I do feel (and hope) that nature is more resilient than we give it credit for… it’s going to have to be to face what’s coming. The part about realising there is more to admire in people than despise? I truly and honestly struggle with that… Maybe that’s a reflection of me. Maybe it’s the bubble I am in right now, and I as I change, so too will this. But I despair a little each day at the failure of humanity…remembering that (L)ife is in us, too? That’s hope. Beautiful clip, by the way.
Sarah, the video and the survivor trees reminds me of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. While humans are still not allowed to enter the zone due to the radioactivity, it is nonetheless thriving with life - flora and fauna is abundant and the area has some of the highest biodiversity and in all of Ukraine, despite the radiation. I find the climate crisis overwhelming, debilitating and truly sad. However, for some time, I have taken comfort from the idea that the Earth, Life, Mother Nature will go on. Humans may become extinct and the planet will not be what it is today, but for our Earth, time is measured in eons and humans are merely a blip. She will continue to exist in some form or another, whether we are here to witness it or not. That's not to say it will not be devastating and unfathomable and infuriating to see millions die, climate refugees fleeing, the GBR disappearing and everything else. But Nature will win in the end. Life will evolve. I love your conversations. They express all the things.
I love the way you articulately express these truths!! After losing my 17y/o brother this year I have definitely pondered "what is the point?" many times. The fact that life is so absurdly meaningless and the knowledge that Life is so much bigger than we are has challenged me to rethink a lot of things. As Marianne Williamson explains so accurately, LOVE is everything. Life is all about giving love! Creating our own meaning! Focusing on solidarity and the divine knowledge that we are all connected to everything. Life is definitely a continual study in work and love. Thankyou Sarah. ps. almost finished your book (TOWAPL) and I love the many moments you have articulated things so accurately I can't help but say YESS!!
Relief... on the part of the Earth. Because if we lose it "all" - and if "all" is the life we love on this planet - then we will have lost beauty and awe and all that is precious, and with those losses we lose our reason, we lose what makes us. And we will cease. And this dear Earth will breathe a sigh of relief. Then she will take a breath of renewal and life will continue and grow and flourish without us.
I find comfort in the knowledge that one day we will cease. We will have forever scarred this world, but she is strong and will continue in spite of us - I smile at the weeds that grow in the cracks of concrete.
Until then, our work should not be to ensure the prosperity of humanity, but the prosperity of this Earth; realising that the efforts toward the latter are magnificently beneficial for the former.
A worthwhile discussion. Thank you. What is left if we lose it all? This is a matter of perspective is it not? If the 'all' in this question equates with the modern consumables, creature comforts, social status or favourable opinions of others....then surely we are left with nakedness and discomfort... temporarily.....before we then realise our moral nakedness and how bereft we are of meaning. We then realise we have been nothing more than 'earth lickers' and empty souls. Yet now, without all what we thought was meaningful, we begin to truly live. Simple. Free. Free not to own or be owned.
What is left is our place in the web of life , and the desire to rebuild it. Maybe the spiderweb is the greatest example. The most delicate of threads , the most gentle movements , slow steady work, leaps across voids , acceptance of destruction and patience with life.
Each strand is our words and actions, and the outcome is unknown, but it’s is self evident that the work will be beautiful. And when the work is done we sit in the centre , not knowing if Sarah will accidentally run into the web in the forest, or if a feast will happen to fall into our work
In essence I feel we have. Humanity has lost the plot. I love David whyte and have followed his poetry for a while. Deep. To the core stuff. Bible alive and longing like mother earth.
I'm kinda in awe how you have worked with all the best of the best. All the absolute icons in guru leader's and you have such a wild vast knowledge.
The thing I share with you Sarah is I too connect with strangers and Worley strangers. That makes me a bit of an enigma as I can far reach and not feel close to Friend's or family.
Or perhaps this is a disorder or alienation. Anyway humanity is certainly getting me down.
And I am getting myself down. To turn away is to take the easy way. I wish I could. And I wish I could rest easy.
Unlike you I believe happiness to be strong to strive for. I get you say it's over rated. Yet I have had it. Lived it . Experienced it.
But. Maybe you remind us to be more realistic in it all
Another great Albert Camus quote: "the welfare of humanity is the alibi of tyrants." Maybe one could reflect on that before telling others they have a duty to get vaxxed for the sake of others.
I do feel (and hope) that nature is more resilient than we give it credit for… it’s going to have to be to face what’s coming. The part about realising there is more to admire in people than despise? I truly and honestly struggle with that… Maybe that’s a reflection of me. Maybe it’s the bubble I am in right now, and I as I change, so too will this. But I despair a little each day at the failure of humanity…remembering that (L)ife is in us, too? That’s hope. Beautiful clip, by the way.
Sarah, the video and the survivor trees reminds me of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. While humans are still not allowed to enter the zone due to the radioactivity, it is nonetheless thriving with life - flora and fauna is abundant and the area has some of the highest biodiversity and in all of Ukraine, despite the radiation. I find the climate crisis overwhelming, debilitating and truly sad. However, for some time, I have taken comfort from the idea that the Earth, Life, Mother Nature will go on. Humans may become extinct and the planet will not be what it is today, but for our Earth, time is measured in eons and humans are merely a blip. She will continue to exist in some form or another, whether we are here to witness it or not. That's not to say it will not be devastating and unfathomable and infuriating to see millions die, climate refugees fleeing, the GBR disappearing and everything else. But Nature will win in the end. Life will evolve. I love your conversations. They express all the things.
Oh yay! In a strikingly similar vein of hope and planetary regeneration, I just posted this article on ecovillage and social transformation/climate resilience. I hope it resonates, because there are so many of us working to actively create and live out the solutions, rising to the challenge of this moment. Thanks Sarah. https://surrendernow.substack.com/p/ecovillage-and-substack-recommendations?r=hd4ts&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy
I love this Sarah! More please! I love the strong themes of love and meaning that wash through such seemingly different viewpoint.
I love the way you articulately express these truths!! After losing my 17y/o brother this year I have definitely pondered "what is the point?" many times. The fact that life is so absurdly meaningless and the knowledge that Life is so much bigger than we are has challenged me to rethink a lot of things. As Marianne Williamson explains so accurately, LOVE is everything. Life is all about giving love! Creating our own meaning! Focusing on solidarity and the divine knowledge that we are all connected to everything. Life is definitely a continual study in work and love. Thankyou Sarah. ps. almost finished your book (TOWAPL) and I love the many moments you have articulated things so accurately I can't help but say YESS!!
"What is left if we lose it all?”
Relief... on the part of the Earth. Because if we lose it "all" - and if "all" is the life we love on this planet - then we will have lost beauty and awe and all that is precious, and with those losses we lose our reason, we lose what makes us. And we will cease. And this dear Earth will breathe a sigh of relief. Then she will take a breath of renewal and life will continue and grow and flourish without us.
I find comfort in the knowledge that one day we will cease. We will have forever scarred this world, but she is strong and will continue in spite of us - I smile at the weeds that grow in the cracks of concrete.
Until then, our work should not be to ensure the prosperity of humanity, but the prosperity of this Earth; realising that the efforts toward the latter are magnificently beneficial for the former.
What is left if we lose it all? Not us.
A worthwhile discussion. Thank you. What is left if we lose it all? This is a matter of perspective is it not? If the 'all' in this question equates with the modern consumables, creature comforts, social status or favourable opinions of others....then surely we are left with nakedness and discomfort... temporarily.....before we then realise our moral nakedness and how bereft we are of meaning. We then realise we have been nothing more than 'earth lickers' and empty souls. Yet now, without all what we thought was meaningful, we begin to truly live. Simple. Free. Free not to own or be owned.
Hi Sarah,
I love today's newsletter reference to Albert Camus. He certainly influenced my belief system as a young man. My favourite quote is
"Life can be magnificent and overwhelming – that is the whole tragedy. Without beauty, love, or danger it would almost be easy to live"
X
this is such a beautiful post! Thank you.
What is left is our place in the web of life , and the desire to rebuild it. Maybe the spiderweb is the greatest example. The most delicate of threads , the most gentle movements , slow steady work, leaps across voids , acceptance of destruction and patience with life.
Each strand is our words and actions, and the outcome is unknown, but it’s is self evident that the work will be beautiful. And when the work is done we sit in the centre , not knowing if Sarah will accidentally run into the web in the forest, or if a feast will happen to fall into our work
What is left when we lose it all?
In essence I feel we have. Humanity has lost the plot. I love David whyte and have followed his poetry for a while. Deep. To the core stuff. Bible alive and longing like mother earth.
I'm kinda in awe how you have worked with all the best of the best. All the absolute icons in guru leader's and you have such a wild vast knowledge.
The thing I share with you Sarah is I too connect with strangers and Worley strangers. That makes me a bit of an enigma as I can far reach and not feel close to Friend's or family.
Or perhaps this is a disorder or alienation. Anyway humanity is certainly getting me down.
And I am getting myself down. To turn away is to take the easy way. I wish I could. And I wish I could rest easy.
Unlike you I believe happiness to be strong to strive for. I get you say it's over rated. Yet I have had it. Lived it . Experienced it.
But. Maybe you remind us to be more realistic in it all
What would I know.
Trying to keep the fire alive x
Another great Albert Camus quote: "the welfare of humanity is the alibi of tyrants." Maybe one could reflect on that before telling others they have a duty to get vaxxed for the sake of others.