The Importance of Environmental Stewardship – A Spiritual Perspective

The Earth as Sacred Canvas: Environmental Stewardship in the Light of Spirit*

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For millennia, humans have gazed upon the Earth as a stage, backdrop, and even provider. Yet, in the modern era, our relationship has taken a perilous turn. Greed, exploitation, and detachment have left scars upon the planet, threatening not just its ecosystems, but our very souls. At this critical time, a return to a spiritual perspective on environmental stewardship becomes not just a necessity, but a sacred calling.

Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk and prolific writer, offers a potent lens through which to view this shift. He asserts that all beings, from the towering redwood to the flitting hummingbird, are interconnected and  woven into the tapestry of existence where each thread is dependent on the others. To harm the Earth is, in essence, to harm ourselves, for we are not simply observers, but participants in a grand cosmic dance.

Merton’s words echo Eckhart Tolle’s teachings on the interconnectedness of all things. Eckhart calls upon us to recognize the “presence” that pervades all creation. This presence  is a living force that binds us to the Earth and one another. To act with disregard for the environment is to sever ourselves from this source of life, resulting in a deep sense of alienation and disharmony.

Michael A. Singer, in his insightful book “The Untethered Soul,” reinforces this notion of environmental stewardship as an act of self-discovery. He writes that true liberation lies in recognizing our inherent oneness with all things. By cultivating an attitude of compassion and reverence for the Earth, we shed the ego’s illusion of separateness and awaken to the interconnected web of existence. In this awakened state, ecological responsibility becomes an extension of self-care, a natural consequence of understanding our profound connection to the planet.

A spiritual perspective on environmental stewardship is not merely about adhering to a set of rules or subscribing to a specific belief system. It is a fundamental shift in consciousness, a reawakening to the sacredness of the Earth and our place within it. It is about moving from “taking from” to “giving back,” from seeing the environment as a resource to be exploited to a living being worthy of respect and care.

This transformation begins with a practice of mindful awareness. We must move beyond the constant chatter of the mind and cultivate a deep connection with the present moment. This allows us to perceive the Earth not as a collection of objects, but as a vibrant, dynamic entity pulsating with life. We see the intricate beauty of a spiderweb, the silent wisdom of an ancient tree, the delicate balance of ecosystems. This awareness is the foundation of true ecological responsibility.

And from this awakened awareness, a myriad of actions flow. We make conscious choices that minimize our impact on the environment, adopting sustainable practices in our daily lives. We actively engage in conservation efforts, protecting endangered species and restoring damaged ecosystems. We speak up against environmental injustice, raising our voices for the voiceless. These actions are not mere obligations, but expressions of our love and reverence for the Earth, a natural outpouring of our awakened connection to the web of life.

A spiritual approach  requires us to overcome the inertia of our habitual patterns and the seductive whispers of consumerism. It requires facing the uncomfortable truths about our own complicity in environmental destruction. But within these challenges lies immense potential. We can transform our relationship with the Earth from one of dominance to one of co-creation. We can actively participate in the healing and flourishing of our planet.

Earth is not merely a resource to be exploited, but a sacred canvas upon which the Divine paints its masterpiece.

As stewards, we are not just responsible for its preservation, but for its continued creation. By embracing a spiritual perspective on environmental stewardship, we can move beyond guilt and apathy, and awaken to the profound truth that caring for the Earth is not a burden, but a blessing, a privilege, and a path towards our own spiritual wholeness.

Let’s  step onto this sacred path, one mindful step at a time, and together, weave a tapestry of compassion, sustainability, and love for the Earth, our home, our teacher, and our reflection.

Choose LOve

Patsy/Purnima Griffiths

*Thanks to Bard (2023) and Jane Ewins for writing this blog.