Nature Can Be Nourishing... Even in Bad Weather

A Celtic Curriculum Week Five

Welcome to week five of our Celtic Curriculum for supporting subscribers—now removed from the paywall so it’s available to everyone. Learn more about subscription levels here. Members and friends of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon are eligible for complimentary gift subscriptions; just ask. 

This week is July 4, which in the United States means a national holiday and a shorter work week. Early July always feels like the unofficial pinnacle of summer as well. This week we’re exploring the practice of SPENDING TIME IN NATURE with just a couple of quotes and ideas, then an invitation to spend some time outside (safely, of course–it’s hot in a lot of the world right now!). 

About the Practice

Both Anthony of the Desert (c. 251-356) and Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) said there are two books of scripture. The first book of scripture is the natural world, which has existed since the Big Bang 14 billion years ago. The second book of scripture is the written Bible, which has only existed for about 2,000 years. We basically threw out the first book for much of the last 2,000 years, although it got worse after the invention of the printing press. We gave most of our attention to the written book, which has kept us in our limited left brain, outside of direct experience, and with the dualistic mind that the ego always prefers. 

-Richard Rohr

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[Irenaeus of Lyon, who lived in an area bordering the Celtic territory of Galatia] was concerned about a teaching that was gaining ground in second-century Christianity later known as creatio ex nihilo, “creation out of nothing.” It taught that a distant Creator, purely transcendent, had fashioned matter out of nothing. Against this, Irenaeus taught that the universe is born out of the “substance” of God, not out of nothing. In other words, the stuff of the body of the earth is sacred stuff. Therefore, how the body of another is handled in relationship… and how the body of the earth and its resources are treated–these are holy matters.

When creation later became a religion of the empire in the fourth century, one of the first things expected of it, in return for political protection and prestige, was the doctrine of creation ex nihilo. Empire did not want to be told that matter is sacred, because then it could not do with impunity whatever it wished to [the material world]... [this doctrine] set the stage for how Christianity was to be used by empires again and again over the centuries–to sanction their exploitation of the earth.

-John Philip Newell 

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Living amid information overload is so far removed from the life of our ancient Celtic ancestors. They lived in a time when the day-to-day rhythms of their life were all that could be depended upon. The rising sun told them to get up and begin their chores and its setting indicated it was time to retire to sleep. The daily routine was centered around taking care of livestock or crops, making meals and tending to children — all of which were done with prayers of invocation and blessings.

-Maureen Paterson

Personal Reflection

I’m currently in full training mode for a day-long trail event I’m doing at the end of September–a 5K every hour for up to 24 hours (you can do as few or as many as you want–love that flexibility). 

Unfortunately we’ve now reached the brutal temperatures of summer. In years past, I would get up really early to run, but the more gracious rhythms of pandemic lockdown cured me of the early alarm–I love my full-ish night of sleep. Plus, it’s hot and humid enough that 5 a.m. wouldn’t offer much relief from the conditions–it’s unpleasant outside, no matter what time it is. Meanwhile, my schedule is unpredictable enough that I’m having to run at odd and random times, rain or shine, sunny or overcast, humid or dry… and the Canadian wildfires bring their own haze and hazards here in the Northeast U.S.

I’m fortunate to have a treadmill available for the worst conditions, but I’ve gotten pretty sick of what runners like to call the Devil’s Sidewalk. So, the last few days I’ve headed outside and have found some unexpected spiritual nourishment out there, despite the heat and humidity. A few lessons learned: 

Make friends with what is. When we talk about nature as a source of inspiration, we’re often thinking about a perfect sunset, a mountain peak, or a glorious day at the beach. Of course I’d rather be outside in cooler temps and low humidity. But I was finding that my wishing for things to be better was compounding my suffering, and once I accepted the conditions, they became much easier to manage, and I’m even able to enjoy the miles a bit. (There’s a reason runners have the mantra “embrace the suck.” See also: radical acceptance, an especially helpful practice for those of us who see extreme weather not just as uncomfortable to experience, but also a heartbreaking sign of an injured planet due to climate change.) 

Listen to one’s body. It would be dangerous to run in the heat of the day at my usual pace, so I’m taking things much easier. This morning for example, with dewpoints in the 70s, I decided to walk 1/10 of a mile, then run 1/10 of a mile and see how it felt. Occasionally I would walk 2/10 of a mile. I let my breathing and my energy level be my guides, rather than a number on a watch or a target distance on my training plan. And I made sure to drink to thirst, including lots of electrolytes. Being outside in brutal conditions put me in touch with my “creatureliness” in a way that treadmill running does not. My physical body is a part of the created order. Humans have dominated nature in all kinds of ways, but we are not separate from it.

Find beauty in unexpected places. The desert fathers and mothers found the fierce landscape to be a source of awe, but there’s also a lot of beauty in the wilderness. Similarly, despite hazy skies and air that feels thick enough to slice, there was a lovely sweet fragrance on the wind, and summer flowers are in bloom:  

Make The Practice Yours

The invitation is simple this week, to spend some time outside as a spiritual practice, whether walking your neighborhood, gardening, forest bathing, etc.

Discuss

Feel free to check in this week with your activities, and what you discover about yourself and the world around you! 

Closing Meditation 

Yet we should remember that all love comes from God; so when our love is directed towards an animal or even a tree, we are participating in the fullness of God’s love.

-Pelagius, A Letter to an Elderly Friend

Sources

Aweism, Richard Rohr

Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, John Philip Newell

Kindling the Flame of Love: A Celtic Advent Devotional, Maureen Paterson

Celtic Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings, Annotated and Explained, Mary C. Earle