Voices for Change 5

Dear Ones

Happy Solstice and Seasons Greetings!

There is a place in South Africa where all life is loved and respected unconditionally: the lands stewarded by the Global White Lion Protection Trust whitelions.org

Recently I was invited to visit and found it exquisite with truth of natural life. The air is fresh. All is 'at ease' and 'at one.'

Back in the UK, in the nearest big town, all surfaces are man-made within stores packed with consumer goods and consumers. The 'air' is stale and falsely heated. There is a sign when leaving a shopping centre which reads "next time bring your dog". Why?! The ones I see have screened themselves off, their souls left somewhere else so they may survive this loud, artificial environment. The people, when I dare to look, are a confused mix of hyper-play, earnest rush and watchful retraction. And like the dogs, often 'glazed off'.

It was all rather like finding oneself within a balloon.

Burst out!

Break out from the trap of this man-u-factured party prop. It is time to reclaim the party you are always a part of by your very existence, eco-centrically - not ego-centrically: the organic, breathing spirit of natural life.

Reclaim who you naturally, truly are and you will be rewarded with Life. Gift your self this.

Fine words! But how do we do this?

How do we break out of a balloon which is tied from the outside?

How do we claw traction on the soggy surface of a plastic, falsely coloured world we find ourselves in and quite possibly feel trapped in?

On the bus out of town I notice a tree, late autumnal with loss.

"I see you." My inner voice reaches out as it sounds within my heart.

And the tree ever so slightly shimmers with acknowledgment: "And I see you" is the reply.

Being a natural guest within nature's party is this seeing and acknowledging within our heart. Our heart in the chest of each of us, the heart of nature beats its rhythm in us all. Whatever our environment, wherever we are. We know this, yet get distracted and forget.

It is a cellular as much as a soul thing for all living beings and the elements that sustain us.

Today you may see little of the natural world in your living environment. You may see so much more. Whatever it is you do see, notice it and acknowledge in your heart: "I see you."

Little by little, the air will clear, the tree, the plant will breathe with you. And you, we, can begin to relax into mutual breath which is our natural life. A living that is connected, mutually woven in a fabric we call 'Life'.

We can birth a new era - one breath at a time.

May our parties, whatever the season and especially this season of Solstice, be ones of true natural life for all.