Franciscan Creation Therapy

We live in a busy world. So much is going on. Often, we feel overwhelmed by it all. I don't know about you, but my screen time on my cell phone is too high. And, I see too much depressing news on it.

Spending time outdoors in God's creation can help us deal with the busyness and stress of modern life. It is called nature therapy and there is a good deal of evidence that being in nature helps us cope. In this blog post I sketch out a Franciscan version of nature therapy. It uses techniques associated with Shinrin Yoku, Japanese Forest Bathing, which is related to nature therapy.

To begin, rather than using the word nature the Franciscan version uses the word creation because doing so presupposes a Creator, i.e., God.

In the 13th century, Saint Francis of Assisi spent a lot of time praying to God in the midst of creation. Everything we read about him suggests that he was very mindful of the created world that surrounded him. He was fully present to it. He saw the beauty of God's creation. After a time he saw everything as his brother or sister because he realized everything was created by God and was sustained by God. He saw God's active presence in everything around him and that gave him peace and a different perspective on many aspects of life.

From reading the Little Flowers of Saint Francis, it is clear that Saint Francis spent a lot of time praying in the forest near Assisi. His early followers also spent a lot of time in forests praying and contemplating God.

Regarding the world around us, Saint Bonaventure, the great medieval Franciscan theologian, urged us to open our eyes and attune our ears to see some sign of God in all aspects of creation. Bonaventure saw the contemplation of creation as the first step in a process that he describes that leads to a mystical experience of God.

For Blessed John Duns Scotus, another Franciscan theologian of that era, creation was created for the incarnation of Christ. Every rock, animal and person in some way gives material, outward expression of the Word of God, i.e., Christ.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, a contemporary Franciscan mystic, suggests we reflect on Scripture such as Colossians 3:11 — “There is only Christ. He is everything and he is in everything” — and Colossians 1:19-20 — “Through him all things are reconciled, everything in heaven and everything on earth.” Rohr believes that “everything, " without exception, is the outpouring of God.

By now, it should be clear that creation is important to Franciscans. For Franciscans, God is found in the world. The goodness of God permeates the world.

What I am calling Franciscan Creation Therapy is like nature therapy or Japanese Forest Bathing, but with a Franciscan twist.

Like Forest Bathing, Franciscan Creation Therapy requires mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present, aware of where you are and what you're doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around you. In other words, when you are outside enjoying God's creation don't think about work or family issues. Just be there. Be fully present.

To get started, go to a place where you can enjoy God's creation. That can be the shore or in a forest, woods, a field, a city park, or even a backyard garden.

Then you may want to read or reflect on Francis' poem The Canticle of the Creatures.

By the way, it is important that you unplug from the digital world. You don't want interruptions. Put your cellphone in your pocket and leave it there. You won't need it.

Now relax and take a deep breath.

Your experience of God's creation should not be part of your exercise routine. And, there is no need to rush. Actually, rushing is the last thing you want to do. There is no need to hike for miles, meandering a few hundred feet will do just fine. In fact, you don't need to move much at all.

Concentrate on experiencing your immediate surroundings. Pay attention to what's going on. Note the uniqueness of the things you see and hear.

What sounds do you hear? Do you hear the wind blowing through the trees? Birds singing or geese honking? How about squirrels running through dry leaves?

What textures can you feel? Do different leaves feel different? How about the bark of different trees? Are the rocks you pick up smooth, rough, or sharp?

What can you smell? The flowers? The spicy odor of the leaves of a walnut tree? The fragrance of pine needles?

What colors do you see? Are the leaves different colors? What color is the sky? What shadows do you see? Is the sun glistening off the sand or the water?

What is moving? Are tree limbs blowing in the wind? Is a spider moving across its web? Are squirrels jumping from branch to branch of a nearby tree? Is a hawk soaring overhead? Do you see a hummingbird flitting from flower to flower? Is a caterpillar making its way across your path? Are clouds moving slowly or quickly across the sky?

Once you are satisfied, thank God for the experience and conclude your creation therapy session.

You will find Franciscan Creation Therapy very relaxing and enjoyable. You will feel closer to God. It will help you deal with busyness and stress of modern life. Plus, you may see a drop in your cellphone screen time.

By the way, if you see something that just doesn't belong, e.g., paper wrappers, plastic bottles, pop cans, make a mental note and try to come back later and spend some time caring for God's creation. Try leaving the place you experienced just a little bit better for the next person. You will feel good about that. And so will those who come after you.