Does anyone else have a profound spiritual connection with Nature? independant of organized religion..?

Question

This question is directed at people who do not believe in god/s of any kind, but believers are also welcome to answer with their opnions.
Tell me, what is your view of Nature? Does Nature inspire you spiritually? How does it make you feel compared to how organized religion makes you feel? Do you think appreciation of Nature leads to a greater interest in science and learning? Do you think people who revere nature are more likely to open their mind to the discoveries of science (like evolutionary biology etc)?

You can answer some of these questions or all if you like, I am just curious because I hold Nature in very high regard... I am a spiritual agnostic and basically my spirituality is founded completely on Nature.

LOL at the comment "humans arent animals"... of course we are, by the very usage of the word "animal" which merely refers to all creatures belonging to Kingdom Animalia. Humans belong to Kingdom Animalia, therefore we are by definition animals.

mullah... your campfire experience is exactly the kind of spirituality I am talking about... its the same with me I had a similar experience watching the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and every time I learn about nature I get the same profound feelings.

Answer 1

Wow! I agree with you almost completely. I wouldn't necessarily call myself agnostic, but otherwise I completely understand what you are saying. There are times when I am observing nature that I am spiritually lifted by it and that lifting has everything to do with understanding and appreciating the processes that drive it. I'm not talking about overlaying some concept of spirit or energy or any stuff like that. Just observing it and really thinking hard about it and understanding the beauty of it all.

In fact, I really found my spritual position staring at a campfire a few years back. I was awestruck when I realized that the energy that was warming my body had travlled from the sun years prior and had been stored in the form of chemical energy by a living thing. (It was a much fuller experience than what I have said there, but you get the picture).

Answer 2

Yes. I find nature regenerates me. Spending a few days in the forest always puts the Universe back in perspective. Compared to it, human societies seem artificial and contrite.
I've moved away from Judeo-Christian concepts as I grew older and am more interested in Eastern philosophies today. Nature is very harmonious. In that sense I feel a spiritual connexion to it. Nature from without also awakens nature from within (makes us realize we are, in fact, part of nature and not at all alien to it). This sort of harmony is the closest thing to a concept of God, as far as I'm concerned.
I also believe that an appreciation of nature can give us an appreciation for sciences. Chemistry, biology, geology, meteorology, etc..., etc... are all sciences that can be used to help us understand what we see in nature. I see nothing profane in uncovering its secrets that way. In fact, I believe that through true understanding comes respect. I am also a fervent environmentalist.

Answer 3

Nature is what was given to be under the power of man. Man was originaly created to rule nature. We are at the top of the food chain. We can eat pretty much everything, we are smarter that any animal (humans are not animals), we have the most adaptability.

When God created man (Adam) he gave him the power to eat anything that he wanted, except the forbidden trees, name all the animals and what not.

With that being said, Nature is not here to harm people or humans. When you think about it, nature is here to support the human race. If it were not for nature and the power of God, we could not live. If everything remained the same, but nature was removed....we would have to survive soley on the miraculous power of Christ.

I do not dissagree with nature....as a matter of a fact I love nature, I like the outdoors, but everything is best in moderation. Too much nature, outdoorseyness is not good for you. Take nature in a smooth stride and you will benifit from it best.

we as humans every day continue to harm nature. I do think it is wrong, but it can not be stopped. We can slow it down, but we can not stop the deterioration of nature. The bible says that he will show us signs that will tell us of his second coming. He said that
1) The hearts of men would wax cold
2) The will be diverse wars, and rumors of wars
3) There will be diverse weather changes. None like that unto the eyes of men have seen.

Answer 4

From the time I was a child, going out in to the woods was a spirtual experience. I was raised catholic, became born again about 20 years later and finally found my true faith (Paganism) 4 years ago. There is nothing like going outside after it rains. The beauty and majesty can't be described, but I get moved by the experience. The Goddess in her prime!

Answer 5

yes I've eliminated the old fairy tale god awful obstacles and now too have found a tremendous awsome and inspiring side to nature . Like your thinking it is truly refreshing to find such truth and good taste on this website in this venue .
Peace out and enjoy the life

Answer 6

I do. I find that nature is perfectly balanced. All that is given is taken equally in nature, at least before we humans came along.

Answer 7

I'm a Pantheist which combines science, mysticism, philosophy and religion