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CULTIVATING A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE THAT HONORS & CELEBRATES YOUR CONNECTION WITH THE EARTH

Candia Lea Cole
Apr 22
6 min read

Observing the 55th Anniversary of Earth Day

Every year, April 22 is observed as Earth Day, an international event celebrated around the world to pledge support for environmental protection. The year 2025 marks the 55th anniversary of the annual celebrations. Earth Day was first observed in 1970 when 20 million people took to the streets to protest against environmental degradation.

How Are We Doing?

How are we doing 55 years later? Does it appear to you, when you look at the world around you, that humanity has honored its pledge? Does it occur to you, as it does me, that society as a whole has been slow to change and shift its consciousness? Does it occur to you that society hasn't had access to the kind of educational tools AND inspirational mentors who are needed to motivate true and lasting change?

How Do We Begin to Heal the Root Cause of Environmental Degradation?

What actions can you take to live more lightly and respectfully on the planet? This blog shares some ideas with you. Though they might seem a nit “fluffy” to some of you, I urge you to try them, because we can’t heal our planet if we are living in a state of grief, guilt, panic, despair, and apathy. We can, however, heal the planet when we enter into a state of openness, forgiveness, presence, interconnectedness, devotion, and curiosity. It’s essential for us going forward to get grounded in simple eco-conscious lifestyle practices that nurture our bodies and the earth. It’s also essential for us to cultivate a spiritual practice that reconnects us with nature’s wisdom. After all, it's our disconnection from nature’s wisdom for living well that is the root cause of most of our personal and planetary health problems.

Here are 8 spiritual practices you can do to honor the Earth, not only today but every day!

A spiritual practice is the best way to demonstrate kindness and respect toward the natural world, to express our gratitude, and to yield to the wonder and the magnificence of it all.

1. Practice Forgiveness, Release Eco-Phobia

Write a letter to a living thing within the natural world that has been hurt or killed by humanity’s ignorance. Express regret and sorrow for the loss of that life form. Ask it for forgiveness. Write down your thoughts about how you believe humanity needs to behave to refresh the air, purify the water, restore the land, fortify the plants and animals, and essentially create a saner, more compassionate reality. Release “eco-phobia”, the fear that nature might hurt you because you (or others) have hurt it.

2. Cultivate Attention, What You See in Nature Exists Inside of You

Get still and observe nature. Be calmed by it. Sense the Earth as an animal might. Become aware of the parts of nature that bring you the experience of comfort, inspiration, and/ or joy. Maybe you’re drawn to the look of, or the behavior of, a plant, an insect, an animal, or an ecosystem. The natural world is a teacher. Observe how nature’s trees show you how to bend, but not break, in a storm. Observe how bodies of water show you how to flow through life calmly or mightily. Observe how nature’s gardens teach you about the seasonal cycles of birth, death, and regeneration.

3. Develop Connections and Celebrate Nature in a Personally Meaningful Way

Use your imagination to personify nature. Is there an animal or flower in nature that best describes your personality? Do you see yourself as a fierce tiger, a sensitive horse, a curious mouse, or a peace-loving swan? Do you see yourself as a wildflower blowing in the wind, or a perfectly composed rose? Is there a mountain that inspires you to climb high to reach your goals? Does the ocean inspire you to plumb the depths of life’s mysteries? Do you feel that the sun inspires you to shine brightly, or that the moon attunes you to nature’s rhythms? When you connect with nature in a personally meaningful way, you honor and celebrate it!

4. View Yourself and the Earth as One, Understand and Support Interspecies Interdependence and Unity

For too long, you have been taught to view Earth as something that exists outside of you, when in fact, you are an integral part of it, and it is an integral part of you. Can you see that your body is a microcosmic reflection of the Earth’s macrocosm? Do you recognize how they perform in similar ways to sustain life and support the function of interdependence?

Your lungs, like the Earth’s trees, carry out the function of respiration. Trees are often referred to as the "lungs of the planet" because they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, similar to how your human lungs inhale oxygen and exchange gases.
Your circulatory system, like the Earth’s rivers, lakes, and streams, delivers nourishment to sustain life. Your human bloodstream transports essential substances throughout the body, much like how water bodies transport nutrients and sediments throughout the environment.
Your digestive system functions similarly to the earth's soil, in that both break down complex materials into simpler forms that can be utilized by living organisms.

5. Make Your Mealtimes A Spiritual Practice

When you treat food as a sacred gift from nature, you can nourish your body, your soul, and the plants or animals that provided you with their sustenance. This involves being present and aware of the food's origins and the methods used to produce it. Being mindful of the environmental and social impacts of the food you eat can deepen your spiritual connection. This includes supporting fair labor practices and organic, regenerative farming methods, and considering the broader implications of your dietary choices on climate change. Sharing meals with loved ones can also enhance the spiritual aspect of eating, as it fosters connections and joy. As you enjoy the flavors and textures of foods, don't forget to give thanks to the sun, the rain, and the soil that nourished your meal into existence, and the hands that harvested it.

6. Practice Devotion and Activism

Adopt a tree, a park, or a piece of wild land. Write a letter to a public official or newspaper editor about your concern for the environment and your desire to alleviate the plight of dying plants and trees, polluted waterways, and toxic lands. Learn about the impact of cell phone towers on insects and other species. Enlighten your friends about the issue and petition against this harmful practice. Recognize that relationships are the key to health. Respect the principle of reciprocity; give back to the earth what you take from it.

7. Explore the Spiritual Value of Eco-Lifestyle Education

Are you aware that holistic eco-lifestyle education (a subject that is not taught in our nation’s schools or colleges) can be used as a spiritual practice by integrating practical lifestyle teachings with spiritual values and aspirations into a curriculum? Would you like to gain awareness about how eco-lifestyle education can help you understand the connection between your spiritual and physical reality? Do you feel ready to release your attachment to the status quo and the social conditioning of your ego, so you can tap into your higher self and fulfill your authentic human needs? Do you want to learn how you can nourish wellness in your body and the earth and, in so doing, cultivate a spiritual practice that brings you closer to the needs of your whole being and the needs of all beings?

8. Accept My Invitation to Walk with Me on the Path that Leads to

Eco-Intelligent Living, Learning, and Healing

Do you believe that education should draw upon not only your thinking brain alone, but also the interests and passions within your heart and soul? Do you like the idea of educational courses that are designed to meet the needs of both learners and mentors alike? Are you of the mind that the imperfect circumstances on our Earth today are perfect for your learning and growth? Do you believe that the seeds of your actions in the world are vitally important to your spiritual growth, even if you can’t predict how they will impact your generation or the next? Can you conceive of the idea that the best way to heal the Earth is to heal yourself? If you answered “yes” to these questions, I invite you to join me in making an acquaintance with my Eco-Mentor Apprentice and Eco-Mentor Activist (Companion) Courses.