3 Books Intersecting Nature & Spirituality

In this week’s episode of Swimming & Singing: a podcast for surviving and thriving in challenging times, I chatted with Diana Hulet about the intersection of spirituality and nature, contemplative practice, chronic illness & vulnerability. For folks who would like to read a bit more about spiritual, contemplative practices and nature, here are three books I’ve read and enjoyed. This is absolutely not a comprehensive list…this is a hot topic right now and there are many books available. These are books I’ve read and enjoyed.

I’ll kick the list off with Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This is the longest book of the three and has the smallest type, but it is written by an indigenous botanist, and as settlers in North America begin to redefine our relationship with nature, we would be wise to turn to the folks who were here first, in deep relationship with this land. A mix of memoir, science, and reverence for nature, this is a beautiful read.

Karen Armstrong is well-known for her books and research into world religions. I first encountered her during my undergrad studies in Philosophy & Religion. In the book, Sacred Nature, Karen Armstrong uses that historical knowledge and applies it to the way religions have historically interacted with nature. If you think your religion, (or your neighbor’s,) doesn’t have a deep respect for nature baked into it, you might be surprised to find out that is a part of all world religions.

If today we have come to realize that devotion to the planet requires devotion to everything and everybody on it, then this is a perception that dates back to the very beginning of humanity. -Karen Armstrong

Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rooted, by Lyanda Lynn Haupt, in the backyard with a hot cup of tea, listening to the crows and squirrels chatter. Lyanda shares stories and reflections on life at the intersection of science, nature, and spirit. The book includes whimsical illustrations and, while rooted in science, was the quickest read for me on this list.

How about you? Have you loved a book that intermingled spirituality and nature? If you like this post and this week’s episode, you might also like to listen to my chat with Jen May on Swimming & Singing, where she shares her connection to the natural world by volunteering at a goat sanctuary right in the middle of Portland, Oregon!