Cuidando da natureza sagrada: um estudo exploratório das relações entre compromisso pró-ecológico e espiritualidade

Abstract

Why do some people take care of the environment, while others do not? In order to answer this question, several studies in environmental psychology have contributed to knowledge development about pro-ecological commitment (PEC): a cognitive and affective relationship with the environment, through which people feel interested and responsible for it. In previous studies, religion and spirituality were repeatedly indicated as relevant influences to the formation of PEC. In sight of that, the aim of this study was to explore and deepen the understanding of the relations between PEC and spirituality, considered here as a search for the sacred, that may happen within or without a religion. A qualitative methodological approach was adopted and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 persons of both sexes socially perceived as pro-ecologically committed individuals, who also relate this commitment to spirituality. Practices and motivations to environmental care, as well as concepts and personal stories of spirituality were addressed. Content analysis of the interviews indicated, beyond mutual influence during the formation processes, an intersection between the two phenomena, which feed into each other: notions of nature's sacredness, which are part of spirituality, provide motivation to commit to environmental care practices, which, in turn, are experienced as a source of spirituality. Furthermore, connectedness to nature emerged as an important element in the understandings of both phenomena: the recovery of a lost connection between humanity and nature is perceived as important to the overcoming of the environmental crisis, while spirituality is perceived as the search and exercise of this connection. Ultimately, the comprehension of spirituality as a life style in which one seeks an attitude of permanent care for all things is intertwined to the commitment to take care of the environment.