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Sky Above, Earth Below: Spiritual Practice in Nature
Written by meditation teacher and workshop leader John P. Milton, Sky Above, Earth Below: Spiritual Practice in Nature is a simple guide to healing one's physical and spiritual body and creating a new relationship with oneself through meditation and connecting with nature's healing energy. Chapters walk the reader through how to experience the joys of meditation, a 10-minute practice designed to restore internal balance, means by which to cut through mental clutter to clarity and spaciousness, and much more. Written out of boundless reverence for the Earth and life itself, Sky Above, Earth Below transfers the wisdom of Taoism into simple terms accessible to all readers regardless of personal background.
--Midwest Book Review
--Midwest Book Review
- GenresSpiritualityMeditation
234 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 31, 2015
Principles
John Milton wrote this book in the hope that the practices and principles he shares will “greatly enrich your life” (p.229). Over the years he has identified the following principles for natural liberation (pp.8—15):
- The fundamental truth: All forms are interconnected, constantly change, and continuously arise from and return to primordial Source.
- Commit yourself completely to liberation in this lifetime
- Relax and surrender to life.
- Remain in now.
- Cultivate union with universal energy
- Go with the universal flow.
- Rest in the radiance of your open heart.
- Active compassion arises naturally out of unconditional love.
- Cut through to clarity.
- Return to Source.
- Pure Source awareness is—remain in recognition.
- Serve as a warrior of the open heart and liberated spirit.
- Don’t take all these twelve principles too seriously.
From these twelve principles John Milton has essentialized six core principles (p.16):
- Relaxation
- Presence
- Cultivating universal energy
- Opening the heart of unconditional love
- Cutting through to clarity, luminosity, and spaciousness
- Returning to Source
Each one of these six core principles are introduced in the book. John Milton emphasizes that: “The key is to bring each of these principles into creative interaction with the challenges of everyday life” (p.14). Each principle has a variety of practices to help support the realization of its essence. And every practice “serves to cultivate the truth of each principle within” (p.6). Over time, our “old habitual patterns of fear and automatic contraction to life” will be replaced with “new, helpful habits of meeting life with openness and letting go” (p.9).
Relaxation
The union of (1) relaxation and (2) presence, combined with (3) the cultivation of universal energy, is the key to opening greater vitality. The main thing is this: “With whatever time you have available, go into Nature and start cultivating relaxation there” (p.30). It’s also important to remember that “you cannot force relaxation” (p.46). “The attempt to force relaxation just creates more contraction” (p.46). And contractions “usually arise from strong emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, anxiety, and worry” (p.49).
Presence
“The cure for much worry and anxiety is the cultivation of presence” (p.57). The main secret for transforming blocked emotions is to “breathe deeply and gently into them while applying … relaxation and presence” (p.43). The practice to start move emotional blockage is “to simply stay clearly present with the feeling it, while at the same time relaxing into its core” (p.43). If the mind wanders, “gently bring it back to the intention of relaxing all the constricted, tight, or stiff blockages” (p.46). Becoming “pristinely present while in a state of deep relaxation, totally surrendered to the moment, is the heart of spiritual practice in Nature” (p.52).
Nature
By immersing ourselves in Nature – “Nature that has not been heavily disturbed and damaged” – we begin to tap into “the primal natural harmony” that is our “genetic inheritance” (p.37). Our “whole bodies, our energy, our diverse emotions, and our mind” have all coevolved with Nature (p.28). “All … ecosystems, and the beings within them, have coevolved in a way that has produced extraordinary symbiosis, balance, integration, and harmony” (p.36). “Integration is characteristic of virtually everything in Nature” (p.37). This is why “Nature is a very powerful healer” (p.28). Nature provides a “natural vitality and harmony” that is “not accessible in our urban centers” (p.37).
One of John Milton’s favorite things to do is to “go into a forest, to a mountain, or by a river or wild coast and spend an hour or two each day” (p.55). John Milton says that: “All of Nature supports your being in the present moment. You do not even have to meditate. You can simply enjoy Nature” (p.55). The key is to find a place that inspires you – “a place that gives you a sense of harmony, peace, and tranquility” (p.74). And then, with practice, you can bring this “present-centered awareness back into your ordinary life, and you will find that the flow of your normal day will gradually become transformed” (pp.57—58).
Conclusions
John Milton has convinced me that natural vitality and energy are released when relaxation and presence are cultivated. The challenge is to gently bring this awareness and relaxation back into the flow of the normal daily life. It’s all about practice, and there are many practices in the book. In a way, it can feel a bit overwhelming, but it’s also important to remember that “every journey begins with a first step” (p.91). What’s so nice is that “just regularly being in Nature brings joy and happiness” (p.229). It’s a great book, and I'm now taking the first steps on my own journey!
John Milton wrote this book in the hope that the practices and principles he shares will “greatly enrich your life” (p.229). Over the years he has identified the following principles for natural liberation (pp.8—15):
- The fundamental truth: All forms are interconnected, constantly change, and continuously arise from and return to primordial Source.
- Commit yourself completely to liberation in this lifetime
- Relax and surrender to life.
- Remain in now.
- Cultivate union with universal energy
- Go with the universal flow.
- Rest in the radiance of your open heart.
- Active compassion arises naturally out of unconditional love.
- Cut through to clarity.
- Return to Source.
- Pure Source awareness is—remain in recognition.
- Serve as a warrior of the open heart and liberated spirit.
- Don’t take all these twelve principles too seriously.
From these twelve principles John Milton has essentialized six core principles (p.16):
- Relaxation
- Presence
- Cultivating universal energy
- Opening the heart of unconditional love
- Cutting through to clarity, luminosity, and spaciousness
- Returning to Source
Each one of these six core principles are introduced in the book. John Milton emphasizes that: “The key is to bring each of these principles into creative interaction with the challenges of everyday life” (p.14). Each principle has a variety of practices to help support the realization of its essence. And every practice “serves to cultivate the truth of each principle within” (p.6). Over time, our “old habitual patterns of fear and automatic contraction to life” will be replaced with “new, helpful habits of meeting life with openness and letting go” (p.9).
Relaxation
The union of (1) relaxation and (2) presence, combined with (3) the cultivation of universal energy, is the key to opening greater vitality. The main thing is this: “With whatever time you have available, go into Nature and start cultivating relaxation there” (p.30). It’s also important to remember that “you cannot force relaxation” (p.46). “The attempt to force relaxation just creates more contraction” (p.46). And contractions “usually arise from strong emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, anxiety, and worry” (p.49).
Presence
“The cure for much worry and anxiety is the cultivation of presence” (p.57). The main secret for transforming blocked emotions is to “breathe deeply and gently into them while applying … relaxation and presence” (p.43). The practice to start move emotional blockage is “to simply stay clearly present with the feeling it, while at the same time relaxing into its core” (p.43). If the mind wanders, “gently bring it back to the intention of relaxing all the constricted, tight, or stiff blockages” (p.46). Becoming “pristinely present while in a state of deep relaxation, totally surrendered to the moment, is the heart of spiritual practice in Nature” (p.52).
Nature
By immersing ourselves in Nature – “Nature that has not been heavily disturbed and damaged” – we begin to tap into “the primal natural harmony” that is our “genetic inheritance” (p.37). Our “whole bodies, our energy, our diverse emotions, and our mind” have all coevolved with Nature (p.28). “All … ecosystems, and the beings within them, have coevolved in a way that has produced extraordinary symbiosis, balance, integration, and harmony” (p.36). “Integration is characteristic of virtually everything in Nature” (p.37). This is why “Nature is a very powerful healer” (p.28). Nature provides a “natural vitality and harmony” that is “not accessible in our urban centers” (p.37).
One of John Milton’s favorite things to do is to “go into a forest, to a mountain, or by a river or wild coast and spend an hour or two each day” (p.55). John Milton says that: “All of Nature supports your being in the present moment. You do not even have to meditate. You can simply enjoy Nature” (p.55). The key is to find a place that inspires you – “a place that gives you a sense of harmony, peace, and tranquility” (p.74). And then, with practice, you can bring this “present-centered awareness back into your ordinary life, and you will find that the flow of your normal day will gradually become transformed” (pp.57—58).
Conclusions
John Milton has convinced me that natural vitality and energy are released when relaxation and presence are cultivated. The challenge is to gently bring this awareness and relaxation back into the flow of the normal daily life. It’s all about practice, and there are many practices in the book. In a way, it can feel a bit overwhelming, but it’s also important to remember that “every journey begins with a first step” (p.91). What’s so nice is that “just regularly being in Nature brings joy and happiness” (p.229). It’s a great book, and I'm now taking the first steps on my own journey!
February 7, 2025
I had high hopes for this book, but they were quickly dashed within the first chapter. The author shows little respect to the sources of his practices, just a light mention here or there. The practices are also very abilist and elite. For example, most of the practices require standing and being in nature. No alternative is offered. That is left to the reader to figure. The author also suggests things that are not envorinmentaly sustainable, such as in a meadow of wildflowers."
The worst was the generalization of Indigenous cultures. Such as "To Native Americans a vision quest means..." or "In the Native American way, the Great Spirit is seen flowing through all..." This type of language does nothing to describe the wonderful, beautiful, and varied religions of the indigenous peoples. This language only supports the various stereotypes that the Indigenous Peoples face each day. The practices were also culturally appropriated. There was not a single thank you, recognitoon, let alone mention of an elder or even a tribe for attribution as a source of the statements and practices.
The book promotes going into the wilderness to get away from it all. No mention of safety necessities or other precautions such as telling someone where you will be going or when you will return (ref. Into the Wild, 127 hours). While Earth will provide what it has to you, the wilderness is a dangerous place and will not care about you if you cannot care for yourself.
This book is nothing more than a roadmap for people with the means in time, resources and ability, to go out into the disappearing wilderness environment and exploit the gifts it has, leaving behind those that do not have the means to discover our sacred connection to this planet we call Earth.
I gave it two stars only because with a minor change here and there, many if not all of the practices could be done in a backyard or in a public park. With more attribution, less cultural appropriation, I could have given it more stars.
The worst was the generalization of Indigenous cultures. Such as "To Native Americans a vision quest means..." or "In the Native American way, the Great Spirit is seen flowing through all..." This type of language does nothing to describe the wonderful, beautiful, and varied religions of the indigenous peoples. This language only supports the various stereotypes that the Indigenous Peoples face each day. The practices were also culturally appropriated. There was not a single thank you, recognitoon, let alone mention of an elder or even a tribe for attribution as a source of the statements and practices.
The book promotes going into the wilderness to get away from it all. No mention of safety necessities or other precautions such as telling someone where you will be going or when you will return (ref. Into the Wild, 127 hours). While Earth will provide what it has to you, the wilderness is a dangerous place and will not care about you if you cannot care for yourself.
This book is nothing more than a roadmap for people with the means in time, resources and ability, to go out into the disappearing wilderness environment and exploit the gifts it has, leaving behind those that do not have the means to discover our sacred connection to this planet we call Earth.
I gave it two stars only because with a minor change here and there, many if not all of the practices could be done in a backyard or in a public park. With more attribution, less cultural appropriation, I could have given it more stars.
January 19, 2018
a great teacher
March 2, 2021
Love it - I keep going back to read sections of it...
March 2, 2010
The message of the book is profound and elegant; the quickest path to enlightenment is to be found in a union of contemplative practices and immersion in nature. In my opinion, however, the book does not, and perhaps cannot, capture the true essence of how time in nature can accelerate our progress towards realization.
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December 11, 2009John is my teacher and I re-read this book while doing a sacred passage in the mountains... putting it into practice opened everything up in a whole new way (including myself)
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