The profound importance of the Earth to our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being is one lesson that we’ve learned from the recent pandemic. It should really go without saying, then, that staving off the ecological catastrophe (already well underway) must be our top priority as a human race.
But I’d contend that staving off this environmental crisis first requires that we restore a sacred covenant with the Earth. This covenant is comprised of four parts and demands individual accountability and commitment from each of the Earth’s nearly eight billion inhabitants.
Treating the Earth as our loved one
The first part of the sacred covenant calls on all of us to treat the Earth in the same manner that we would a beloved partner, family member or pet: with dignity and respect. What is needed is for us not to take more than we need from nature to survive, and to cease our senseless exploitation of the Earth’s precious resources.
What this also means is that we must adopt a higher consciousness that sees all of the Earth as a sacred and divine space. Would you ever entertain the truly despicable thought of breaking into a monastery and desecrating the holy places where venerated Monks spend their days praying to the one with many names? Of course not! The same sense of outrage we’d feel about that should also extend to would-be predations of the Earth.
Honouring Indigenous culture(s)
The second part of this covenant implies that we must resolve to learn and honour the ways of our Indigenous peoples, who have for countless millennia, maintained an exquisite balance in living symbiotically with the Earth.
On this point, I’ve had the privilege of forming a deep friendship with a beloved elder from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) named Myrtle Driver. And what I’ve learned from my countless interactions with this selfless woman is that much of her culture’s way of life revolves around honouring the sacredness of nature. Engaging in deliberate practices that defile our mother Earth is simply unfathomable to the teachings of all Indigenous traditions.
It’s imperative, then, that we here in the Western world work to protect those very cultures that know how to live with ecological awareness and balance. To destroy our Indigenous cultures is like literally severing a tree from its roots.
Meaningfully connecting with the Earth
The third part of this sacred covenant requires that we each make a concerted daily effort (if possible) to meaningfully connect with the Earth in some way. This could be as simple as planting a small garden or taking a short 30-minute walk on the coastline, in the mountains or at the city park. Regardless of how we choose to connect with the Earth, our time spent in communion with her should leave us with a greater sense of gratitude and inner peace.
I’ve come to believe that when we each try to forge such an intimate connection with the Earth, we become more likely to protect her. Would you stand by if someone threatened to harm an individual that you’ve shared beautiful and poignant moments with? Absolutely not. Our personal relationship with the Earth should breed the same kind of loyalty that we extend to our loved ones.
Becoming “nature missionaries”
Finally, the last part of this covenant calls on all of us to become what I call “nature missionaries.” This means that we each must play a role in exposing others to the glory of nature. Among my own group of friends, one of the things I’m known for (other than being that hippie guy who’s always running late!) is taking people out on hikes in the mountains where I live.
I can’t count how many times I’ve guided “nature newbies” on hikes and felt their overwhelming joy and appreciation for having the opportunity to connect with the wild. The feeling I get from seeing the awe on their faces when they experience a mesmerizing sunset or a dramatic view is priceless. Nature feeds our souls. And when our souls are fed in that way, we can’t help but become passionate advocates and protectors of the Earth.
We’re all keepers of the covenant
We’re all keepers of this sacred covenant, and we all receive our spiritual nourishment from the green oasis. Truly, the Earth is our greatest source of revelatory wisdom, divine connection and boundless love.
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image: dianaparkhouse
