Himself in all and all things in himself

While reading "Frost at Midnight" I immeadiately thought of panenthiesm, The belief that God is one with nature; God is in nature. This belief encourages its followers to revere nature, as the God they pray to, serve, worship and love, is Nature. Prior to reading this poem, I adopted a pantheic view, which is the view that nature and God are identical, or that the nature is the only thing deserving of praise and reverence. Coleridge reminded me of the panentheitic ethic which I once adopted, the ethic which in my perspective, encourages environmental health, ecological balance, human flourishing, and equilibirum. When we see god in nature, we respect it, appreciate and hold it to a high esteem. Many people have a hard time "buying"this ethic, but I had no problem.

In various religions God is seen as the giver and sustainer of life; on planet Earth, mother nature which provides water, oxygen, nourishment is our sustainer of life. God is in nature sustaining us on a daily basis. As Coledridge states "Himself in all, and all things in himself. Great universal Teacher!" As the Christian religion teaches, that the Holy Spirit is within those who accept him, with that same breadth I believe that God is in nature and represents himself to us on a daily basis by sustaining us. "The Frost performs its secret ministry"

Often, when we do harm against nature, when we "sin" against nature we reap adverse effects on us and fellow human kind. Many religions, such as Christianity teach that when followers sin, there are consequences which have to be met. Could this be the reason for starvation? persistent and increasing carcinogenic compounds in our environment? epidemic? Just some food for thought!