Mother Earth is the mother of us all. Having given birth to the multitude of things that cling to her surface and swim the depths of her oceans.
There is a peacefulness in views like this one (image left) in which the blue planet glows with the gentle flow of water that makes up most of her surface.
There are many religions scattered among the people of this great planet and everyone seems to have a belief in what it all means, or doesn't mean.
According to Craig A James, author of The Religion Virus, "the earliest beliefs that can be identified as religious are animistic...". He states that "Crops and trees, deer and bears, the sun and moon, rainclouds, a spear or axe - all of the things that were important to people - were imagined to have personalities and motivations."
Many of the earliest beliefs among humans somehow connected to this great planet Earth and to Mother Nature herself. The plants, trees and water were assigned spirits and considered to be alive with the personality of that spirit. But the world is much different now than it once was and the power of belief, unique to human beings, has become a power that can save or destroy this great planet we inhabit.
One way you can help lower your own anxiety about the increasingly, battle-weary clashes in beliefs around the world -- among countries, and inside your own communities, work places, and homes is to take a long look inside your own belief system and ask yourself this: "Am I doing all I can to help bring peace to this world?" "Does anything I consider to be my 'belief', 'faith' or 'doctrine' in life harm other people physically, emotionally, mentally, or psychologically?"
This great Mother Earth is suffering from the result of bickering, fighting, and arguing over differences of view among the people of this world, and because we are a part of her very breath, we are suffering as well. "Earth Day" is and should be "every day" and every breath "you" take, is a breath she takes. Which means, every moment you sit in meditation, she sits in meditation. Every time you work to relax your body and mind, you are relaxing a part of her body and mind. Every gentle thing you do to lower your anxiety, is something you are doing to lower the anxiety of the world. So consider it a global act to work on your relaxation techniques. Finding peace inside yourself, is the first step.
Whatever it is you believe, make sure it takes into account the whole of the planet and not just yourself. Enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer and always act in kindness to her.. your one and only true Mother.
Thanks to Beth Scupham for her great photos - "Earth"
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