Sacred Ecology

Spiritual practices have always been rooted in the simplest, most basic things in our lives. Ancient peoples understood that to be in harmony with all things was not only the highest and finest way to live, but also the most practical, useful, beneficial, and abundant.

The way we humans have our system set up now, we forget to pay attention until a catastrophe finally wakes us up. Rather than getting used to and accepting things as they are, it’s important to notice that we are in the middle of an apocalyptic process. Look at what’s going on with the planet, the species, the water, disease.

Perhaps someday, we will once again live in harmony with all things and truly know what a whole, vibrant, alive way of being is. Then, we will look back and say, "Whow! How did we function in that much pollution and dysfunctional disharmony?" To get there, we will need to pursue sacred ecology by taking our spiritual work back into the realms of daily practice.

Many things people label as "Indian" are simply the ways of the land, the truth of how the Earth works. They may have been practiced originally by native peoples, but, if we are going to have a world that is sustainable and workable for human beings, we all need to learn and practice those Earth ways. The truly profound teachings of humanity go beyond race and any specific spiritual practice or philosophy. We all need to put our energy together in a good way to make a difference for the planet and all life, or none of us will make it.

I believe in the critical mass theory of movement and change; a relatively small percentage of the mass can shift the totality. To help start the process, make an act of beauty, on whatever level you can, to impact the world, whether you start a recycling program or speak to a club you belong to. Also, make an act of power, to remind yourself that you can be empowered through your own personal work, for our planet and all our relations.

It can be very useful and exciting to clear ourselves in meditation and really communicate with our ancestors to allow a shamanic practice to emerge. When you start to drop back into your ancestors and go beyond the human, you’re immediately regressed into the mammalian - coyote, bear, wolf, buffalo. This is literally Earth experience, where the wisdom of all levels of life begins to speak powerfully to us through varied forms -- animals, plants, stones, etc. When we communicate openly with those energies, we deepen ourselves, our wholeness, and our spirits enormously.

We are so close to realizing the truthful ways of living in harmony. The basic message of sacred ecology is really to remember that we are one being. There is no separation, except in our thinking. To journey and open our perceptions to the truth is to know that we are connected and able to communicate with, be in harmony with, and practice gratitude for all things in the circle of life.


Source: MysticalPlanet.com's Why? newsletter; excerpt from article by Brooke Medicine Eagle