A vow to anchor in stormy times
I’m an EcoSattva.
I’m here on Earth to live and work until we find ourselves in peace and embraced with Mother Nature again.
I do my garden, I swim the lakes, I wander. I learn each day and get so much from her. I listen best when I let loose of my thoughts and become part of Nature in the moment, with all my body.
The separation between “me” and “it” is an illusion. I am because you are. Humans are not here to rape their Mother, not to misuse her as if a dead object. Instead we must release our control, recover our belonging and rediscover her many gifts.
I believe Nature can’t collapse, but humans would first. In the end we need not fear, because we can’t kill her enormous vitality. She’d rather overgrow the ruins of our arrogance and ignorance.
Going into the woods has become a “thirst” to me and I find strength when I connect to the element of water.
It soothes me, it carries me, it’s endless and reminds me that change is constant. It’s an element for my grief and sorrow. I pray for it to save the forests and prevent the fires.
Again and again I try to return to my ocean mind, get clear and silent as the surface of a lake — to look deeper and act from wisdom; not reaction, not emotions.
I will act out of peace and passion. I will not fight my government, my opponents or any people not sharing my views. I will rather invite the open-minded to unite and light the way into a better tomorrow, one that is less hostile and constrained for all of us.
Less I see the dead tree torn down by bugs, drought and wind; more I see the mushrooms, moose, sprouts starting new life on its nutrient, serving body.
Our old system of exploitation may die for good. A Green New Deal may start within us. Let us never despair, but keep sowing the seeds.
As an EcoSattva I walk the trail as best as I can. It’s ok to get lost and discover the unexpected. It’s ok to have no map and trust my inner compass. It’s ok if no one follows and I need to trail-blaze.
I’m out here and the waves will carry.
And then you find *this* the same night of publishing:
An English Buddhist priest once taught me that in learning to pray, we learn to get smaller. To get lower, closer to the ground that supports us. Of the many valuable things which I’ve received from the hands of Buddhist teachers, that priest’s idea of prayer is the one I hold closest: when we get down to it, all that we are and all that we value in this life comes to us as unearned gift, and what we cultivate, in prayer, is a grateful awareness of this condition. Which is one of abundance. Which is also one of permanent, radical dependency.
If we understood prayer as lowering us to Earth, coming back to ourselves not ‘as gods’ but as the barefoot, teeming mutualists we are — something more like moss, or fungi — the question remains: who, then, do we imagine we’re praying to? And what does it mean to address this gravitational, interspecies who in personal, singular — rather human — terms?
Source: Mat Osmond on Dark Mountain
Appendix: EcoSattva Vows for daily practice
Based on my love of the world and understanding of deep interdependence of all things, I vow:
- To live in Earth more lightly and less violently in the food, products and energy I consume.
- To commit myself daily to the healing of the world and the welfare of all beings; to discern and replace human systems of oppression and harm.
- To invite personal discomfort as an opportunity to share in the challenge of our collective liberation.
- To draw inspiration, strength and guidance from the living Earth, from our ancestors and the future generations, and from our siblings of all species.
- To help others in their work for the world and to ask for help when I feel the need.
- To pursue a daily spiritual practice that clarifies my mind, strengthens my heart and supports me in observing these vows
