Franciscan Creation Therapy 2.0

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. 

There is lots of evidence that spending time outdoors in nature can help us deal with the busyness and stress of modern life. 

On the drive back from a camping trip in South Carolina in the fall of 2018, I listened to a podcast about Shinrin Yoku (Japanese Forest Bathing), a form of nature therapy. In a fall 2018 blog post, I sketched out a Franciscan version of what I call Franciscan Creation Therapy.

In the spring of 2021, after flying kites with a few of my grandchildren, I thought about the topic again and decided to update my original post. 

Let’s begin at the beginning. The Book of Genesis declares on each day of creation that “God saw that it was good” (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). On the sixth day, with the creation of humanity, God saw that it was “very good” (Gen. 1:31). 

St. Francis praised the goodness of God and recognized the goodness of God’s creation, so, rather than using the word nature, I use the word creation because doing so acknowledges a Creator, i.e., God. 

After his conversion, 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, was sustained by God, and was worthy of respect. Everything was family. To see what I mean, you may want to read and reflect on Francis' poem The Canticle of the Creatures. He saw God's active presence in everything around him and that gave him peace and a different perspective on all of life. 

Regarding the world around us, Saint Bonaventure, the great medieval Franciscan theologian, who is considered to be the second founder of the Franciscan movement, urged us to open our eyes and attune our ears to see a sign of God in all aspects of creation. Bonaventure thought of the Triune God as an eternal fountain creating and sustaining all of creation at every moment. Bonaventure saw the contemplation of creation as the first step in a process that leads to a mystical experience of the Triune God. The first two chapters Bonaventure’s book The Soul’s Journey into God are most relevant for our purpose. In these two chapters, Bonaventure encourages us to use our senses (seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting) to experience God’s creation. 

For Blessed John Duns Scotus, another Franciscan theologian of the medieval era, all of creation was created for the incarnation of Christ. Every rock, animal and person in some way gives material, outward expression, some sign of the Word of God, i.e., Christ. Clearly, creation is important to Franciscans. For Franciscans, evidence of God is found in the world. It is all around us. 

Now, let’s take a closer look at what I am calling Franciscan Creation Therapy. It 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 politics, 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. 

Here are a few things not to do. 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. 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.

Now relax and take a deep breath. 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 with a prayer praising God. 

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.