Lost Gospel of the Earth, The

Book Description

In this thought-provoking exploration, former 1960s activist and California legislator Tom Hayden presents a compelling case for reconnecting with our planet through spiritual transformation. Hayden traces the roots of today's environmental destruction to a fundamental shift in human consciousness that occurred when ancient tribal wisdom gave way to organized religions that placed humanity above nature rather than within it.

The author contends that our current ecological crisis stems from losing touch with earth-centered spiritual practices that once fostered reverence for the natural world. When mystical traditions that honored nature as sacred were replaced by human-dominated theologies, we severed our spiritual kinship with the earth and began treating it as something to be conquered rather than cherished.

Hayden examines how major world religions have largely failed to address environmental degradation, yet he discovers hope in their earlier mystical currents that celebrated the divine presence in nature. He argues that neither technological solutions nor economic policies alone can heal our destructive relationship with the planet. Instead, we need a fundamental spiritual awakening that recognizes the earth as sacred.

Weaving together personal spiritual insights with practical political vision, Hayden proposes a new approach he calls "politics of the spirit." This framework combines participatory democracy with ecological theology to create a moral foundation for environmental action. His vision calls for nothing short of transforming our entire political culture through renewed spiritual connection with the natural world.