Nature As Beloved, Nature As Self

John Muir, a wilderness Christian mystic himself, once famously said: "Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places where people can play in and pray in, where nature may give strength to body and soul alike."

This is just one of the many lasting insights left behind by Muir. More than just a mountaineer, naturalist, or preservationist, Muir was a mystic of mountains and alpenglow. 

His writings reveal a person whose faith was sh...

This bonus episode offers a guided Christian Insight Meditation designed to support contemplative practice. Listeners are invited to settle into a space of inner stillness and spacious awareness, using breath, imagery, and sacred story to cultivate presence and wonder.

The meditation includes:

• Breath-based grounding and visualization of a spacious landscape
• Reflection on divine spaciousness as a symbol of God’s loving Presence
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This mini-episode offers an introduction to Christian Insight Meditation, a contemplative practice grounded in awe and wonder. Drawing from the Christian mystical tradition, we explore how inner spaciousness mirrors the vastness of creation and how thoughts can be seen as echoes of a divine Word never spoken. This episode concludes with practical guidance for engaging in Insight Meditation, inviting a deepened awarenes...

In this short bonus episode, listeners are guided through a practice of Wilderness Contemplative Prayer. This guided prayer and meditation invites you to step into a quiet, sacred space—a space where you can breathe, be still, and gently return to yourself and the Presence that holds all things. Whether you're beginning your day, in the midst of a busy season, or simply need a pause, let this be your gentle return to y...

In this special episode of Nature as Beloved, Nature as Self, we explore how Wilderness Contemplative Prayer as a path into divine intimacy—where silence becomes the language of God, and the soul sinks into a deep, sacred stillness.

Further, we explore:

• The mystical imagery of the “abyss of God” found in Christian contemplative tradition—from Angela of Foligno to Meister Eckhart, Hadewijch, and John Ruusbroec.
• How to engage in...

In this episode, we explore the deep roots and evolving expressions of what it means to be "Spiritual But Not Religious" (SBNR), especially through the lens of Christian mysticism and contemplative history. We ask: What does it truly mean to be SBNR? Where did these spiritual instincts come from? And can we trace a meaningful lineage that validates the SBNR experience as more than just a modern reaction, but part of a legitimate sp...

We're starting a new mini-series! In these shorter episodes, Stephen will be sharing his musings and reflections, speaking about the ways Wilderness Christian Mysticism connects with what's going on in our world. 

For this first "musing," Stephen shares his reflections about the current state of affairs, while responding to the question: Why would a Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR) person want to embrace anything Christian?

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In this inspiring episode of Nature as Beloved, Nature as Self, we delve into an intricate exploration of the "True Self." Within the framework of Wilderness Christian Mysticism, this conversation seeks to illuminate the place where the True Self resides. Drawing from Christian, psychological, and interspiritual perspectives, we explore the profound differences between the false, superficial self—shaped by societal expectations—a...

To better understand who Christ is in our lives, we're exploring a handful of metaphors: Christ as a Mirror (of our True Selves), Christ as Light and Warmth, Christ as a Listening Presence, and Christ as Inter-being. This conversation is for anyone who is Spiritual But Not Religious or exploring new horizons. It's for Christians seeking renewal and new ways of connecting with Christ. And it's for anyone intrigued by ...

From the perspective of Wilderness Christian Mysticism, Christ is not confined to one group, religion, or interpretation. In this episode, we tackle harmful ideas that have distorted Christ’s essence and message, such as exclusionary doctrines and narrow interpretations. And in doing so, we reclaim a Christ who stands with the marginalized, uplifts the oppressed, and calls us to radical love and compassion. Further, we explore ...

Have you ever heard the phrase “crazy wisdom”? It’s a mystical concept from Tibetan Buddhism that turns normal logic on its head. In our everyday lives, we’re used to thinking of opposites as completely different. In the spiritual world, things work a little differently. It’s not about things logically making sense but about tapping into something deeper. And the best way to do that? Through the power of imagination. In fact, i...

On this episode of Nature As Beloved, Nature As Self, we continue our journey through time, surveying the landscape of Wilderness Christian Mysticism. We resume our exploration in the 14th century, where we are introduced to Meister Eckhart. A few centuries later we meet the Spanish mystics, most notably John of the Cross and Teresa of Ávila. Along our journey through time, we encounter many more mystics. As we make our way to th...

What does Christian Mysticism offer us? Many who consider themselves Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR) sometimes think that Christianity has nothing of value to offer us. Understandably, there are numerous reasons for them to be skeptical. Yet the Contemplative Christian Tradition is not bound to any one institution or denomination. The Spirit of Christian Mysticism is about relationship—deep communion with the Divine, the Tru...

Socrates famously said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." From the perspective of Wilderness Christian Mysticism, spiritual disciplines enable us to reflect upon life more deeply, discover our true selves, and find greater meaning in our lives.

In this episode, listeners are introduced to the disciplines of Wilderness Christian Mysticism. We explore the core disciplines of meditation and contemplation, in addition to silen...