Ecospiritual Consciousness and Environmental Ethics: An Ecosufi Reading of the Selected Works of Ibn Arabi, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, and Ahmad Tohari

Abstract

As environmental crises continue to challenge anthropocentric worldviews, Ecosufism emerges as a compelling ecospiritual framework that redefines the relationship between humanity, nature, and the Divine. Drawing upon ecocritical theory and Sufi philosophy, this study explores the concept of environmental ethics in the selected works of Ibn Arabi, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, and Ahmad Tohari. The paper examines how these writers challenge the perception of nature as a resource for human exploitation by presenting it as a sacred manifestation of the Divine. Ibn Arabi’s doctrine of Wahdat al-Wujud (Unity of Being) establishes the philosophical foundation for understanding the interconnectedness of God, humanity, and the natural world. Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee expands this vision through spiritual ecology, arguing that the ecological crisis originates in humanity’s separation from the sacred dimension of nature. Likewise, Ahmad Tohari’s literary works depict the ethical and ecological consequences of disrupting the harmony between humans and the environment. Through a comparative textual analysis, the study argues that environmental conservation is represented not merely as a scientific or political concern but as a spiritual and ethical responsibility. By foregrounding ecospiritual consciousness, these writers advocate an ecological worldview founded on reverence, interconnectedness, compassion, and environmental stewardship. The study contributes to contemporary ecocritical scholarship by demonstrating that Ecosufism provides an alternative framework for understanding environmental sustainability through spiritual consciousness and ethical engagement with the natural world.