The Earth as Our Original Monastery
Remembering an Ancient Way of Prayer
By Rod Janz
Christine Valters Paintner reminds us that when we step outside to walk, notice, or pray, we are not adding something extra to our spiritual lives. We are remembering something ancient.
In her book Earth, Our Original Monastery, Christine Valters Paintner writes:
“Long before monasteries had walls, the earth itself was the container for prayer, shaping hearts through wind, silence, and wide open space.”
Landscapes That Shape the Soul
Throughout the biblical narrative, landscapes are never just background scenery; they are active participants in the human journey. They don’t simply host spiritual moments; they shape and contribute to them.
- Mountains serve as places of revelation and reorientation.
- Deserts strip life down to the bare essentials.
- Gardens hold the tension of both intimacy and deep sorrow.
- Rivers act as thresholds where identity is named and blessings are spoken.
Jesus: Rooted in the Elements
We often conceptualize the sacred as something that happens indoors, behind closed doors, or within the pages of a book. Yet, the life of Jesus was inextricably tied to the outdoors.
In the Gospel of Matthew, the Transfiguration doesn’t occur in a sanctuary. It happens high on a mountain, exposed to the elements. Matthew describes the moment through the lens of the natural world: “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” A bright cloud descends, and a voice speaks from within it.
The revelation is inseparable from the setting. Light, cloud, and height converge to remind us that the most sacred encounters are often experienced, not just thought about.
A Life Lived Outdoors
Again, life was very different over 2000 years ago. Still, it’s worth noting that much of Jesus’ spiritual rhythm and activities took place outdoors:
- He entered the river to be baptized.
- He retreated to the desert to listen and wrestle.
- He rose before the sun to pray in the quiet of the early morning.
- He is arrested as he prays in a garden.
- And so much more!
His life was shaped by weather, hunger, solitude, and the very ground beneath his feet.
An Invitation to Resistance
Returning to the “Original Monastery” is an invitation to come back into our bodies and our relationship with the earth. It is a gentle form of resistance against a “head-only” spirituality: one that often keeps us trapped in synthetic boxes, separated from the wind and the sun.
Creation has a way of slowing us down and grabbing our attention, allowing us to hear God not as an abstract idea, but as a living Presence.
Reflection Question
What specific landscape are you drawn to these days? Is it the forest, the shore, or a simple city park? What might this place be inviting you to notice, let go of, or receive?
May you discover today that the ground beneath your feet is sacred, inviting you to listen, breathe, and simply be.
Responses