I was wondering how important nature is in your practice. Do you worship nature? Honor nature? What place does nature have in your religion or spirituality? How do you view nature? How does it fit into your world view?
Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones. Marcus Aurelius
On the subject of nature, I would first propose that there is nothing in existence that is unnatural. For me nature is not a subject of worship, but more of reverence derived from respect and awe. I believe that ones spirituality can be explored and enriched by the study and reverence of nature, but when I say nature I dont just mean this earth, though she is our mother, but all of creation in its entirety. The keys to all of mans questions already exist, and there are only two places to look; either within or without. As far as worshiping nature? I dont think nature needs our worship, but I dont see as it could hurt and it may in many instances help.
This is for some reason a confusing question to me, personally. I believe that we are all part of the divine so treating the earth badly is harming myself. We're all interconnected. I feel just because something grew in the ground, that makes it better or more special than something created by man and machines. I don't think anything is better than another. Sure I can like one thing more than another but they aren't worth more or less in the grand scheme of things.
I try to appreciate the world every day and be aware of the things I use or touch, really feel enjoyment for what we have and be grateful for the beauty or pleasure the taste of food gives, for example. I think I don't do it enough, just hurry through my day taking all that we've been given for granted.
Where I think I fall down is giving back, doing my part for the world to save resources. Does anyone mind listing some things that we can all do? I've just about switched over entirely light bulbs, for example.
Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones. Marcus Aurelius
Like any landed heathen, I perfomed a land taking upon purchase of my home. This land is mine, I tied myself to it before the birth of my first daughter, and have made my blood known and loved to the wights of this place.
The Aesir guide the spirit, the Vanir rise from the land. The Aesir may guide my growth, but the Vanir tie us to the land we live in, the cycles of the earth and sun. We walk each day amongst the spirits of the land, our decisions either enrich or desolate the land around us, either healing or harming the spirits that dwell alongside us all the days of our lives.
I honour the wights, and my home is a place of refuge, my land a source of renewal and strength, a fountain of peace. A gift for a gift is the way the gods taught us, and the gifts given to the wights are returned tenfold. In honouring the spirits of the land and waters, you are strengthening the source of your own renewal, your own healing. What could be more important than that?
We are of the land, children who suckled at her breast, and return to her embrace when we fall. We are of the sea, its tides roar in our blood, and our blood enriches its waters. We are creatures of the sky, for the wind is life to us, and the storm's fury rages within us, even as the softest breeze echoes our mother's lullaby. The fruits of the land, be they field or flock give us life, and in our care know either increase or neglect. Our stewardship is the debt not only owed to the earth who entrusts us with her riches, but the generations who warded it for us, and entrusts it to our hands for the generations to come.
I do not worship the earth, but she is our truest mother, and like any mother, deserving of honor, reverence and respect. Even awe. We are tied to each other through her, and through the spark of the divine that runs through every thing, living or not. To harm the earth is to harm ourselves.
I too find this difficult to answer. I view the Earth as living and aware. I do not worship in the way the word is Meant though. And although I believe in the duelality of Divinity I actually feel more connected to Earth Spirit and Earth Spirirts. And I do not just mean Faires and the like. I Have a Sacred space that belongs to the tree that lives there. This tree and I have a relationship.
The land belongs to the tree. It allows me to be there and to commune and to ask for blessings. It is my sacred tree. I view all of my faith and worship like this. Being close to Nature and its Soul so to speak. I am not perfect I make mistakes but I try and live in harmony because I am aware of the living around me and the awareness that living has. And I hear the Trees. And of course they grow from Mother Earth. We all do. It is my connection to the Earth, as well as being a life unto itself.
In my experience if I stay close to the trees I am safe. I have pieces of this tree on my altar. It is a loving wise Apple tree.
I know nothing I have just said makes any sense , but I can't make it clearer right now. Please forgive me.:oNow you all know I am nut.
A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side. Aristotle Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow. Plato.. "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" Jackie Robinson
Captain, do not worry. Language is an imperfect tool. There is a reason that poetry and art have so often been used to glorify and praise the divine, because many of the concepts and feelings are imperfectly contained within words. Only in forms of communication that come from deeper, can deeper truths be told.
Captain, do not worry. Language is an imperfect tool. There is a reason that poetry and art have so often been used to glorify and praise the divine, because many of the concepts and feelings are imperfectly contained within words. Only in forms of communication that come from deeper, can deeper truths be told.
You are so right. Thank you for your kind words.:)
A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side. Aristotle Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow. Plato.. "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" Jackie Robinson
[QUOTE=gillyflower;185698]I was wondering how important nature is in your practice. Do you worship nature? Honor nature? ...[/QUOTE]
Hey gilly, good question. Thanks for bringing it up.
I do say a little "prayer" if you will each morning either out loud or to my self
"Good Morning great Mother.
I thank you for this day's gift of life.
I will care for you and your living things
with harm to none lest in defense it be,
My will is my own,
So mote it be"
I don't expect anything to answer, just a way for me to pause and remind myself of where and what I am.
[QUOTE=John_T_Mainer;187173]We are of the land, children who suckled at her breast, and return to her embrace when we fall. We are of the sea, its tides roar in our blood, and our blood enriches its waters. We are creatures of the sky, for the wind is life to us, and the storm's fury rages within us, even as the softest breeze echoes our mother's lullaby. The fruits of the land, be they field or flock give us life, and in our care know either increase or neglect. Our stewardship is the debt not only owed to the earth who entrusts us with her riches, but the generations who warded it for us, and entrusts it to our hands for the generations to come.[/QUOTE]
Man, that is a beautiful image!!! A warrior and a poet.
[QUOTE=TheWhiteHart;187230]I do not worship the earth, but she is our truest mother, and like any mother, deserving of honor, reverence and respect. Even awe. We are tied to each other through her, and through the spark of the divine that runs through every thing, living or not. To harm the earth is to harm ourselves.[/QUOTE]
I agree with you.
I don't worship Her. I honor Her and am a part of Her. Always have been in one form or another and always will be. I don't see as myself or any other living thing in terms of being part of or separate from nature.
I see us as all part of a greater whole. We are nature in a very pragmatic sense even those of us living in the middle of the city surrounded by concrete.
Some of us (living things) come to cross-purposes (predator and prey) but both shape each other just as Mother shapes us and we Her.
[QUOTE=mainecaptain;187398]The land belongs to the tree. It allows me to be there and to commune and to ask for blessings.
It is my sacred tree. I view all of my faith and worship like this. Being close to Nature and its Soul so to speak. I am not perfect I make mistakes but I try and live in harmony because I am aware of the living around me and the awareness that living has.
I know nothing I have just said makes any sense , but I can't make it clearer right now.
Please forgive me.:oNow you all know I am nut.[/QUOTE]
I like that. We do have a relationship with the other living things around us and they can teach us if we just learn to listen and observe.
You're not a nut ( I don't care what the voices say about you :D) .
