Ecological Worldviews: Ecological Spirituality

Humans have long sought to understand their deep entanglements with the natural world, evidenced by early Paleolithic paintings on cave walls depicting humans in sacred relationships with local animals and the mysteries beyond. These and other expressions of ecological spirituality (also referred to as spiritual ecology and eco-spirituality) seek to understand our relationships with the sacred in and through the natural world and the larger Universe. These experiences have many expressions emerging outside of or within religious traditions–from the Abrahamic religions to various Indigenous pathways, and from Earth-based spiritualities to transformative encounters with ecological science. Eco-spirituality is often rooted in ancient literature, rituals, and practices that orient humans toward deep connection with the more-than-human world.