ABOUT US

What is 'Re-Wilding'?

The term 'Re-Wilding' is one that has been used in ecology to describe the process of restoration and renewal that occurs in nature when human control ceases, unnatural systems and relationships are removed, and the native plants, animals, and systems are reintroduced. As time passes, the wounds of the land begin to heal and restoration of the ecological relationships begins to occur.

We believe the human spirit

needs Re-Wilding, too.

Re-Wilding the Spirit is the spiritual health practice of going into Creation with the openness and intention to learn what removal, restoration, introduction, growth, change, or support is needed in a group or individual in order to move towards the restoration of Spiritual Health. This isn't just going for a hike to take in the sights, snap an social media post, or having fun. While these things can be

Re-wild | re'wild |

verb [with object]

to restore or be restored to a natural state (used especially in ecology) by

relinquishing human oversight or cultivation (of a living system or place) so

that the natural ecological rhythms can restore a healthy equilibrium.

parts of self-care, spiritual health, and relationship building, Re-Wilding the Spirit is something more. It is designed to be a guided Spiritual Health experience which involves support from professionally trained Spiritual Health Care Providers, support staff, and consulting professionals in order to meet predetermined goals and provide support during times of loss, transition, life changes, and burn-out of all kinds.

What is Spiritual Health?

Spiritual Health, (also called Spiritual Well-being), is not the same as religion or religious practice, though many religious beliefs and practices can help strengthen Spiritual Health. Spiritual health is defined as the formation and and continued strengthening of meaningful connections with self, others, nature, and Creator/transcendent being. (Jaberi et al, 2017) We believe that these connections are healthiest when they are understood and practiced as both interconnected and inseparable from each other.

In recent years, some Spiritual Health practitioners and researchers would add that a meaningful connection with God or transcendent being is not necessary for maintaining spiritual health. What is consistent amongst the many definitions of Spiritual health is the idea of making, keeping, and honoring meaningful connections with the relationships that are most important to an individual.

Many atheists, agnostics, and post-religious people practice Spiritual Health and Spiritual Care because meaningful connections with self, others, and nature are just as important to them as they are for everyone else.

We affirm and support these individuals, organizations, and groups and seek to serve anyone seeking to grow in their Spiritual Health, no matter their belief or relationship in/with a Creator/transcendent being.

Are Spiritual Health and Religion Related?

Many individuals ground their spiritual health to religious beliefs. A huge variety of vibrant, healthy, beautiful, and important traditions and practices have arisen based on religious beliefs across the world. Things like prayer, meditation, reading sacred texts, singing, feasting, fasting, celebrating, mourning, rites of passage, rituals of induction, and other religious activities offer life-giving connections with self, others, God, and Creation. However, religious affiliation does not guarantee a healthy spiritual life and or ensure a healthy spiritual environment for everyone to practice Spiritual Health;

it is in forging meaningful connections, building healthy relationships, sharing experiences, and practicing shared beliefs that religiousness can become life giving. Without these things, religion is no more that a list of rules which kill the spirit and the unique beauty the Creator instilled within it.

Sadly, some westernized religions have left behind or transposed a meaningful connection to nature with dogma that instead dictates the exploitation and dominion over nature. They may have beliefs about how the natural world came to be or what it's purpose is relative to humankind, yet very few have maintained provide the theological tools and practices of faith which keep a meaningful connection with the Creation alive. Some religious traditions have gone so far as to confuse healthy spiritual relationships with the Creation with worship of nature or idolatry.

We believe that there is a desperate need to within many religious traditions to Re-Wild the very understanding and relationship with Creation as a pressing theological concern, especially when we understand how very interconnected the way we treat the Creation is with how we treat others, practice justice, and honor the Divine.

Many communities of faith and religious individuals are ready and hungry to Re-Wild their connection with the Creation and to use this experience to Re-wild their Faith, their practices, their creeds, and their beliefs.

Theological resources and support for groups and individuals seeking to do this work is one of the services we offer. Please see 'Retreats & Services' for more information.

Commonly Asked Questions:

Are you a Church or Religious Group?

No. We are not a Church, though some of us are professionally and religiously trained clergy, pastors, and chaplains whose religious beliefs form a foundation for the way we live and work. We are also not a religious organization, though we offer services to support and meet the needs of religious AND non-religious individuals, groups, and organizations.

Aren't Spiritual Organizations Supposed to be Not-for-profit?

'Not-for-profit' and 'for-profit' are terms which identify how organizations are taxed and can receive money. Because we provide professional services to individuals, groups, and organizations, we function best under the law as a for-profit business as our services are attached to very specific expenses. This means also we don't accept donations or financial gifts. We would encourage you use your financial gifts to support religious groups, non-profits, and/or charities that are especially important to you.