Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light. Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory. Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning. Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young. Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone. Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground. Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky. Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall. Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring. Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.
– An Ute Prayer
Reflecting on current events, I can’t help but consider it is a time for us to do some deep remembering – remembering the very things that connect us with each other, with our place on earth and with the Creator. I was reminded of an Indian Prayer I had read – Earth, Teach Me, which reflects on the very things we as humans are being reminded of on a global scale during this time of change…
Earth Teach Me Quiet… Only when the factories close, the cars cease running and the bright lights are out and we are cocooned in the solitude and quiet of our own homes, we can take the time to sit in reflection in the quiet of the now… Use it wisely to go inward and reflect on your place in this world and the light in yourself.
Earth Teach Me Suffering… Suffering is the attachment to desires – all attachments are transitory and loss is inevitable. But if we are to live peacefully with ourselves we must let go of the fear of loss, anxiety of what may be and live in the present. Be grateful of what you have right now. Just as the old stones sit in their place, know you are in the right place, right now.
Earth Teach Me Humility… Our world is changed – we are living in circumstances that are unprecedented… no-one stands above the other, these circumstances are the great equaliser. Humility is the realisation that we are all one and we are all equal, albeit with different skills and talents. Share those skills and talents now with the world in your own way, not for your own self satisfaction or reward, but for the betterment of the world or an individual – just like the flower starts as a bud, we are all at the start of a new way of living.
Earth Teach Me Caring… Just as a mother nurtures her young, nurture your friendships, your families and your colleagues – they are all experiencing this global change right along with you. Making the effort to demonstrate your love and care to others not only allows them to feel connected but connects you also.
Earth Teach Me Courage… Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears. A mighty tree standing on its own is not limited by its lack of protection from the elements – it grows deep roots to hold it upright and broad branches to gather energy from the sun. We are in uncertain times, but do not be tempted to retreat into limiting behaviours – instead, advance into expansive behaviours and encourage others to do the same by your example.
Earth Teach Me Limitation… To be sure, we have been placed into a time of limitations – our movements restricted, our activities on hold and our long held certainties about how the world should be are rapidly changing. But consider the humble ant, crawling on the earth, limited by its size, it would seem it is limited in its life to scavenging for food. And yet, the ant is humble and knows its place and role and remarkably along with others of its kind come together to create nests to protect each other, gather food to feed each other and provide a necessary function of scavenging in the health of our natural world. Limitations are only in the mind – be resourceful, flexible and creative.
Earth Teach Me Freedom… True freedom is Spiritual – it has something to do with your innermost being and cannot be chained, handcuffed or put into a jail. Likewise, your mind and your faith cannot be limited to the walls of your home. Our current isolation is simply a 3D construct of limits – be expansive in the 5D – meditate, read, learn and be free in the mind and soul.
Earth Teach Me Acceptance… Just as the leaves of the tree die in fall, our world is shedding outdated ideals, ways of operating and beliefs. Accept this time of shedding of old and wait patiently for the renewal. Remember, the tree does not die, the leaves simply fall. The tree goes into a hibernation, just as we are being asked to do right now.
Earth Teach Me Renewal… And just as the leaves fell, they return in the spring. The seeds sprout, the grass buds anew. But to reach this point they had to go through a time of limitation, humility and quiet. Now is that time for humanity and our place within the fold of Gaia.
Earth Teach Me To Forget Myself… One of the most important lessons for us all is the ability to forgot myself and embrace the connection with all life. Individuality is a programmed perception of reality – break free from the programming and remember the oneness with others, with life and with the Creator.
Earth Teach Me To Remember Kindness… And of course, the way to to remembering our oneness with others is to practice kindness – when we are kind to others, kind to the earth, we are being kind to ourselves. Just as dry fields weep with the coming of rain and return to greenness, so to do others come to life with being offered kindness because it reminds them to practice kindness as well.
