Hosted in partnership with the American Conservation Film Festival March 6-9, 2025
DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED Come discover the sacred teachings of the forest with Leah Rampy as she presents her latest book, Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees. Join us for a profound exploration of the deep connection between humanity and the natural world, a relationship that has the power to soothe, guide, and inspire us in challenging times. In her book, coauthored with Beth Norcross, Rampy blends spirituality and ecology, inviting us to see trees not just as natural wonders but as soul friends with wisdom from millennia of resilience and renewal. Whether you find comfort in the roots of an old oak, the blossoming beauty of a cherry tree, or the quiet strength of a pine, The Spiritual Wisdom of Trees opens a doorway to understanding trees as gentle teachers and ministers. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with the authors’ practices and insights drawn from over two decades of guiding forest walks, retreats, and pilgrimages. It’s a chance to reflect on how the wisdom of trees can nurture resilience and hope, grounding us in a deeper spiritual connection amid the ecological uncertainties we face today. Join us in an intimate gathering, where science and spirituality intertwine to foster a fuller appreciation for the beauty and sacredness of our natural world. |
There is great wisdom to learn from trees, and when we connect intimately with them, we can deepen our spiritual lives and grow in the understanding that all beings are part of the fabric of the holy.
There's something about a majestic redwood, the sweet pink blossoms of a cherry tree in spring, or even a scrawny little pine that moves us in ways we don't fully comprehend. Trees have much to offer as soul friends, and their millennia of growth and loss provide deep wisdom, if we know how to pay attention. The Spiritual Wisdom of Trees encourages us to revel in the beauty and wonder of trees as they increase our capacity to bear witness to loss and grief. Integrating science and spirituality, coauthors Beth Norcross and Leah Rampy explore the knowledge held within the living world of trees and planted within each of us.
Drawing on extensive experience in both forest ecology and spirituality, Norcross and Rampy invite us into a deep mutual relationship with trees, whose wisdom provides comfort, resilience, guidance, and hope during these challenging times. Living amid the uncertainty of climate chaos and biodiversity loss, we experience loneliness, anxiety, grief, and fear. Such times call us to a fuller spiritual presence, richer connections to the world around us, and a deeper knowing that all are held within a sacred web of life.
Pulling from the Center for Spirituality in Nature organization's coursework, Norcross and Rampy offer us guidance and practices based on their experiences leading walks, retreats, and pilgrimages for over two decades. Having witnessed the profound healing and restorative power of trees, they offer us the wisdom of trees as wordless ministers to weary souls. When we learn the ecology of the forest and how to be present in nature, our eyes are opened to the awe and wonder of our world, deepening our sense of sacred oneness.
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