Lately, I have been wondering: what does it mean to be of the earth? Not just on it, incidentally using it as our base and taking its resources, but really and truly of it.
We live in such a human-constructed world; a bubble that is largely divorced from the rest of nature. On a basic level: houses are hermitically sealed from the elements. Our economy, our politics, our culture - these are all largely intersubjective realities that do not really exist outside of our own human consciousness.
I know more people are finding solace in nature, not least since the pandemic. But generally, nature is very much something 'over there', one of many interests perhaps, rather than our life source. And in terms of the earth it self, how much time do we spend conscious of how it is living, breathing, and growing? It's an ecosystem of which we are very much part, rather than being occasional observers.
Building blocks
While in France over the summer I also visited my aunt's friend, Sara, who lives in the Dordogne. She has built a few guest houses, using the earth from her own land and entirely eco techniques including making her own paint. She showed us a massive bin full of her own mud that she soaks and then uses to build and create. My description really doesn't do it justice! What she has produced is so tasteful and elegant - and in a setting so serene - you can't help but feel a spiritual connection with the earth from going there. You can find out more about her and even go to stay on her website, Terre et Toi.
It occurred to me that Sara is one of the few people I know who is really living according to her values and in deep deep connection with the earth. It was so inspirational speaking to her and gave me lots of food for thought.
When I got home had this real urge get my hands on some earth myself, so I looked up a wild pottery course I'd heard about a while back. I can't actually make the dates left for this year, but this video published by Ruby @ Native Hands about why she does what she does really spoke to me. She says "So many of us have such a human centred view of the world and spend most of our time indoors or in the human made world. When you spend time in nature you open up to having a much richer and complex sense of live".
Concluding thoughts
I have set it as a goal to myself to really think about what this connection with the earth can mean practically in my day to day life a. I'm lucky to have a garden and a forest at the end of my road, so a lot of that is likely to start really simply. I'll continue to meditate outside and go for mindful walks. But I'm interested in courses and events that can help nurture this - if you have any suggestions, let me know by putting commenting below or sending me a message :)