We need to bring back the conditions for our natural environment to be "wild"; we need to stop raping the earth of the very spaces and resources it needs to thrive. It sounds so obvious - the earth is our home. There is nowhere else to move to. Yet somehow, gradually and collectively, we have become blind and careless. Over recent years I've heard myself saying more than once: "We're like frogs in water that is slowly getting to boiling point." You probably know that analogy. Apparently if a frog is dropped into a pan of boiling water it will frantically struggle to get out. But if it is placed in warm water on a low heat it will quite happily enjoy the warmth and sink into a tranquil slumber eventually allowing itself to be boiled to death. The analogy is much too close for comfort.
Fortunately there are many organisations and individuals who are sounding the alarm - and showing us how to take action. If you Google the word "rewilding" you will find, as I did, many links.
A challenging insight in this episode is that we won't succeed in rewilding the earth unless we also rewild our hearts. "You can't find nature sacred if there is no sense of the sacred within you." For some, "rewilding the heart" happens unexpectedly and even through trauma. Clare Dubois, in this episode recounts her experience. Here's an 8 minute clip of her story. I was particularly fascinated by Clare's story because several years ago I joined Tree Sisters. Through a monthly donation "my forest" now has 363 new trees. The total number of trees planted by Tree Sisters at the time of writing this is: 22,850,619! If you did listen to the YouTube clip you will know that Clare was/is a confirmed introvert who had no idea how to deal with her grief at the rape of the earth until the event described. Of course not everyone has to go through such a dramatic experience. Our call to action may be quiet and progressive. But one way or another we each have a part to play. And as two of the panel commented - we have to feel the pain of our planet before we truly show up and take action. The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben is an inspiring read.
It's interesting that Covid is a disease of the lungs and trees are the lungs of the earth. A diagram of lungs shows that they even look like trees!
"The whole fabric of creation is designed for peace, harmony and fullness of life," said one person. That echoes creation stories around the world and in many religions. For example: the creation story in Genesis 1. If you are interested in the mythology of trees in different cultures and religions this is an interesting site. Getting back to that "peace, harmony and fullness of life" is what this mutual rewilding of our hearts and our planet is about.
I've loved trees since I was a child. They seem so solid and rooted and dependable. They know how to weather storms and grow around obstacles. Their roots are strong enough to push up through concrete pathways. They stay put through the centuries often growing through cities now deserted and crumbling.
Take note of the last line: Our heritage is in our hands.
A final quote: "Trees are not insane.If you want to become sane go outside. Bow, listen, learn."
Some links to those on this episode:
Catherine G Lucas: Founder of Co-creating Our Future, author and Birth the New Earth Host
Clare Dubois: founder of Tree Sisters
James Murray White: Filmmaker, Activist and Co-founder of XR Rewilding
Mick Collins: Occupational Therapist and Author of The Unselfish Spirit The Visionary Spirit and Birth the New Earth team member
