Living in an Icon: Online Course 

Many people feel closer to God in nature than at church. How can growing closer to nature bring us closer to God? 

Overview:

The contemplation of nature historically has played a key role in traditional monastic formation. How can we apply this practice to life in the twenty-first century? How can we learn to encounter God everywhere and in everything? How can this help us make our entire life a prayer? This experiential course uses the first part, “Waking Up,” of the Center for Religion and Environment’s Living in an Icon program to introduce participants to nature contemplation as a means of growing closer to God and to creation. Each lesson emphasizes a new practice that builds on the practice from the previous session. Participants must have access to a quiet backyard, park, or some other somewhat natural quiet area. 

Course Instructor: Robin Gottfried, Center Director 

Course preparation. Getting started

• The Christian tradition of nature contemplation
• Reorientation and Noticing 

Session I. Delight, Surprise and Wonder (September 11)

Session II. Appreciation and Respect (September 18)

Session III. Concentration: Getting in Touch (September 25)

Session IV. Thanksgiving: The Formation of Right Attitude (October 2)

Robin Gottfried serves as the director of the Center for Religion and Environment. Long known for his passion for environmental economics and sustainable development, he has conducted research on land use change and forest policy, as well as the economic impacts of development and other economic activity in the U.S., Costa Rica, and elsewhere. Gottfried helped spearhead the creation of Sewanee’s environmental studies program and served as its first chair. He also helped start the College’s Landscape Analysis (GIS) Lab. He is the author of Economics, Ecology and the Roots of Western Faith: Perspectives from the Garden, Living in an Icon: A Program for Growing Closer to Creation and to God, and numerous articles on land use change, forest policy, and sustainable development as well as articles addressing the interface of social science, ecotheology and spirituality. Robin blogs on religion and environment, loves to hike, and plays classical, Appalachian and Latin American music.

Register Now!

The course fee is $200. Please contact the course instructor, Robin Gottfried (rgottfri@sewanee.edu) should you require financial aid to be able to attend the course. The Center is committed to making its offerings available to everyone desiring to take them regardless of their ability to pay.