God, Man And Nature (creation, experience, atheist, God, philosophy)

[Sunstone]

A friend recently wrote:

"My philosophy is that nature, be it living or non-living has an awareness of God. Human beings are the only living beings that have forgotton this awareness and when you're surounded by nature you're able to reflect and your heart remembers a little - slowly - it is like nature speaks to you. That is why being outdoors for a while, up in the mountains, in solitude is such a great feeling."

Does this resonate with you?

Do you feel that the experience of nature brings you closer to God?

If not God, do you feel the experience of nature brings you closer to some Ultimate Reality?

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

A friend recently wrote:

"My philosophy is that nature, be it living or non-living has an awareness of God. Human beings are the only living beings that have forgotton this awareness and when you're surounded by nature you're able to reflect and your heart remembers a little - slowly - it is like nature speaks to you. That is why being outdoors for a while, up in the mountains, in solitude is such a great feeling."

Does this resonate with you?

Yes. It reminds me of a 'community of spirit' that I read about in books on neolithic cultures and the Great Goddess. Evidently, people of those cultures engaged in a means of participation with nature that we (modern man) have since put behind us. If it was a part of us, it could certainly still be with us, abeit unconscious now.

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Do you feel that the experience of nature brings you closer to God?

If not God, do you feel the experience of nature brings you closer to some Ultimate Reality?

I don't get to experience nature much.

[Bouncing Ball]

I think it will bring you closer to what you believe in.
When a theist looks at nature (s)he will see all the beautifull and complex things, creatures that God created. When an atheistlooks at nature (s)he will see beautifull things and patterns, physics and laws..

And some will see just grass and trees

[cardero]

It is very hard to discern the three. For example, human nature behaves differently from Natural Law. Natural Law does not necessarily bring me closer to GOD but it does make me wonder about creation and the purpose behind both Natural Law and human behavior.

[Sunstone]

There seems to me a rather profound difference between thinking about nature and experiencing it.

[Bouncing Ball]

Originally Posted by cardero

For example, human nature behaves differently from Natural Law.

I disagree, there are so many things similar. too many things..

[cardero]

Originally Posted by Bouncing Ball

I disagree, there are so many things similar. too many things..

If you have examples you would like to share, I would be interested in considering them.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

A friend recently wrote:

"My philosophy is that nature, be it living or non-living has an awareness of God. Human beings are the only living beings that have forgotton this awareness and when you're surounded by nature you're able to reflect and your heart remembers a little - slowly - it is like nature speaks to you. That is why being outdoors for a while, up in the mountains, in solitude is such a great feeling."

Does this resonate with you?

Do you feel that the experience of nature brings you closer to God?

If not God, do you feel the experience of nature brings you closer to some Ultimate Reality?

You'll get a resounding 'Yes' from me.

I am at my happiest when alone, walking through unsullied land.....no buildings, nothing but nature....and it is wonderful.

It is one of the occasions when being Bi-Polar pays off, because the kind of ecstatic feeling I get is immesurable; you know the expression "My cup runneth over"? Mine does, when I commune with nature.

This morning, I went out to a clear morning, and while I was out, a sea mist obviously came over the land. When I was coming out of the wooded area, I just looked at the wonderful picture it made, aware of the birds, the squirells, all around me, and thanked God for the beautiful scene.