing each as your friend, the more you will feel nurtured by the Earth as a whole.

• Don't feel that you have to fully understand or dissect Nature to be able to deeply appreciate Her profound beauty and wonder.

Give up control. Be willing to be an innocent child again, awed by the great mysteries of life - the unfolding seasons, the ever-changing weather (Do you know of anyone who can accurately predict it?), the phenomena of plant pollination, the power of a seed. Don't even try to figure it all out, just allow yourself to be one with it. Sounds cosmic? Far safer to explore oneness with the rhythms of wild nature then with the crazy, industrialized, compartmentalized, utterly incomprehensible human creation we call culture.

"We view mystery," author Rick Bass insightfully writes, "as the enemy of knowledge, and in trying to find knowledge we end up attempting to harm the sheath of mystery which encases that knowledge - cutting or attacking that mystery, in either fear or anger - and in so doing, harming and altering the knowledge that lies beneath the mystery." Rick's observation is deepened by writer, David Leveson: "We must each develop our own dream of the earth and find a way to it - mystically, empirically, through revelation or evolution - and share our findings with each other. If we don't, then it may be that neither we nor the Earth will speak anymore."

Ann Zwinger, in Run, River,Run, puts it more viscerally. "As long as I can stand, ankle deep (in the river), without civilization, without defense, going back to self, so long as possible I stand here, submerged physically only to the ankles, psychologically to the base of my being."

Go ahead, submerge yourself in that which you do not yet know. And when you come up for air, tell your story to anyone who will listen.

• Strive to bring some form of Nature into your home and work environments so you are reminded about what is out there beyond the man-made walls that often enclose you.

Suffice it to say that the old adage all to often holds true: "out of sight, out of mind." Without the inspiration of Nature in close proximity to the environments where you spend most of your time, you run the risk of becoming accustomed to a certain man-made barrenness. With plants, Nature photos, indoor water features, and other special reminders around you, you will feel better supported and strengthened in doing whatever you do, and you won't so easily forget that Nature in the larger context exists for you as well, ready to soothe away your troubles at a moments notice.

• Decide to play an active role, in some way or another, in championing and protecting Nature.
  
  While Forrest and I do not consider ourselves to be environmental activists, per se, we nevertheless have long been involved in our own forms of activism. For years we have been developing low-cost educational materials and teaching others about natural, reverential gardening and the importance of earth-friendly composting and recycling. More recently, we have come to believe that if anyone can discover and maintain a deep sense of sanctuary - in their relationship to Nature and home, and in their own heart - they will be far less likely to abuse and exploit Nature for their own selfish ends. This is simply another way to approach the problem of widespread environmental degradation, as well as human disillusionment.

Find your own way to make a difference in this world, to help stem the tide of rampant and unsustainable exploitation of our natural resources, on a worldwide scale. Use your God-given, creative intelligence and whatever physical strength you have to be a part of the renewal of this Earth and her fragile ecosystems, and teach your children to do the same.

Copyright 2007 by Christopher Forrest McDowell, Ph.D.
Excerpts from forthcoming book: Islands of Grace: Creating Sanctuary in Daily Life. By Dr. Christopher Forrest McDowell and Tricia Clark-McDowell

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