Question 2

In Berry’s chapter 3 “Sacred Space”, the beginning quote by John Muir, he says “Nature’s peace will flow into you as the sunshine flows into trees". Nature can have a spiritual and powerful connection with human beings. Barry discusses how nature can be sacred place for some, but throughout the centuries the ideas have changed. Forests and mountains especially. Forests and mountains were seen in the medieval Christian view as horrific but changed into objects of affection. Barry discusses how historically in Hebrew scripture and Christian writings there is an “emphasis on mountains as key sites of spiritual transformation”. Positive images of mountains are mentioned in the Pentateuch and in Psalms. The Songs of Ascent describe a “holy mountain” that worshippers use to bring themselves closer to God. In Saint John of the Cross’s Ascent of Mount Carmel, where God will “make his abode in mountainous country by gathering together all his powers”. God goes along side with nature and especially with mountains. Being higher on the mountain gives more connection to God and the heavens. Barry discussed how nature is discussed began with Protestant Christianity, and continued on through the twentieth century and up until now. As the tradition of the outdoors began in America, the sacred space of nature continued on past just the Christian writings. The traditions of the outdoors have changed, such as mountaineering, backpacking, hiking, skiing, and road trips becoming a valued tradition by many Americans, these ideas of loving nature and having it be sacred space had to have come from somewhere. It began with these Christian writings. These ideas of traveling and road trips to sites of natural spiritual significance and personal moral renewal came from the pilgrimage idea of spirituality.

Being one that loves nature, and grew up in a county where we hiked, snowboarded, surfed, and backpacked quite often, I have connected to nature in a spiritual way you could say. Being at the lake, sleeping on a mountain, looking up at the sky with endless stars, and a moon that’s so bright it reflects off the water, there is this feeling of relaxation, but connected to something bigger than everyday life. Or the idea that this earth was created by something amazing. Nature isn’t something that is intimidating to me personally, in my generation. Nature has always been beautiful, but the fear of the unknown that exist in nature can be the terrifying part.