The joy we feel in the presence of wild beauty is no mere emotion. It has epistemological value as well, for it gives us access to a realm of knowledge we otherwise could not perceive. Accordingly, joy actualizes a unity that binds all things together into a sacred Whole. Thus, for example, the heat we feel in the experience of joy serves to melt together our own being with the beauty of Nature. In addition, joy acts as a sort of psychological "dance" that spins together Nature and the human perceiver, allowing us to know her in a new way. Here, we know Nature by experiencing union with her, recognizing her beauty as a mirror in which we can perceive our own divine attraction. However, the union also works in reverse. Here, our joy becomes the elation NATURE feels at seeing her intense beauty through OUR eyes!
Photo: Subalpine Lupine and Mt. Rainier at Reflection Lakes; Mt. Rainier National Park, WA; July 25, 2012
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