Hello.
Our Earth is a precious place.
The title of Mother Earth might seem hokey,
But it's true,
Since we are all born of this planet and we will all return to it,
Save for the few of us living who will end up on extraterrestrial colonies.
It's easy today to feel like the world is beyond saving,
That the climate crisis has evolved beyond repair.
I understand too well this despair,
And I ask you to set it aside for a few moments,
Do this exercise,
And just see how or if it has any effect on you.
I do truly believe that each person deeply cares about the planet in their own way.
This may be hidden from awareness or simply overlooked or not understood,
And this reflective exercise is designed to connect you,
Dear listener,
To your Earth.
Let's practice.
Begin by bringing yourself to a meditation posture,
Sitting,
Standing,
Lying down,
Or walking.
Any of these will suit you fine.
Now close your eyes and come to your senses.
Actually,
If you're walking,
Please keep them open.
I don't want to be held legally responsible for you walking off a suspension bridge or into a stray goat.
So noticing any sounds,
Starting with the sounds farthest away from you,
And just hear them.
If your mind has a tendency to label the things,
Just notice hearing.
Notice any sights,
Even if your eyes are closed,
Any tastes,
Any smells.
Notice any sensations in your body,
Just doing a quick light scan,
Starting at the top of your head,
Face,
Your neck and shoulders,
Your arms,
Upper chest,
Stomach,
Upper back,
Lower back,
Hips and butt,
Genitals,
Upper legs,
Lower legs,
And feet.
Now that we've arrived in the present,
Bring to mind one part of nature that matters to you very much.
If you have several,
That's okay.
Just pick your favorite.
Maybe your family cabin at the lake,
Rainforest.
Maybe you adore squirrels,
As I very much do.
Perhaps it's a foreign environment you visited.
Just bring it to mind and feel your body's response to it.
Now remember some stories you have about your beloved part of nature,
Interacting with it or being there,
The beauty of this part of nature,
And recall them as if you were going to tell me the story.
If you actually want to do so out loud,
Just tell the story.
By all means,
Do so,
Or else just recall it in your head as if you were telling it.
Notice how the telling or recalling makes you feel.
Now tell me how it would feel to know that this part of nature was wiped off the earth forever.
How would the loss of this cherished part of nature feel to you?
And how would you feel if you learned that it was due to human activity?
Now can you imagine that perhaps other humans may have their own version of a cherished place or natural being?
And can you imagine if everyone were collectively experiencing this loss,
What impact it would have on the whole of humanity?
And now I'll ask you to identify a witness,
A person who would not be surprised to hear about your strong connection to and love of nature.
And then recall examples of what this person would say if asked that would explain that they do understand this about you.
Now consider the connection between you and your witness.
Consider the shared values,
Commitments,
Or priorities between you and your witness.
Recall how these have been expressed in your life and your relationship with them.
Now reflect on what specific actions you might take in order to protect this part of nature that you so dearly love.
Consider who you might join with in order to strengthen your action and your resolve.
And finally imagine what difference it would make for the biological community on earth as you take this protective posture relative to your beloved part of nature and what impact it will have on you to take action together with others.
If this practice has inspired you in any way,
May you take that inspiration and put your heart into action around this.
It's not too late.
Share this with those you care about.
Make connections with others who care.
We can change the world.
Thanks for your practice.
