James and Forrest have a conversation with John Philip Newell about his new book, The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Search for Healing and Home. In this book, John Philip argues for a re-imagining of how we relate to creation, to each other, to God and even to ourselves. He advocates for engaging creation as the primary means of knowing God, of seeing the sacred in all life forms, and of loving all creation as we love ourselves. Because the conversation was so full of emerging truths and insights, the conversation is presented in two parts. Here then is part one of a conversation with John Philip Newell.

Mentions

John Philip Newell’s website Earth & Soul
Iona
Findhorn Ecovillage
Victoria Loorz
Celtic Spirituality
Thomas Berry
Nan Shepherd
Edwin Muir

Takeaways

• The urgency of accessing ancient ways of seeing in relation to Earth.
• Many people are experiencing a moment of religious exile.
• The book addresses nine great yearnings of the human soul.
• We need to nurture our yearnings to allow for new beginnings.
• The prophetic voice must be based on love, not just criticism.
• We need to see the sacredness of Earth and every human being.
• The center of the divine is everywhere, not just in religious institutions.
• We can find sacredness in urban environments and everyday life.
• Pilgrimage can happen in many forms, not just in nature.
• The essence of every person is light, even those who seem lost.

Keywords: John Philip Newell, The Great Search, Earth consciousness, spirituality, exile, sacredness, human-earth relations, prophetic voice, transformation, eco-spirituality, Nan Shepherd, Edwin Muir, Thomas Berry, Celtic spirituality, edge walker, Iona, Findhorn, Wild Church

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