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Earth Elders: An Invitation
Although recently diagnosed with ALS, I do not fear my impending mortality, but I do fear for the fate of our home, Planet Earth, and for future generations whose lives will be impacted by the consequences of climate change, species destruction, and the general decline of the health of the planet. I ask myself, what can I do? It is out of my hands. This is an issue that the next generation must address. To the contrary, our generation has been a major contributor to the actions that are compromising the health of the planet and we must be accountable and do all that we can to correct the disastrous trajectory we are on. As an elder, who has 70+ years of experience and observation, I have a unique perspective to share with my peers and more importantly, with the generations that will follow me. I have decided to take on the mantle of Earth Elder, one who speaks and cares for Earth and future generations.
In my lifetime, science has begun unraveling the amazing story of the universe. We now know that it began about 13.7 billion years ago and that it is still expanding, evolving, and that as a species, humans have become a major force in the unfolding process. The impact of population and technology are critical factors in this phenomenon. This story has changed my reality, or my perception of the way life is. Many of my earlier assumptions have been challenged and radically changed. In the past I arrogantly believed that science and technology would ultimately provide solutions to all our human needs. The focus on human needs without consideration for other species and our common habitats is the contradiction that we are finally recognizing. We are integrally connected and can no longer isolate or elevate ourselves apart from other life forms. As an agricultural scientist I once contributed to the development and promotion of pesticides. Since discovering the consequences of continual use of pesticides, I have now dedicated my agricultural practices to being totally organic. I continue to discover that many practices that I considered sacrosanct are now of questionable value. It is particularly challenging to be faced with your past errors of judgment, but also freeing to be able to accept what has happened and take action to correct and/or change those practices. As Earth Elders, we can help others do the same. With the new understanding of our interconnectedness with all things that has come from the prophetic voices of honorary Earth Elders Thomas Berry and Joanna Macy, I have come to recognize and renounce the anthropocentric bias that has dominated our economic, political, and cultural values and practices. The time has come to acknowledge our proper place in the universe. As a species we are the universe becoming conscious of itself and the sacred journey it has been on. With this new understanding of our integral relationship to all of our universal connections we must re-examine our ancient assumptions and change our ways of knowing, doing, and being. It is the great work that we have been called to perform. As an Earth Elder, I invite you to join me
and others who are learning, appropriating, and telling the
great story of the Universe, who are facilitating
celebrations of the evolutionary epic, who are mentoring
others on the journey, and who are advocates for the care of
the Earth. Visit the website
www.EarthElders.org
and discover what is required to become an Earth Elder.
Learn what some local Earth Elder Circles are doing. Also,
visit the resource section and tap into the rich tapestry of
books, websites, and videos. For further information,
contact me at
fred@songaia.com. |
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One leaf left on a branch |
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