Recently I have been reading and reflecting on a book called The Cherokee Full Circle by J.T. Garret and Michael Tlanusta Garrett, a Cherokee father and son from North Carolina. It is an excellent book with many layers of wisdom and thought provoking ideas. For example, one precept deals with the Native American spirtuality that is "deeply rooted in the Principle of Noninterference, which focuses on the harmony created by the connection with all parts of the universe." (pg 53) Everything has value, purpose, and personhood which leads to a deeper respect and understanding of one's place in the physical world. Realizing our connection and responsibility to the earth and our place in the universe leads to a deeper understanding of one's "purpose to fullfill...[and] best path to follow." Everything from trees, to animals, to rocks, to the winds - all have personhood and importance.
The first Americans traditionally have a deeply spiritual sense of “oneness” with the earth. This rises from a “culture…born from beliefs and traditions that draw people together with a sense of oneness through the unity of family, clan and tribe.” (Garrett pg 21). Mother Earth in traditional teachings is one’s Universal Mother who gives us life. In this rich culture, a child learns to be sensitive to everything of which they are a part. Everything is connected. Human beings are a part of a whole, “kin to every living being…The animals are our four-legged brothers and sisters; the Earth is our Mother; the sky, Father; the Moon, Grandmother; and the Sun, Grandfather to all living creatures. The connection we all have with others can be considered nothing short of sacred.” (pgs. 22-23).
I wonder if the destruction of our planet is rooted in the white European/anglo culture’s disconnection with the natural world and our frenzied race for ownership and possessions? Is this the basis for our disregard and irresponsibility toward everything that is not specifically ours? Is the fact I do not own my neighbor’s land, or have any connection to it mentally or spiritually the reason it is so easy to disregard it, to disavow any responsibility for it? As we have carved up the earth and established ownership of land, territories, countries and governments – have we simultaneously cut our connections to the land and everything living on it?
I wonder if our white culture's drive to amass wealth to reflect power and respect leads many down the path of corruption and unhappiness. I wonder if our need to carve up the earth and war over it has driven us away from the principles of interconnectedness, noninterference and living a purposeful life. When climbing mountains or skimming quietly through rivers, I try to imagine what it was like here 900 years ago. Is there any way back? Could we find a way to forsake our ideas of ownership and do more to protect the earth? On a personal level, could I stop trying to amass material things and focus more of my effort on restoring harmony and health to our wounded planet?
We need to rebalance ourselves and examine what we are doing and how we are living our lives. It is imperative that we follow a path that leads to restoring harmony in our relationships, in ourselves and with the earth.
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