"I'm learning to appreciate that nature is not simply the setting in which the presence of God is encountered, it is, in itself, a form of divine presence," writes Robert M. Hamma, editorial director of Ave Maria press and its imprint Sorin Books. The author of eight books including Landscapes of the Soul challenges us to open our eyes and hearts to many types of experiences in nature, including beauty, comfort, awe, recognizing our powerlessness, moving in rhythm, and carrying nature within us.
Taking a cue from Anthony of the Desert who said "My book . . . is the nature of created things, and any time I wish to read the words of God, the book is before me," Hamma presents four-part sacred readings of nature. In each one, he sets the stage with a quote from another writer under the heading "Paying Attention." Under "Pondering," Hamma then spins out his reflections on the passage. The third step in the process is "Responding," which brings out a contemplative reaction to the movement and presence of God in the piece. The final step is "Surrendering" where a brief aphorism is presented for the reader to carry away and use.
Each part of the paperback covers a natural region -- the shore, the forest, the desert, the river, and the mountain. Some of the authors included are Wendell Berry, Bill Bryson, Rachel Carson, Loren Eiseley, Hermann Hesse, Ursula Le Guin, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, John Muir, Brenda Peterson, and Terry Tempest Williams.
Hamma has gathered a sterling collection of excerpts which together with his reflections model for us the spiritual practice of reading the natural world. Earth's Echo cherishes the special geography of natural regions and inspires us to explore our inner landscapes through the eyes of wonder.
