How Arrogant are We Moderns

Look closely at the dripping tree trunk. Find the lichens and fissures and spider's web, and feel her tears of rain. Thank you to Divyashakti for her delicate artwork.

27th September, 2009

Beautiful rain keeps falling; an eternity of falling water. Feeling rather drab and in need, I went forth with my cup and incense stick of fire. Feet in the mud, head in the grey rain, I felt each step, and thanked the Earth for its coldness. Approaching the tree, I felt leaves, soil, rock, water, all manner of textures underfoot.

Squatting at the tree, I said, “Hello, I feel rather crap, how are you?”

I felt her branches arched over me like loving arms of mother, and suddenly the rain became a kind gift from heaven, the sound of the wind a caressing lullaby, its fingers soft on my skin. I felt the tree’s calmness and how internalised she is, about to give birth to spring blossom. She felt as soft as a woman in full term, and completely focused on the making of flowers, yet giving me access today. I felt nature holding me when I needed holding.

I thought about all the cultures doing nature worship over the millennia, and how we were taught about it as though it was some ignorant, primitive, naïve habit. Well, how arrogant are we moderns, who have gutted nature and abused the wisdom of those who knew her, loved her, revered her and made offering to her. How could we come to such a stupid way of seeing and behaving? Such perverse insecurity – to deny that which is fundamental to life in order to exploit her for excess wealth in an individual lifetime.

Beautiful rain, beautiful tree, can I apologise on behalf of all the ignorance and foolishness that has harmed you so?