This Monday Camille will facilitate.
Dear Sangha,
As Earth Day approaches on April 21, and the end of the Environmental film festival winds down, I become worried (as usual) about the changes in the environment brought about by our uses and misuses of this beautiful Planet. I have given a lot of thought as to what I am doing to make this Earth a better place - and I find that I can easily judge myself and others about what we aren't doing, what we need to do and perhaps what we are doing wrong. Hence I get frustrated and end up wallowing in my suffering about this.
I remembered reading Thich Nhat Hanh's book "Love Letter to the Earth" a while ago and decided it was a good time to reread it and perhaps find a way to help me work through my worry and frustration and once again appreciate that connection to Mother Earth.
In one of his letters Thay writes..."Dear Mother Earth: I bow my head before you as I look deeply and recognize that you are present in me and that I'm a part of you. I was born from you and you are always present, offering me everything I need for my nourishment and growth. My mother, my father, and all my ancestors are also your children. We breathe your fresh air. We drink your clear water. We eat your nourishing food. Your herbs heal us when we're sick. You are the mother of all beings."
"I promise to keep the awareness alive that you are always in me, and I am in you. I promise to be aware that your health and well-being are my own health and well-being. I know I need to keep this awareness alive in me for us both to be peaceful, happy, healthy, and strong."
These words of Thay's are some of his many words of wisdom that I would like to share with you on Monday night. I am already feeling nourished just writing them down in this note to you as I look forward to seeing you all on Monday night.
Namaste, Camille