According to Shinto belief, Divine Beings - known as 'Kami' - make their appearance in this world amidst the natural elements of water, wood, and stone in the beautiful forms of lakes, rivers, forests and mountains. These "sacred spaces" serve as the dwelling places of Divinity and thus deserve the due respect of human society.

     If the utilitarian view of Nature as merely a natural resource, as simply material "stuff" to be utilized for the purposes of the human species prevails, we sadly neglect the spiritual functions of the Nature-order as habitation and instrument of Divinity. By ignoring this spiritual connection of visible Nature with the greater Whole, human society goes a long way toward cutting off its own connection with the greater Universe. In contradistinction to some faith traditions of the West, Shinto leads more towards identification with the world around us, rather than a rejection of it. Through greater and greater harmony with the universe, the true function of each individual human self is revealed.

     In the details of its ritual functions as well, Shintoism displays the natural simplicity of human relationship with the land. On every Shinto shrine altar are placed small containers of water and salt. Two single branches of pine complement these. The daily worship includes offerings of rice, green vegetables, nuts, fruit, fish, and rice wine, all natural produce of the land or sea. The Divine Beings residing in the midst of Nature accept its natural products as offering from our hands.

     Nature is said to be the "Great Book" of wisdom. Each of its laws serves as a lesson for human kind. Its rhythms, its cycles, its expansion and contraction, are models upon which to base our own lifestyles. As recognized by all Indigenous Peoples, those who ignore the lessons of Nature gradually become imbalance. And imbalance in its turn becomes sickness, both physical and spiritual.

     Therefore, we pay that the water sources on our planet may remain pure, that the soil of the earth may be properly cared for and nourished to produce grains, vegetables and fruits, and that the forest and mountain peaks may be maintained as sanctuaries for the Divine Forces which continue to dwell on this planet with us.