Losing my Religion
Happy Earth Day, My Dearest Galosh
A lot of traditional dwellings have shrines and other religious elements in the inside space. Think traditional Japanese Butsudan household shrines, or Russian Eastern icons walls.
The megalithic sun alignment I like better because it talks to the sun. We’re much more inclined as a culture today to look towards the sun as our .. well, provider.
If we where to incorporate an element of the divine into our modern homes, we would first need to define what we mean by that. Since we’ve all but dissolved the old divine, we should first figure out what it has transformed into, if at all.
My guess, or hope is that some sort of ecology mindset could become our new religion.
Christianity had explained to us for ages that nature was something (external) for us to use to our benefit (women too for that matter). We have used it to our benefit indeed, and look what it has brought us. Not only are we unhappy for the most part, unhealthy at the best, we have destroyed the very source of exploitation we depend upon as a civilization. But hey, we have Amazon Prime.
The dominant culture’s bigoted view of the world and what it means to be full conscious worthy self, is another element of this view. To count as a full being.. It used to be that it was only free men, then men, then women, then men and women other that white, who would count as full beings. After that, the circle of what deserves respect widened to animals. Now, research is teaching us about the consciousness of plants, mycelia, soil, forests, even water.
“These discoveries seem to be converging on the universal indigenous belief that everything is alive and aware”
Charles Eisenstein in Climate: A new story
So instead of the separation of man and Nature we used to base our lives on, we now see a shift in perception towards what Charles Eisenstein calls “Story of Interbeing” (as opposed to “Mythology of Separation”).
“The illusion of separation has us think that one could conceivably thrive on a poisonous planet with the right air filters, water filters, EMF blockers, supplements, air conditioners, antibiotics, antifungals, bug zappers, and so on, replacing a world of nature with a world of technology. In interbeing, we know that health for one is impossible to sustain without health for all.”
Charles Eisenstein in Climate: A new story
This is not new stuff Charles and I have only just invented.
The Potawatomi nation was seeing plants animals and natural elements as individuals and would speak to them. And listen. The Potawatomi Honorable Harvest is a way of farming and gathering that involves only taking what you need and never more that nature can replenish. Every harvest is a ritual of gratitude toward the element of nature that has gracefully offered you their gift. In return we must give back and help nature thrive.
In her book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, author Robin Wall Kimmerer tells of the old way of building wigwams out of birch saplings and cattail and spruce roots. She explains how every part of the cattail is being used for a different purpose and how to gather roots.
“I murmur to the Spruces who I am and why I’ve come. Using bits of Potawatomi and bits of English, I ask their kind permission for digging. I ask if they’ll share with these dear young people what only they can give, their physical bodies and their teachings. I’m asking for something more than roots and leave a little tobacco in return.”
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, author Robin Wall Kimmerer
It’s a bit different from our customary excavator.
The wetlands that provided cattail to the Native people of North America are among the most highly productive ecosystems on earth, rivaling tropical rainforest. They have shrinked by 90 percent now. We’re building parking lots instead.
Relearning the deeptruth of being one with everything. That’s my new religion.
Defining my new religion as a newfound relationship with nature. One of harmony, not of blind exploitation.
If you where to join me, Earth Day could become a new religious Holiday, a time to celebrate our interconnectedness and embrace the love that surrounds this beautiful fluffy thought.
Love,
Jo
Thank you for reading Jo’s Epistolary. This post is public so feel free to share it.
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PS. Ironically, today is Orthodox Good Friday, in which we’re supposed to be mourning Christ and.. not sing. Whereas I’ve been looped on REM since morning. If my mother knew! So here it is, in case it hadn’t gotten into your head already:
Also, this: Charles Eisenstein, The Earth is Alive
Other letters to My Dearest Galosh and other imaginary friends:
