The Earth is my Church

Now, there is an interesting phrase. I came across it today whilst surfing the web and I am not gong to try and explain the context - a song title I think, but it sounded an interesting phrase! To me it could form an interesting discussion starter, t-shirt design, or meditation point. Is the Earth a place for Christian worship? Is there a community of 'persons' (human/non-human) who worship the Divine together? Is the Earth a place where I feel in touch with the Christian sacrements?

[Sacrement (as I can never remember the definition - thanks Wikipedia: In Western Christian belief and practice, a sacrament is a rite, instituted by Christ, that mediates grace, constituting a sacred mystery. .... The most conventional functional definition of a sacrament is that it is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, that conveys an inward, spiritual grace through Christ. The two most widely accepted sacraments are Baptism and the Eucharist...]

It could probbaly be read at many different levels - the whole earth community of Christians (arrghh - how is it that even that phrase seems to alienate vast swathes of people and cause me iritation?) to a very animistic and pagan thought that the earth in my garden that I care for is part of my being and has a reciprocating spiritual appreciation.

Wah! I can't cope, and yet it seems an exhillerating thought!

Slow Down!

Even though we have had cold winds, rain and seemingly little sunshine recently, Spring has awoken and there are celandines, violets, primroses and violets everywhere. The season wakes and gives birth to new life so quickly, and each year I almost feel as though I miss it. We long for it so much during the dark winter months and yet now I almost want to say "Wait, slow down, let me see you for a while and spend time in your presence!".

I have almost come to the conclusion that trying to Slow down and live a Slow lifestyle is impossible, though I haven't read around the subject to see what other downsizers or slow thinkers advocate what one should do. Having spent most of my working life up until now not really having to commute any distance that I couldn't walk in half an hour, I now find having to sit in a car for two 40 minute journeys (more or less) not conducive to an easy going, balanced, chilled out frame of mind. Nor is having a lively, bright, excitable, whingey, moody 4.5 year old in a small house. Nor is shopping in our local Asda. Nor is deciding to build a wendy house in the garden out of recycled wood with no financial outlay. Nor is being so enthusiastic to be outside that I get depressed sitting at my desk all day. Nor is having to pay a mortgage, insurance, car tax and heating bills. Nor is the huge long list of things, many of them creative, that I want to do. Nor is trying to find time to lead a 'spiritual' life!

More some other time.

Blessed Be.

For J R

Remember that each day
Is a day for you to welcome
To reach for and receive with open hands.
It is your landscape:
Of things to experience, sense and value.

Look for things that inspire you
Things that form passion in your soul.
They may be small, they may be great;
Things that you can share with others
Or things that are significant only to you.

There is creation all around you
And there is creation forming inside:
A new life, a new soul,
A new pair of feet to touch the earth.

Be strong in your journey,
And with those who walk beside you.
May the Spirit that gives you new life
Bless you with joy and peace.

The Earth Herself Journeys

I have just finished reading Finding Earth, Finding Soul by Tim Macartney (of www.embercombe.co.uk). A fairly inspiring book about walking the 'Invisible Path', as he calls it, of a relationship with the earth/nature. I liked it because it came from a fairly neutral and braod viewpoint, from a spiritual perspective, of how to relate more closely with the earth beneath our feet (i.e. not specifically Christian, Druidic, Wiccan etc). There was one passage in the book that stood out for me, and here it is:

If we do not journey, we stand still. If we stand still, we atrophy. There is little middle ground.
The earth herself journeys. She is a great mentor for those that will listen. She risked the challenge of childbirth, invested millions of years in raising her human children, and now endures the challenge of teenage indifference. She cannot stop the experiments with dangerous drugs or fast cars. She has chosen to honour her promise - the gift of choice. Yet she is not the mother to endure destruction at the hands of these same children. Although risking deep hurt she will survive and she has many more millions of years before she gives herself back to essence, and another planet takes on the immense challenge of birthing life.

Whenever I see a dewdrop...

From my journal

Today.
I thank you for this landscape: the day that awakens before my eyes. A day than enhances and encourages the spirit to dance with desire and expectation. I pray that you will be my guide and inspiration on my journey.

For the one we have lost to the earth, may their tiny soul linger on in the hope of heaven. We welcomed their presence, if only for a short time; and there was life, but yet untouchable and unknowable. May we move on, forever in our hopes and dreams. Whenever I see a dewdrop on a morning leaf, may I remember them: a tiny diamond, glistening in the sunshine - pure, perfect and yet transcient - soon to join the clouds to dance again in freedom.

Sitting on a Sunny Bench

The title is just an analogy for me just taking a few moments to add a few lines here. It's a bit like being on a long walk and finding a nice comfy wooden bench, bathed in early spring sunshine, and just sitting down to rest one's weary feet for a few minutes.

I am pondering a Post on being"Slow"... when I can get some space to write it!

Ah yes, the universe has been good to me. I have found a local Permaculture course which starts in May. I didn't quite jump up and down all day long with excitement, but I could have done. It will take quite a time commitment over three months but, having read around the subject for several years, it seems an amazing thing to find nearly on my doorstep. Can't wait!!!

Hands are bit tired at the moment from all the house decorating and a large amount of computer work, so typing Posts is not a priority.

Oh, poo - another lunchtime gone...

Praying in Trees

My daughter had a conversation at school today that went something along the lines of the following:

"What did you do at the weekend"
"Went to church"
"Did Daddy go with you"
"No, because Daddy likes praying in the trees".

Hmm, I like that but, as a friend said, perhaps I need to be aware of any reputation that may develop...