Seeing Nature as a Friend with Brian McLaren

Learning How to See with Brian McLaren

Center for Action and Contemplation

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 748 Ratings

🗓️ 12 December 2024

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Can we cultivate a relationship with the natural world which mirrors the care and concern we would offer a dear friend? How do you foster hope in the midst of an unruly world? In this conversation, Brian McLaren is prompted by CAC Staff members Corey Wayne and Mike Petrow, to reflect on his journey from pastor to writer and public speaker. Brian discusses the interconnectedness of nature and spirituality, the need for respect and boundaries in our relationship with the natural world, and the urgency of advocating for environmental issues in light of current political and ecological challenges. The three discuss the historical context of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, the inescapability of our current crises, and the various responses individuals have to these challenges (fight, flight, freeze, flock). They explore the importance of community and connection in times of despair, emphasizing the role of love and nature in cultivating hope and resilience. The discussion leaves us asking how we can be better friends to the earth and to each other amidst the complexities of modern life. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Brian's book, Life After Doom is referenced in this episode. Connect with us: Email us: podcasts@cac.org Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome everyone to learning how to see.
0:10.0	I have a special opportunity in this last episode of the season.
0:15.0	I am this time in the interviewee seat,
0:19.0	and so I get a chance to respond to questions that come from our producer,
0:25.0	Corey, Wayne, and from Mike Petro, head of F3, an important team at the Center for Action and Contemplation.
0:33.9	So my friends, I'm happy to be with you and looking forward to this conversation.
0:39.2	It's always great to be with you, Brian. Hey, I just wanted to start this off since you're now in
0:43.4	the interview EC. You always begin your interviews by asking your guest to introduce themselves.
0:48.4	And while we've heard you introduce yourself in a couple of different ways across each of the
0:52.3	episodes, how would you introduce yourself today?
0:56.6	Well, let's see. I first would say, I live in southwest Florida. It is a beautiful late fall,
1:04.5	winterish day here, which for us means temperatures are perfect in the 70s today, beautiful sunshine. Yeah, I just said to my wife a few
1:13.5	minutes ago, this is the kind of day in the middle of the summer when it's 93 degrees and
1:18.8	super humid where we can't believe it will ever be this nice again. So it's a beautiful day here.
1:24.3	I was born in upstate New York and lived in Maryland most of my life.
1:28.4	And I was a pastor for 24 years before that, a college English teacher.
1:33.3	And for the last 17 years or so have been a writer and public speaker.
1:39.8	And I get to do creative and enjoyable things with people like you too.
1:44.1	Amazing. Thanks, Brian. Dr. Mike Petro, how would you introduce yourself?
1:48.9	Oh my gosh. I was utterly and completely unprepared for this question. I would introduce myself
1:53.5	as a nature-loving, mystic with occasional scholarly proclivities,
2:00.0	companion by good friends, amazing teachers,
	...

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