We need to wake up and realize that the Earth is our mother as well as our home—and in this case the umbilical cord binding us to her cannot be severed. When the Earth becomes sick, we become sick, because we are part of her.

— A Western Soto Zen Buddhist Statement

Greetings, Inspired Seekers!

There has been a lot of talk in the press lately about climate change; and some of the news is startling, to say the least. I find it curious that this issue is almost always discussed from a political perspective when, to me, it seems as if there is a spiritual aspect to it. Is there such a thing as Eco-Spirituality? Hmmm…

If we can consider that the “soul” is our blueprint for the self, it is not a stretch to see it also as the blueprint for all creation. And, if we could wrap our heads around this, we might see creation and all that is in it in a different light. We might see it as the Native Americans do and, in the Christian tradition, as the Franciscans do. We might begin to understand it as the Celts or as the Earth traditions and embrace a new way of living. We might finally begin to think of the Soul of the Earth.

Why is it so easy to separate ourselves from our non-human cohabitants? Is it easy to dismiss them because we really haven't claimed our own soul and, on a daily basis, often dismiss that as well? I do think that in order to offer love, we need to give it to ourselves; the same with compassion, respect and kindness. Perhaps we struggle so much internally that we can only struggle externally. If we do not heal inside, it is impossible to offer healing outside.

When we are connected to ourselves - and others - at the soul level, we are whole and we protect that wholeness; we treat it as the sacred center of everything. In our internal disconnect, our inability to know the oceans, the grasslands, the air and the other elements of nature as sacred is to be, sadly, expected. It seems as if we need to explore and rediscover our own souls and, through that, our amazing connection to the Divine. Then, armed with that loving and epic relationship, we can reignite our relationship with all of nature and with our beloved planet home that contains it all.

A political approach to this issue does not appear to be helping; nor does a social, economic or cultural one. Perhaps a spiritual approach will be the tipping point. I hope so. For if we are unconnected from our innermost selves and our Creator, how can we possibly help what has been created, out of great, great love?

Grace-Fully Yours,
Reverend Deborah

Monthly Affirmation: My soul is connected to the soul of the earth and to the Holy Spirit.

The Reverend Dr. Deborah Darlington provides spiritual direction to people of all traditions as they make their way on planet earth. GraceMatters@TheSpaceForGrace.com or 215 260 1611.