common ground

As our planet careens towards an uncertain environmental future, we humans also seem to be equally as lost and adrift in a personal sense. That is not a coincidence. The earth is in trouble, and so is humanity. Many of us feel isolated, detached, un-centered. Some try to fill the empty void with material possessions or wealth. Others spend time and money looking for a magic cure through quick fix promises of enlightenment. We are all so busy rushing around doing, doing, doing we've forgotten how to be present, to just be. It's as if we've lost touch with our own lives, our very selves. It’s glaringly apparent on some level we’ve lost something. We sense a piece of the puzzle is missing but don’t know where to look. We are searching for meaning, for fundamental truths, for purpose. We want to feel more deeply connected to our lives and we just don't.

All the while our planet has been changing right in front of us -- yet we turn a blind eye. We don’t seem to realize that the human experience is innately linked to this planet; we share the same fate. It should be obvious, but somehow we disavow that knowledge, we ignore the correlation. A divide has occurred, a break, a schism. We think of nature in abstract terms, as separate from us. We take the earth for granted.

We need to change our mindset for the good of the planet as a whole, and for our selves individually. We need to reconnect to the earth in a sacred, life affirming way. What is deemed sacred is protected, respected and nurtured. One way to reconnect is by simply experiencing the sanctity of earth’s seasonal rhythms. When we celebrate or observe the changing seasons we participate in the process, we become part of it. In that small way we help begin to restore equilibrium to our own interior ecosystem, as well as perhaps guide our actions towards healing the exterior balance of the world around us that we have systematically destroyed. This general act of celebrating the turning seasons throughout the year is referred to as practicing "earth spirituality".

"Earth spirituality" or "nature-based spirituality" are umbrella terms for any system of religion, spirituality or philosophy that holds as one of its central tenets the sanctity of the earth. Earth spirituality is varied, accessible and adaptable to nearly everyone, and it needs to be if we are to utilize its principles in preventing our planet from continuing on its present, disastrous course. Exploring new mythologies, rituals and symbolisms based on science yet still compatible with diverse spiritual practices creates a new paradigm that could provide a foundation for initiating much needed environmental change while inspiring a deeper spiritual connection to the earth -- no matter what our religion, culture or ethos. Adding a nature-based ideology to existent philosophies would impact worldviews, teach us to celebrate diversity and perhaps insure inclusiveness. This could lead to a universal experience of the more mystical aspects of earth science, furthering an appreciation of ecology while still honoring the individual's personal spiritual path.

That is all, of course, a grandiose ideal. Yet great journeys of many miles begin with just a few strides in the right direction. What I suggest here is merely a tiny step on that journey, a simple beginning of the discovery process. As we have learned from the women’s movement, “the personal IS political”. One person making a difference in their own lives impacts the whole connective life-web. You can be that person, any one of us can -- we all need to be.

The term “nature-based spirituality” may bring to mind images of tribal people from ancient civilizations dancing around a fire, or perhaps robed magi gathered around monolithic stones in the moonlight. We are taught that the people who revered nature as divine were primitive and needed to do so only in order to make sense of their unpredictable surroundings. This hearkens back to our past and seems distant from today’s world. Most of us can no longer relate to the circumstances from which that world-view emanated. But we may be able to appreciate and learn from it, even though it does not offer us exactly what we need at present.

Sadly, all too many of our world religions today preach a dogma of utter disdain towards those Pagan religions of the past rather than value them for what they were in their time, perhaps gleaning lessons for the present and future. Instead they talk of “stewardship” as if the planet were a wayward child needing to be reigned in rather than the very mother of life as we know it, our sacred home.

There was a time when humankind worshipped the earth, all manner of animals, the sun, moon and stars, the entire cosmos was considered sacred. And while today those who claim to carry that mantle, the varied followers of modern neo-Pagan & new age movements, recreate rituals and belief systems from an historical or archaic perspective, they do so without necessarily translating that into active, participatory reverence for the earth with a focus on contemporary themes. Rather all too often they seek out supernatural phenomena and so-called, “otherworldly” realms over mindful presence in a physical reality. Why? When the beauty, mystery and magnitude of the natural world is more than enough to cause awe-inspiring experiences and touch our deepest core in flights of ecstatic revelry.

I propose we bridge these gaps, fill in the blanks and focus on contemporary themes. I propose that we create meaningful rituals, symbols and mythologies to reflect our modern, broadening worldview in order to reconnect us all to the earth, to our own higher selves, to our spirits. Adaptation is the greatest gift we have, let’s use it, let us adapt our old mores and create new ideals. I propose we earnestly try to find common ground...at least while we still have the ground to stand on.