Spirituality and Ecological Hope

Fostering Ecological Hope
Today from Margaret Swedish:

I have had trouble posting this past week. A beloved member of my family died a few days ago. In our middle age, we ponder the death, the aging of that generation before us, all that formed them, their struggles, hopes, disappointments, wisdom, courage…

I am in Wisconsin, and all around me is this connection with mortality — that which is right and good, part of our journey on this planet, and then that which we recklessly hasten. The Great Lakes, including my beloved Lake Michigan where I grew up, are receding, the life within them is dying. It is because of us, how we have lived, the kind of people we are.

There is this natural death — sad, poignant, but part of this wondrous act of creation from which the universe continues to emerge.

There is this most unnatural death, this violation of all that is life and wonder, the breaking down of these processes and relationships that make up our precious biosphere, Gaia, the womb of our being.

I know what the one leaves behind — love, strength, faith, hope, new life, inspiration, a more honest and powerful bond among the community of family and friends.

The other leaves behind violence, discontent, depression, lifelessness, alienation…..

I believe that there is a powerful connection between that alienation, the destruction of my precious lakes, the bulldozing of woods and wetlands nearby for developments, and our fear of facing that other real and necessary mortality.

In the end, that denial and fear will bring about death in any case — but not the beautiful and life-giving death of our loving aunt, sister, community member, and friend; rather, the death that comes from despair, selfishness, resignation.

So, unable to post on other things this week because of this personal event, I thought I would share this little reflection. There is much to talk about, though, lots of news, and I will begin to get back to all that this weekend.

Once again, thanks for subscribing, visiting, caring.

Margaret