Exploring the Interplay of Spirituality and Nature: A Conversation with Joyce Rupp
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In a world grappling with environmental concerns, it is essential to recognize the interplay between spirituality and nature. In this episode of the Your Radical Truth podcast, host Margaret Mary O’Connor had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Joyce Rupp, a renowned writer whose works delve into the profound connection between our spiritual lives and the natural world.
Together, they explored various aspects of this relationship, shedding light on the significance of Earth Day, Pope Francis’ encyclical “Care For Our Common Home,” and the urgent need to address global warming.
Joyce also shared insights into her books, including “The Circle of Life,” “Boundless Compassion,” and “The Cosmic Dance,” which intertwine spirituality and nature.
Earth Day and the Connection to Nature:
Margaret Mary and Joyce Rupp began their discussion by reflecting on Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970. Joyce
reminisced about a poignant commercial from that time, featuring a Native American man in a canoe surrounded by garbage and pollution. This imagery highlighted the pressing issue of environmental degradation and resonated with the growing concern for our planet’s health.
Pope Francis and the Spiritual Connection to Nature:
The conversation then turned to Pope Francis and his encyclical “Care for Our Common Home.” Joyce shared the unique aspect of the encyclical, where spirituality and environmental awareness are intertwined. She also mentioned theologian Elizabeth Jansen’s concept of an ecological God, underscoring the deep connection between spirituality and nature.
The Fragility of Earth’s Ecosystem:
As global warming remains a significant concern, Joyce drew attention to the fragility of Earth’s atmosphere. She shared a powerful quote that likened Earth’s protective layer to the fuzz on a tennis ball, emphasizing the thinness that separates us from the vacuum of space. This stark reminder showcased the vulnerability of our planet and the urgency to address environmental issues.
The Motivation Behind Joyce’s Books:
Joyce reflected on her upbringing on a farm, where she developed an intimate relationship with nature. She highlighted the shift in her perception of seeing the divine in nature, from initially being discouraged to later rediscovering it in her twenties. Many of her books reflect this deep connection and encourage readers to explore their own unique relationship with the natural world.
Thomas Berry and Treating Nature as a Community:
Joyce referenced the teachings of cultural historian and ecologist Thomas Berry, who advocated for treating nature 
as a community rather than a mere collection of objects. This perspective fosters a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with the natural world and encourages a more compassionate approach towards it.
Compassion for Creation:
The conversation then delved into Joyce’s book, “Boundless Compassion,” and its focus on compassion for creation. Joyce discussed the challenges of helping people recognize the suffering of nature and the alarming extinction of species. She shared an exercise from her compassion program, where participants contemplate a specific element of nature and empathize with its experiences throughout the seasons. This exercise aims to cultivate a deeper connection and sense of responsibility towards the natural world.
Non-Judgment and the Transformative Power of Pausing:
Margaret Mary and Joyce explored the importance of non-judgment and the transformative power of pausing and connecting with nature. Joyce shared a personal experience of changing her perspective on turkey vultures after a moment of connection with one. She emphasized the need to overcome automatic judgments and biases, while acknowledging the challenge of developing new language to relate to nature.
Conclusion:
Both Margaret Mary and Joyce expressed the need for people to discover that our interactions with the natural world can be both enriching and transformative.
In this insightful conversation, Joyce Rupp and Margaret Mary O’Connor reminded us of the intricate relationship between spirituality and nature. From Earth Day to Pope Francis’ encyclical, from the fragility of Earth’s ecosystem to the teachings of Thomas Berry, and from compassion for creation to the importance of non-judgment and pausing, their discussion illuminated the deep interconnectedness between our inner spiritual lives and the outer natural world.
About Joyce Rupp
Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, spiritual midwife, international retreat leader and conference speaker. She is the author of over thirty bestselling books on topics as diverse as grief, midlife spirituality, poetry, and a memoir of her walk of 450 miles across northern Spain. Her current work includes serving as a consultant to the Boundless Compassion program and companioning others as a spiritual guide. Joyce Rupp is a member of the Servite (Servants of Mary) community and was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years. She resides in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Books by Joyce Rupp on Amazon CLICK HERE
About Margaret Mary O’Connor
Margaret Mary O’Connor, as a member of the Catholic Laity, thought she knew everything about the Catholic Church, at least until she came upon a centuries-old Scandal of lies and cover-up by the Hierarchy of that Church. Frankly, she was fed up being lied to by her own Church, about its own past Church’s History on Women priests. With that realization, she truly felt in that moment, the monumental feeling of betrayal by her own Church.
Follow Margaret, as she travels down this Highway of Radical Truth where lies and outright coverup will be disclosed. Millions of Catholics are unaware of that past presence of Women Bishop’s, Women Deacons, as well as Women Priests, all there hiding in plain sight, in Early Church History.
As the complicity of this centuries-old Scandal continues, Margaret wants her fellow Catholics to learn the actual truth of this matter for themselves. She strongly believes, at minimal, any Catholic deserves the actual truth of this matter. To say that change is needed is hardly an understatement. She doesn’t let the Church’s betrayal stop her from uncovering some very fascinating Church Skeleton’s – one which very well might help solve our current priest
shortage issue today.
Margaret Mary O’Connor has been called, “The Modern Day David” on many occasions. On a mission to reveal carefully guarded secrets of the Catholic Church, she unveils the truth through her well-researched writings. Get her book on Amazon… CLICK HERE
Follow Margaret Mary on the following social media platforms.
Twitter: @yrradicaltruth
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/yourradicaltruth/
