OLD HIPPIES LOOKING AT GOD

Recently I saw a PBS documentary on hippies and was struck by how much resemblence there is in that movement and the present 'new-age' movement.  By the way, I don't like that term at all.  It has, for many a really negative connotation.  But then, so does the term 'hippie.'  And when you get right down to it, both terms are meaningless.

Actually, even though I'm of that era, age-wise, I never got into concept of 'hippie-dom.'  I was too busy being wife and mommy.  There was no free-love in my world.  And no drugs.  And little rock and roll, either.

I was almost completely dedicated to the idea of living the 'American dream', whatever that meant.

Married-check
Two kids-check
Working for a living-check
Being responsible-check
Accumulate money and belongings-check
Follow the masses-whoops....had a little trouble with that one although I mostly kept my rebellious thoughts hidden...even from myself. 

Today, I have more in common with hippies, in some ways.  I do believe in making love, not war.  I'm not talking about making sex.  I'm talking about creating love, joy and peace instead of creating fear, death and destruction.

I believe in respecting and caring for Mother Earth and getting back to nature for our needs...instead of automatically turning to modern day chemicals which often bite us in the arse!

Suggested reading:  SELU, SEEKING THE CORN MOTHER'S WISDOM  by Marilou Awiakta

I believe our food should not be messed with....as in being genetically altered.  And that if you possibly can, it's better to grow your own or at least, buy locally. 

Suggested reading:  ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE by Barbara Kingsolver

I'm not into sitting around contemplating my belly-button, but I do believe that meditation is a good thing to practice.

Suggested reading:  WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE by Jon Kabot-Zinn

I don't believe in using hallucinogenic drugs to get in touch with God...by whatever name...but I sure do believe in reaching toward an expanded conciousness of God...by whatever name.

Suggested reading:  COMMUNION WITH GOD by Neale Donald Walsch

Mary M, AKA Mimi and 'Sweet Tea', a very special friend of mine, recently wrote some amazingly powerful words and posted them on facebook.  I asked for and got her permission to copy them here.

"If we can view all of our world as if we are looking at God (and of course we are!) we could never hurt another thing. Be love and be loved!"

That is a totally 'hippie' idea.  And it is also totally a 'new-age' idea.  It's also the central idea and ideal of most, if not all, ancient religions and philosophies.

I think it's a good one.

I am so grateful Mimi/Mary is open to hearing the truth and then sharing it with us all.

Thanks, Sweet Tea! 

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT HAITI

Whenever such a natural disaster strikes, I like many others, begin contemplating this question.

"If God is Love, then how does God allow such pain and tragedy?"

I'll tell you what I think might be the answer.

Maybe it actually isn't the answer to the question...just an idea about a different way of looking at things that might create a different question altogether.

I think us humans have a much inflated sense of our own importance in the totality of the Universe.

After all, according to most creation stories, we humans were the last to be created.  Not the first, but the last. 

Here's a couple of questions to add to the mix.

What would happen to the planet..and to the beings living on it....if any of these things suddenly disappeared.

Air
Water
Dirt
Trees
Bees

Of course, the first two sustain all life, so we'd pretty much be up the proverbial creek, as a planet, without those two things.  Except, of course, there would be no creek anywhere to be 'up.'

 How would we grow food without soil?  What would land animals eat?  There would be little plant life. Of course, soil would pretty much be worthless for growing anything without water anyway, wouldn't it.

Leave the dirt, but take away the trees.  That would have a pretty negative impact, too, before very long.

Bees are darned important in the food chain.  If they all flew to Mars, or something, again, we'd be in a world of hurt.

Now, ask another question.

What would happen to our planet if suddenly all humans disappeared?

That should make you think some. 

It sure startled my mind a bit, when I first had the thought.

Because the answer is "Nothing bad." 

Not 'nothing.' 

Just 'nothing bad.'

Our planet would be in much better shape if we didn't exist.

Isn't that a crying shame!

A wonderful Cherokee poet and essayist, Marilou Awiakta, wrote this poem.

When Earth Becomes an "It"

When the people call Earth "Mother,"

they take with love

and with love give back

so that all may live.

When the people call Earth "it,"

they use her

consume her strength.

Then the people die.

Already the sun is hot

out of season.

Our Mother's breast

is going dry.

She is taking all green

into her heart

and will not turn back

until we call her

by her name.

For more information about Marilou, go to:

http://www.ferrum.edu/applit/authors/awiakta.htm

I'm in no way suggesting that monumental events like this earthquake..or the tsunami  of last year..or the recent massively destructive hurricanes...are Mother Earth...or God.... taking retribution...punishing humans...for our treatment of our planet. 

What I am suggesting is that earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados and tsunamis are all part of the original order of the physical laws of the universe.  Human Beings are not above those laws. 

And so, when we humans make our homes on faultlines and seashores  such events should be expected and none should go about beating their breasts demanding to know why they have been forsaken by God.  It is just the physical laws of cause and effect  happening.  Nothing personal.

Does this mean I am not feeling anguished beyond belief for the pain and suffering I know people are going through?  Absolutely not.  However, every moment of every day, somewhere, someone is going through similar pain and suffering and we don't often get all emotionally involved in those smaller numbers of hurting  people, do we?  Maybe we should.

Also, it seems to me, that our Mother Earth, has been crying in pain and anguish...and pleading for our help....for a very long time....much like those poor, hurting victims in Haiti.

Let us help one another....and also, let us help Mother Earth to heal...instead of continuing to hurt her.

I am Grateful for our Mother. 

I am praying for the people of Haiti. And I sent money.  I hope you do the same.