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Mysticism and Nature
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Mysticism and Nature

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Humanities/Philosophies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 3365

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Cristóbal Serrán-Pagán y Fuentes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Philosophy, Palacky University, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Interests: comparative mysticism; Spanish mysticism; St. John of the Cross; Thomas Merton; Teilhard de Chardin; world religions; philosophy of religion; interfaith dialogue; philosophy, religion and films; the interface of science and religion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The ecological crises that we are experiencing around the world from an increased occurance of natural phenomena such as fires, droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, and so on, cannot be ignored any longer: the future of the Earth and her children is at stake. Scientists have been predicting these natural castrophic events for decades based on data collected over the last century. Yet, there are people and institutions who are not willing to acknowledge this urgent call to action, for many different reasons. It is from this point that this Special Issue on Mysticism and Nature draws its significance. That is, we are in urgent need of finding new ways in which to address the impact of climate change and global warming for human and non-human beings living on Earth.

We are pleased to welcome the submission of your recent work to this Special Issue, addressing how any authentic mystic (for instance, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Nhat Hanh, the XIV Dalai Lama, Francis of Assisi, Blake, Thoreau, J. Muir, A. Schweitzer, Einstein, Merton, E. Cardenal, L. Boff, de Chardin, R. Panikkar, T. Berry, G. Snyder, B. Lopez, W. Berry, A. Naess, Ruether, McFague, M. Fox, Rohr, Pope Francis, K. Armstrong, and Starhawk, among many others) examined at least one major environmental, spiritual, or eco-justice issue through contemplation or criticism (for example, animal rights, land rights, indigenous rights, ecofeminism, overpopulation, global diseases, healing and reconciliation, war and peace, interfaith and ecumenical meeting, etc.). The overall focus of this Special Issue is to examine their spiritual legacies on what sort of eco-wisdom is available to us in the twenty first century. The purpose of this Special Issue is to bring together the work of scholars from different fields of research in a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary way. The aim is to expand on the existing literature currently available and to make clear why these mystics from different cultures and religious traditions were involved in raising awareness on the importance of living in harmony with nature by taking mindful steps to living more sustainably. We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, potential authors submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200 to 300 words summarizing their intended contribution, sent to the Guest Editor. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review. Samples can be found on our website of recent publications of Religions, such as 'Mysticism and Social Justice', or 'Spanish Mysticism', each of which I had the great fortune to edit and contribute to myself. All published articles are freely and publically accessible.

We look forward to receiving your scholalrly contributions.

Prof. Dr. Cristobal Serran-Pagan Y Fuentes
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ecological spirituality
  • ecofeminism
  • deep ecology
  • indigenous rights
  • animal rights
  • land rights
  • holism
  • panentheism
  • pantheism
  • cosmic interdependence
  • anthropocentrism
  • animism
  • conservationism
  • creation spirituality
  • New England transcendentalism
  • goddess movement
  • nonviolence
  • stewardship
  • vegetarianism

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 509 KB  
Article
Natural Metaphors: Expressions of Mystical Experience in John of the Cross, Etty Hillesum, and Björk
by Anderson Fabián Santos Meza
Religions 2025, 16(12), 1531; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16121531 - 4 Dec 2025
Viewed by 470
Abstract
In the twenty-first century, academic approaches to mysticism often risk reducing the Mystery to an object of erudition and historical distance, as if mystical experience belonged solely to a pre-modern past. Yet, when one encounters the “natural metaphors” that emerge within mystical writings—images [...] Read more.
In the twenty-first century, academic approaches to mysticism often risk reducing the Mystery to an object of erudition and historical distance, as if mystical experience belonged solely to a pre-modern past. Yet, when one encounters the “natural metaphors” that emerge within mystical writings—images of rivers, gardens, fire, and wind—it becomes almost impossible to silence the invitation to perceive the sacred as still unfolding in the present. This article proposes an embodied and associative reflection that brings into conversation the poetry of John of the Cross (1542–1591), the intimate diaries of Etty Hillesum (1914–1943), and the musical and visual work of the contemporary artist Björk Guðmundsdóttir (b. 1965). Through this triadic encounter, I argue that natural metaphors are not mere literary ornaments but symbolic languages that articulate the ineffable through the elemental languages of the earth. They sustain a theology of embodiment, relationality, and transformation that traverses epochs and artistic media. The study also seeks to fracture rigid and hegemonic readings that have confined mystical texts within colonial geographies of interpretation—readings that domesticate spiritual experience through rigid doctrinal frameworks. In contrast, this essay advocates for a decolonial hermeneutics of the mystical imagination, one that recognizes how the natural, the esthetic, and the spiritual interweave in the polyphony of the world. By reading John of the Cross, Hillesum, and Björk together, I suggest that mystical experience continues to unfold today through poetry, diary, and sound—where theology becomes not only a matter of thought but of vibration, beauty, and embodied openness to the Mystery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mysticism and Nature)
18 pages, 350 KB  
Article
Ecotheological Implications of the Qur’anic Verses on Tawbah (Repentance): An Analysis from a Sufi Perspective
by Ibrahim Erol
Religions 2025, 16(12), 1529; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16121529 - 4 Dec 2025
Viewed by 242
Abstract
This study examines the ecotheological implications attributed to tawbah (repentance) in the Qur’an and the interpretations of the subject by Sufi exegetes. While numerous Qur’anic verses address tawbah, some indicate that it extends beyond the forgiveness of individual sins to encompass ecological [...] Read more.
This study examines the ecotheological implications attributed to tawbah (repentance) in the Qur’an and the interpretations of the subject by Sufi exegetes. While numerous Qur’anic verses address tawbah, some indicate that it extends beyond the forgiveness of individual sins to encompass ecological consequences. In the Sufi exegetical tradition, tawbah is interpreted as a bridge between the transformation/awareness of the heart and the divine order of nature. The central research question of this study concerns how Sufi interpretations, in light of the relevant Qur’anic verses, contribute an ecotheological perspective to human–nature relations. In this context, the transformative power of tawbah in fostering awareness of oneself and one’s environment is examined from a Sufi perspective. The secondary problem of this study is the analysis of Sufi interpretations concerning the ecological afflictions encountered by individuals and societies as a consequence of the absence of repentance, as well as the psychological states of those subjected to such afflictions. Sufi scholars fundamentally associate environmental crises with the spiritual corruption of individuals and, more broadly, society, arguing that tawbah is not merely a process of spiritual purification but also provides a foundation for developing ethical and responsible engagement with the environment. Their ecotheological interpretations demonstrate that tawbah can serve as a spiritual and ethical basis for addressing environmental problems and support environmentally oriented behavioral models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mysticism and Nature)
15 pages, 361 KB  
Article
Daoism’s Threefold Defense of Ecocentrism
by Xian Li and Haoran Jia
Religions 2025, 16(12), 1510; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16121510 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 340
Abstract
Ecocentrism has emerged as a significant theoretical paradigm for addressing ecological crises and promoting sustainable development. However, while influencing the evolution of ecological governance systems, it faces fundamental criticisms including accusations of being “eco-authoritarianism”, “anti-human”, and “utopian”. This study develops a theoretical defense [...] Read more.
Ecocentrism has emerged as a significant theoretical paradigm for addressing ecological crises and promoting sustainable development. However, while influencing the evolution of ecological governance systems, it faces fundamental criticisms including accusations of being “eco-authoritarianism”, “anti-human”, and “utopian”. This study develops a theoretical defense of ecocentrism through Daoism’s three-dimensional framework encompassing ontology, value theory, and practice theory. First, the Daoist holistic concept of living together (bingsheng 並生)—grounded in the principle of “Dao as one”—deconstructs the ontological foundations of anthropocentrism while addressing ecocentrism’s alleged “dictatorial “tendencies. Second, the Daoist value paradigm of valuing life (guisheng 貴生) challenges anthropocentrism’s value hegemony while establishing ethical justification for ecocentrism. Third, Daoist practical philosophy—particularly the concept of nurturing life (yangsheng 養生)—demonstrates how the harmonious coexistence of heaven, earth, and humanity can be achieved through balanced integration of instrumental and value rationality in ecological governance, thereby resolving accusations of “utopianism”. The findings affirm that Daoist philosophy provides not only a robust theoretical defense for ecocentrism but also insightful practical wisdom for global environmental governance and the pursuit of sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mysticism and Nature)
11 pages, 218 KB  
Article
Thich Nhat Hanh’s Naturalism and Nondualism in a Trans-Different Perspective
by Ephraim Meir
Religions 2025, 16(6), 740; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060740 - 9 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1292
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to describe Thich Nhat Hanh’s naturalism and nondualism and to situate his views in a “trans-different” perspective. I ask whether his thoughts are compatible with other worldviews that work with the notion of justice. I first describe [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study is to describe Thich Nhat Hanh’s naturalism and nondualism and to situate his views in a “trans-different” perspective. I ask whether his thoughts are compatible with other worldviews that work with the notion of justice. I first describe Nhat Hanh’s attitude towards nature. I then demonstrate how his non-separation from nature paves the way for an interconnectedness with all and how his nonduality leads him to a universal belonging. Finally, juxtaposing Nhat Hanh’s nondualism and a justice-oriented approach, I argue that in a “trans-different” perspective different approaches to suffering and peace may learn from each other and complement each other. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mysticism and Nature)
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