FATHER CHARLES BRANDT – MEDITATIONS FROM THE WILDERNESS & SOLAR SUNDAY
~ the Brandt Series ~
“Photographs give me the opportunity to show people what’s out there. You have to fall in love with the natural world to want to care for it.”
Text and photos by Fr. Charles Brandt (except where noted)
Red Elderberry with Rufous Hummingbird
& 60,000 Pink Salmon return to the Recovering Tsolum River in 2013
Meditations from the Wilderness ~ (part two)
~ by Charles A.E. Brandt ~
Historically we have gone to the wilderness for different reasons. The early rishis went into the forest to offer sacrifice and to live in harmony with the universe.
The early Christian hermits in the third and fourth centuries went into the desert of the Scete to practice perfect charity and constant prayer. Henry David Thoreau went to Walden Pond to find out what life was all about. Tom Merton went into the wilderness of Gethsemane to fulfill his need for solitude and to live a responsible “care-free” life.
Aldo Leopold, the father of North American ecology, discovered in the Sand County of Wisconsin that he could no longer pose as one with control over nature, and that he was simply a member of the biotic community. As he underwent his conversion, he began to ‘think like a mountain.” (Click this link for a short video of Fr. Brandt speaking about Aldo Leopold)
In our own day, Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme give us guidance through their “Universe Story,” the wilderness of the universe. They make it clear that if we grasp this “New Story” we must first enter into communion with the natural world.
We must come to realize that the natural world is a community of subjects to be communed with, not a collection of objects to be exploited. To do this, I believe, requires a transformation of consciousness. We must give birth to our deep, true self that lies awakened. Indeed the greatest thing we can do for the earth and for the universe is to become who we are…
Painting by.Sr. Mary Southard
If we are to move into a meaningful sustainable future, it is necessary to bring the human community into a greater presence of the natural world in a mutually enhancing manner to form a single sacred community, as we once again establish a relationship of communion with the natural world.
Charles A.E. Brandt
One more thought for a Solar Sunday. . .
“I greet the sun each morning just by reflecting for just a moment on the vastness of the sun, a million times the size of the Earth, in bestowing all this energy. And just in that moment, I remember that we are spinning around the star, and it’s because of the star’s energy that we exist. So that we are this star in a new form. And by doing that I remember my cosmological dimension. And it puts everything in perspective for the whole day.”
~ Brian Swimme ~
Image from Journey of the Universe – Brian Swimme
Google Image
Embrace Sun Day
and this Earth Day
Every Day
through the luminary lens 
I`m looking for a copy of Meditations from the Wilderness. Can you help me?
Have you tried Amazon. It may be out of print I’m not sure. Good luck Karen.
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A beautiful and eloquent walk thru God’s glorious nature. Thanks to Fr. Charles and all. Sr. Pascaline
Thank you Sister Pascaline.
Really beautiful in every way. Thank-you.
Your welcome Claire.
Awesome photos. I can feel the close connection to Mother Earth in all these images.
From an awesome creative soul and a pro as yourself, high praise indeed. Thanks Otto, on behalf of Charles.
Beautiful photos of the natural world. I also appreciate that communing with nature is the way to change the story. We have the opportunity to be naturalists making a difference.
Charles has an amazing sense for the amazing natural wonders that surround us, and he has dedicated his 90+ years to bringing this sense to others. And it is so true that when we spend time to re-connect with nature, be it a wilderness area or our own back yard garden, some how it change us – it changes our story – and for the better. Thanks for your comment, Debra.
My wife and I are considering selling our home and living and working on the road some day. Maybe build a micro house at some point. Your photos make me want to do it yesterday…thanks a lot, Bruce. 😉
It’s interesting you say that – Charles has a little camper van that he sometimes travels in. It’s a micro house in itself. And the idea of downsizing is totally cool – so against everything which is destroying the world and our humanity along with it. I think you mentioned the Rocky mountains once. Best of luck with you and wife’s endeavours.
A note of clarification – most of these photos within the Brandt series (but not all) are by Charles himself. In this post I failed to make that note, which I have known rectified in the header.
By the way Jeff- I have no idea how Charles takes photos of those hummingbirds – other than he also has a degree in ornithology. He is also a quiet, soft spoken and patient person.
Bruce, thank you for remembering the mother of all, the earth, with stunningly beautiful photos and thoughts about what matters most in life — all our relations.
Your welcome Carol – indeed, to all our relations.
going into the wilderness
camera witnessing
stirring with Brandt’s inspired words
serving a meaningful homage
to the mother
just in time
for her day(s) 🙂
Lovely reflection, David, that is helping me smile. 😉 It is wonderful to hear from you.
Peace, happiness, and wellness – Bruce
Reblogged this on nicciattfield.
Thanks for re-blogging Meditations in the Wilderness. I hope people can check out the text as well. Best regards – Bruce.
Cheers to a fabulous post full of magnificent photographs, and wisely sympathetic thoughts! Uncle Tree
Your welcome Uncle Tree – glad you enjoyed the beauty and the wisdom.