Christians perceptions of nature
The belief that Christians have in the existence of life that is seen and tangible is the same that they hold in the existence of the unseen. They believe that God, in his own capacity, displays a form of greater life although it is unseen. They make sense of nature as a way that God connects with us. They believe that through the existence of nature, they can make a connection with the unseen force that is God himself. Well, to connect with their God Christians are often in meditation acknowledging the force that is there though unseen to most. To them, focusing on a particulate part of nature, they can feel the spiritual nourishment that resides in nature.
Most of us tend to get peace when interacting with inanimate things. We get a feeling of peace just by focusing on something. It might be the sound of the wind, the singing of birds or a choice of all that nature has. Well, as seen in chapter seven, “Meditation is not just a means to calmness, as sometimes portrayed; it is a total transformation, and birth into the spiritual state of the union”, Christians use this as an entry point into the spiritual world where they believe they are in close relation with God. They can get soothing and prophetic visions by being keen on what message nature has for them. There is a greater force that is always in communication with the human soul if we only listen. Meditating is always a way of self-reflection. Listening to the voice of nature gives the need to the livelihood in it. Through this, we are able to appreciate the fact that we are a part of the livelihood offered by nature itself. Christians are fond of secluding themselves in quiet places where they can meditate and feel the warmth and glory of God portrayed and felt in the serenity of nature. To them, meditation is always a way of enabling them to strengthen their mindfulness. Chapter seven clearly describes meditation and mindfulness as “interchangeable”. With on the other is around. When we are fond of meditating, we tend to have an inner awareness of ourselves—a deeper connection with nature. For Christians, the meditation is all about being aware and mindful at all times of the power that lies beyond the capability of the physical. Personally, I do believe that connecting with nature gives one a connection with a supernatural and mindfulness that only he who meditates can acquire.
“Nature is God’s seeking reflecting the divine through sentience” we might want to sit back and ask ourselves, what does nature portray of the supernatural? What do Christian view in nature that they so highly regard of it? Looking at the bible, many miracles are performed without any prior preparation. The prophets call out to their God, and their desires are met instantly. Jesus Christ himself feed five thousand people, as seen in the New Testament. By praying a few loaves of bread and two fish, he feeds the whole crowd to their satisfaction such that there are remnants. What can we make of this? Christians will always see nature as an emanation of God. God has always done wonders by using what many will not view as something. Well as much as we will ask ourselves why nature is so highly regarded we will not fail to talk of incidences where we have experienced supernatural happenings that we ourselves cannot actually explain. A tree is about to fall on us, and we are sure that we will be really hurt in the next few seconds, but then a small branch from another tree holds the tree for us for a few more minutes so that we can have time to save our necks. What do we make of this?
When the Israelites are rescued from slavery in Egypt, they are led across the red sea, and the water creates walls for them to cross over. The Egyptian army is drowned by the same water that saves the Israelites. These are the reasons why Christians will always highly regard nature. To them, it is a form of emanation of the supernatural and in this case, God. Chapter seven gives a definition of emanation by William James as “manyness in oneness”. Nature, as we might at a point all agree, is a manifestation of greater forces than we are never aware of (manyness in oneness). Christians have always felt that they are protected from all levels in the spirituals world. What another spiritual world can we comprehend if the power of nature which dwells with us at all times we cannot even begin to understand. The emanation of forces portrayed in nature as per the belief of Christians is something I can say gives me an inner fulfilment knowing there are greater forces that are around me at all times.
One form of connection that nature has with the human being is instinct. It is usually a natural judgment that is within us that although we can’t explain, we know it does exist and is entirely part of us. Well, we are not humans if we can’t find an inner connection that reminds us of our very own existence. Christians know that nature create s a connection with the human mind by giving us instincts. This inner feeling connects our spirits with `the forces of nature. For a mindful person, it is very easy to listen to the advice and counsel of nature and its forces by listening to the intuition it gives. For the Christians, miracles only happen when we use our instincts, our connection with nature and the belief in the power of the creator of it all to do miracles. Connecting the powers of nature with those that God gave to humans though can only be recognized through faith, enables our inner spirits to do what our own minds can’t comprehend.
“If we follow our instincts, more than likely, we will learn through guidance….” Chapter seven here gives us the idea that nature finds a way of guiding us through our livelihood only if we care to listen to the guidance by following our instincts. The powers lying beyond the visible are always on the watch, and if we are mindful enough to listen to their counsel, then we are at a position of avoiding harm. Through mediation and mindfulness, Christians are able to make sense of the counsel nature gives. Children who are more mindful of their environment act more out of instincts. If an infant is hungry, they will intuit the one who feeds them and even cry louder when they are close by. Developing the keenness to follow our instincts are the key to surviving in our later lives. Christians have elevated their respect and understanding of instincts in that they do sense the power when there is the presence of divine power. They take these opportunities to intercede and get into prayer for they believe in their instincts. As for me, instincts are always there, and it’s even more audible sensible in cases of imminent danger. If only we care to listen, nature is always there to guide.
Well different religions have different perceptions of nature and its connection to the spiritual belief Christians have taken their belief to be more of nature and its connection with their God they have a belief that through meditation and focus on nature they are able to listen and connect with a higher being and force. Through meditation they becomes more aware of their surrounding and are able to appreciate their livelihood. . Emanation is a way through which the supernatural forces manifest themselves to us. For Christians this is usually through nature. They have a long history of how nature has been an instrument used to save them in times of misery. For them, God reveals himself to them by use of the natural environment he has provided them with. Nature has a way of connecting with people through instincts. It guides people by revealing them to them the dangers that await for them, those who care to listen are always protected from the dangers that would otherwise befall them. It is up to us to try And acknowledge, just like the Christians the need to be mindful of what good things nature have to offer.
References.
Komjathy, L. (Ed.). (2015). Contemplative Literature: A comparative sourcebook on meditation and contemplative prayer. SUNY Press.