All life exists in a very delicate balance. The foundational sustenance of our lives does not come from the supermarket , printed green paper, plastic cards, or graphs of economic data about GNP displayed on a laptop computer. It comes from the web of life, the land, soil, air, water, sun, and indigenous wisdom traditions which hold as sacred every living being.
The earth is us. We are the earth. Her ocean flows through our veins, her solidity strengthening our bones. The pumping of our heart draws strength from the molten core of the planet. Sunlight shimmering through the trees is our own nervous system. And we feel her pain. We know she is suffering, somewhere in the deep recesses of consciousness.
Kayaktivism is planetary acupuncture in motion, with hundreds of kayakers (and native canoes) stimulating an awakening node with their pointy crafts, opening up the stagnation blocking the channels in the collective consciousness of humanity.
Even though the long view of wisdom reminds us that everything is okay, perfectly as it should be, in the present moment it still matters deeply what we do in the world. Climate change still represents a threat to every living creature on the planet, and there are countless other social issues which we ignore at our collective peril. So what do we do inside this existential pickle we find ourselves in?
Polish a dirty mirror. Take the garbage out. Each act connected with sacred intention. Even scrolling through my Facebook feed. We need to look within, find the peace within us, before we can share it. There is no other way.
Our world is in uncharted territory. But of course, that is where it has always been – the forces of destruction and creation constantly engaged in dynamic tension – yin and yang, heaven and hell. In closing, while a part of me wants to give you a list of things that You Need To Do to save the world as we know it, my contemplative side recognizes that each person will respond based upon their individual mental-emotional-spiritual outlook.
1. Healthy children, families, communities, and ecological systems are the true measure of real wealth. 2. Mutual caring and support are the primary currency of healthy families and communities, and community is the key to economic security. (David Korten)
Even when the sky seems to be falling in our world, it’s important not to lose our bearings by focusing exclusively on everything that is wrong, reminding ourselves – every day, perhaps every hour, perhaps every minute, every breath – that which is good, healthy, and conducive to hope, and connecting our own life energy to the goodness consciously. After all, we are part of this world too, and we must have done something amazing to be born here. It didn’t happen by accident. Nothing does.
Our planet has a cancer on it and that cancer is modern human civilization. I’m part of it too. As a holistic health practitioner, I believe that the foundation of healing – whether we are discussing the body, the mind, society, or the planet – is awareness. We have to open our hearts and our minds – all of our senses, and listen within for wisdom. Then we need to act with intention and purpose. It won’t be easy to turn things around, but I’m confident that it can be done.
(First published on Feb. 27, 2007 – we continue to transfer blogs from our old server to our new server – enjoy our CommuniChi history!) Although Hurricane Katrina and the Great Flood of 2005 in New Orleans has long since dropped off the front pages of the media, the after effects of this disaster continue …
Acupuncture and Disaster Relief – Hurricane Katrina Journal Read More »
