For me spirituality is deeply rooted in nature.  The principle of and belief in “Mitakuye Oyasin” or even from an extended perspective of “Ohana” relates that everything in this physical reality is interrelated.  Therefore, I believe that one cannot truly care for and respect themselves without extending this care and compassion not only to other humans but to the environment we inhabit.

In western culture, religion has seemingly adopted (as noted by many authors in the field of ecopsychology) a posture of human dominance over the environment.  This doctrine has created a double standard where ethically and morally humans can rape Gaia with no spiritual consequence because salvation as preached depends on individual conduct toward other humans and strict adherence to specific doctrine.  This frame of mind creates a gaping hole that separates religion from nature, thus the sense of longing and continual search for the “something that’s missing.”  As a culture steeped in consumerism we attempt to fill this need by buying and consuming, spending time chasing “things” that only fill the void on a temporary basis.

For me I discovered solace after realizing that I had to complete myself internally by incorporating communion with Earth Mother.  As I have grown spiritually, benefitted from numerous epiphanies, and have searched within by quieting my mind, and meditating the need for a deep connection to nature bubbled to the surface.  Now my communion takes many differing forms, standing in the breeze feeling and listening, dancing in the rain, trail running, and honoring and respecting the small space of land I steward.  These small acts have reinforced my belief that one can’t truly be a “complete” spiritual creature that is separate from Gaia.