Ecospirituality connects the science of ecology with spirituality. It brings together religion and environmental activism.[1] Ecospirituality has been defined as "a manifestation of the spiritual connection between human beings and the environment."[2] The new millennium and the modern ecological crisis has created a need for environmentally based religion and spirituality.[3] Ecospirituality is understood by some practitioners and scholars as one result of people wanting to free themselves from a consumeristic and materialistic society.[4] Ecospirituality has been critiqued for being an umbrella term for concepts such as deep ecology, ecofeminism, and nature religion.[3][5]
Proponents may come from a range of faiths including: Islam; Jainism; Christianity (Catholicism, Evangelicalism and Orthodox Christianity); Judaism; Hinduism; Buddhism and Indigenous traditions.[6] Although many of their practices and beliefs may differ, a central claim is that there is "a spiritual dimension to our present ecological crisis."[7] According to the environmentalist Sister Virginia Jones, "Eco-spirituality is about helping people experience 'the holy' in the natural world and to recognize their relationship as human beings to all creation.[1]
Ecospirituality has been influenced by the ideas of deep ecology,[8][9] which is characterized by "recognition of the inherent value of all living beings and the use of this view in shaping environmental policies"[10] Similarly to ecopsychology, it refers to the connections between the science of ecology and the study of psychology. 'Earth-based' spirituality is another term related to ecospirituality; it is associated with pagan religious traditions and the work of prominent ecofeminist, Starhawk.[11] Ecospirituality refers to the intertwining of intuition and bodily awareness pertaining to a relational view between human beings and the planet.[12]