(See the quotation below if you just want to read how to do the technique)

One author who has had a rather significant impact on my thinking about religion and mysticism is the late Wayne Teasdale – an American Catholic monk who is perhaps most well-known for his efforts promoting greater harmony and understanding between the religions of the world. Throughout his life, he fostered dialogue, interacting with Hindus, Buddhists (including the Dalai Lama), Muslims, other Christians, Jews, and those from many other religions.

He also had a passionate interest in the environment, advocating for a relationship between humanity and nature that was mutually beneficial, seeing humans as the shepherds and caretakers of the world rather than the overlords. Which brings me to the point of this article. I thought I would share one of my favourite passages of his book The Mystic Heart where he offers a short and easy method of how to meditate in nature, which I’ve found very beneficial and fulfilling. Here is the passage in full:

Here, I want to quickly present a spiritual method for deepening our sense of relationship with nature and the cosmos. I call it the practice of nature, or natural meditation: Go out into nature, either sitting or walking. Take a long, loving look at the natural world by focusing on an object in it: a tree, a flower, a bush, a mountain. As you take the object in, realise that just as you are aware of this object, you are essentially connected to it and with all of nature, the earth, and the cosmos. As you experience this connection, allow yourself to luxuriate in it. Then express a sense of deep gratitude to the object, to nature, to the universe, and to God. Now sit back, get completely relaxed, and then look at the sky. You can even lay down on the ground. After a while, realise that your true nature, your consciousness, is as vast as the sky. Realise that you, the sky, the whole natural world, the earth, the cosmos, and all beings are one. Applying your innate ability to read the Book of Creation and Life, inwardly activate your awareness that your consciousness is as vast as the sky. Then feel the gratitude and joy that accompanies that wisdom and union.

Not only is this passage beautifully written, creating (in me at least) a desire to rush out into nature and give it a try, but it also provides such simple instructions to apply the mystical way into daily life. A method of how to see the beauty and the divine in nature, to help develop a sense of oneness with creation, and to learn whatever lessons nature has to offer. I find it fascinating that it didn’t come from a pagan, Wiccan or a follower from one of the native spiritualities of America, Africa or Australia. Instead, it comes from a Catholic monk, a devout Christian, a religion whose followers generally have a reputation of dominating the environment rather than living harmoniously with it.

Wayne Teasdale’s work and approach to life shows that a love for the environment and the natural world does not necessarily conflict with any religion. Instead, a closer relationship with the beauty of nature, and as a result with the divine can be fostered regardless of faith or non-faith. Not enough people know of this quite saintly man, so I’m happy to share this with whoever reads it, so I can play a small part in spreading the knowledge of this profound and important man.