For many, the words "spirituality" and "nature" are closely linked, if not synonymous. Nature can seem to be the manifestion of the spiritual in our lives. When we feel on edge or lonely or sad we often seek out a place where we can be close to living things. Nature provides a touchstone, a connection to the spiritual essence that lies in each of us. Nature is to be found everywhere. Yet, we often overlook it, or fail to honour it. Throughout this beautifully-illustrated, full-color book, Jim Kalnin opens reader's eyes to the natural world. The book is full of fascinating tales that highlight the wonder and beauty of nature and the interconnectedness of all life. Kalnin spent his formative years first on the Canadian Shield and then on the Pacific coast. The untold hours he spent playing outside instilled in him a deep love and reverence for the natural world. Since then, he has traveled extensively and brings to the book personal stories that capture the spiritual in the everyday, wherever he happens to be. Whether he's hiking in the Arctic, or paddling down the Amazon in a dugout canoe, Jim discovers and tells of his sense of deep connection with the life of the planet â a connection we all share, but are in danger of losing to the "civilizing" forces of urbanization. His stories allow us to experience what living in nature might be like, and gently encourage us to explore our own connectedness and natural spirituality for ourselves. Beautiful and filled with a profound sense of awe and thankfulness for all that nature has to offer, The Spirituality of Nature will open the reader to creation with gentleness and humour. Jim Kalnin has been passionate about wilderness, beauty, and working to care for and protect our struggling ecosystem his whole life. A graduate of The Vancouver School of Art, Kalnin's work for the National Film Board of Canada took him to Baffin Island for several years. His extensive travels include Europe; North, Central, and South America; and Southeast Asia. Experiencing a variety of cultures has deepened his compassion for the world's people and strengthened his understanding of our utter dependence on the land â not only as our means of survival, but also as the revealer of mystery as well. Kalnin teaches in the Fine Arts Department at The University of British Columbia, Okanagan. He is the co-author, with wife Lois Huey-Heck, of The Spirituality of Art (Northstone, 2006). They live and make art in an old country church in Oyama, British Columbia.
