As one global tribe, we’re ignoring that Earth is our home orbiting in space, and that if we don’t each do our part to take care of Earth, like gardeners caring for their garden, that it will wilt and die; and if that happens, we will all wilt and die. It’s so obvious, isn’t it? KB
Dear KB, Thank you for bringing forward this potent topic and obvious question. I couldn’t agree with you more.
Earth is our garden, and we are the gardeners
I’ve been having a similar insight – that Earth is a garden and that all people who reside on this planet are the gardeners. And if the natural and inherent urge of life is to thrive and survive, why wouldn’t everyone be engaged in living and caring for life instead of feeling driven to actively destroy life? After all, in the natural cycles of life and death, life and death both have their place and purpose. We’re here, so why not garden this miraculous planet in space?! And enjoy both cycles of life – as the gardeners, as one Earth tribe?
And so, what are the many ways we can support and care for life? Fortunately, there are many ways to be a gardener of life on Earth.
Personally, I began my path as a gardener as a child in the fields and woods of Connecticut, where I dug and tilled and tended to my own vegetable and flower garden. I loved the inner peace I felt when I worked in the garden, and the satisfying reward of harvesting and eating the beautiful vegetables when they ripened. In the 70’s, I volunteered in local recycling projects, and walks for the environment, which I believe were organized by the CT Citizen Action Group, founded by Ralph Nader and Toby Moffett. I’ve been recycling ever since! And have continued to live by the intention of caring for the health and wellbeing of the Earth and all life in a balanced and loving way.
Natural Resources Defense Council
For years, I’ve been an active member of the NRDC – Natural Resources Defense Council. http://www.nrdc.org/ I like this group because of its educated and proactive approach, and because we are advocates for a healthy Earth. NRDC says, “With over 2 million members and online activists joining more than 350 lawyers, scientists, and other professionals, the NRDC works to tackle the biggest environmental issues we face today. Join now and see how you can make a difference!”
How are you caring for life and your home Earth?
In what ways are you caring for the healthiness and wellbeing of yourself, your loved ones, your global tribe, and your home Earth? If you haven’t been consciously doing this, how might you start? It doesn’t have to be grand – taking small steps add up and contribute to bigger positive changes.
Also, as I learned during my graduate studies at USM, we can express our care for the wellbeing of life through both internal and external actions – for example, with our thoughts (and meditations & prayers), and with our physical actions.
On his website, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet has written a number of poignant articles about the importance of caring for life and our home planet Earth. Here is a link to his excellent article, “Thinking Globally: A Universal Task”: http://www.dalailama.com/messages/environment/thinking-globally
KB, thank you for caring and for bringing this important topic to our attention. To you and to all of my readers, I hope this speaks to some concrete ways we can support and better care for our home – the planet Earth. The entire Earth is the Holy Land! Let’s garden it together, as one Earth tribe.
From the heart, Coach Maddisen
“The Earth does not belong to us. We belong to the Earth.” Chief Seattle
“The Earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry
“The Holy Land is everywhere.” – Black Elk
“With our love we could save the world.” – George Harrison
“I try always to express the value of having a good heart. This simple aspect of human nature can be nourished to great power. With a good heart and wisdom you have right motivation and will automatically do what needs to be done. If people begin to act with genuine compassion for every one, we can still protect each other and the natural environment. This is much easier than having to adapt to the severe and incomprehensible environmental conditions projected for the future.” – His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
Copyright 2015 Maddisen K. Krown M.A.