A relationship that joins with the wisdom of the earth empowers all living beings from plants and animals to humans; and I discuss this way of relating in my book, Soul Talk With Cells.  A profound comment on this topic that caught my attention recently was, “Human beings have misinterpreted the word dominion in defining our natural relationship with the Earth;” and I decided to consider that observation more closely.

The word dominion actually means “authority over,” and yet, how that authority is exercised is important especially whether it is administered cooperaticvely or taken without regard for others.  The earth is alive with life and responds with life according to how it is treated; when an authority relationship is exercised cooperatively, there is harmony; when it is taken carelessly, we get discord.  The difference is vast.

Dominion that is exercised based in knowledge well used, intelligence, or experience makes sense for the good of all; and we each qualify for one of these types of dominion at various times; and elements of the earth qualify as well due to intelligence within their own unique functions.  There is a living energy that we share on this earth, and cooperation benefits us collectively.  On the other hand, dominion that is imposed without regard for the well being of other living things goes against the natual flow and becomes control and dysfunction.

Since humans are the only beings on the planet with the capacity to think about what they are thinking, we have a responsibility to all other life on earth to be aware of our thinking in order to live in a sustainable way.

Past practices of putting chemicals in our soils have not served the earth; in fact, they have altered the harmonious balance of the soil; there are chemicals polluting the air we breathe; we have “dead zones” in lakes and streams due to chemical “run-off;” and we have miles of floating plastic debris in the ocean due to the dumping of trash.  It is a monstrously uncooperative relationship with the earth that is at odds with not only the earth’s well being but everything that lives on it.

Indeed, the more we neglect the source of our well being, the Earth, the more we move towards our own collapse; and with all of our work to improve the way we live through better technology, remembering to join with the wisdom of the earth and to heal our separation from its abundant and natually supportive systems is not only urgent, it is critical.

This topic is discussed more fully in the book, Soul Talk With Cells, which is summarized and available for purchase online.

Copyright 2010 by Flora Sue Gardner.  All rights reserved.