The Same Boat -- Planet Earth

After an orange cloud — formed as a result of a dust storm over the Sahara and caught up by air currents — reached the Philippines and settled there with rain, I understood that we are all sailing in the same boat.
Vladimir Kovalyonok (Astronaut)

Being Sisters and Brothers of Nature

When we think of oceans and mountains, forests and deserts, trees, plants and animals, the sun, the moon, the stars, and all the galaxies, as God's creation, waiting eagerly to be "brought into the same glorious freedom as the children of God" (Roman 8:21), we can only stand in awe of God's majesty and God's all- embracing plan of salvation.
It is not just we, human beings, who wait for salvation in the midst of our suffering; all of creation groans and moans with us longing to reach its full freedom.
In this way we are indeed brothers and sisters not only of all other men and women in the world but also of all that surrounds us.
Yes, we have to love the fields full of wheat, the snowcapped mountains, the roaring seas, the wild and tame animals, the huge redwoods, and the little daisies.
Everything in creation belongs, with us, to the large family of God.

--Henri Nouwen

In Group

Today the planet is the only proper "in group."

Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world.

We cannot cure the world of sorrows,

but we can choose to live in joy.

Joseph Campbell

Elder's Meditation -- Touchin The Earth

Touching the earth - getting grounded, centered.
There is magic in touching the earth and feeling her healing power.
This is especially healthy to do during a troubling time when our minds are racing or can't stop thinking or are locked onto fear or resentment.
When I need to feel free I can go to the Mother Earth.
The Mother Earth is full of life and love.
She always gives her powers to those who come to her. The Mother Earth is alive.

Today, my Great Spirit,

let me remember to touch the earth.

Let me slow down and live just for today.

Let me be gentle, patient and kind.

Elder's Meditation -- Keepers Of The Earth

In order for the Creator to do His work on this earth, He needs the human being to do it.
How He guides us is through our eyes, ears, hands, nose, mouth, arms legs and feet.
We are instruments of the Creator.
We are His keepers of the earth.
We are the keepers of our brothers.
We are to teach His children.
We are to respect the things He has made.
We are to take care of ourselves and treat our bodies and our minds with respect.
We are to do respectful things.
We are to walk the Sacred Path.
We should have good thoughts.
We should do only things that we think the Creator would have us do.
What an honor to be a human being.
What an honor that He would talk to us and guide us to perform His wonders.

Oh Great Spirit, let me appreciate
the role you have given me.

Let my sense be sharp to hear Your voice.

Keep my mind clean so

I can do the things You would have me do.

The Natural Laws

There is no power greater than the Natural Laws.
These powers were set up by the Creator in such a way that the human being has no access to it, except by obeying.
If we choose not to follow the Natural Laws, our live will be filled with confusion, tension, anxiety and stress.
If we poison the Earth, we poison ourselves.
If we poison the Water of the Earth, we poison ourselves.
As we do to the Earth, we do to ourselves and our children, even the children unborn.
May we think about this today and ask ourselves,
"Are we holding and acting toward the Mother Earth in a good way?"

Creator, teach me the Natural Laws that govern the Earth.

Living University

What we really need to learn is how to live life. Nature is the greatest university when we want to learn about balance, harmony, the Natural Laws and how to live life. But we will never learn unless we spend time in the "living university." Nature is full of examples, lessons, and exercises about life. Nature will help humans learn. Nature will help humans heal. Nature will help with Medicine, knowledge and healing. The reason our Elders are so wise is because they have attended the right educational system - nature's university.

Creator, help me to become wise.

We Must All Become Caretakers Of The Earth

Mother Earth is the source of all life.
We should not only be concerned about the part of the Earth we live on, but we should be concerned about the parts of the Earth that other people live on.
The Earth is one great whole.
The trees in Brazil generate the air in the United States.
If the trees are cut in Brazil, it affects the air that all people breathe.
Every person needs to conscientiously think about how they respect the Earth.
Do we dump our garbage out of the car?
Do we poison the water? Do we poison the air?
Am I taking on the responsibility of being a caretaker of the Earth?

Creator, today, I will be aware of the Earth.
I will be responsible.