I have been musing over many things Paul Hawken said recently in his address to the 2009 graduating class of the University of Portland. If you are not familiar with Mr. Hawken, he was the co-founder of Smith & Hawken garden supply company in the late 1970’s, and he wrote The Magic of Findhorn, which was one of my very first inspirations to garden, although it took years for me to begin.
To merely say Findhorn was my inspiration to garden is not totally accurate. Findhorn opened my eyes to possibilities I didn’t know existed in 1980 when I first read of it. The possibilities became a quest, a spiritual journey, to really “get” that we are all connected… you, me, the plants, trees, soil, microbes, bees, bears, oceans, and creeks… all living beings interconnected to each other, all necessary for each to live, and all Divine.
My journey is not yet finished, and the path has many stumbling blocks. One huge block is the difficulty in believing what others surrounding us say is utter nonsense, or worse: heresy. (They used to hang people for heresy.) Believing and standing up in public for your beliefs is even more difficult.
From early childhood, at least in my generation, we were taught that Authority is all-knowing, totally honest, true, accurate and RIGHT. That Authority is made up of parents, schoolteachers, preachers/priests/rabbis, governors, and Presidents. We are taught that their way (and only their way) is the correct way. Any incursion into those beliefs makes us BAD.
Finally, as the veil is being removed to show the depth of the lies, greed and deceit of so many we assumed as authority, we have a chance yet to become who we really are. We have a chance to tap into that deep innate wisdom within each of us and come together to heal the planet.
Among many other things, Mr. Hawken told the graduates:
"Basically, the earth needs a new operating system, and you are the programmers… YOU ARE BRILLIANT, AND THE EARTH IS HIRING. The earth couldn't afford to send any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint.
And here's the deal: Forget that this task of planet-saving is not possible in the time required. Don't be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done."
Yes, most of us take Nature for granted and hardly observe the power behind the soil, for instance, it regenerates itself. From a tiny seed, a plant grows. Plants observe Natures Law. A tiny seedling too, stretches its tiny stem to face the sun, without which,it would die. God sends the dew to refresh the plants etc. Campaigners promote reduction of CO2 emissions, as that is what they are paid to do. If only they supported Nature and campaigned against GM/transgenic/genomic crops which kills the soil forever, they would indeed fight a worthy cause.
ReplyDeleteMay we have Peace & not end up in Pieces!ha!
Hear, Hear!
ReplyDelete