Listening to
Nature as Source
Three questions inspire everything I do:
- How can people in the modern world connect with nature?
- How can we change our story of nature, from inert matter to living relations?
- How can we align lives and society more closely with the Living Source flowing through all beings?
I explore these questions through writing books, through producing a podcast, and through practicing shamanic-style journeys, or spirit journeys, to strengthen my own and others’ connection to the Source.
Tamed by a Bear
Tamed by a BearComing Home to Nature-Spirit-Self
What if your still small voice had a name? In this memoir of one transformative year, I come to know my spirit helper as a jovial and affectionate Bear. Through shamanic-style journeys, Bear nudges toward joy and offers gentle wisdom for navigating life’s rough patches. Our heart-opening conversations suggest that overcoming humans’ separation from nature requires a reinvigorating of nature spirituality in everyday life. Tamed by a Bear shows one person responding to the call of her heart, which is also the call of Earth to all human beings today: to listen to a more-than-human wisdom in order to address the social and environmental crises born of our separation from nature. For those wishing to grow in love and in their ability to hear the quiet voice of Spirit.
“An openhearted, playful account of learning to listen to the wisdom of interconnection.”
—Elizabeth Enslin, author of
While the Gods Were Sleeping
Read the opening pages of Tamed by a Bear.
Kissed by a Fox
And Other Stories of Friendship in Nature
Inspired by years of listening to nature, my 2012 book, Kissed by a Fox, blends personal memoir with insights drawn from history, ecology, natural sciences, and many spiritual traditions—lyrical nature writing to rekindle your love for Earth. Heart-opening stories of a dog, a creek, or a tree frame each chapter and lead through a fifteen-year adventure of learning to connect with nature. Altogether, stories and reflections celebrate the profound connections linking people with all other creatures and point the way toward a deeply collaborative relationship with a living Earth.
“Tenderly woven . . . lyrical . . . [an] entertaining and emotionally resonant book.”
—Publishers Weekly
Winner of the 2013 WILLA Award in Creative Nonfiction
Read the opening chapter of Kissed by a Fox.
Come Home to Nature, Come Home to Source
Spiritual Journeys & Mentoring
I offer one-on-one mentoring sessions in Earth spirituality to strengthen each person’s connection to Nature-Spirit-Self. During individual consultations (usually by phone), we engage in shamanic-style journeys, pausing in our busy lives to seek the larger wisdom of Spirit. I listen to Spirit on your behalf, or I may support you in developing your ability to journey and consult directly with Spirit.
See the Spiritual Mentoring page for more information.
Nature :: Spirit Podcast
Where we look at all things related to spirituality of a living world. Down-to-Earth reflections on matters both seen and unseen.
Transcripts of the podcast always available at the Nature :: Spirit link.
About
I am an award-winning writer and spiritual counselor with a passion for changing the modern story of nature and helping people reconnect with the Living Source inside themselves and all of nature. I received a PhD in religious studies from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and have taught graduate-level environmental humanities, feminist studies, critical thinking, and thesis writing at Prescott College in Prescott, AZ, and Naropa University in Boulder, CO.
Nature advocacy started for me years ago in Oakland, where I founded a small nonprofit land trust to preserve a nearby creek. In various places around the American West, I cleaned and restored urban creeks, fed baby birds in wildlife rehab, and cofounded a local rights-of-nature group.
My first book, Kissed by a Fox: And Other Stories of Friendship in Nature (Counterpoint, 2012), won the WILLA Award for Creative Nonfiction. Tamed by a Bear: Coming Home to Nature-Spirit-Self (Counterpoint Press, 2017) is a spiritual memoir of the first year of listening to Spirit’s voice through shamanic-style journeys.
My partner, Tim, and I live on Maui, where we are learning to know the life in the sea.
Contact
I would love to hear from you! Please get in touch, and I will respond soon.