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Discover the elemental approach to spirituality—keys to self-healing and re-connection to the earth.
"When we explore and savor and interact with these elements, we are both remembering a primal connection and forging it anew. Welcome, then, to this travel guide for a journey with a particular purpose: connecting with the elements that are so basic and universal to all of us. We will look at the many ways that different faiths have danced with earth, water, fire, and air throughout history, coming to a deeper appreciation of each way's uniqueness and a greater respect for one another’s paths, at the same time remembering the commonality of our human beginnings."
—from the Preface
The root of human spirituality is grounded in four elements—earth, water, fire and air. They are common to all people and almost every spiritual path; they are the keys to our understanding of Spirit; and they can help you achieve personal fulfillment and re-connection with others.
This inspiring guidebook explains the role of the elements in different faith traditions and how they’ve been incorporated into religious practices and ceremonies. You will be encouraged to explore your own spiritual connection to the elements through engaging activities, enlightening meditations and evocative poems and prayers.
Earth, Water, Fire & Air is a celebration of how all people are connected by the elements. You will come away with a deeper relationship to others, your own spirit, and this sacred planet.
You can’t help but be drawn into the elemental approach to spirituality detailed in these pages. Identifying the four basic elements as humanity’s first ways of knowing Spirit and reminding us of their value for spiritual nourishment, Earth, Water, Fire & Air reveals our human interconnectedness and offers a fascinating look at element-based symbols, traditions and ceremonies.
Explore the spiritual traditions that have incorporated the elements into their practices, including:
Buddhism • Christianity • Earth-honoring paths • Hinduism • Islam • Judaism
Creative activity suggestions serve to enrich our spiritual relationship with each element—both individually and in community with others—and to help us discover how deeply nourishing it can be to live in an elemental way.
"This is a beautifully written book that weaves together the wisdom of many traditions with unique and creative practices to deepen our connections with the elements. Cait Johnson is a marvelous guide through the elements that make up our world, our bodies and our souls."
—Tom Cowan, author of Fire in the Head: Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit and The Shaman's Quest: Journeys in an Ancient Spiritual Practice
"Drawing from the diverse and yet profoundly similar teachings of the world's faith traditions, this is a must-have book for both the beginning spiritual journeyer and the seasoned traveler. Through guided meditations, simple activities and thoughtful questions, one is gently led to understand the basic elements of all human existence."
—Carole Ann Camp, coauthor of Labyrinths from the Outside In: Walking to Spiritual Insight—A Beginner’s Guide
"Opens up the deep, rich possibility to transform your relationship to these basic elements with fascinating facts and stories and simple, yet profound visualizations, meditations and exercises. It is a book to savor."
—Kay Lindahl, author of The Sacred Art of Listening: Forty Reflections for Cultivating a Spiritual Practice
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
Earth 1
Introducing Earth 3
Earth Prayer 7
1. The Nurturing Ground 9
Being with the Earth 15
Growing Earth-Love 16
Seed-Thoughts on Earth as Great Nourisher 17
2. The Underworld 21
Underground Journey to the Roots 26
Seed-Thoughts on Earth as Underworld 28
3. The Sacred Stone 31
Rock-Prayer 40
Cave of Safety 41
Seed-Thoughts on Earth as Sacred Stone 42
4. The Holy Garden Grove 45
Spirit-Garden 50
Tree of Your Inner Spirit 51
Seed-Thoughts on Earth as Holy Garden Grove 53
Water 57
Introducing Water 59
Water Prayer 61
05. The Great Maternal Sea 63
Bath of Form and Formlessness 67
Grieving with Water 68
Reflections on Water as the Mystery of Life/Death/Life 69
06. The Universal Solvent 71
The Well of Releasing 79
Washing Away Fear 79
Reflections on Water as Purifier 80
07. The Compassionate Healer 83
Drinking Sacred Waters 90
Journey to the Undersea Chamber of the Heart 92
Reflections on Water as Compassionate Healer 94
08. The Deep Creative 97
Creative Water Play 104
The Nature of Rain 105
Reflections on Water as Creative Source
and That Which Is 107
Fire 109
Introducing Fire 111
Fire Prayer 113
09. The Destroyer/Liberator 115
Liberating Fire 122
Illuminating the Face of Fire as Destroyer/Liberator 123
10. The Flame of Life and Spirit 127
Flame Song and Visualization 135
Guided Journey to the Spirit of Fire 136
Sacred Fire Shrine 138
Illuminating the Face of Fire as the Flame of
Life and Spirit 139
Air 143
Introducing Air 145
Air Prayer 149
11. The Inspirer 151
Incense Meditation 157
Breaths of Fresh Air as the Inspirer 159
12. The Breath-Bridge 163
Journey to the Breath 169
Breaths of Fresh Air as the Breath-Bridge 171
13. The Power of Sound 175
Sound Prayer 185
Breaths of Fresh Air as the Power of Sound 186
Notes 191
Further Reading 197