Sky Above, Earth Below: Spiritual Practice in Nature

by John P. Milton

Overview

A renowned spiritual teacher guides you on a sacred passage into the temple of nature in this simple yet profound meditation guide.

Since the 1940's, meditation master and vision-quest leader John P. Milton has led over 10,000 vision quests into the wilds of Colorado, the Himalayas, Bali, the Arctic, Mexico, and other powerful sites around the world. Now this pathfinder guides readers back to the wilderness within themselves, to discover how they are connected to the vast and wondrous mystery of nature.

In Sky Above, Earth Below, Milton shares his Twelve Principles of Natural Liberation, then walks readers through the practice of relaxation, presence, cultivating universal energy, and more. “Written out of boundless reverence for the Earth and life itself, [Milton] transfers the wisdom of Taoism into simple terms accessible to all readers regardless of personal background” (Midwest Book Review).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591811428
Publisher:	Sentient Publications
Publication date:	08/25/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	218
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

John P. Milton is a frequent lecturer and workshop leader, and a pioneering, renowned, and sought-after meditation and Qi Gong teacher. Thousands of people have sought his instruction since he began teaching in the 1950's. He has developed unique practices for uniting inner and outer nature through training in Buddhist, Taoist, Vedantic, Tantric, and Native American traditions, and he incorporates T’ai Chi and yoga in his work. Milton is also known for organizing and leading dozens of expeditions into some of the wildest areas left on Earth, starting in his late teens. He received his M.S. in ecology and conservation from the University of Michigan in 1963. A founding father of the environmental movement in the early 1960's, he was a professor of environmental studies and a Woodrow Wilson Center scholar at the Smithsonian Institute. He was one of the first ecologists on staff at the White House as a member of the President's Council of Economic Advisors, and was a founding member of the environmental organization Friends of the Earth. Milton was instrumental in introducing the vision quest to contemporary culture. In 1945, at the time he began his sacred solo retreats in the wilderness, vision quests were unknown in the Americas outside Native American culture. For years, this author has written books and articles on inner development and ecology. He founded Threshold, a foundation devoted to spiritual liberation in nature. His programs inspire Earth stewardship by cultivating natural wisdom and an open, loving heart in the wild.

Editorial Reviews

John is a pioneer who cares about the relationship between people and Mother Earth. This book not only gives readers a tool to unite with nature, it also provides practical methods to help them balance body, mind, and spirit. John beautifully translates Taoist wisdom into language and techniques for the western world. This book is a true blessing.
—Yun Xiang Tseng Chen, Taoist priest from Wudang Mountain

John teaches us about our connection to the earth, to each other, to all. The information in this book is already changing my life, and has the power to change the world.
—Mark Stevenson, Vice President, Merrill Lynch

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

Outside your door is a teacher who embodies every higher quality you are seeking; who, for millions of years, has served as the spiritual wellspring for all wisdom traditions. This living example of a liberated existence is as close as the wind in your face and the sun on your back. For over 40 years, John Milton has taught meditation and awareness training in nature. "The greatest spiritual teacher of all is nature herself," says this retreat leader and naturalist who has led over 10,000 vision quests into the wilds of Colorado, the Himalayas, Bali, the Arctic, Mexico, and other sacred sites around the world. "No one ever comes back the same." Sky Above, Earth Below shares every essential of Milton's popular Sacred Passage wilderness program, from Buddhist and tantric-awareness meditations to Taoist and Native American practices for returning to the rhythm of nature. With these meditation, exercises, and insights, listeners can learn about: Why meditation in nature is unequalled in its transforming power Blocked internal pathways: how to clear and open them to Earth's energy

Why there is more qi (life energy) in nature than anywhere else, and how to access it The best times to accumulate vital energy in nature A perceptual meditation for merging with a sacred site Taoist teachings on the highest realization through integration with nature The Vision Quest: the classic shamanic sacred passage in the wild Sky Meditation, plus many other meditations, teachings, and stories Step by step, Milton teaches authentic methods for communion in the wild and flowing with the life there. Even if nature seems unfamiliar to you, here is a way to merge with the magnificent aliveness in every tree, mountain, lake, and flower. He's been there, and knows the ways.

—Branches of Light: News and Reviews from Banyen Books & Sound; May 2007

John Milton is one of the truly important teachers coming out of the American cultural context today; he has a unique capacity to help people into an encounter with nature that catalyzes their deepest sense of purpose and innate capacities as leaders.
—Peter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline and co-author, Presence

John Milton is a wonderful spiritual teacher. His twelve principles are legendary and they really work. Now at last we have them in a wise and warm-hearted book. Superb!
—W. Brian Arthur, former Dean and Virginia Morrison Professor of Economics, Stanford University

A stunning book of wisdom, and a guidepost in our quest to discover a more liberated life.
—Joseph Jaworski, coauthor, Presence

When meeting nature, you meet your authentic self. John gives us the guidelines, practices, and tools to re-connect to nature. This is a book we have been longing for.
—Göran Gennvi, founder and CEO of Nature Academy Learning Lab

If you are looking to transform your life—body, mind, and spirit—this book is for you. John Milton, a gifted spiritual master, shares ancient wisdoms and principles, practices to live into, and stories that open your heart. You are about to discover just how profoundly connected we truly are to sky above, earth below, and everything in between.
—Cheryl Esposito, Executive Coach, and founder, Center for World Leadership

From the Publisher