Earth Awareness: Mapping an Emergent Relational Field

Earth Awareness (EA) is an emerging field of practices rooted in Buddhist, Indigenous, mindfulness, and nature-based traditions that foster direct experiences of interconnectedness with Earth and support ecological consciousness. Through 45 reflective dialogues with teachers and practitioners across traditions, participatory research identified EA as characterized by contemplative practices, rituals, and ceremonies bridging inner transformation and outer action. Central intentions—healing, interconnectedness, and justice—align with planetary health priorities such as mental well-being, equity, and stewardship. The field faces challenges of access, cultural appropriation, and systemic separation, but participants saw opportunities for community building, intercultural exchange, and centering Earth as teacher and co-participant. EA shows potential to contribute to planetary health by reconnecting people with place and supporting culturally grounded pathways for collective action.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Amidst deepening ecological disruption and widespread disconnection from nature, this study explores the emerging field of Earth Awareness (EA) as a relational and experiential aspect of advancing planetary health. EA practices—rooted in Buddhist, Indigenous, mindfulness, and nature-based traditions—support direct experiences of interconnectedness with Earth, ecological awareness and consciousness, and opportunities to transform underlying patterns and systems. Through 45 reflective dialogues with teachers and practitioners across traditions, this participatory research identifies common inspirations, intentions, and challenges that shape the emerging EA field. Findings reveal that EA is characterized by contemplative practices, rituals, and ceremonies that bridge inner transformation and outer action in the world. Central intentions such as healing, interconnectedness, and justice align closely with planetary health priorities, including mental well-being, equity, and stewardship of the living world. Although the field faces challenges related to access, risk of cultural appropriation, and systemic separation, participants identified opportunities for community building, intercultural exchange, and centering Earth as teacher and co-participant. By mapping coherence in this diverse field, this study highlights EA’s potential to contribute to planetary health by reconnecting people with place, fostering a more ecological consciousness, and supporting culturally grounded pathways for collective action and care for Earth.