Nature’s Faith

This Week's Quotation:

Listen patiently, quietly, and reverently to the lessons, one by one, which Mother Nature has to teach, shedding light on that which was before a mystery, so that all who will, may see and know.

~ Luther Burbank

Nature’s Faith

Rev. Berry Behr, Interfaith Minister

The Spirit of Freedom tours were an invitation to an awareness of interconnectedness with all of life.

Two separate groups explored diverse spiritual cultures in Cape Town, South Africa, before progressing North. There, they visited the Global White Lion Protection Trust in the Greater Timbavati Region before moving on to the Kruger National Park. Both are unique experiences. Having asked many people, “What is your faith?”, I found myself immersed in a glorious sunrise, asking, “What is Nature’s faith?

We watched in awe as a pride of lions celebrated the feast of a zebra they had hunted. Later, we saw a herd of zebras. Our hearts were sore for their loss of the one who lost their life in service to the pride. But the herd included some heavily pregnant mamas, so we celebrated this promise of new life.  We recognised that the zebra was not a victim of the lions but rather a contributor to the wellbeing of the lions, the hyena, the vulture, and a host of smaller beings. Food, whether plant or animal-based, is the gift of Life, from Life. Let us always be in gratitude for the sacrifice.

The pride of lions hunting that zebra modeled collaboration and the power of common purpose. The zebras demonstrated submission to the cycle of life. Regeneration is everywhere.

On our journey, we were twice blessed by the sight of mother hyenas in separate packs suckling their young. The mama hyenas showed a deep trust in their environment as they faithfully nurtured the next generation. They felt safe enough to suckle the pups in full view of strangers, remaining fully engaged in their task.

Nature’s faith includes trust, nurturance, collaboration, appreciation, and regeneration: all part of the unfaltering generosity of the Divine Design of nature’s spiritual practice. Humans may call it Unconditional Love or possibly “Primal Spirituality.”  The lion, zebra, and hyena may simply call it Life. To me, it is all a magical school of wisdom, promise, and wonder. If you look for me at dawn, I’ll be under a tree listening to teachings from Nature.