For the majority of human history people have lived in harmony and reverence for the earth. However, upon development of agriculture and the ages of colonization and industrialization a severance between people and planet arose from man’s intention of domination, control and power. What was once wild and free became contained, organized and distributed in the name of globalization and progress. This progress has resulted in disease and detriment to the planet as well as those of us inhabiting it. Trees, plants and animals are continuously on the rise of extinction. Water, air and soil are plagued with toxins. Natural resources are mined and forged and leave the land, and surrounding cultures, desolate, desperate and malnourished. This greedy pillaging of the Earth reinforces and sustains consumerism and materialism, it guarantees our demands will be met for our fixes on Starbucks, Ikea, Nike, and the overwhelming ‘need’ of techno-gadgets, limited edition cars and bigger houses. The Earth is being stripped of its goods to fuel our addictions, insecurities and narcissism, a reality that seems fare from progress. Parallel to this unharmonious and dysfunctional relationship to the environment, the people of the planet are also disconnected and suffering. Social distress continues to hemorrhage under the pressure of poverty, rights of freedom, religion, equality, and of course the ongoing wars that attempt to defend or coerce conflicting ideologies. Cancers, viruses and unknown sickness and diseases are on the rise as well as psychological conditions such as depression, addiction, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety. The harmony and reverence that is yearning to be remembered will rot along with islands of trash that fill our seas if the relationship between human and Earth is not repaired.
Despite the overwhelming and disgraceful condition of the planet, it should be credited that in the wake of this environmental and social terror there have been many attempts to erase, or at least mitigate, our carbon footprint and address the collective dis-ease that challenges social order and wellbeing. Awareness to the state of our existence has increased significantly through improved environmental laws, practices of sustainability, conservation, reduction, reuse, recycling, the rise of alternative health care organic and fair-trade food, and eco-friendly products. These hopeful methods of ‘inform to reform’ have begun to set the foundation for a new earth, however it is going to take more than composting to shape a healthy and regenerative future.
For those people and cultures that have a strong communion with the Earth, identification is based on ideals of union and one-ness; meaning the earth is an extension of them selves. In traditional indigenous cultures and various mind-body practices there is reciprocity and a genuine spiritual relationship with nature. The spiritual, philosophical and psychological attributes of these practices provide much insight into the way individuals identify with themselves, others and the external world. Many other belief systems are based on concepts of separation and domination and the practices of these ideologies can reinforce a compartmentalized and isolated way of living and participating in the world.
How do you currently associate with nature? Do feel that you are separate from it, or an extension? How does this influence your choices of consumption and materialism? Is nature a part of your spirituality, intentions of practices. Are you dedicated to preserving the natural world, and therefor yourself, by committing to more integrative, respectful, mindful and sustainable practices?
The world and its people are in dire need for conservation, restoration and reconnection. It is apparent that over the course of a complex history the human nature-relationship has been forgotten by an overwhelming majority of people. Earth based practices and spiritual admiration for nature has had far less influence on developing cultures, perhaps it is time to renew these ancient and noble traditions. The change that is needed is not isolated merely to healthier habits and recycling programs, but rather, the change must originate form deep within the psyche and deep within the spirit. It is time to address the way in which we identify and connect with the natural world, it is time to dissolve the illusion of separateness and realign with the truth of union.
Blessings,
Robin Afinowich
For more inspiration on nature, look back on old posts such as:
Feed the Buddha, Love the Bees
Season of Balance, A space for Presence
Nurture You Nature: Remember, Reconnect, Restore
