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Details: Written by: Kamran Mofid; Published: 02 March 2014; Hits: 3889

Wolves of Yellowstone

Gray Wolf Facts | Yellowstone Wildlife Guide

Photo:nathab.com

‘Gray wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995, resulting in a trophic cascade through the entire ecosystem. After the wolves were driven extinct in the region nearly 100 years ago, scientists began to fully understand their role in the food web as a keystone species.’- National Geographic

Writing in the Telegraph, 1 March 2014, Richard Gray, science correspondent of The Sunday Telegraph, notes that ‘Humans are known for their ability to reshape the landscape around them, but other animals also have the capacity to change their environments.

‘Known as trophic cascades, animals at the top of the food chain can cause a series of changes in behaviour in the animals they prey upon that can lead to changes in plant growth and even in geography.

‘This video tells the story of what happened when Yellowstone National Park reintroduced wolves in 1995, nearly 68 years since the last wild wolf in the park was killed.

‘If introducing one species of animal can have such a large impact, just image what the loss of a species will do to an ecosystem. Dozens of species become extinct each year – what is their loss doing to our environment?

Watch the Viedo:

How Wolves Change Rivers

See the original article:

Video: How wolves have the power to move rivers - Telegraph

Wish to read more?

My Guest Blogger Steve Szeghi-The Power of Yellowstone

The Beauty of Yellowstone National Park

Details: Written by: Kamran Mofid; Published: 27 February 2014; Hits: 8958

“Spiritual Wisdom in Everyday Life”

Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI)

12th Annual International Conference

Up-dates and Final Call for Presentation and Participation

What is the relationship between the inner life of spirit and the outer life of service in the interest of the Common Good? *What spiritual values apply in economics, education, business, management and ecology? *How can the secular and sacred elements of life be better integrated to advance the common good? *How can the wisdom and insight gained through inner exploration be used to better our individual and collective health?

The 12th GCGI Annual International Conference and our 2^nd Joint Summit with the School of Economic Science will take place August 31-4 September 2014, at Waterperry House near Oxford.

In this time of turbulence and uneasiness, people’s hearts are surrounded by anxiety and uncertainty. Through collective efforts, the inner calling for kindness and goodness will be awakened and we will construct a world with harmony and stability for the common good.

This year, we expect over 100 leaders from business, government, academia, civil society, international organisations, youth forums, media and religions to join us at the Conference. Together we will analyse the current state of globalisation and define a more harmonious and peaceful path towards the common good. Please consider joining us, either by submitting your abstract for consideration to present, or by just coming to the Conference, to share your vision and insight with us all.

Why Participate?

*Meet international speakers and opinion leaders

*Participate in plenary sessions

*Participate in the interactive workshops and seminars

*Engage in inter-generational dialogue

*Network with national and international personalities

*Share and promote your projects with Summit partners

*Participate in the socio-cultural activities

Meet our Keynote Speakers:

Luk Bouckaert, emeritus professor of ethics at the Catholic University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven, Belgium) and President of the European SPES Forum, Belgium) www.spes-forum.be & www.eurospes.be

Dr. Ulrich Duchrow, Professor of systematic theology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany and Co-founder and moderator of Kairos Europa Homepage of Ulrich Duchrow

Prof. Farhang Jahanpour, former Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Languages at the University of Isfahan, a former Senior Fulbright Research Scholar at Harvard, and former Editor, Middle East and North Africa, the BBC. For the past 28 years he has taught at the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Oxford and is a member of Kellogg College.

Mr. Ian Mason, Principal of the School of Economic Science, London, UK

Prof. Kamran Mofid, Founder, Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative (GCGI), UK

Dr. Walter Schwimmer, Former Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Chairman of the International Coordination Committee (ICC) of the World Public Forum – Dialogue of Civilizations (WPFDC), and President of the European Democracy Forum in Strassburg.

Among our leading speakers and Contributors:

Dr. Michael Britton, Director, "Global Appreciative Culturing", USA; and Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, Norway

Dr. Peter Bowman, Head of Economics, School of Economic Science, UK

Come Carpentier De Gourdon, Convener-Editor, Journal of World Affairs, India

Deon Cloete, PhD candidate at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) in Cape Town, South Africa

Sesto Giovanni Castagnoli, Evolutant and Entrepreneur, Founder, WSF World Spirit Forum, Switzerland

Prof. Jamshid Damooei, Co-director, Centre for Leadership and Values, School of Management, California Lutheran University, USA

Rosemary Dewan,Chief Executive, Human Values Foundation, UK

Prof. Rita Ghesquière, emeritus professor of comparative literature at the Catholic University of Leuven (KULeuven, Belgium)

Dr. Gherardo Girardi, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Faculty of Business & Law, London Metropolitan University, UK

Prof. Linda Groff, Director, Global Options Consulting and Prof., Political Science & Future Studies, California State University, USA

Peter Holland, School of Economic Science, London, UK

Yahya R. Kamalipour, PhD, Professor of Communication, Founder & Director, Center for Global Studies, Purdue University Calumet, USA

Mr. Murat Karimsakov, President, Eurasian Economic Club of Scientists Association, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan

Dr. Audrey E. Kitagawa, JD, President/Founder of the International Academy for Transcultural Cooperation, President, Light of Awareness International Spiritual Family, Founding Trustee, New York City Peace Museum, and host of Our Sacred Journey on World Talk Radio, Voice America 7th Wave Channel, USA

Dr. Shirish Nathwani, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, member of the Spiritual Heritage Education Network (SHEN), Canada

Ms. Dinara Karshalova Orazovna, Press Secretary, Eurasian Economic Club of Scientists Association, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan

Mr. Paul Palmarozza, Partner, Principled Business, and Head of Philosophy in Business group, School of Economic Science, UK

Dr. Fabio Petito, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Department of International Relations, University of Sussex, UK

Dr. Uli Spalthoff, Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies, Germany

Prof. Steve Szeghi, Dept of Economics, Wilmington College, Ohio, USA

Dr. Maurizio Tinnirello, International Relations, Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano in Bogotá, Colombia

Meet Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr. Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia
The 3^rd Recipient of the (GCGI) Award for Public Service in the Interest of the Common Good

The Award will be presented at a special ceremony during the Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative’s 12th Anniversary Gala Dinner hosted at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford on the evening of Wednesday 3 September 2014.

Conference details and registration:

GCGI 2014 Oxford Conference: Call for Presentation and Participation

Photo: coolgraphic.org

Details: Written by: Kamran Mofid; Published: 25 February 2014; Hits: 3452

N.B. This article was first published on 25 February 2014 under the title of ‘What is religious naturalism?’ Given the publication of ONS Census of England and Wales 2021 findings on the significant decline of religiosity and Christianty in England and Wales, as well as the general decline in religious belief and practices globally, and the overall attachment of our humanity to Mother Earth, I firmly believe that this post deserves further consideration. (Updated on 30 November 2022)

Mother Earth as Healer and Teacher

Rhythms of Nature Ushering in a Better World

Goddess Gaia

A Natural Longing, A Holy Longing

Uploaded image

'I was only fourteen years old when I left home to become a Catholic nun. I thought the “religious life” is what I needed to satisfy a holy longing within me – a longing to be connected with what is sacred. I remained in the convent for eleven years, and found that certain aspects of the religious life did, indeed, feed my soul. I loved the times of silence and meditation; and I was deeply moved by the singing of the psalms and the reading of the parables. Yet, some of the teachings of the church contradicted what I felt and believed about the natural world and our relationship with it...'- A Natural Longing, A Holy Longing

Our Path to Believing and Healing in the Company of Mother Nature and our Sacred Earth

Naturalism as Religion

'Nature is my religion, Earth is my temple.'

Cypress Trees, Caddo Lake.-Photo:Pinterest

Let Me Know What is Essential- Let Me Walk in Beauty

‘O Great Spirit,

whose voice I hear in the winds

and whose breath gives life to all the world,

hear me.

I am small and weak.

I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty

and let my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made

and my ears grow sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise so that I may understand the things

you have taught my people.

Let me learn the lessons you have hidden

in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength not to be greater than my brother or sister

but to fight my greatest enemy, myself.

Make me always ready

to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes

So when life fades as the fading sunset

my spirit may come to you without shame.’

- Chief Yellow Lark, a nineteenth-century Lakota elder.

'Earth Is A Mother Who Never Dies’- A saying from the Diné (or Navajo) people

Image via Mystic Investigations

World in Chaos and Despair: The Healing Power of Mother Earth

'We are an integral part of Nature, which we cherish, revere and preserve in all its magnificent beauty and diversity. We strive to live in harmony with Nature locally and globally. We acknowledge the inherent value of all life, human and non-human, and treat all living beings with compassion and respect.'

'In the absence of the sacred, nothing is sacred. Everything is for sale.' - Oren R. Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle clan

Imagining and Taking Action to Build a Better World

…And Being Transformed by Nature

‘Religious naturalism deserves recognition as an important form of religious faith among the various religious stances and outlooks of the world. It does so especially today, when its significance is coming to be increasingly acknowledged, vigorously developed, and actively propounded. What is religious naturalism? Simply put, it is the recognition that to be is to be natural and the conviction that nature in all of its forms and manifestations is a proper focus of religious commitment.

‘Religious naturalism maintains that our central task in life and the deepest fulfillment of our existence is to serve nature, not to think, act, or react as if nature were put here to serve us. Nature is not to be regarded as mere raw material for human use but is to be reverenced as having ultimate, abiding, and inexhaustible worth. Its vast reaches of space and time do not center on us, but we are products of its evolutionary processes here on earth and an integral part of the earth-wide community of living beings sustained by our respective natural environments. The environments of humans may be modified by human technology, but they are still at bottom aspects of nature turned to human use.

‘Should nature be worshipped or prayed to, then? Does it have an overall purpose? Can the fact of its existence be explained without recourse to God or to a transcendent, non-natural source or ground akin to God? Is religious commitment to the ultimacy of nature a form of pantheism? Can it have religious meaning without being acknowledged as the creation of God, without relying from moment to moment on the sustaining power and presence of God? Is nature not rife with indifferent danger, destructiveness, and waste, and thus hardly qualifying for religious reverence and commitment? Exactly how or in what ways can nature assure us religiously, call forth our utmost dedication and commitment, or empower us to live richly meaningful and amply fulfilling lives? In short, can nature save us?

‘We come into being and we pass away. But while we are here we can strive to make the most significant contributions we can to the ongoingness of life on earth. The meaning of our lives is measured by the quality of our experience and awareness here and now and by what we give to the earth and its creatures, not by expectation of an endless life to come. Our influences can live after us and be sown into the fabric of lives of those who come after us, humans and nonhumans alike. The emphasis throughout is not on egoistic preoccupation with endless personal survival but on doing as much with our relatively brief lives as we can for the good of others. This is privilege enough and more than gift enough.

‘There is much suffering, pain, and deprivation in the nonhuman aspects of nature and among human beings, and we should devote our energies to preventing or alleviating these sufferings, pains, and deprivations as far and as appropriately as we can. Religion of Nature demands this of us. An essential part of the meaning of our lives is what we do and are called on to do to address and minister to the needs of others.’

“Religious Naturalism and Its Place in the Family of Religions”

This was the title of an article by Donald A. Crosby which was posted at the Westar Institute website. It really caught my eye and my imagination. It is a really fascinating and inspiring article. Thus, I thought that I must share it with you.

Donald A. Crosby is emeritus professor of philosophy at Colorado State University. He has expounded religious naturalism in three books: A Religion of Nature (2002), Living with Ambiguity: Religious Naturalism and the Menace of Evil (2008), and The Thou of Nature: Religious Naturalism and Reverence for Sentient Life (2013). He lives in Tallahassee, Florida.

Read the entire article: Religious Naturalism and Its Place in the Family of Religions « Westar Institute Westar Institute

'Let nature be your teacher'- William Wordsworth