Vol 2, No 2

- 1 es es “dark driven driven - Editor America, owing owing America, -

Guest istic, postmodern – the - s s (Taylor 12), the non

deeply intertwined,it be ication ication of natural systems nature: Francis Bacon and biological models like biological James

- been 9594 -

Eastern Eastern philosophies of compassionate - agrarian, agrarian, global, and consumerist the link between nature and piety been

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style empirical science could not completely xvii). xvii). The unease with the latter position is - -

Franca Bellarsi Franca s, in the Christian view that the “Book of Nature” : Religion and theEnvironment

ttled and continues to do so, not just outside the confines of Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium Bruxelles, Université Libre de

of institutional world or religions of the forms emergent of Ecospirit

41). 41). Thus, to borrow Taylor’s terminology, whether one talks of the -

ll ll would go as far as to see it also in terms of a "spiritual crisis" and to the

“greening” y even more tangible amongst ecocritics Europein thanin Northecocritics amongst tangible ymore even Yet, Yet, whether it be of the milder green or more radically dark green variety, From time immemorial, nature and the sacred have and nature have the sacred immemorial, From time spirituality nature and rooted sacralising in holistic ethic duality which envision the divide between S/self and O/other as illusory. Only - © Ecozon@ 2011 Ecozon@ © addressing addressing climate change (Sullivan xvi probabl to the greater secularisation of European society since World War II and the far more history violent on the bitterthismore ofside struggl the of Atlanticreligion (including the ecocritical community, butthe ecocritical inalso its very midst. Whilst tend ecocritics to in concur attributing social, economic, political, and ethical causes to the current environmental crisis, not a point of considering that the "religions of the world may have a role to play" in green” human realm of creation, its primacy, mysteries, and inspire worldwide. and spiritualitiesnew old elusive continue “language” to "ecospirituality" has unse specialists of “nature spirituality” like Bron Taylor, eco Lovelock’s Gaia theory have “ecopieties” (13 also given rise current to new non sever sever the connection between mysticism and enquiries into his heirs may have transformed the Earth into a and feminised exploitable “subaltern”; but, conversely, humans have also been awed by the natural and sciences the glimpse that they offer into the patterns of whose creativity complexity and continues commun to surpass our understanding. As rightly pointed out by non relatively recently in human history weakened has by the economies. Even development the advent of of Western post "Ecospirituality": a Word that Unsettlesthat"Ecospirituality": Word a in animist and pantheistic belief complements the Holy Scriptures, or in Far

Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction Vol 2, No 2

- 2 which which I relational relational nce nce strongly 83). However, if

- Guest Editor Thus, Lovelock's – 1 sociated sociated with "relational believers as believers against non paradigm than as a — in holism that renders - here here one stands as against

ayed a far more dubious role, rd). Likewise, the ecospiritual on inherently supposes the e e "natural" and the "sacred" in e e notoriously resistant to easy he he necessary corrective to the biological l l Holism" 79 ience ience to spirituality that diverse 9594 - ISSN 2171

UK 2008 meeting provided a case in point - selves" ("Relational Holism" 99). - 100) mostly implied in ecotheologies 100)or mostlynature implied in ecotheologies - as - 111). -

advanced time of evening at the close of an already rather full full rather already an of close the at evening of time advanced Selves - in -

selves - hes to the "Self," Barnhill defines "relational holism" as being able to 80). Finally, a third but important objection to the ecospiritual -

with -

one (see R. J. R. Berry (see 109 one

but but also cultural and regional ones: whilst some English members of the audie may, paradoxically enough, perhaps act as t 2 The discomfort bygenerated the move from sc — (Barnhill, "Relational Holism" 98 Holism" "Relational (Barnhill, In In his typology of approac

When it comes to the unease and divisions felt by a segment of the ecocritical community at spirituality spirituality at community ecocritical the of segment a by felt divisions and unease the to comes it When combine both a holistic over its Holism" parts ("Relational 99; as 101). the view Self of The andparadoxical particularistic holism" "Selves is view of that and as thus denying ontological primacy of the whole 2011 Ecozon@ © the more remarkable in view of the rather day. Interestingly, there seemed to be believers a divide not only along religiousobjected to bringing lines "G/god" remotely into the discussion, that Scottish, Welsh, it and Irish listeners found was sensibilities. a 2 perfectly legitimate approach, one that pleased rather than offended their "Celtic" 1 and climate change discussedpersonally witnessed. together, A keynote the contrasting by ASLE a (rather with progressive) the divine otherwise generated a civil genuinely debate stormy that session had characterised the conference. The commotion was all stems from the rather record mixed of like categories th human history: whilst certain constructions of "Nature" may and "Religion" empower men and women towards a fuller realisation of their potential on the road to becoming truly "human," other conceptions of these terms have pl ecospirituality and "Deep Ecology" are indeed holism intimately associated, the religions Deep Ecological subsuming of particular Holism" "Relational 79 selves into the biotic whole (Barnhill, ecosystems in terms of harmonious networks (see Garra propensity towards holism proves difficult to too embrace for contesting ecocritics the assumptions Mind and of "Romanticism" regarding Matter, on the one hand, and those of "Deep Ecology," on the other (Barnhill, "Relationa "Nature" and "Religion" often implies doing awayoften implies doing with "Nature"masks and false pretences social and "Religion" to the point of exposure psychological and vulnerability. In addition, at a more purely intellectual level this time, acceptance of the some kind of ecospiritual holism. It dimensi is ecospiritualities of any ilk suspect precisely to a waryof ecocritics number this of the theorisation built of "Nature" and concepts "Religion," which not only prov definitions, but which also touch upon deeply personal, facets psychologically constitutive of existence. Besides the many simple uncertainties lexical surface lurking of behind these the two deceptively words, delineating w Gaia Gaia theory may be more acceptable cosmological to some as a versions of ecopieties entail has multiple sources. To begin with, "ecospiritual" the concept actually of yokes the two equally problematic areas of experience, namely Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction to establish a wall between Church and State in certain countries). Vol 2, No 2

- 3 For Not Not

5 3

4

Editor nd gaining a proper nd a gaining proper Guest –

15). On the other under hand, - dark green religion goes dark green beyond religion 9594 — - o force ecocritics to ecocritics pondero force to what of environmentalist and ecocritical

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256). -

tuality," tuality," I to subscribe here the distinction made between often

ion, "sacrifice" and "sacred" being etymologically linked. etymologically being "sacred" and ion, "sacrifice"

of discomfort attached to ecospiritualities are multiple, so are the s s to be quoted at some length here

tight demarcation line separates line demarcation them tight (14

aylor distinguishes between four types of with dark green religion, porous

ther of the more "vertical" or "horizontal" kind, Animism "involves a shared one of the foremost and clearest experts on religion and environmentalism, who environmentalism, and experts one ofon the foremostclearest religion and If the sources

m "postulates that people can, at least by conjecture and imagination, and — lso lso "contrasts markedly with the world's which predominant generally are religions, One One only needs to think of the naturalisation of racist arguments in ideologies like Nazism, or of the See, for example, See, for Tarjei Rønnow's extensive study of the environmental movement in Norway, a study "spiri and "religion" terms the using In organised, institutional religion definitions are andvery useful: "Spirituality more personal,is in cosmos [...]"the often place thoughtone's (3). of subjectiveunderstanding to be about mysticism.personal growth a Again, Bron Taylor's clear 2011 Ecozon@ © 3 role of the sacrificial victim in 4 relig (119 suchargument an develops precisely which 5 15). Whe perception that being or entitities in nature have their personhood, own integrity, and even ways (15). intelligence" of Taylor being, also adds Animis that in both its varieties, Taylor makes the between difference "Spiritual and Animism" "Naturalistic Animism," though no water Taylor Spirituality" "Gaian of identifies Earth Religion," "Gaian the and heading "Gaian retain some frompermeability one again to which theNaturalism," categories other (14 It It a concerned with transcending this Depending world on or whether obtaining they divine rescue incline elements, more from T towards it" naturalistic (3). or boundaries between supernaturalistic some of them. On the one hand, under the of heading "Animism," Taylor therefore deserve just "posit[ing] that environmentally friendly behavior is (10): obligation" it a religious holds that is (10). and "nature care therefore owed is intrinsicreverent has value, sacred, Dark GreenReligiosity manifestations of "dark green" expressions of the spiritual or the religious. practice/discourse might be, or at least at least or be, offorms partakethe religious. mutating of, might practice/discourse A Constellation of Perceptions: Dark Green SpiritualitiesReligionsof versus the Greening only do ecospiritualities enlist these controversial categories of they the level, als fundamental more at even "natural" an "sacred"; and the extent some expressions of environmental consciousness sacralise nature, and, for that matter, to question whether they legitimately do so. In raise other words, the ecospiritualities uncomfortable possibility that much Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction and have required a subjugation incompatible with basic individual freedom(s). Vol 2, No 2

4 gain gatherer gatherer - on" on" 6), the way ("nature ("nature way Guest Editor at at odds with the – — [having] [having] consciousness"

—

he earth; he 6) 9594 -

16). Conversely, be it "skeptical of - of intimacy with and reverence for the , Introduction , ISSN 2171

ms ms of dark green religion may be contributing to the

paganism paganism and "New Age" mysticism is above all characterised by organicism and holism (16). (Barnhill &Gottlieb (Barnhill -

spiritual spiritual orientation

a a value from a fact) by suggesting that nature itself provides

199). - an identification of the self with the naturalan intuitive world; and sensuous communion with t a tendency to look to other cultures (especially Asian and indigenous) as sources of insight; a humility toward it, of and knowledge nature, our ability to in manipulate nature a responsible in regards to best"); knows our place in a the stance of "letting natural nature be," world, and a celebration of oursocieties. wilderness and hunter

to mind the characteristics of and some alternative emergent religious [...] the biosphere or the entire universe

— • • [...] • • • [...] such as neo

— erms "Spiritual Deep Ecology," which the lattererms Deep "Spiritual Ecology," theorist not only sees being as ficial ficial relationships with them" (15

What What Taylor calls dark presentsgreen religion major overlaps with what R. S. ritualities. ritualities. Gottlieb's " 2011 Ecozon@ © between humanity and a sacralised natural world: natural between a humanity sacralised and usefully illuminate usefully the illuminate type of syncretic at work and holism organicism in many forms of dark green ecospiritualities: besides "biocentric and egalitarianism" an ecocentrism emphasising "the intrinsic value of nature" & (Barnhill Gottlieb, "Introducti the stance components interrelationshipof as characterising are identified also following "at once the oldest and newest of (Gottlieb,world religions" "Spiritual Deep Ecology" 31), but whose traits also repeatedly brush against thosespi of emergent and alternative earth" & (Barnhill Gottlieb, Introduction 6) rests on a ofnumber distinctive features of Deep asEcology nature philosophy & (Barnhill Gottlieb, Introduction 5), which a "emergence of "emergence a global, civic, earth (180), religion" which he also calls "Terrapolitan(180 Religion" Earth Gottlieb t makes room for a mix of older religious sensibilities withsensibilities much newer ones, a blend thatroomof religious forolder makes a mix immediately calls movements theistic legacy of the Abrahamic traditions. Taylorhypothesis himself is that actually the positing four the for Furthermore, says Taylor, in its spirituality supernaturalistic "defies version, the this naturalistic fallacy form argument in of ethics cannot (the dark logically derive green assertion that one and laws natural models to follow" (16). As apparent, readily becomes Taylor's schema some some of these in forces living and nature intelligences and develop mutually respectful and bene supernaturalistic metaphysics" (Taylor "superorganism 16) or (16), Gaian Earth open Religion to the possibility of a Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction sometimes through ritualized action and other practices, come to an understanding of Vol 2, No 2

5 of of

220). 220). To assess the - 238 ). ). 238 - ng ng of an - in his eyes, Editor nymous with en en forms of — in doctrine and Guest This effort within – 10). - range even further. As 25; 25; Taylor 217 - Le fanatisme de l'Apocalypse. l'Apocalypse. de fanatisme Le

h Taylor and Gottlieb do not see 9594

- bot — ISSN 2171 , a position most recently voiced again in (2011) has little to say about the danger per se

human human world as more benign in relation to the human one than it - spiritualities outside mainstream. the

rk green, holistic tendencies to be fundamentally at work within major

god for another, more impersonal deity, while surreptitiously the maintaining reverence reverence for nature as a form of asceticism that substitutes one oppressive, Precisely Precisely in response to the challenges set by dark gre To some, radical environmental consciousness is thus linked to cosmology, — ion of the non supposedly the most anthropocentric of (White all religions 9 the different strands of Christianity has also found in the ofparallels endeavours Judaic 2011 Ecozon@ © towards the to natural world, ascertain especially record whetherseeking mitigated their at environmental preservation particularly to is re have been keen Christian theologians teachings. fundamental really linked to inherent foundations flaws of their faith as against Lynn White's denunciation of Christianity as Creeds Traditional of The Greening ecospiritualities, traditional religions have seriously begun to interrogate their stance actually actually is. In short, Bruckner sees dark undue green ecospirituality and its personal 201 (Bruckner patterns ofreligion and punishment penitence of conventional Sauver la Terre, punir recuperation and of commodification ecospirituality; l'Homme by contrast, though, this polemic essay has much to assert informed by about the what fear of it climate combined change with considers a naive, to idealised vis "New Age" be "apocalyptic fanaticism" invidual invidual beings (Marti Kheel, qtd. in Barnhill, "Relational sees ecospiritualitycriticism dark green Holism" as unforgiving automatically 79).syno A far more fundamentalism and antirationality byFrance the philosopher Bruckner. (and Pascal novelist) others, however, the problems of dark already green ecospirituality mentioned earlier, the Deep Ecological religion holism has been pervading attacked much for dark its green erasure of relationships" "the concrete world (Barnhill, of particulars and "Relational undifferentiated self that identifies with a biotic Holism" community more than itwith engages 80) and its privilegi instead of just to biology, constituting a form of proposition alternative, as emergent spirituality, rich in possibilities as in a dangers the sacralisation of nature as immune from the dangers of beset fundamentalism any that may other type of religious persuasion (Gottlieb 24 perceives perceives da world as religions well as within newer, more radical strains of "Spiritual religiosity (Gottlieb, Deep Ecology" 17), with exclusively whereas the latter theorist associates these more Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction One important difference between Gottlieb and Taylor seems to be that the former Vol 2, No 2

- - - 6 — 40). 40). - eems, made, made, human human - - Christian Christian nd "eco - if at times — the world of this particular Judeo - vis - oundational oundational texts. gainst gainst non Guest Editor à However, this re - –

non animist animist creeds (from if not conveniently repeatedly emphasise vis theology" theology" a - corporate the relational 37). — - re, re, the desecration of the two different binding and richer model and of model binding richer -

9594 - (Palmer (Palmer 35 Christian Christian faiths mayin complicit have been ISSN 2171 a message that a message may always have been there, -

— becoming," so becoming," to speak. Thus, - in -

interpretation of them. This and reinventing" "reformation

- human world human - 306]). -

directions. directions. On the one hand, certain scholars seem to remain very paganist orientationspaganist taken by darkspiritualities green and wish to re

- — respect for His Creation; in this light, therefo objectivity forces one to admit that this stewardship model appears 6

Next Next to the of affirmation a more strongly ethically through d [Wendell Berry 305 [Wendell d affirmation affirmation of the duties of earth stewardship also contained in f - This is the perspective from which I am writing. am I which from Thisperspective isthe

6 2011 Ecozon@ © wing of exegesis goes goes one stepwing of exegesis further in its endeavour to traditional "green" teachings: what it proposes is not merely a of more environmentally aware fundamental decoding texts, but instead pneumatology" based on a re the genuine development of an "eco earth earth stewardship, the other direction taken by commentators from the coming vantage point of Christianity is that of holism a more characteristic radical attempt of to in "Spiritual perspective, Deep the Biblical text Ecology" and into definitive revelation the than "revelation Biblical their world view creed. are From understood less this as priceless priceless beauty of the non but to which some Christians may have tended to stay unduly blin unfold unfold natural world actually mirrors the moral Though corruption Deep of Ecologists humankind would (Palmer 39 resent metaphysical this instrumentalisation ends, of the Nature nevertheless, renewed towards to examination lead of to an the appreciative rediscovery stewardship of the model central importance s and nowadays less used in studies religious as an "easy way out" of than environmental as ethics a "wayserious into" it. writersif Indeed, across the board the special of place of in byhumans conceived the scheme divine thefaiths, Abrahamic they also stress the extent to which the human relationship with God can only truly re Granted that this stewardship model may have served in at how to the avoid looking Judeo excuse past"glib" as the ready the spoliation of the natural world. However, even from a secular, perspective, respective starting points).historical adopting approach an such Scholars do not seek to deny that their belief system creatures, does while indeed hierarchically ordering privilege Creation humans as a assertion anthropocentrism" of "unashamed is very byoften mitigated an equally strong nature. The reactions to Lynn White tend complementary to develop in wary of the neo affirm the distinctions between their tradition which, and after pagan and all, Judaism and Christianity sought to distance themselves at their Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction and Islamic specialists to clarify the position of their tradition Vol 2, No 2

- - 7 2 2 he he 52; 52; like like - - both gy of made, - — 158), and - The Oxford The Oxford Likewise, Likewise, 7 the the concept 64). 64). Volume like, net Editor - - harming of other - et, even on the 49 metaphysical, it Gottlieb, Guest pervading ener pervading – - at at a seminar in Toronto in pneumatology, pneumatology, which seek 194), 194), Hinduism (89 - -

9594 - ese can be found in century Counterculture. Y - ISSN 2171 interpretation of Christology and 214), 214), Daoism (181 - - Asian belief systems offered more ready - . The may reader also wish to consult Barnhill and Gottlieb an assumptionan oftenof from inherited the embrace Yet, despiteYet, world selves in views which all

— 235 Moreover, if a number of Asian systems put - 8 180; 180; 195 - 62). -

. , or to the plane of Buddhist "Emptiness."

of Buddhist "Emptiness" or "vacuity." Readers interested in in interested Readers "vacuity." or "Emptiness" Buddhist of

29 (2010), (2010), edited by Roger S. Gottlieb, contains detailed and instructive Qi - 206, 206, 220 - are are at the same time their own centre and at the periphery of 163). self" thatself" is attuned, respectively, to the all - - — 160

respectively. A useful complement to th Ecology and the Environment: Perspectives from the Humanities

human

- 215), -

Christian creeds by the twentieth Cooper and Palmer 1 the Confucianist -

ity does in the West. aturely centres, with which they ceaselessly interact in the web , Precisely Precisely withto regard theof integration the physical with the and in models of relational holism of in relational models ague's ague's and Denis Edwards's respective versions of eco Judeo - Dao - 152; Religion and the Environment - The natural The cosmologies of natural Daoism cannot and possibly Confucianism be exposed here in all their Again, if I am allowed to invoke personal testimony here for a moment, for back I am to allowed testimony Again, if here invoke personal

8 2004, I being remember in with conversation a studies, of environmental specialist who Taiwanese told me that the Buddhist monks on Taiwan may be very receptive to the principle of non 2011 Ecozon@ © of contributions on Buddhism (213 Confucianism (159 Handbook of Religion and 59 7 complexity; nor may wish Confucianism to turn can to Mary Evelyn "Touching Tucker's the Depth of the Things. Cultivating Nature in variantsEast Asia" ( other cre texture of reality, the actual environmental record of societies infused Eastern by systems these proves Far perhaps as mitigated on Christian the ground as the record of Judeo permeable permeable boundaries prevail in traditional Hinduist cosmology, in which "the world as exists an of extension body and mind" (Chapple 62), partsand in given which of t human body correspond in (Chapple scale 61 microcosm macrocosmic to different aspects of human and non the universe on a Confucianism, and Confucianism, Buddhism, for instance, view the self as far more porous in relation to his/her environment than the subject would a ofactually "non more be in dualist Western thought: it the is built non terrain of Hinduism and Buddhism, more cautionary voices urge us uncritically to not the to enthusiasm accompanying fall the prey novelty of these belief systems have that but recently penetrated the West. Undoubtedly, systems like Daoism, to integrate theology and modern scientific cosmology (Dalton and Butkus 149 and Kolmes Simmons 39 has been generally assumed that East angles, amongst which: Josephamongst Sittler's angles, re Thomas Berry's grace; of attempt, in the ofwake to Teilhard de Chardin, fuse the story of evolution with theology; Christian the theology; process Rosemary metaphysics McF Radford of Ruether's John Cobb ecofeminist and Jay McDaniel; and Sallie Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction of the storyBiblical (Dalton and Simmons 46) has been undertaken from a variety of Vol 2, No 2

8

systems, not - theistic space - n also forms an Guest Editor – In addition, some gy, the religious and gy, the religious ve ve around teachings, 9 harming, from harming, which -

free. - , but rather aims to give at , but torathergive aims

9594 - dimensional dimensional character being further -

violence and violence non

-

"mind" "mind" over winning "matter," so to speak ISSN 2171

— s cause. cause. s called called negative theologies deeply suspicious of -

violent, violent, compassionate approach to be cultivated by theistic space,ecospirituality past and present is thus - -

211). 211). -

sheer ecological ignorance, they continued to build temples in mountains, even even mountains, in temples build to continued they ignorance, ecological sheer the vantage point of minority faiths or displaced belief systems. others approach the ecospiritual from within the non

ept is not always uniform and hierarchy stems, stresssuch as the considerable put on the illusory nature of the

Mitchell 210 Mitchell ng ng some balance between past, present, and future. Whereas some articles Thus the articles collected here with engage ecospirituality not only from a The diversity of ecospiritual formations in recalls part the variety of organisms

Whether in theistic orWhether non Moreover, even if colonisation indubitably did leave its mark on a number of Asian eco For instance, if sentience in Buddhism readily applies to animals, the status of plants remains more

every assault against9 them can be attributed to thi debatable in certain texts (Hall 10, 87). 2011 Ecozon@ © maintaini but forms, that due to life atgreat erosional cost. of Buddhism, or from the one of so religious foundationalism and the dualisms of Western thought. Othersecospirituality from still examine Furthermore, the fact to reinforce that the "ecospiritual" is not a static butphenomenon, morphs,attempt an lives, evolves, and dies, at wasorganisms, made also like one which, least a sample of its variegation. a itssample least of variegation. but of varietyalso traditions: ofwhilst angles, contributors some write a Christian, from theistic perspective, Byfound in matrixes. analo nature and the complexity of ecological themayin the opensacred perhaps embedded systems as be "mutating organisms" seen of culture and society. The present Special Focus section does, therefore, certainly not presume tothe exhaust many offacets theecospiritual mosaic important part of theecospiritualequation. Multiple Facets of theEcospiritual Mosaic anything but a monolothic phenomenon, its multi complicated by the fact that belief does religious not merely revol but also around performance and ritual. Though beyond the ofremit covering this introduction, ritual this may reflect, on how religious the one hand, aspect would go far and help foster, on the other, environmental awareness and actio material material universe and on the end goal of the extinguishing self to extricate it from the cycles of in existence the physical world (Tanner& they derive the value of compassionate behaviour towards all sentience, what is included what is included sentience, theytowards compassionateof all behaviour the value derive in the latter conc theorists wonder whether the non a self "porous" within his/her is environment not actually counteracted by other tenets sy of Asian belief Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction considerable emphasis on the principle of non Vol 2, No 2

9 narrate enchant enchant - . As several Editor establishing establishing a - to re Guest – : instead as of religion human to otherhuman each in -

towards learning about towardsself learning theistic kind. In the process,

- narrative 9594 nd the non

- practice practice of attentiveness attuning between interior and external attuning between and external interior - a via negativa ISSN 2171

old roots in the religious development of retuned attention that the self may thatrealise it

o evacuate ethics and its vexed complications from be be it of the theistic or non

— ," ofa the yoking human onmental onmental consciousness and its yearning to preserve and onnection onnection with their own capacity to know this world and human, buthuman, also the with rift healing with interior space and - “From The Enchantment of Nature to Fashioning a Persuasive “From of Enchantment Persuasive The Naturea to Fashioning intertwined with this minded minded humans cultivate not only humility before the natural -

nature nature and part and parcel of his/her environment. As repeatedly religare in ting ting that it is precisely in their interrogation of how to time), time), envir

- n orientation, others privilege history or cultural anthropology; others that environmental and religious studies meet. religious and that environmental

ue ue between ecocritical and religious studies going: though ecospirituality is In the first article, Moreover, in their preoccupation with how the "ecology of the text" may These articles also illustrate that ecospirituality does not deserve the of charge mechanical Ittime. is mechanical through this - Planetary Ethic," Whitney Bauman precisely questions the attempt 2011 Ecozon@ © is is always already in Focus, this Special withoutsuggested such a re space (or space shallow. remaining risk universe sustainenchanted an "prayer/meditation in action" one of the many hues of ecospirituality is contributors as imply, ecospirituality does not just concern severed bond with itself the non with re non interconnection perform the task of " an ethical relationship, several articles also deal with ecospirituality as a form of these papers is their of inclusion form some of as ethical path a "unknowing" desirable, to Deeplyunderstanding. and other, we also find a preoccupationrecurring with unshakable most belief, of these papers concentrate rather upon as religion (evolving) discourse, sugges the existential equation. equation. In thethis respect,existential the remind contributions nine do indeed selected us that ecospiritually world, but also humility in c to superimpose the maps of intellectual systems upon it. In fact, what links many of naivety often levelled at it. Far from being the outgrowth ecospiritual of tree a does "'New not Age' fad," only the have very but forin also whathumankind, the soil: latter's intellectual transpires from these pieces is not so much dogma and certainties as reflection ongoing and with questioning, together a recurrent, dynamic refusal t linked linked to a it Deepparadigm, does Ecological not simply fit into a uniform mould; its study, therefore, benefits interdisciplinarity,from greater which actually withcoincides ofpromises ecocriticism. of one the original effort was also made to include philosophical i several disciplines: whilst some papers still are are more rooted in literature showhere gathered that and there is perhaps ecopoetics. less to be than feared Hopefully, to by be gained keeping the the different dialog perspectives Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction explore lost ecospirituality, others show its potential for and resurgence renewal. An Vol 2, No 2

- f in in 10 - and and e e the e e non

of "nomadism," ich are exclusively exclusively ich are Guest Editor – ir particular brand of

introduction of pantheism. Not of the Russian Pomor," Stephen - 9594 - based based ethic. In so doing, the opening - one which not so much suppressed — pace

ISSN 2171

ment ment affects the ecospiritual potential of a given religion. The Triumph of Eywa: 'Avatar,' Pantheism, and of the Sign based based as opposed to -

place

The next article, mainly based on actual field work, equally stresses how this Moving from ecospirituality mutating to reverence for nature lost, the next The second article also seeks to incorporate the dimension of in Immanence a . In addition, Lioi also shows a syncretic, recycling form of ecospirituality rating rating in it. Indeed, in " Avatar" that equates the latter with a surreptitious re historical historical and social environ This time, however, instead of a case of thwarted earth stewardship, Peter Collins 2011 Ecozon@ © White's claims by highlighting the White's byneed, claims on highlighting the one hand, to take into account th of Christianitycharacter and, on the monolithic other, to discuss its anthropocentrism in context. social to itsrelation historical, actual "sacral "sacral geography" helped the relationship Pomor with to the maintain ocean. implementation of Christian stewardship got over eventually Brain destroyed by Communism centuries then goes a thatchanges the on it technological sustainable enforced upon the In to region. a documenting particular explain how example of Christian this earth efficient stewardship and its annihilation, Brain challenges Lynn documentation. documentation. In "The Ethic Christian Environmental Brain introduces the reader to a little known continent ethnicity and at to the edge of their the form European as paganism successfully incorporated of it. Brain shows Christianityus how the accommodating the accommodating realities of technological our time and in which the notion of "network" thebecomes pivotal, to the point of not only proposing an ecosystemic view of the planet, but of also spiritual knowledge. article takes us from philosophical and eschatological speculation to historical " only does Lioi refute the argument and demonstrate not actually recycles film conceptions pantheistic, thatCameron's o but Christianmediaeval the syncretism at work in Natura cosmopolitan and global reality, butcosmopolitan global and this time on by more the concentrating syncretisms ope AnthonyEcumene," an Lioi Ecological not onlywith engages one of the most popular films in recent cinematic history, but also with the fundamentalist Christian attack on Bauman Bauman here investigates how a truly without postmodern ending up ecospirituality in could ethical relativism take nature.desecrated or For such Bauman, an ecospirituality hold would have denying to accommodat any power world. globalised of a in experience religious immanent of nature and rhizomatic both Creation awe to article article transcends conventional religious boundaries and highlights the many residues of to dualism be built found in conceptions of the ecospiritual wh rooted in of a Furthermore,reverence place. the spiritualauthor also examines critically and ethical foundationalism and their insights accompanying of dangers. fashion Borrowing studies from and from the Deleuze and Guattari's notion Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction Nature through a Vol 2, No 2

11 e by Hester

Editor in daily life, not

Time Reclamation Time Reclamation Guest - – in potential for such - praxis attunement to the latter that

- human human animals, not examining - 9594 - becoming" and becoming" behaves like an organism - , and physical ecology. With its focus on ISSN 2171 in Collins shows how far - from being fixed, hed in an era that era an in did nothed possess the adequate driven society clashes societydriven clashes with rhythms the elemental Don DeLillo," Don JonathanDeLillo," Butler discusses how the theistic space, the also the foregrounds article next -

rse rse as leitmotivs through the next three pieces. The -

ianity effortsand recent have themore at rehabilitation o longer ignore ecological imperatives. imperatives. ecological ignore longer o from the "insanity" that passes as "sanity" in much of

whole individual and are also whole individual about more looking at more looking the body in of interdependence religion with

y, Eric Baratay again challenges Lynn White's claims. Besides

The stepsnext article into the opened breach by Baratay's survey, this tim A A different sense of "creatureliness" and an attempt at reconnection with some Taking us Taking into a non secular, Mouth': Vegetarianism, Animals and Working Towards and an EcospiritualWorking Animals Mouth':Poetry,'" Vegetarianism, Jones questions the dualism between human and non 2011 Ecozon@ © mirror and legitimate human needs. needs. human legitimate and mirror text and the the redemptive Biblical notion intopresence bringing of dialogue sacrificial, with contemporary poetry. In "'Bitter to your Stomach, but Sweet as Honey in Your and and textual surve contrasting certain developments within Catholicism and Protestantism Baratay respectively, also proposesin Christ of the animal demeaning a Durkheimian interpretation, been less dictated showing by scripture that than by the environment social in the both which religions gradual next two explore the possibilities of overcoming such hindrances. Directly engaging with Directly engaging hindrances. such two next the explore of possibilities overcoming the text and Biblical once the social body, "Le christianisme et une l'animal: how histoire examines difficile" the status of the has animal mutated in Christianity over time. In an impressive historical ecospiritualities ecospiritualities involve the and "creatureliness." time byleast upway opening a different of experiencing of its forms also cou more elemental first of these actually some examines of the obstacles to this reconnection, whilst the of the universe. Butler suggests that it is only through re our bodies and minds can heal our quotidian. This piece not only brings ecopsychology and ecospirituality together, but also reminds us that, like other forms of religion and spiritual contemplation, interconnections interconnections between subjective, social contemporaryrecent US fiction, this is also the the firstwritten contribution privileging text. In "Ecospirituality in the BodyOverkill: Age of Technological in the Fiction of and Alan Lightman pace of today's capitalist, technology an an awareness is now fully coming to life through contact with n can and which a vocabulary right society that has the interaction of withorganisms their environments, social but this time the by examining Ecospirituality among British Quakers," ecospirituality also constitutes a "reality receptive to the of influences its environment. Though, social as Collins explains, some ofcouc texts were of themain Quakerism consciousness, the built for vocabulary the expression of ecological Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction documents a blossoming and newly invigorated one. In "The Development of Vol 2, No 2

12 With With based" based" human. human. - -

anchoring in anchoring - Bird Bird Lovers, Alternating Alternating as layered textual layered textual - Guest Editor – human ones. human - opher Hrynkow William

Chist the good, subsidiarity,common called "option"called for the poor. Not 9594 - - Buddhist essay/prose poem bridges - ts challenges conceptionsto dualistic of ts challenges sed sed poetic attention to In language. "The ISSN 2171 nds nds shared "creatureliness," re

take take issue with the Vatican's current condemnation of

theistic space of Buddhism behind, the final piece returns to - here here particularly stress that the of Catholicism "greening" would

he he Special Focus section thus comes from full a examining circle, non The Vatican The and Vatican Ecospirituality: Tensions, Promises and Possibilities cts with the preoccupations developed in Catholic Social Teaching principles principles compatible with an ecocentric environmental awareness, Emerging Green Catholic Emerging Spirituality,"

utual utual "creaturely attention" for dominion over the non

," Gillian Parrish notParrish only," Gillian introduces us to this US poet's multi Leaving the Leaving The next contribution also foregrou different angle whatdifferent angle the opening contribution had also reflected upon, namely the need for forms and viable of meaningful ecospirituality in world. a globalised 2011 Ecozon@ © only are these Hrynkow and O'Hara argue, but they can scale. also global contribute a on justice environmental toof an thatchallenges the would ecospiritualnot ignore approach these two authors, t not entail a process artificially on visions; imposedthe itself othertheology ecocentric of a offers number hand, this ecocentrism from outside. On the genuinely one hand, interse Catholic (CST), a corpustextual that on hinges notions such as solidarity, the protection of human rights, and the so for Fostering an and Dennis Patrick O'Hara as ecocentrism a stance that In humankind. to devalues a last the challenge Lynn White position, the authors compassion," and thereby invites humans to of conceive the narrative of evolution not terms. but ethical also just in biological Catholic doctrine, but does so by with likewise "hierarchies of engaging compassion," old and new. In " self self and other. In particular, Parrish discusses Field's writing enacts how on the the page complex the mental textual ecology ecology proposed of by process, Buddhism. In the the author highlights how this Western species in a way that replaces a "hierarchy of oppression" with a "hierarchy of reconnection reconnection at the immanent level, but it does so through the lens of Buddhist ethics and epistemology as well as through increa Question of Evolution in Backyard the Buddhist Ecology tapestry, of infused by Tibetan and Buddhism, to i Thalia Field's Interestingly too, like Butler, to non relate bodies ecospirituality,how in human anchored one Jones highlights a different kind of "place one's immediate environment (including the body), and poetry as a sacred space of assumed dominion of humankind over the animal realm, but also claiming a vital role for a role vital but also claiming realm, over the of humankind assumed animal dominion the arts in deconstructing our elemental forms of "creatureliness." acquired The sense poetic space explored of by Jones superiority enables both poet over and different, reader more to substituting achieve some m kind of temporary, immanent "wholeness" by Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction only the recent attempts by Christian ethicists and ecofeminists to challenge the Vol 2, No 2

- at 13 the the this

Way — - — l l one. n with Wallace Wallace reaching reaching it cannot - theist or vironment" vironment" — ironment, the Editor 11 one one capable of attacks bymade — Guest – es es outlined by Félix

interrelationships on interrelationships be be those conveyed through —

E. Sullivan E. reminds Sullivan us, "[n]o

politique politique [...] entre les trois registres - 9594 - my translation]. — as as as well the and and of what might potentially distinguish tion tion éthico — ISSN 2171 — ecocritics ecocritics ignore the possible conversatio

— if they are to counter effectively the relation to relation — environmental, social, and subjective ecology and subjective social, environmental,

" as "une articula

—

écosophie are to develop a discourse relevant to the times 10

n different, implicit shades of dark ecospiritualitygreen (Bauman, Lioi,

political political articulation ... of the registers, three ecological the one of the env -

In testing different In testingperceptions different of and ( possible of modes "enfleshment"

anscendence and toanscendence deepen the Guattari Guattari defines his " It should indeed not be forgotten that even atheists and agnostics live in an "environment," and th and "environment," an in live agnostics and atheists even that forgotten be not indeed should It écologiques, celui de l'environnement, 13) [an ethico celui des rapports human subjectivity of andone relationships, the social of one sociaux et celui de la subjectivité humaine" (12 2011 Ecozon@ © 10 some of the secular metanarratives of exactly the achieve twentieth a better century 11 environmental (like Communism, track record for than instance) the religions did not which they sought to eliminate. those who, like Bruckner, are prone to equate radical environmentalism with a new form thoseare environmentalism prone Bruckner, towho, like equate radical of oppressive, secular piety. Crucially too, if humans as ecocriticism is part serious and about parcel of studying nature, of the bringing three ecologi Guattari interrelationship in life life that constitutes the (Preface human xiii). Whether they societies are atheists, which agnostics, or saturate believers, ecocritics need some the understanding of the phenomenon religious natural en it from environmentalism radical However, the reverse holds true as no well: matter of the comfort degree or discomfort that they may feel offorms towardsgiven the ecospiritual affirmative or negative theologies studiesreligious at their own peril. Indeed, as Lawrence of understanding is the withoutadequate environment grasp a [spiritual]of the religious of ecocricitism. Indeed, if emergent spiritualities, old agnostic religions, positions and even a species boundaries and theinterrogating addressing reality of change acute climate religious studies community could do worse than engage with the ecocritica Conversation 57) of the ecospiritual contributors in certainly remind us of the studiesneed for the religious to turn to "here the insights and now" of material Creation, these nine Tr plane. immanent Coda: Ecocriticism and Religious Studies or the Need for a Two Butler) and various green(ing) facets of traditional faiths (Brain, Collins, Baratay, of Parish, Collins, faiths facets (Brain, traditional green(ing) and Butler)various Jones, Hrynkow way intries, one or here and O'Hara), the spectrum collected articles of another, whatoffar tomore a considerably contributeunderstanding a renewed model of earth stewardship could be. In the "purity" process, doctrinal and/or matters transcendental less in the end than the choice not to sacrifice Immanence for Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction they do betwee Vol 2, No 2

14 situate the e e punishment

may not only a be Guest Editor religious" features, the - – — even even one devoted to ith one another from the — minded creatures, whatever the whatever creatures, minded - this also being a symptoma thisbeing also 12

human at world of thehuman expense Sanz Alonso, who sacrificed editor - - 9594 - of whatever hue — e as spiritually ISSN 2171

"religious animals," "religious

extend my sincere thanks to the members of the

t source of inspiration through the lonely hours spent at the

does not happen without considerable help at the very earthly and

—

r time and expertise expertise despite and r theirtime very busycontributors lives. The selected

and generosity generosity of process.and spiriteditorial throughout thelong Last Last but not least, I would like to dedicate this Special Focus section to my Secondly, a of number Secondly, supported peer reviewers myself and Axel by generously First of all, I would like to Putting together a thematic section as guest

hether hether humans run a after truth or an illusion in living out their existence as "religious" animals eration of the invisible hand of the market being just one example. W

philosophical philosophical conclusions they eventually reach. societies Moreover, have not it eliminated should the religious not instinct ven and be exude forgotten a number that of "para secular 2011 Ecozon@ © 12 matters here less than the fact that they continue to behav mentor and former thesis and mentor former supervisor, Prof. Debusscher,Gilbert whose presence, despite illness, remains a constan desk. Works Cited themselves also mydeserve also themselves thanks, not just for theirto readiness share their knowledge with me and help me make the kindness thematic section better, but also for their genuine Carretero Carretero González, Carmen Flys Junquera, and Hoving, and Isabel and Irene formatting; many hoursof inediting stages of the lives final their with it whom a was topleasure brainstorm. of thei giving pragmatic level. level. pragmatic editorial team at Ecozon@ for Goodbody, their infallible support whose guidance and as infinite patience: my Axel shadow editor proved invaluable; Margarita Acknowledgements ecospirituality possible corrective to some of the more undifferentiated aspects of Deep Ecology, but may also usefully sustain the intellectual Naturein ... Human of pilgrimage trying to better of how Nature w enmeshed and inextricably Culture are indeed not start.does imply If ecocriticism the study of the non the human one, does environmentalism not amount to and a redemption of Nature through th if, "ecospirit"of injection then ofsome Humankind, contrary to what Pascal Bruckner asserts, radical Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction forgotten that be tend humans to remain Vol 2, No 2

. 15 33. - Paris: Paris:

. 4 Vols.

Editor UK UK meeting. -

The Art of the

76. 76. Print. Guest - Deep Deep Ecology and 15. 15. Print. – - ious ious Studies nce nce and Theology in Ed. Ed. Norman Wirzba.

d the Practice of Hope .

Deep Deep Ecology and World Deep Deep Ecology and World rry 106. 106. Print. - . Albany: State University of

. Oxford: Oxford University ms, Marring, and Maintenance ms, Marring, and Maintenance Religions." Religions." Eds. David Landis Barnhill and 9594

320. 320. Print. - - . Deep and Ecology World Religions. York Press, York 2001. 1 Ecotheology Ecotheology an Eds. David Landis Barnhill and Roger S. S. Eds. and Roger Barnhill David Landis Eds. David Landis Barnhill and Roger S. S. Eds. and Roger Barnhill David Landis

Environmental Scie Deep Deep Ecology and World Religions. New ISSN 2171 Spirit Spirit of the Environment. Religion, Value and . Albany: State University of New York Press,

. Paris: Editions Galilée, 1989. Print. Galilée, Editions . Paris:

Eds. David Landis Barnhill and Roger S. Gottlieb.

gies

. London/New York: Routledge, 1998. 1998. Print. Routledge, York: .London/New ate University Press,of NewYork 2001. 59

niversity of Press, NewYork 2001. 76 "Christianity and the Survival of Creation." In ants ants as Botany Persons. A Philosophical Le fanatisme Le fanatisme de Sauverl'Apocalypse. la Terre, punir l'Homme. Templeton Science and Religion Series. West Conshohoken, PA:

Pl Les Les Trois Ecolo . . Maryknoll, Orbis Books, 2011. York: Print. New Grasse, 2011. Print. Ecology and the Environment. and the The Mechanis Ecology

The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Ecology Religion Religion and the Environment. Critical Concepts in Relig New York Press,NewYork 2011. Print. London/New York: Routledge, 2010. Print. Routledge, York: London/New Press, 2006. Print. World Religions. New Essays on Sacred Ground. Roger S. Gottlieb. Albany: State University of Print. New York Press, 2001. 17 Albany:State University of Press, NewYork 2010. Print. UK.University July 2008.Speech. Edinburgh, of Religions. New Essays Religions. on Sacred Ground. Gottlieb.St Albany: Concern Environmental Bernard Bernard Dialogue of of Nature. Templeton Press, 2011. Print. Commonplace. The Agrarian Essays Hoard, 2002. 305 & Shoemaker CA: Emeryville, of Wendell Be New New Essays on Sacred Ground 2001. Print. Essays Essays on Sacred Ground. Albany:State U New Essays Religions. on Sacred Ground. Gottlieb.State Albany: University of New . ed. . ed. Hall, Hall, Matthew. 2011 Ecozon@ © --- Guattari, Félix. Gottlieb, Roger S. "Spiritual Deep Ecology and World --- Dalton, Anne Marie and Henry C. Simmons. Garrard, Greg. “Consilience, Conciliation and Pluralism.” ASLE Chapple, Christopher Key. "Hinduism and Deep Ecology." Cooper, David E. and Joy A. Palmer. Bruckner, Pascal. Bruckner, Pascal. Butkus, Russell A. and Steven A. Kolmes. Berry, Wendell. Barnhill, Barnhill, David Landis and S. Roger Gottlieb, eds Berry, R. J. Barnhill, Barnhill, David Landis and Roger S. Gottlieb. Introduction. Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction Barnhill, David Landis. "Relational Holism." Vol 2, No 2

16

. Eds.

Being of Earth Earth of Being -

The Ecocritical Guest Editor – ating ating Nature in East . Basingstoke: Palgrave, Palgrave, . Basingstoke: Berlin: Lit Verlag, 2006. Lit Verlag, Berlin: 14. 14. Print. - Christianity Christianity and Ecology. Being of Being Earth and Humans.

nment - 9594 - Cambridge, MA: Harvard Cambridge, University nment, nment, Vol. 4. o . Eds. .Eds. Cheryll Glotfelty and Fromm. Harold ISSN 2171 Holiness Holiness Bartolomeus, Professor Rabbi Arthur - Spirit Spirit of the Environment. Religion, Value and

Religion and the Enviro the and Religion

Christianity and Ecology. Seeking the Well the Seeking Ecology. and Christianity

. David E. Cooper and Joy A. Palmer. London/New York: un Khalid." 41. 41. Print. -

r for the Study of World & Religion Harvard University Press, Being Earth of and Humans.Being xxxi. Print. xxxi. - nt. - xi Saving Nature: Religion as Environmentalism, Environmentalism as /London: University of Georgia Press, University1996. /London: 3 of Georgia

Dark Green Religion. Nature Spirituality and the Planetary Future. Christianity and Ecology. Seeking and the Well Christianity Ecology. 72. 72. Print. 64. 64. Pri Studies in Religion and Studies in the Envir Religion - - LandmarksEcology in Literary . Ecology Ecology and the Environment: Perspectives from the Humanities

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enter for the Study of World Religion & Harvard University Harvard & Press, 2000. Print.enterfor Study the Religion of World Reader Athens, GA Eds. Eds. Dieter T. Hessel and Rosemary Radford Ruether. MA: Cambridge, Harvard University Cente 2000. Donald Donald K. Swearer and University Center Susan for the Study Lloyd of World & Religion McGarry. Harvard 2009. 49 University Press, Cambridge, MA: Harvard Ecology." Berkeley/Los Angeles/London: University of California Press, 2010. UniversityPrint. of California Angeles/London: Berkeley/Los Asia." Print. and Humans. 2002. Print. Environmental Environmental Concern 1998. 30 Routledge, Religion Seeking the Well the Seeking C Creation [as discussed by] His All Hertzberg, and Fazl © Ecozon@ 2011 Ecozon@ ©

White, White, Lynn, Jr. "The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis." Wallace, Wallace, Mark I. "The Wounded Spirit as the Basis for Hope in an Age of Radical Taylor, Bron. Tucker, Mary Evelyn. "Touching the Depth of Things. Cultiv Sullivan, Lawrence E. Preface. E. Preface. Lawrence Sullivan, Tanner, Ralph and Colin Mitchell. Rønnow, Tarjei. Palmer, Palmer, Martin, ed. "Religion and Nature: The Abrahamic Faiths' Conception of Author: Bellarsi, Franca; Title: Ecospirit: Religion and the Environment Environment the and Religion Ecospirit: Title: Franca; Bellarsi, Author: Introduction Hessel, Dieter T. and Rosemary Radford Ruether, eds.