In
the year 2001, it is hard for any of us to not be aware that the life
systems of the planet we live on are being compromised by our own
human activity. In my struggle with trying to understand what I can
do to help this devastating situation, I have come to the surprising
conclusion that the most beneficial thing I could possibly do is actually
'do' less. To break out of the state of constant 'busyness' that so
many of us seem to be addicted to and to heal my relationship with
the Earth.
The
most radical act any of us could do right now would be to set aside
time on our lives to simply be present to the Earth. To enter into
a relationship with Her once again. To truly understand ourselves
to be, on a very deep level, an integral part of the Earth. The day
I finally felt within me that I actually was the earth, that I had
been created over millions of years by Her, that every experience
I had was an experience of the Earth, that even the color purple was
created by the Earth; the day I really felt this, inside of me, I
received an enormous feeling of belonging. One like I had never felt
before. Always, I had been told that I didn't really belong here.
That humans were strangers to this place. Now I know that is simply
not true. The earth is indeed our home. It has raised us and cared
for us and offered warmth and shelter in a Universe of grand design.
I
believe, if we could get ourselves back into a place of intimate relationship
with the planet, change would happen automatically. It would be a
natural consequence of this felt experience of true relatedness and
belonging.
