Early morning meandering in the desert, despite the intensity of the sun, proved to be a much needed and sweaty cleanse for body, mind and soul. I purposely sought out the verdant wisdom of the desert to learn about and observe adaptation, resiliency, plant and tree communities, critter ecology, water resource and of course and its rich medicines that thrive in this fierce and fiery geologic wonder.
The more I understand the systems of nature, the more I understand all of life. This applies not just to a curious mind, but more so the ease of the soul. Being a part of something so incredibly enormous and brilliant brings a sense of acceptance and peace. Research shows having faith promotes healing and more meaningful and adaptable reintegration to life after experiencing times of adversity. I have faith in the laws of the universe and the ardent vigor of Gaia. This helps me come back alive in ways that are much more inherent to optimal evolution.
Can you believe that Arizona has cycled between being completely submerged by the ocean (I think cacti and succulents like sea anemone), a tropical island and a tropical peninsula? In the history of the Earth, 4.54 billion years old (plus or minus 50 million years) and with North America being 200 million years old the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and California are only a mere 9000 years young! The eyes and heart of the desert see humans as a tiny blip in the powerful expression of creation, destruction, rebirth. Dust in the wind. Puts time in an interesting perspective doesn’t it? Nature will find a way.
Like the desert, I am staying strong and being patient and resourceful through the oppressive pressures of life.
I consciously combed the desert seeking out creosote, a wonderful antioxidant and analgesic (in moderation) that is known to treat a myriad of health conditions. My preventive health care always revolves around inflammation, immunity and anti-cancer care. I like to naturally reinforce my defensives and what better medicine than that which has survived the desert. My body is becoming as stubborn as my mind, strong and proud like a Saguaro, sharp like an Ocotillo, rich and wrinkled like the fruit from a hedgehog and more able to open to life from the shadows much like the night blooming cacti.
Humans used to be wonderfully, courageously, curiously, and hungerly (literally) nomadic (I won’t go into eco-feminism or agrarian, sedentary or industrial conundrum…but you can take my Mindfulness and Sustainability class at ASU…shameless self-plug) We wondered the Earth and lived in harmony with her. She was as much our sense of identityandplace as our families and small communities. There was a reciprocal, harmonious, respectful, and I would argue, a spiritual or animistic reverence to the relationship. It was a togetherness, a belonging. Research shows that having a sense of community or place promotes healing and more meaningful and adaptable reintegration to life after experiencing times of adversity. Right now, our access to community is limited, we are all feeling a little displaced (with deep respect to refuges and peoples who experience displacement in much more complicated terms). If we cannot congregate amongst humans as we are accustomed to, perhaps it is a call to remember the maternal knowledge and nourishment of the Earth and the much-needed reunion with her.
Perhaps we can quietly and humbly offer ourselves to the peace of sunsets, the teachers in the dark of night, the glory and hope of the sunrise. Maybe we water our plants or eat our food with a bit more gratitude and contemplation of their gifts and their origin. Could we go to the river and pick up trash and feed the birds? Perhaps we can bravely enter the heat of transformation with a sense of faith and sense of planetary presence. Nothing lasts forever, but we all have a place in time. Let’s use this pause to get deeply present with the most natural and beautiful details of life.
