Thesis post #4 : Key Questions

KEY QUESTIONS

In the course of my research, certain phrases and expressions continually appeared. They can be roughly categorized by the following four questions:

(1) How can we reenchant Nature?

(2) How do we bring the Earth back to life?

(3) How can we experience ourselves as part of Nature?

(4) How do we heal ourselves and the Earth?

The first question, ’How can we reenchant Nature?’, although having a magical ring to it, comes from a social scientist with a materialist perspective. Carolyn Merchant refers to the process of scientific and industrial revolution as the disenchantment of Nature. She is primarily concerned with how capitalist relations tore apart the traditional feudal world of peasants and artisans.

The second question, ‘How can we bring the Earth back to life?’, is often given from an environmentalist perspective. It assumes that our Earth is dying and that we need to revive her. This view acknowledges that we must not only stop all of our polluting activities, but be proactive in terms of ecological restoration.

The third question, ‘How can we experience ourselves as part of Nature?’, is usually given in a psychological sense. It is concerned with our inner world of perception and in the process by which we began to think of ourselves as actually apart from Nature. This view takes the position that it is of primary importance for us to close this rift in our psyches, in order to have a positive relationship with Earth.

The final question, ‘How do we heal ourselves and the Earth?’, is given from a place of holistic healing and nutrition. It discusses nutriments and techniques for improving health. Often, this perspective acknowledges a direct corollary between our bodies and the body of the Earth. For example, dietary supplements do for our organs what soil amendments do for the land. The key point here is that all these questions are in essence the same one. As we consciously address one aspect of our situation, we may be unconsciously addressing the others. For example, suppose we are passionate about ‘bringing the Earth back to Life’ and commit ourselves to serious work in ecological restoration. In the process of doing the physical labor that actually heals the land, we may also be healing and rejuvenating our own bodies with physical exercise. Through the physical connection we make while working with the land, we may also begin to experience ourselves as part of Nature and begin healing that psychological rift. Finally, as our work actually improves the ecology of our place, we make possible the return of traditional lifeways such as organic farming and sustainable ranching. So even simple acts based on incomplete understanding, but coming from the desire to heal, can have wide-ranging positive influences for our entire community. On the other hand, having a more holistic understanding of all aspects of our common dilemma can provide us with the ability to appreciate how each of us decides to approach the problem. Such an appreciation can lead to more cohesion and less divisiveness within our progressive movement