20 April 2021|Yoga general
Musings on Earth Day Earth day is 22nd April 2021, and the Earth Day organisation’s theme this year is Restore Our Earth. Whilst the break that we’ve all had from “normal life” has had positives for the environment, there have been negatives too, and we need to ensure we continue to look after the earth as we move forward.
On the plus side, millions of people staying at home has meant less emissions caused by commuting to work, and restrictions on traveling within the UK and abroad have obviously meant far less air miles being racked up too. On the downside, domestic waste recycling programmes have been disrupted in many areas. For example my local authority still collects the recycling bins, but their contents are currently being sent to land fill, presumably because of staffing shortages and extra health concerns caused by the pandemic. As we carefully begin to pick our way through the roadmap out of lockdown, we still need to continue to examine our relationship with Mother Earth in the coming months and years.
As individuals it’s all too easy to feel that we can’t do very much to halt profits taking precedent over environmental concerns, and in so doing relinquish responsibility. Whilst we are where we are as the human species, we should remember that as students of yoga, honouring our connection to the earth can take place in many ways which can spread a pro-Earth message. Here is a thought provoking quote from current head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis:
"Respect for the environment means more than simply using cleaner products or recycling what we use ... We need to see, with the eyes of faith, the beauty of God's saving plan, the link between the natural environment and the dignity of the human person ... As stewards of God's creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling." ~ a quote from Pope Francis
This is a great aspirational message for us all (whether you're religious or not is immaterial). I particularly like the idea of making a link between the natural environment and the dignity of the human person, as well as remembering our individual roles as stewards of the earth. Here are a few ways we can honour the Earth all year round, as well as resetting our positive intentions for the planet on Earth Day. First, a little history …
The myth of Gaia According to Greek mythology, in the beginning was Chaos, formless and unfathomable space. Chaos is said to have brought forth Erebus or darkness, and Nyx or night. This pair then coupled and formed Hemera, or day, and Aether, or light. To add to this Greek Big Bang situation, Chaos also brought forth Gaia, the Earth, and Tartarus, the depths and caves beneath the Earth. These are the primordial deities who gave rise to all of the gods and monsters of Greek myth. Gaia, the primal energy of the Earth, then went on to bear two sons on her own – no sire required! These were Pontus, the sea, and Ouranos, the sky. And so, according to Greek mythology, this is the basic reason we have Earth, sea and sky. Honouring the Earth Modern day life seems an aeon away from those posited ancient beginnings. The pace and complexity of our lives often distorts our current relationship to the Earth, meaning we may not even have time to contemplate its' bounty and beauty. In the words of the poet W.H.Davies:
What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows. No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass. No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night. No time to turn at Beauty's glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance. No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began. A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.
Taking the advice of this classic poem would be a really great start to appreciating the beauty and wonder of mother Earth and all of her inhabitants. If we can make this very simple recognition part of our every day life we can only benefit from it.
Here are some other ideas to bring inspiration into your life through Earth Day:
Research the life cycle of trees and their positive effects on the environment Learn more about the flora and fauna of your local area, or of a particular part of the world you’re interested in
Set out a bird table and get ready with a mini telescope to study the birdlife in your own back garden, or try your hand at amateur photography by snapping the visits of our feathered friends
Plogging: this is picking up litter whilst jogging! Every little helps, and although I haven’t jogged for a while, I do try to make a point of picking up litter when I’m out walking the dogs (would that then be dlogging if I was not walking but jogging??!)
Continuing to recycle, whether your local authority does or not right now –let’s trust that someday soon they’ll get back to it!
Other ideas could include building bug hotels with the kids, gardening (without using chemicals), taking country or coastal walks, forest bathing, buying and supporting local …..
The list of ways to honour the Earth as provider of our very life force are many and varied! And all can bring us back to the bounty of nature and an opportunity to share that with upcoming generations.
Earthing If you are lucky enough to have a garden at home, you don’t even have to leave it to take a grounding meditation whilst communing direct with mother earth. Earthing is the easiest way to get a direct line, as it were, to Earth’s energy. You simply need to go outside, find a natural space where you can make direct contact with your bare feet (garden, park, beach, forest – it doesn’t have to be grass, but make sure it’s safe!) and soak up the positive energy of our planet. Medidtate on the beauty of nature whilst you breathe steadily, mindfully and calmly. Here’s why you should practice earthing, according to Earthing.com: “The earth’s surface has a virtually limitless supply of mobile electrons that gives the ground we walk on (as well as lakes and oceans) a natural negative electric charge. When you touch your body to the ground, it dissipates static electricity and extraneous environmental electrical charges that are on you. At the same time, you receive a charge of energy in the form of free electrons and your body synchronizes with the natural frequencies of the earth.” Now that’s life force!
Honouring the Earth in our yoga practice In our classes this week we will be honouring the earth with inspirational meditations from Thich Nhat Hahn, taken from his beautiful work “Love Letter to the Earth”. We’ll also be focussing on poses which take their inspiration from the Earth and nature, such as mountain pose, downward and upward facing dog, tree, swan, heron … and many more! If the weather stays fine, you could even take your mat outside and do your practice immersed in nature. Doing yoga in the sunshine is a wonderful experience and a great way to honour the Earth and it’s biosphere.
Look forward to seeing you on the mat this Earth Day week.
xCx
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