THE GREAT MISSION OF THE 21ST CENTURY
”Recovery of the natural world will require not only a new economic system but a conversion experience deep in the psychic structure of the human.”
–Thomas Berry
Entering the Ecological Era is the primary challenge and responsibility of the 21st century, according to the renowned cultural historian, Thomas Berry in his book The Great Work. Many people, including Indigenous Elders, C.G. Jung, Pope Francis, and the Dalai Lama, would agree. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of environmental writers, indigenous and non-native activists and the green movement in general, progressive changes have brought us to the threshold of the Eco Era. Much has been accomplished… LEARN MORE
Now we must go deeper and unite with the living Earth as our greater Self, awaken our inner nature, name and claim the Ecological paradigm as our 21st Century game plan. For the Eco Era to become a reality, we need to recognize ourselves as an interdependent, co-creative part of Nature. To help catalyze the ‘conversion experience’ of bonding with the Earth is the purpose of this website and my work.
ENTERING THE ECO ERA IS THE ADVENTURE OF OUR LIFETIME
“Another world is not only possible…She is on her way…On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” –Arundhati Roy
“I breathe therefore I am.”– Dr. Shanti
Learning to live in an ecocentric way of being, seeing and relating is the adventure of our lifetime. This website, forthcoming book, program, and projects will offer stories of transformation, maps and methods to support the transition into the Ecological Era and a deeper, simpler, slower and healthier green lifestyle.
WE CAN BEGIN THE JOURNEY OF BECOMING CONSCIOUS, CO-CREATIVE EARTHLINGS RIGHT WHERE WE ARE: IN OUR BODIES, BACKYARDS, AND BIOREGION.
AWAKEN YOUR INNER NATURE
“How can the fish in the water be thirsty.” — Kabir
Our body and the Earth’s body are totally interconnected; all indigenous peoples know this. An ancient body-earth intelligence resides within us, but it is dormant and often repressed by our urbanized and socially conditioned mind.
Our inner nature can be awakened with Earth-bonding practices, such as gardening, bird-watching, mindful eating, barefoot walking, seasonal rituals and wilderness vision quests, to name just a few. The Mother Earth Meditation, an audio available soon on this website, is a powerful ecotherapy and yet easy to do… LEARN MORE
THE ABUNDANT BENEFITS OF NATURE COMMUNION
“I thought the Earth remembered me, she took me back so tenderly.” –Mary Oliver
Nature communion is medicine for body, mind, and soul and complements other healthcare modalities. The word ‘communion’ suggests ‘coming into union with’ and Nature therapies could even be called Earth Yoga, since the word yoga means union.
Here are just a few of the researched benefits:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces stress and its bio-markers
- Elevates mood and self-esteem
- Deepens breathing and brainwave patterns
- Enhances problem-solving and inspires creativity
- Lessens anxiety and depression
So not only is the ecocentric lifestyle both an ethical and a survival imperative, bonding with the Living Earth feels good. It can get your creative juices flowing and even trigger a cascade of pleasurable, pain-relieveing and healing hormones.
JOYS OF AN ECO ERA LIFESTYLE
“At times I feel as if I am spread out over the landscape and inside things, and am myself living in every tree, in the splashing of the waves, in the clouds and animals. There is nothing with which I am not linked.” – C.G. Jung
Be willing to explore what it feels like to embrace a slower, more careful and aware lifestyle that honors the ‘beingness’ of being human. Gift yourself with contemplative outdoor leisure time, grow something, learn to understand Nature’s speech of signs and synchronicities. Follow the moon’s phases and celebrate the turning of seasons. Cultivate an intimate, loving relationship with Nature and Her creatures and your life will feel expanded, energized and enriched.
We can have meaningful relationships not only with other humans and pets but also with the wildness of whales, owls, trees, roses, mosses, and rocks. We no longer need to feel isolated, alone or adrift in urban existential angst for we belong to a large Earth community.
Let’s come to know ourselves as the conscious interdependent, reflective part of Nature’s web and allow this to be the foundation of our life, our choices, and actions. Nature rules. A new world awaits us.
Three Gifts of a Nature-based lifestyle… LEARN MORE