The Natural Mirrors the Spiritual

The Natural Mirrors the Spiritual 

The Pattern:
   Natural things mirroring Spiritual things are observed in the characteristics that are shared between the visible and the invisible, or the tangible and the intangible. Our starting point for understanding is not the Spiritual but rather the natural. We begin our trajectory of maturity comprehending the visible things first, and then the invisible. We do not teach infants about hidden mysteries or laws of nature before introducing them first to the tangible, visible world that they can physically see, taste, touch, smell and hear. While there is a natural progression here to move from the natural toward the spiritual, we also find it useful to measure the spiritual against the natural. Especially when coming from cultural or religious narratives, we run the potential for an ego packed norm or story line that does not match the message we find in the voice of the natural. Thus the value of two voices being better than one. ??? Nature has no ego and in many ways is the more trustworthy witness probably because it has the more visceral effect on our natural bodies. The natural, as compared to the spiritual, seems to be what catches our first glance. However, we need them both.

The Principle:

• We observe the spiritual through the natural.  The invisible through the visible.
• First comes the natural then comes the Spiritual. (1 Corinthians 15.46)
• The principles and patterns in the natural are the same principles and patterns in the spiritual.
• One realm offers accountability to the other.
• The natural and spiritual are more one than they are separate. 

The Practice:

• We look for correlating narratives between biblical principles, cultural norms, accepted practices and the laws of nature and we structure our farm, family and community accordingly. 
• Were we find agreement, we move forward in confidence. Where the spiritual and natural do not agree we move cautiously and with humility, willing to change direction.