Connecting Somatically With The Earth
We are in an environmental crisis.
Some people argue the facts of global warming. Many of us don’t let it in fully, or we do for awhile then it moves to the back of our mind. We don’t need to shame ourselves for this.
“The effect of trauma is that we disconnect from ourselves, the present moment, and our sense of value.” Gabor Maté MD
What impact would it have to extend our practice of somatic mindfulness inquiry and awareness of our own body into Mother Earth? We might change the quote: we disconnect from the earth, from the reality of climate change, from the sense of value of the earth, and from letting ourselves be connected with and care about the earth.
We can’t afford to care because it feels like it’s too much. The damage is too severe, and as individuals, we can’t change it enough to avert the disaster that is actually already here.
We feel powerless when we think about the earth and climate change, so we put it out of our conscious mind.
The strategies of our nervous system, like its response to so many of the challenges of modern life, are not very effective.
In a fight response, we might deny climate change and accuse the “other side” of false news. They don’t believe climate change is real, they minimize it, or make fun of the “tree huggers”.
A fight response might mobilize us into taking action, but the fiery energy of this survival response burns us out. We hate greedy capitalists or climate deniers.
Many people are in freeze or shut-down, feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. We’re unable to take any positive action, or we continue to feel defensive about our actions that contribute to pollution. If we can’t fix it, why bother?
Seven generations ago where did your ancestors live? What was their world like?
I come from white settlers escaping British tyranny in the Highland Clearances in Scotland. That they needed escape does not justify colonization of North America. I am mindful of my conditioning into a settler mindset. Resources are here for me to use. I take priority. It takes mindfulness to remember to challenge that thinking.
What is the world like for your descendants or people one or two generations younger?
What might life be like in seven generations from you?
We need to somehow break through our defense mechanisms and self-centeredness. Healing shame and the disconnect of trauma is essential for ourselves, each other, and our world.
We are part of a community of people, other beings, the earth, and we all affect each other now, and through generations ahead. Just as we don’t have access to compassion when we’re in survival mode, we can’t “remember” our connection with other beings and the earth when we’re in fight/ flight/ freeze survival responses.
There are two pathways to survival. One is competition — taking everything we can for ourselves and hoarding for the future. The other is cooperation — sharing resources so we all have enough. Cooperation is actually the more effective path and is certainly kinder and leads to more connection and joy in life. We are being called to rise above “survival of the fittest”.
We looked at this teaching a few weeks ago: Gifts Are Multiplied In Relationship
“There are layers upon layers of reciprocity in this garden. The beauty of the partnership is that each plant does what it does to increase its own growth.
When the individuals flourish, so does the whole. The most important thing each of us can know is our own unique gift and how to use it in the world.
Individuality is cherished and nurtured, because in order for the whole to flourish, each of us has to be strong in who we are and carry our gifts with conviction so they can be shared with others.” Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
Let’s inquire.
Is the earth a living being, Gaia, consciousness, Earth Mama? Do we share an energy field?
Is the earth a collection of processes — the sun shines and it evaporates water and it rains and … or is there a consciousness animating the world?
Our assessment of this is a mental belief and experience. Still, we can connect with the earth.
Extending somatic awareness into the earth
The earth is my body and I can extend my roots down.
The ground supports me and I feel the touch of my feet on earth.
I connect with the body of the earth — I feel the touch of water, wind and sun — the earth feels the touch of water, wind and sun.
As I breathe in and out, I connect with the breath of trees and plants. I appreciate and savor the mutually beneficial exchange of life-giving oxygen for people and animals, and carbon dioxide which is food for plants.
The energy that plants create through photosynthesis sustains them and feeds us.
Trees nourish and support each other through intermingling their roots and vast networks of mycelium in soil.
I am part of this cycle of connection and nurturing.
I can connect more deeply with this knowing — I am part of this whole.
Limiting my foot print is good for me. I breathe easier with less pollution in my lungs, and so do other beings and the earth.
The birch tree sheds its bark to grow and we can honor and respect its gift instead of peeling it off and harming the tree. I can practice mindfulness in my exchanges.
We take right action for our own benefit, and for the benefit of all beings.
Regulating our own nervous system and healing our own trauma benefits us most and the blessings extend to others as we come out of survival mode and into compassion and caring.
Our gifts our needed
As we heal, we can move into right action to protect and nourish our broader community and energy field in which we live. We are being called into service through connection and love.
Our Sunday free community class is an opportunity to join with like minded folks to inquire and share together. You are welcome to join us. Details and Zoom link here.
