The Sacred Balance

I have come across a number of profound sections throughout David Suzuki's book The Sacred Balance. 

The following is just one of many that I would like to share:

To heal our planet and ourselves, we need to move away from "pathological individualism. We don't live on the earth; we live in it."  explains Sarah Conn. 

We must begin to see ourselves as part of our environment, not separate from it. Our identity goes beyond flesh, blood and our actions and thoughts. Our identity includes our natural world, how we move through it, how we interact with it and how it sustains us. When we forget that we are embedded in the natural world, we also forget that what we do to our surroundings we are doing to ourselves. 

If we continue to think of ourselves as separate from our surroundings, we will not be sensitive to the consequences of what we are doing,  so we can't see that our path is potentially suicidal. If we do not see ourselves as part of the natural world and become further detached, we risk a greater sense of loneliness, a lack of meaning, purpose and sense of belonging. Without experiences in nature, we develop ignorance and apathy. (160-163)

Michele Ward

Lessons

I have been the recipient of many lessons this past month, some of which I did not embrace at the time. they were given. These lessons have required some reflection on my part in order to understand what the lesson is and what can be learned from the experience.

One lesson in particular was a reminder that some problems are not always what they seem. I had what I thought to be a back injury that actually turned out to be an issue with my hip flexors. With the correct professional help I was able to address the root of the problem, instead of just dealing with the surface pain.

Taking the time to look beyond what is on the surface is a lesson in itself and provides us with insight and opportunity for personal growth, but sometimes outside help is necessary as well.

Other lessons have been more difficult because they involve expectations, personal opinions and ego.  I have learned that judgement really does not serve me in a positive way and yet I find it very difficult at times to let go, especially when ego, values and morals are involved. I think that it comes down to awareness and a lot of practise. While those lessons may be frustrating, they do serve a vital role in our growth and development.

Michele Ward