Three Movements of Ecological Conversion

 

Henri Nouwen, in his book Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, wrote about spiritual conversion as a movement in three key areas: from loneliness to solitude, from hostility to hospitality, and from illusion to prayer. Reflecting on these themes from an ecological perspective helps us to undergo a more profound conversion in our relationship with God and with the Earth.

The first movement is from loneliness to solitude. Loneliness is a feeling of isolation and emptiness. “The contemporary society in which we find ourselves makes us acutely aware of our loneliness. We become increasingly aware that we are living in a world where even the most intimate relationships have become part of competition and rivalry.” Conversion involves moving away from this and towards solitude, which is a state of peaceful aloneness that allows for a deeper connection with oneself and God. “To live a spiritual life, we must first find the courage to enter into the desert of our loneliness and to change it by gentle and persistent efforts into a garden of solitude.”

From the ecological perspective, this movement speaks to the contemporary sense of isolation and disconnection that many people feel, which extends to our relationship with creation. In a world where we are increasingly preoccupied with digital gadgets and environmental degradation is rampant, we often feel powerless and alienated from the natural world. This loneliness can lead to a sense of despair and disempowerment regarding ecological issues. This movement towards solitude, however, suggests a transformative approach. Solitude is not mere physical aloneness but a state of peaceful connection with oneself and with God. Ecological conversion involves finding this solitude within the natural world, among God’s creation, allowing for a deeper communion with creation. By entering into this "garden of solitude," we can develop a more intimate and respectful relationship with nature, recognizing it as a reflection of the divine. This inner transformation fosters a sense of mutuality and responsibility towards the environment, moving from a place of isolation to one of profound connection and care.

The second movement is from hostility to hospitality. Here, conversion signifies a shift from feelings of animosity and exclusion to openness and welcoming. It's about creating space for others and fostering genuine connections. Nouwen writes, “…that is our vocation: to convert the hostis into a hospes, the enemy into a guest and to create the free and fearless space where brotherhood and sisterhood can be formed and fully experienced.” For Nouwen, hospitality means “the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.”

This movement is particularly relevant in the context of ecological conversion. Hostility towards the environment is evident in the exploitation and degradation of natural resources, driven by a mentality of domination and consumption. This antagonistic relationship with nature results in environmental destruction and loss of biodiversity. Nouwen's call to move towards hospitality involves creating a space of welcome and respect for all forms of life. Ecological conversion requires a shift from seeing creation as an adversary to be conquered, or a stranger to be avoided, to recognizing the possibility for nourishing encounters with God’s creatures. This involves fostering an attitude of openness and respect, where humans see ourselves as part of the community of creation rather than its rulers. By creating "free and fearless space" for God’s creatures, humans can develop a sense of kinship with all living beings, promoting ecological harmony and well-being. This hospitality is not about changing nature to suit human needs but about allowing nature to flourish in its own right so that genuine ecological balance can be achieved.

The third movement is from illusion to prayer. Nouwen suggests that true conversion involves recognizing and letting go of illusions we hold about ourselves and the world. This allows for a more authentic relationship with God through prayer, which becomes a form of open and honest communication. “Patiently but persistently, we must slowly unmask the illusions of our immortality, dispelling even the feeble creations of our frustrated mind, and stretch out our arms to the deep sea and the high heaven in a never-ending prayer. When we move from illusion to prayer, we move from the human shelter to the house of God.” Prayer does not lead us out of the world, but rather more deeply into it: “Being the expression of our greatest love, it does not keep pain away from us….To the degree that our prayer has become the prayer of our heart we will love more and suffer more, we will see more light and more darkness, more grace and more sin, more of God and more of humanity.”

When considering environmental concerns, Nouwen's concept of conversion from illusion to prayer becomes particularly relevant. Our current way of life often operates under false beliefs about nature. We might assume endless growth and consumption are possible, or that technology can fix any ecological problem. This movement suggests turning away from these illusions towards a more truthful relationship with the world. Prayer, in this context, becomes an act of gaining deep awareness. Through prayer, we connect with God and creation, seeing the world as it truly is, with its limits and vulnerabilities. We contemplate to unmask illusions of control and entitlement. Through this conversion, we develop a more authentic and respectful connection with nature, grounded in humility and gratitude. Caring for creation becomes a core aspect of our faith, not a separate issue. As we connect with God in prayer, we deepen our connection to God's creation and our fellow humans. Indeed, prayer doesn't distance us from the world; rather it fosters solidarity and empathy. We share in the joys and struggles as we journey towards redemption, all interconnected.