Inspiration

Deep Ecology & Gaia

Finding a sense of place in a balanced human ecosystem. Ecological information, resources and inspirations about living with nature.

Ecology is the science that studies relationships between organisms and their environments. But what is Deep Ecology?

The following extract is by CHRIS JOHNSTONE in Encyclopaedia of the earth, from The Institute for Deep Ecology (UK). For more information see: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Deep_ecology

What is DEEP ECOLOGY?

Deep Ecology is a holistic approach to facing world problems that brings together thinking, feeling, spirituality and action. It involves moving beyond the individualism of Western culture towards also seeing ourselves as part of the earth. This leads to a deeper connection with life, where Ecology is not just seen as something 'out there', but something we are part of and have a role to play in.

Two Approaches to Ecology

Scientific Ecology - the study of the inter-relationships between species and their environment. In this approach, the relationship is of a detached observer separate from the object of study. The focus is on measurable data 'out there', collected by experts who know their 'facts and figures'.
Deep Ecology - Experiencing ourselves as part of the living earth and finding our role in protecting the planet. In this approach, the relationship is more of an involved participant, who feels connected with and part of the world around them. This is for everybody, not just experts, each being moved by our values, experiences and feelings to do our bit for the world around us.

Why Deep?

The term 'Deep Ecology' was first introduced by the Norwegian activist and philosopher Arne Naess in the early 1970's, when stressing the need to move beyond superficial responses to the social and ecological problems we face.

John Seed
Another interesting writer of Deep Ecology is John Seed. The following extract reviews his book; ‘Thinking Like a Mountain’. For more information go to www.rainforestinfo.org.au/

John Seed is a writer, a teacher, a songwriter, and an activist. In 1984 he helped initiate the U.S. Rainforest Action Network. He is founder and director of the Rainforest Action Center in Australia, a Fellow of the Findhorn Foundation, and occasional Scholar-in-Residence at the Esalen Institute, and conducts deep ecology workshops throughout the world. In 1995 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal by the Australian Government for services to conservation and the environment. He is co-author with Joanna Macy, Pat Fleming, and Arne Naess of ‘Thinking Like a Mountain’: Toward a Council of All Beings (New Society 1988).

As a founding father of the Deep Ecology movement, he has noticed

"We speak of 'the environment,' which makes it sound as though this is something that's far away from us. But if we hold our breath for a few minutes while we consider the matter, we quickly realize that 'the environment' is constantly cycling through us through the air we breathe, through the water we drink, through the food we eat."

And he knows how to help us remember that. In poetry, song, and conversation John Seed will take your spirit to a place where it remembers the rise and fall of the rhythms of the earth. He'll create a space for you to explore your feelings about the devastation of our planet, and your sacred, primordial connection with her living systems.

He speaks of an ancient spirituality that is rooted in the earth, and points with hope to the ways it emerges in contemporary faith traditions all over the world. With the lyricism of a bard, the wisdom of a shaman, and the heartfelt experience of a lifelong activist, John Seed reminds us that it is in opening our hearts and reclaiming our spirituality that we reclaim our relationship to the earth.
Topics explored:

Why your emotions are an important component of effective action
What ancient species was nearly as destructive as the human species
Why violence and pollution may be the result of our unexpressed sorrow
How our sense of self prevents us from feeling our deep connection with the earth
Why we can never save the earth with our intellect alone
What you can do to make a difference

To deep ecology,

“...our relationship to the Earth is that of a leaf to a tree. We have no independent existence - the pain of the Earth is our own pain and the fate of the Earth our fate also. No tree - no leaf.” John Seed

Many people INTELLECTUALLY realise that we are inseparable from Nature and that the sense of separation we feel is socially conditioned and illusory. These rituals enable us to deeply EXPERIENCE our connection with Nature, in our hearts and our bodies.

If we look at indigenous cultures, we may notice that without exception rituals affirming and nurturing the sense of interconnectedness between people and nature play a central role in the lives of these societies.

"Deep ecology remains a concept without the power to transform our awareness, unless we allow ourselves to feel - which means feeling the pain within us over what is happening to our world. ... Often it arises as a deep sense of loss over what is slipping away - ancient forests and clean rivers, birdsong and breathable air”... which assist the REMEMBERING of our rootedness in nature... we discover that we can indeed give voice to the voiceless ones. John Seed

"We are part of the earth and it is part of us" Chief Seattle, North America, 1854.