Nature’s boundaries are subtle, often changing cyclically and rhythmically. Humans tend to enclose and separate. My mother-in-law used to complain about the deer in the garden. We would tell her put up a fence and she would say that was worse. We co-inhabit spaces with sentient and non-sentient phenomena. We really cannot fence ourselves outside of the infinite relationships present to us in the universe.
The imagery in the picture and poetry reminds us that we assume the centre is the place to be. In some recent reading, one author (bell hooks) proposed the margins give us a wider view of the world we live in. We are on the boundaries seeing the centre and looking outwards to newness that people caught in the middle are not able to see easily.
Nature teaches and is always present for us to learn. When we pause and are present with the universe, we can learn. J. Patrick Lewis wrote this poem as a reminder of lessons available when we take time and make the Earth our companion.
We do not live separate from the Earth and its inhabitants, sentient and non-sentient. We live in relationship with the Earth. This suggests the companionship is direct and active, dynamic and energetic. Companionship is about breaking bread with another. When we journey as companions, we are in communion calls on us to be stewards and serving the Earth and the relationships we live in. Communion is fellowship and mutual participation, an exchange of energy which is life-giving and affirming.
Make the Earth your companion.
Walk lightly on it, as other creatures do.
Let the Sky paint her beauty- she is always
watching over you.
Learn from the Sea how to face harsh forces.
Let the River remind you that everything will pass.
Let the Lake instruct you in stillness.
Let the Mountain teach you grandeur.
Make the Woodland your house of peace.
Make the Rainforest your house of hope.
Meet the Wetland on twilight ground.
Save some small piece of Grassland for a red kite
on a windy day.
Watch the Icecaps glisten with crystal majesty.
Hear the Desert whisper hush to eternity.
Let the Town weave a small basket of togetherness,.
Make the Earth your companion.
Walk lightly on it, as other creatures do.
When I was working in banking many years ago, we were doing home renovations. I would work in the basement and have Jimmy Buffett on listening to his “pirate music.” I got a lot done and the music always helped me get where I wanted to go in my work. It reminded me it was OK to have dreams and be a pirate at times.
This is a little Monday humour. Can you imagine the muscles we might develop if we lifted weights like this?
Sabbath activities are crossroads where we bump into wonder when we are awake, aware, and attentive. We can walk with clarity and keep a sharp eye. It is in the attentiveness we gain insight, let go, and become enlightened. The wonder is two-fold. It uplifts ordinary acts/events we pass over often and they become extraordinary. As well, we take time and check those things that are different. It is not in sameness we find freedom. It is in opening up and accepting difference that we free ourselves from impenetrable prejudice, prejudgment.
James Broughton used wonderful metaphors and imagery. In letting go, we become intrepid, bold, and fearless explorers. We cut though strings binding us to the familiar and step towards lucent surprises which are always there, but paradoxically block our vision and hide from us.
A paraphrase of St. Benedict suggests we listen with the ear and see with the eye of our heart. In this we elevate the invisible and unheard in Sabbath moments.
Not dawdling
not doubting
intrepid all the way
walk toward clarity
with sharp eye
With sharpened sword
clear cut the path
to the lucent surprise
of enlightenment
At every crossroad
be prepared to bump into wonder
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 