COMMUNING WITH GOD IN NATURE 

Here are ideas for reflection: 

     1.     The first and greatest of all spiritual teachers is nature itself.

     2.     We are a part of nature, and through communing with the natural world we can overcome our separateness, and awaken an awareness of the Whole. 

     3.     All of nature – the wind, rain, animals, birds, fishes, grass, and stones – can teach us something about ourselves, and the mystery of existence. 

     4.     The awesome beauty of nature bypasses the rational mind and directly touches the heart.

     5.     Nature’s rich sensuality overwhelms our cultural conditioning and puts us in touch with the primal Power of Life. 

     6.     Retreating to the wilderness: Many traditions encourage us to spend time in the wilderness communing with nature, away from the comforts and hassles of towns and cities. 

     7.     A songbird’s sermon: One day, a Zen master was about to give a sermon when a bird started to sing. The master said nothing and everyone listened to the bird. When the song stopped, the master announced that the sermon had been preached and went on his way. (Zen teaching story) 

     8.     Spiritual experiences are natural. Any event can suddenly trigger spontaneous illumination – the dizzy heights of romantic love, the agony of tragic death, a shaft of sunlight through some trees, the familiar affection of family life, a kind word from a stranger. All of life is an opportunity to awaken. 

     9.     The beauty of nature: Many people who regard themselves as “unreligious” experience spiritual states through being overcome by the beauty of nature. The 19^th-century writer, Richard Jefferies’ love of nature inspired the same spiritual insights as the great saints of the world’s religions. 

Nature galleries:

The following pages present pictures from natural settings. Having lived in crowded cities, it’s my hope that these pictures may provide a momentary lift for those not able to get away into natural environment at this time. 

Nature Gallery 1 - Noela's Country Garden

Nature Gallery 2 - Roses

Nature Gallery 3 - Sea and Sky

Nature Gallery 4 - Spring in Australia

Nature Gallery 5 - Sunrise and Sunset

Nature Gallery 6 - By the Lake

Nature Gallery 7 - By the Sea

Nature Gallery 8 - Australian Countryside

Nature Gallery 9 - Spring Time

Nature Gallery 10 - Spring Flowers

Nature Gallery 11 - Late Spring