Future Sacred:The Connected Creativity of Nature

LOCAL AUTHOR

In Future Sacred: The Connected Creativity of Nature, Julie J. Morely argues against philosophical materialism and suggests that all matter is imbued with spiritual essence. To refute the idea that humans are superior to animal counterparts, Morely describes diverse philosophies that reimagine the relationship between humans and their environment. Though Western culture shifted away from spirituality during the Enlightenment, Morely believes we can reclaim some of the magic that was lost. She suggests that people should meditate on their role within a wider animated universe. Additionally, Morely implores her readers to imagine themselves in a synergistic, symbiotic relationship with fellow beings and ecosystems on Earth. Morely implies that shifting our consciousness toward synergy will ignite the beings of the earth with peace, creativity, and harmony.

I think Morely’s work is important because of its unique spiritual approach to addressing political and ecological problems. Morely argues correctly that our ecological crisis emerges from a global crisis of spirituality. At times, Morely’s work was a bit inaccessible. Additionally, it was not always clear which of the philosophies that she covered mirrored her own views. But overall, I believe Morely’s work addresses global crises from a fresh perspective that extends beyond humanism.