Ecospirituality /morsl/taxonomy/term/345/all en The Ultimate Saint /morsl/article/ecospirituality-spiritual-wellness/ultimate-saint <p>Last weekend I went to the woods. I left the city for a place where there are more trees than cars, and I came back feeling renewed. Something about being surrounded by nature fills me up so that I have more to give to others. As I walked alone through a whispering forest, I was reminded of all the millions of people who cam before me, who lived off the land and knew how to survive with nature, and I felt at peace.</p> Thu, 01 Aug 2024 21:56:17 +0000 Carolyn Ross 2813 at /morsl Labyrinth Walks /morsl/article/ecospirituality-meditation-spiritual-wellness/labyrinth-walks <p>In <i>Waiting for God</i>, Simone Weil writes: “The beauty of the world is the mouth of a labyrinth,” referring to the mystical path that has been walked for centuries in contemplation. These ritual and symbolic pathways are found around the world in different cultures, but are perhaps best known in the Western world from their use during medieval times. In the last 30 years, there has been renewed interest in labyrinths as a contemplative practice accessible to all. A labyrinth is not a maze, but rather a single path, and there is no “right or wrong” way to walk a labyrinth.</p> Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:00:09 +0000 Carlene Gardner 2791 at /morsl Earth Day /morsl/article/ecospirituality-spiritual-wellness/earth-day <p>To mark Earth Day, we're sharing a few book and podcast ideas for rejuvenation and hope in relationships with the earth.</p> <h3><b>Books:</b></h3> <p><i><b>Sacred Nature</b></i> by Karen Armstrong</p> Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:32:24 +0000 Candice Wendt 2782 at /morsl Growing Roots in the Forest /morsl/article/ecospirituality-spiritual-wellness/growing-roots-forest <p>When I first moved to Montreal, I felt trapped in concrete-- I had never lived in an urban centre before. Walks in the forest on Mount Royal have saved me. The longer I walk, the more present and connected to the forest I feel. I look for birds and small mammals and listen for birdsong. I make an effort to notice details on plants. I also observe the light, shade, and unique spaces in the forest, how they interact with my imagination, and how they make me feel. I hear streams and stop to watch them.</p> Mon, 31 Jul 2023 18:47:30 +0000 Candice Wendt 2572 at /morsl In a Perfect World We'd All be Pantheists /morsl/article/interfaith-dialogue/perfect-world-wed-all-be-pantheists <p>Many Eastern and Native religions are concerned with the conservation of nature and the preservation of the environment. Pantheism is an ancient religion that developed well before Buddhism or Taoism; not only does it care for nature, but it holds that the earth is the most sacred order there is. Pantheism is not an exclusive religion in that most of the time it is not in a category of its own. Many Taoists and Buddhists, Pagans and ecologists, are Pantheists. The average environmentalist may also be a Pantheist and not even realize it.</p> Tue, 20 Dec 2022 20:46:49 +0000 Laura Gallo 2423 at /morsl How I Celebrate: Tu B'Shevat /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/how-i-celebrate-tu-bshevat <p>Beginning at sundown on February 5th and lasting until February 6th at nightfall, Tu B'Shevat is one of four New Year's days in Judaism. Tu B’Shevat (the 15th day of the month of Shevat) is the New Year's Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for tithing fruit of trees. Nowadays, it is a day for environmental awareness and action such as tree planting.</p> <p>We asked Sophie Sklar of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chabadatmcgill/?__tn__=kK*F">Chabad at ƽ岻</a> more on the details of this celebration in Judaism:</p> Wed, 25 Jan 2023 20:19:57 +0000 MORSL 2454 at /morsl Lessons from Nature /morsl/article/spiritual-wellness/lessons-nature <p><em>Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. </em>                               </p> <p>                                                                                             - John Muir</p> Tue, 22 Nov 2022 20:05:27 +0000 sophia.penner@mail.mcgill.ca 2398 at /morsl Reflections on Earth Day /morsl/article/reflections-earth-day <p>During the 17th and 18th centuries, 75% of land in Vermont was deforested for agricultural use, notably sheep farming. This degraded the water, forests and plant and animal life. Even many abundant species such as deer and beaver became almost impossible to find. In time, the majority of settlers were motivated to move to other places and for many decades, the land was left uninhabited to regenerate. Local environment advocates helped protect this process.</p> Tue, 01 Nov 2022 18:52:05 +0000 MORSL 2376 at /morsl Darcy Wang /morsl/article/radix/darcy-wang <h3 style="text-align:center">One Tree, One World</h3> <p style="text-align:center"><img height="716" width="500" class="file-extra-large no-float" src="/morsl/files/morsl/styles/wysiwyg_extra_large/public/darcy-image-wood_2.jpg?itok=38GZIgL3" alt="" /></p> Fri, 17 Dec 2021 16:31:18 +0000 Darcy Wang 2239 at /morsl Earth Day 2021: How faith communities are driving environmental change /morsl/article/earth-day-2021-how-faith-communities-are-driving-environmental-change <p>Whether you identify with a particular faith or not, almost everyone can agree that there is something spiritual about our connection with the earth. But it is also a complicated relationship, as we are not quite like the other creatures that inhabit this planet. Our behaviours have a huge impact, and our world-view shapes our attitudes and actions in immeasurable ways.</p> Thu, 17 Nov 2022 19:40:21 +0000 MORSL 2391 at /morsl