As we experience the Universe, our hearts and
minds become infused with its powers.
JAMES CONLON, Ph.D.
Facilitator for Spirituality and the New Earth Story
Thomas Berry has described our present human culture as "autistic." By this he means that we humans are obsessed with understanding ourselves and with our own concerns, but refuse any attempt to understand the Earth and the natural processes from which we come. For example, signs of global warming abound yet we refuse to discuss it or take steps to prevent its worsening. This wide-spread autism is attributable in part to the separation of matter and spirit so common in our religious sensibilities.
What's the cure? We need to establish a relationship with the Earth in which we humbly listen and learn. We must begin again in the important dialogue between ourselves and the wide universe beyond us. In Lyrics For Re-Creation, James Conlon, director of the Sophia Institute at Holy Names College in Oakland, California, calls for "Earth literacy," a way to begin in understanding and listening so that we can address the most urgent concerns of our times.
The great, prophetic challenges of our time are the environmental and the social. "Our generation's challenge" writes Conlon, " is to foster a more intimate connection between humans and the natural world - to discover the sacred dimension in rocks, water, trees, humans and social institutions. This awakening to sacredness can support and promote new ways to restore the natural world and restructure society."
Conlon contends that the story of our individual lives can become congruent with the great and sacred story of the universe. We are challenged to reinvent ourselves, our actions, and our culture so that we can discover who we are and find our place as we embark on the immense journey that will bring us home to ourselves and to the planet. Conlon challenges us to consider our dreams and our hopes for ourselves and for a better world. Then begin the strenuously invigorating work of finding action steps that can bring these hopes and dreams alive and make them possible.
The new millennium is almost upon us, and the future of the earth and our human culture hangs in the balance. The actions we must take are varied and profound. Some of these actions Conlon offers that can move us into the future are: changing our lifestyles regarding work, housing, food and transportation; or being open to the voice that invites us into silence, meditation, and deeper levels of transformation; or knowing our bioregion, the place where we live, for the first time; or having new eyes and ears to see and listen to the young of every species; or participating in base groups to integrate what we feel, learn and practice. There are a million more steps we can take.
This book is ideal for discussion or study groups. It is packed with reflection questions and action steps. The reader is offered the opportunity of a dynamic between his or her own particular life and the processes Conlon describes for renewing the face of the earth. It's not a book to read quietly in an armchair, but one to mark up, underline, and copy pages to hang on the wall. This is a book that will get used, even beat up.
What are our true roles in a universe that is sacred? Read this book, interact with it, and begin to find out.
Rich Heffern is Praying's review editor
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