What is Eco-Spirituality and Why is it Important to All

Spiritual Individuals?

Eco-spirituality is based on the

fundamental belief in the sacredness
of nature, Earth and the universe. Traditional eco-
spirituality is as old as humanity and has been practiced
by indigenous peoples since the beginning.
From the eco-spiritual perspective, Ultimate Reality (God,
Spirit, Buddha and/or the Divine,) is not just the source of
creation it is very much also a part of creation; a part with
which we can interact on a daily basis
through our senses and from such
experiences gain greater insight into
the wonder of reality.
On a personal level, this inherent sacredness of nature
generally leads to a spiritually motivated engagement in
the current environmental crises of our planet and a
dedication to the justice and long view of a 
Furthermore, eco-spirituality understands the
position of human beings to be inextricably
related to all other life forms within an
interrelated, interconnected web that is part
of the Divine's dance of life. Eco-spiritual
perspectives can be found in all the world's
religious traditions. No matter how they are
articulated, however, these perspectives all provide
for recognition of the importance and relevance of
the Immanent Divine, the power of understanding
our human relationship to the planet, and our
direct experiences of the natural world.
In the religious traditions that are either
panentheistic (believe that Ultimate Reality is
both transcendent and immanent), or believe
that Ultimate Reality pervades creation, there is
a directly stated or theologically implied
imperative to care for and protect Earth's
natural systems. Depending on the religion or
tradition, this may be because our natural
systems are understood to be either the gift of
Ultimate Reality or the source from which
Ultimate Reality acts and dances in the world.
Such spiritual truths create a real and critical
religious imperative that also asks believers to
demonstrate congruity through acts of spiritual
love and care for all beings and creatures now,
as well as for future generations.
 
Globally, more religions and spiritual traditions
are becoming active in the environmental
movement by going green and educating
members about their spiritual duties and
obligations to protect our natural systems.
People are increasingly yearning to live a life
congruent with the tenants of their faith and the
will of Ultimate Reality as they understand it
regarding the sacred values of nature and
stewardship for nature.
The new and post-traditional eco-spirituality
movement advocates the new 
Universe Principles of Life, which are based on
the science of universe progressive evolution
 found within the 
Universe Evolutionary Worldview.
In your own words, how do you
understand eco-spirituality?

How would you translate it in your daily

lives?

Establish the relationship between eco-

spirituality and the scientific insights on
the evolution of the universe.
THREE

PRINCIPLES
THREE
OF THE
PRINCIPLES
UNIVERSE
OF THE UNIVERSE
There are three
fundamental
laws/principles of the
Universe – the values
of the Universe – they
show us the direction
in which the Universe
is emerging. These
values can help us
build a new cosmology
or new spirituality.
Our sense of who we are and what our role is, must begin
where the Universe begins. Influenced by biology and
physics Thomas Berry has explored and developed three
dynamic principles that have been at the heart of the
unfolding Universe from the very beginning.
The Principles are:
DIFFERENTIATION (diversity),
INTERIORITY (subjectivity) and
COMMUNION (interconnectedness/interdependence).
These are the 3 Laws of the Universe and there would not
be a Universe without them – there would be no
expansion.
MYSTERY UNFOLDING: THE BREATH OF GOD
ENLIVENING ALL

INTERIORITY
DIFFERENTIATION
(Essence)
(Diversity),
We are not human beings on
a spiritual journey we are
spiritual beings on a human
journey.

COMMUNION
(interconnectedness/interdependence).
DIFFERENTIATION (diversity)

Everything is coded to be distinctly

different from every thing else
The universe doesn’t repeat itself…. in
the creative process….
no two galaxies the same

Without difference…..
there would be no creation or expansion
 There are an astounding 30m
different species.

There are an astounding 30m different species.

Nothing is identical with anything else……
in the Divine mystery of the awesome web of life…
 EACH BEING IS UNIQUE ….

EVEN WITHIN EVERY SPECIES…..

…….A ZEBRA FOAL RECOGNISES IT’S MOTHER BY HER STRIPES

…there are no two leaves the same…
….no two snowflakes the same…..

………NO TWO SNOWFLAKES THE SAME

There is exquisite biodiversity
in the great ecosystems of the
Planet
When two differentiated things come together……
eg when hydrogen and oxygen merge……..

…..the miracle of water is created ……

neither lose their identity in the process……
the result is further diversity and creativity
 WE are called to celebrate difference
in the awesome Web of life

We are called

to celebrate

diversity

…in the

awesome

Web of Life
Reflection: I am unique and so is every other form of
life on the planet; we are distinct but not superior or
separate in the web of life. If I believe this, can I
move beyond the belief that only the human is made
in the image of God? Can I delight in and celebrate
diversity?