18 January 2010
Will Humans Survive?
Posted by Robin Easton under: Hobnobbin' with Robin .
A Question That Niggled
Many people I’ve spoken with ask me, “Do you think humans will survive the current ecological crisis?” The other day something about this question niggled at me. When I looked in my heart I was flooded with insight. Have you ever noticed that when we receive a positive answer to this question — an answer like, “Oh yes, we’ll survive. You don’t have to worry” — we immediately feel safe? It’s natural to want to feel safe and have a positive outlook. However, how often do we go back to business as usual? How often do we continue to accept plastic bags from stores, continue to have multiple vehicles, crank up the heat, use toxic household chemicals, buy new clothes, shoes, gadgets made by slave labor, continue to buy non-organic food, don’t recycle and so on…all practices that are harmful to Nature, humanity and other species.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Have you also noticed that we sometimes want positive answers without having to make positive changes? Just as in Love, actions usually speak louder than words. Caring about the Earth or Humanity is a form of Love and our actions again speak louder than our question, ‘Will we survive?’ The mere fact that we ask this question reveals our concern or worry. In light of that might it be more sensible to dwell less on the “question” and more on our actions? Might it be more sensible to get very clear in our hearts about how much we care whether or not humanity survives?
Do We Care Enough?
Do we care enough to educate ourselves and act accordingly or do we just want to hear that things will be okay and then continue to live in ways that are deeply harmful to Earth, ourselves and other species? How honestly do we dare look at why we are asking this question? How much are we willing to educate ourselves and change our lives and actions to ensure our survival? Wouldn’t conscious compassionate and healthy living just feel better regardless of any environmental crisis?
Have We Forgotten What “Healthy” Means?
To not care for Earth in all our actions reflects a state of disharmony and disease within each of us. Can we grasp that caring for Earth is our normal state of being? It is human “being” in their healthiest mind, body and spirit, truly elevated.
You and I Are Creating This World
I now know what I will tell the next person who asks me if I think humans will survive the current environmental crisis. “The question is not important. Our concern may be important, but what are we willing to do to ensure a positive outcome? What are we willing to do to ensure that we live a caring, loving relationship with ourselves, others, Earth and all Life around us? What are we willing to do to live in harmony and peace — and not harmony and peace for only a few — but for ALL peoples and ALL beings on the planet? We create our world with every action we take…or do NOT take.”
Love,
Robin
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This Site: © Robin Easton
Website: http://www.nakedineden.com
Blog: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
53 Comments so far...
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Shirley Says:
18 January 2010 at 8:35 pm.
I was pregnant with my last child. I had a dream one night. When you’re pregnant you get all sorts of crazy dreams. This one was different. I floated over the Earth looking down. What I saw was no ozone, no water, no trees. Earth was just a rock floating in space. We had destroyed it.
I woke up completly freaked out and scared. It has been etched in the back of my mind since. Will we survive? If we can’t fix ourselves and how we consume everything no. If we can then yes.
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ZuzannaM Says:
18 January 2010 at 9:46 pm.
Dear Robin,
I found your article a thought provoking and caring for ALL. Not just the environment, but the entire Globe. Educating ourselves to care more, to be aware of what is going on in today’s World at present. I think everyone is capable to learn and be aware for making changes by taking this message seriously to heart. We need to care to survive, that our children have a better and healthier Planet to live. We are all connected, it does not matter if there are trees, birds, and any other species we all suffer if any of those are on extinct. So wrapping this up we start to do the changes right on our backyard. Let us do it, do not waste the time…”Action speaks louder then words.” Much enjoyed reading your blog.
Thank you,
Zuzanna
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 11:30 am
A couple of things stand out here. One is that we are all connected. When I was living in the Australian Rainforest and was in nature EVERY single day, I began to see, and more importantly, FEEL how all life is connected to and dependent on all the life around it. With time I saw that it was not a bunch of separate life forms but ONE huge organism, which was sefl-sustaining and living off of itself to create more life and more love.
The other thing I really like here is that, YES!, we CAN start right in our own backyards. We can start even by spending time with our kids in the backyard or growing a little garden or taking them to park if they live in a city so they can be near trees and grass. When kids are given an appreciation of nature it seems to stay with them for life. It becomes part of them. Thank YOU for your wise and beautiful words.
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Hilary Says:
19 January 2010 at 1:48 am.
Hi Robin .. it is a question we don’t need to worry about – as we will never find out. However as you say we have a care to our earth. We appreciate its provisions for us .. the earth that is. As humans we have manipulated that earth to our own ends. This brand of humans has only been on earth for 1.5million years or so .. a short time. Earth will out – we cannot carry on sustaining ourselves.
We need to become loving and caring, not wanting what others have, understanding that love is all .. sharing and giving to others. If the western nations could do this then future generations may influence other parts of the world.
We need to work together –
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 11:36 am
After reading this, Hilary, I just keep coming back to two things. One we need to care for Earth because it actually CAN make us feel better. I think most of feel good after we have done some caring, compassionate or loving act of any kind. I agree with you about not only educating ourselves but educating our children, not only though what they can do to help, but through actual “hands in the Earth” experience. Like I was saying to Zuzanna, kids that are exposed to nature and fall in LOVE with nature to where they hunger for her, usually grow up STILL in love with nature and desire to connect and protect…and are eager to learn how they can help. Thank you for insights. I REALLY value them so much.
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Robb Says:
19 January 2010 at 2:15 am.
Kia Ora Wild Sister,
I will go out on a limb here and write from the real depths of my soul. I read read your words, thought deeply and pondered, and this is how I feel. It does not matter if we as humans survive, for the Earth will. We seem to take this view that WE matter more than this place we live. That this bountiful sphere is merely here for US to plunder, abuse, and pillage to the point where we as a species question our survival and turn even more against Her as a back lash, or effort to squeeze any remainder yet to be used. Like a kitchen rag wrung out again and again. No, whatever is left of the earth after we are gone, she will begin to Heal herself, wipe any vestige of our presence here if need be, and create a new begining. If we are part of that oif not matters little. Why do we humans think we are the centre of all this, that we are any more important, or necessary, than the sun rise, a drop of dew on a leaf, a rock on the forest floor, a breath of wind on a mountain ridge. We are simply part of it, not more important, or more integral than any other part. That sun will still rise, the dew will drip off the leaf, should we be here or not be here. That is True. The Earth is a Living Entity and we shall only reap what we sow. So often, so many of us, forget, or don’t know how, to look at this amazing place we live upon and with, and we stop SEEING, we become DISCONNECTED. If I have learned one beautiful thought from my time with the Earth it is simply to Reconnect. I am not sure anymore if our time here can be saved. So I just want to teach my children, and learn myself, about the Wild Places, what they represent, and what they can Be. Maybe if we all teach our children and each other what that might mean, we may find a way. But either way, Earth will live on. Rave on. Kia kaha my sister. – “Though men now possess the power to dominate and exploit every corner of the natural world nothing in fact implies that they have the right or the need to do so.”- Edward Abbey.
Aroha,
Robb
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
My Wild Brother, you will chuckle when I tell you something. I wrote something VERY similar to what you wrote here in my original post, but the post was sooooooo long that I had to take something out. So I took that part out….AND I actually thought to myself…”Oh, I bet Robb will say something about that. So I’ll take THAT part our and let him talk about it. And low and behold…HERE YOU ARE!! Exactly as I KNEW you would be…and SO beautifully. When I saw your comment this morning I laughed out loud. On man, we are on the same wave length. I actually got shivers when you really DID write what I thought you would. LOL!!! 
Anyway, I LOVE what you wrote here and of course know it is my own experience as well. It is what I learned in the rainforest. Here is part of a passage from my book that will be out later this year:
“I was one tiny beetle snore in the wake of millions of years of existence. It made me cherish the time I’d been given. I felt a sense of awe and peace because I realized that even if I died, even if the rainforest didn’t survive another hundred million years, even if all of humanity died, Earth would heal herself and Life itself would go on in ecstatic frenzy with or without me. It would flourish in some unique form, forever. It had existed long before I arrived and would go on long after my passing. I smiled at that thought.”
I once facilitated a group and this topic came up. When I said that whether or not humans survived didn’t matter and that the way humans were currently behaving I wasn’t so keen on seeing them survive. That I wouldn’t mind if Mother Nature shook us off like a dog shakes off fleas. I was immediately attacked and told that I didn’t care about humanity, and that humanity was the “highest form” of life on the planet, and that we were the most spiritual and evolved and would lead the “way”. None of it phased me and I let people express their feelings and thoughts. And then…I asked them WHY they felt that way. Not one of them had ever stopped to really think about why they felt those feelings. the more we talked, oddly, the bottom line for them was FEAR (that’s what they told me). They were afraid of dying. The thought of humans becoming extinct was horrifying to them; they equated with their own death. (but I think the more plugged into the WHOLE or mother organism, earth, nature, the safer we feel.) Then one person said, well if I feel this way then I better start treating Nature in a more healing way. BINGO!
Like you, I do not see humans as the pinnacle, the best, the most intelligent, the “chosen ones”, I see a WHOLE living organism and EACH part is as important as the other….including humans. As a species we do tend to believe that it is our birthright to have dominion over all the Earth and all the beings on her. My experience is that dominion kills. And it allows for disconnection from all other species…and ourselves.
Do you know my book was originally titled “DISCONNECTED”. I’m serious. So, I too “feel” that one of the most amazing things that we can do for ourselves and our children is to RECONNECT. Or simply CONNECT. To fill our senses and our children’s senses with the vital force of Nature, to where it is imprinted on every cell of our being, to where we BECOME Nature. We become what we really are. “Wild Brother” is truly a name you have earned. You have made that very clear today. Keep your words here and save them for your book. They/you are the voice of Nature. Aroha…always, Robin
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Robb Reply:
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:25 pm
Kia ora Wild Sister,
You rock. I just have to write that we can find Wild Places anywhere. Our own yards are the best place to start. I don’t have a great big yard, but right now with my hip being as it is, it is my Wild Place. The unruly bush we have allowed to thrive, which brings so many lovely birds here to share with us food and song, just watching the amazing sun sets on a dead storm fallen beech branch the other night, the play of light on those brown leaves literally made it leap off the ground and come to Life. Tara and I were just blown away. Though I wish I could be in my own real Wild Place, this one will do for now. It has to. Kia kaha.
Aroha,
Robb
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Fatima Da Says:
19 January 2010 at 2:58 am.
This post is thought provoking and here I am asking myself all these questions. We all have the responsibility both collectively and individually to make this work and all I can ask is for God to help us all . Thanks Robin we need more people like you
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Your earnest heart shines through here, dear Fatima. I always love that about you. If this post does nothing more than make us all think and question….more aware, then that is a good thing. I also love all the varied outlooks here. Each person has tackled a different aspect of this post. THAT is exciting. And yes, prayer and positive thought is needed by us all, dear one. Thank YOU, Fatima, we need people like YOU!!
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uberVU - social comments Says:
19 January 2010 at 3:53 am.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by RobinEaston: A Question That Niggles – http://bit.ly/8Cumoy…
Nancy Says:
19 January 2010 at 5:40 am.
Robin, Good article…and you are so right about actions speaking louder than words, especially on this issue. BTW, never, ever heard the word “niggle” and how is your book doing? Is it available on Amazon?
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
You are second person who told me they had never heard the word “niggle”. LOL!! Here is one definition of “niggle” (had to look it up as I have been known at times to make up words.)
“To dwell too much on minor points; To fidget, fiddle, be restless.” Thank you for sharing here Nancy. I KNOW from reading your blog that you are one who LIVES green and healthy in all her actions. I was very impressed by all that you are doing. It moved me deeply. —Oh, I forgot, as to my book it probably won’t be out until the coming autumn and then yes, it will be in the bookstores and amazon. I’ll keep you posted as knowing your connection to and love of Earth I think you will really enjoy it.
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Emily Says:
19 January 2010 at 6:31 am.
hey, Roby–It’s early and still snowing and I got your “we are friends” message which of all things : ) led me here. What I know to be true is that it is as Zuzanna stated, a “start…in our backyard”. Otherwise, it can be overwhelming. I also feel that what we are thinking, what we are feeling has the biggest impact on Life, more than just what we are doing–the old do-be-do-be-do dance. LOL (Please remember it is early AND I AM detoxing heavily right now : 0). Just wanted to let you know I am with you in heart and soul. One more thing, I also trust through and through the magnificent Mystery that is this whole Universe, this whole Cosmos, this LIFE that we are just tiny, minuscule aspects of–Whatever created all of This, is much greater than our little minds can even begin to understand, so for me, it is a moment by moment surrendering into that Mystery and knowing that we are all LOVED, that we ARE Love and we are all guided every step of the way and moment by moment taking the steps from there. It comes down to–where am I holding my focus AND it IS very moment by moment, step by step for me, not at all a one time, now I made it, deal. Oh, my goodness. : )
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I too feel we can start in our backyards. I don’t think it’s possible for one person to do it ALL, and I feel that we often underestimate just HOW BIG even the littlest of things affect our world. They are HUGE. Over Christmas my sweetie and I stayed in a motel a few days and we went to the health food store and brought food back to our room rather than eat out…and when we left the motel we went through our trash and brought home any glass, plastic or paper that could be recycled (it wasn’t much as we try to avoid as much as we can, but still…). It was a good feeling. A woman said to me, “That’s very thoughtful, but one person isn’t going to make a difference.” BUT if I and every other person said that then we WON’T make a difference. But I felt SO GOOD doing it that it didn’t matter what anyone thought of me.
I also had these thoughts. I think BOTH our thoughts and actions are of equal value. In some ways they are one and the same. My experience is that although I have found thoughts and actions to be of equal value they may not occurre in the same person. One person may devote his/her life toward sending healing energy into the world and healing all those around them , another may gear up and go into the wild cold seas on a patrol boat to “actively” protect whales. Another may go into the sea to clean up the miles and miles and miles of plastic bags. Another may teach children to love nature by taking their kids into the woods. Another may teach people to find peace so that they can live more compassionately and lovingly. SO in essence humanity becomes like one organism preforming many services. Each of equal value. I think the main thing is to listen to our hearts, try and see beyond the lethargy that often exists in our culture and to do those beautiful and healing things that we are called to do.
It is indeed a GREAT MYSTERY. One I am blessed to be part of. I feel a great sense of peace that all is ALREADY well. That all is ALREADY perfect. And along the way we are each where we are “at” and we are each learning what we need to learn. All of Existence is evolving, experiencing and reaching into the infinite unknown. That is what I LOVE about ALL the varied comments here. So many aspects of humanity…and EVERY single one of them I relate to. Isn’t that interesting. They are all a part of me. You are very very wise. This comment gave me MUCH. I love you my sister!
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emily Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 8:11 am
Loved all you wrote in your response, especially the second paragraph touched me.
I found this quote that I thought was cool–“If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you’ve never been in bed with a mosquito.” Anita Roddick
It also, per your third paragraph, amazes me that with BILLIONS of people on Earth, though we all have the common denominator of LOVE, we ALL are SO creatively unique in our expressions of that LOVE! IT is AWESOME to me how that is. Love you, too and Thanks beyond words, Roby! Em
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 10:25 am
What a truly lovely comment Em, I just love it. Did me SO much good to “see” you here today and yesterday. Such a treat in my day. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I thank you for keeping me in yours. Sending you so much love. Roby.
PS: I LOVE LOVE LOVE this quote. It is one of the BEST I’ve every heard. Had never heard it before. SO thank you sooooooo much. I just love the down to earthness of it and the humor as well. AND it’s so true.
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Emily Says:
19 January 2010 at 6:32 am.
PS–I thought it would be novel to be up there in the first few comments, not my usual number 54. LOL
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 9:55 am
I have to say, Emmy, that I was VERY impressed with your expediency in commenting. LOL!! Also, as I thought more about your wise comment above, I could see why you relate strongly to positive thought and what we focus on…because you have VERY powerful thought and capabilities to manifest what you focus on. I’ve seen this in you many times. People are continually telling me that I am the same way, but I can sometimes forget to use it. So this is good reminder for me. Thank you Emmy. I love you. Roby
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Nadia - Happy Lotus Says:
19 January 2010 at 8:09 am.
Hi Robin,
Thank you so much for writing this post and raising awareness of how change begins with the individual whether it is for the environment or spiritual development.
I am often amazed at the choices people make without any regard to the consequences. I have seen people buy things just because it is cheap or convenient without any regard to how it will impact their health or lives. Many people are confused about the environment due to all the various news reports. Some people think global warming is a myth and that certain foods are okay since we are all going to die anyway (someone told me this about why they eat junk food).
We are more powerful than we know and we change the world by our choices. Each choice creates a ripple in the ocean of life. So we might as well be conscious in how we choose to impact the world.
Hope all is well. Love and blessings to you!
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 11:41 am
Nadia, Beautiful comment. I too prefer to make as many conscious choices as I can. It not only increases my opportunities for a happier more rewarding life, but I FEEL better inside myself. I feel more empowered, more creative, more alive, stronger in body, mind and spirit.
I also am amazed at the choices people make without regard…. Something I learned from my time living in the rainforest is that it can be very hard for people to grasp a certain reality when they have never “experienced” anything “different”. Something as simple as walking barefoot upon the earth can seem totally bizarre and foreign to people when they have never lived like this. It can be very hard for people to “FEEL” in every cell of their being that Earth is a living being when they have had little or NO connection to nature as a child or even as an adult. And these principles can apply to every aspect of our lives. Like John – Zen Moments says in his comment:
“We can make decisions on these things and take actions to create positive change — but we really need to feel it and be it, to understand and live the power that is inherent in us when we take our proper place. There is a vast and powerful difference between intellectually, and even emotionally, believing that we are a part of nature — and physically feeling and breathing that all-in-oneness.”
Also, I think that is one of the good things about your work and John’s work and so many others here; through your sharing you educate and inspired people to seek “beyond” all they have known. You are very good at this because you more often than not teach through sharing your own personal life stories. John often does the same. That leaves a powerful impact on people because they can FEEL what you share…and not just go into their head with it. Very powerful difference. Thank you dear Nadia for inspiring me on such a personal and deep level.
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lisleman Says:
19 January 2010 at 10:10 am.
I must say the word niggle used in this post, got me here. As you might remember I’ve come by before and enjoy your thought provoking views.
Figuring out what is best for everyone is not easy but that’s not an excuse not to try.
Hope you’re having a great day.
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 11:47 am
Lisleman!! Good to see you. Of course I remember you!! Thank you for your kind words. I think you are so right that it is very challenging to figure our what is best for everyone. Just all the varied responses here reflect how many different views there are and how unique we all are. I like to think that we all contribute what we can. And that each part is important in the overall scheme of things. I also love what you said: “…but that’s not an excuse not to try.” I think if we each listen more closely to our hearts and follow what they tell us, that alone would make a huge difference in the world. And like two others have said here, “starting in our own backyards” is such a good place to start. Thank you for sharing my friend. I appreciate it.
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John - Zen-Moments Says:
19 January 2010 at 10:39 am.
It’s just too easy to be in our head, and not immersed in and merged with our bodies and with the planet as a living organism, of which we are a part. The part we play is up to us. We can be a cancer or a factor for healthy evolution.
We can make decisions on these things and take actions to create positive change — but we really need to feel it and be it, to understand and live the power that is inherent in us when we take our proper place. There is a vast and powerful difference between intellectually, and even emotionally, believing that we are a part of nature — and physically feeling and breathing that all-in-oneness.
John
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 12:40 pm
John, I think you have hit on something that sooooooooooo crucial and at the heart of much of what we humans are currently doing/not doing to planet earth. Yes, we can go through the motions and make the positive choices and actions that we “think” with our heads are “right”, and may even feel with our hearts are “right”, but it is when we feel that we ARE Nature that we want to protect and nurture her, just as we would our own life or our children’s lives.
I write these lines in my book, Naked in Eden: “Is Nature real to us? Does she flourish in our awareness, in our minds and hearts and breathing cells, everyday? Flourish to the extent that we are Nature and are in love with ourselves?”
This is why I am an advocate of getting our children out into Nature…and our selves. It’s why I related SO strongly to your post, “Lessons From Nature”, http://www.zen-moments.com/lessons-from-nature-a-hike-in-the-rain.html I have found even with myself who has spent much time in nature, that being out in all her moods helps us find, experience and better understand our own moods. And helps us feel kindred with Nature, LOVE for Nature. I thank you dear friend for hitting on something that is soooooooo KEY.
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suzen Says:
19 January 2010 at 12:18 pm.
Hi Robin! If someone asked me that question I would have to ask in return “What would you be willing to do to assure us of survival?” You are so right, it is our choice(s) that will determine the outcome. What I see Robin is so much irresponsibility and often the root cause is just pure unconsciousness about what people are buying, eating, throwing away etc. I truly believe in the goodness of humanity and if people could be taught to be responsible, and if they would gain some understanding as to the impact of their choices on the environment, many would change. Every day should be earth day!
I’m reading a book “The End of Food” – quite a read! Not finished yet but it sure gave me a better understanding of the food industry and what is really going on with our food – some things I wish I didn’t know now but I will take that information to make more informed choices in the food I buy. You can expect a blog about it, haha! I’ve done several “green” blogs – I wonder if maybe we all shouldn’t ban together to make a certain week Blog Green? We could all share what we know about the whole green thing and how we are each doing something? Just a thought!
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
SuZen, YES!!! Wonderful thoughts here. I too feel that we are often unconscious and, like you, I also feel a GREAT love for humanity and also believe in AND SEE the ASTOUNDING goodness of humanity. We are a species that is learning about ourselves, which I think is true for ALL life. I also believe, like you, that once people REALLY see and more importantly FEEL deep down to their bones that they are part of the living Earth, that they are ALIVE, they then begin to make changes. I think the change comes from within and also like John – Zen Moments said we have to feel that connection to Nature.
He wrote in his comment: “…we really need to feel it and be it, to understand and live the power that is inherent in us when we take our proper place. There is a vast and powerful difference between intellectually, and even emotionally, believing that we are a part of nature — and physically feeling and breathing that all-in-oneness.”
Also, re: the week “Blog Green” idea. I think that is a FABULOUS idea. Keep it in mind and let’s each think of people we know who might be interested in doing this. We could all be very creative in coming up with post. I love the idea. We could each put links to the other posts on our page so that our people could tour around reading the various posts. Thank you dear one.
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Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills Says:
19 January 2010 at 2:00 pm.
This is so “on the mark” Robin. If we are not willing to take an honest look at our personal and communal impact on our environment, things will only get worse. No positive change happens until someone, or in this case everyone, stands up and accepts responsibility. As you said, we are creating our world. We can choose to do it consciously, or we can blunder along and pay the price. As always, we have a choice!
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Jonathan, Thank you SO much for your encouraging words here. It is high praise coming from you. I like what you said about no positive change happens until we stand up and accept (or take) responsibility.
People all over the world in all kinds of situations — not just environmental ones — who have stood up and taken responsibility, often at risk of their lives. Brave souls the world over take great risks — greater than most of us in the USA would ever need to take — just to have freedom, equal opportunity and more. Things we in this country take for granted.
So I really urge everyone reading this post to educate yourselves on how to live a healthier life for both your family and the planet. If you are online reading this then you have access to thousands of sites that will help you live a more Earth-friendly lifestyle.
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Marcel Lemieux/starflight Says:
20 January 2010 at 12:53 am.
My my my ..what fine remarks and thoughts here my friend..that we survive or not is not the issue..the world is on a course that is not in our control…what we do in our actions and how we use our own power is the real matter at hand…awareness has nothing to do with trends of life…what make a person real is the way he or she lets the flow of life and love pass through..as for actions well its a free choice thing..who can really gasp the full spectrum of one,s soul journey..what is each one to learn or experience..i see this planet as a huge playground. .where you try things,discover things and grow ..we make mistakes or is that mistake a learning process..the first time you do a garden..do all things grow naturally or are you to intervene in some way? well life is full of examples like that…mother nature is alive and follow,s her cycles as we are following ours…sometimes things may get rough, but who said it was going to be a smooth ride..i have confidence in the human race as a species that will see and have many new views about life in time…if we each use what we got inside us ,what we see as the best of us and use that around us..we make the difference… there is no magic wand..no miracles..all is possible to know about…knowledge and science right now have a bad rap..but it will not always be that way…its all in the way you use it..we shall see as time goes by…will we survive..hum!…does anybody have a time chart for life and death ,so might as well do what you want to here/now…peace
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Marcel, my dear friend, I just love and resonate strongly with this whole comment. And yes, there are SO many fine remarks here. I am just astounded at the varied views and input. It’s as it all the pieces fit together to create a whole picture. One of the many things I love about your comment is the openness of heart and spirit in it, the sense of the whole process or evolution of humanity being an adventure. Now that is something I REALLY relate to. I don’t think there is anyone answer. I tend to be much like you in that I am able see so many sides or insights into any given situation. And oddly relate to almost all of them. I find that fascinating about Life itself.
I loved your words here and not find them a fundamental truth but very soothing: “…if we each use what we got inside us, what we see as the best of us, and use that around us..we make the difference…” Absolutely!!! Thank you for taking the time to share your beautiful heart here. It is a vast one.
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Iyabo Asani, The Inner Genius Coach Says:
20 January 2010 at 7:16 am.
Thank you for this Robin.
When someone asks the question, “Will humans survive?” I would respond by informing them that the power lies within themselves.
If they are willing to make a lifetime commitment to not just the surviving but the thriving of the human race, then yes, we will survive.
Recently, I came across some information by Gregg Braden about the frequency of the earth’s magnetic field and our bodies frequency. When we meditate, those frequencies are the same.
I wondered how those frequencies of earth were changing with all the abuse to the planet and what that is doing to our bodies, purely from an electromagnetic perspective.
Thanks for being here.
Iyabo
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Iyabo, I agree with you. The power lies within ourselves. I also just love the distinction you made between surviving and thriving. It is a very very important point. I think we are, at this point, surviving, but now must go beyond mere surviving to learning how to THRIVE. That is one thing I noticed when I lived in the rainforest; all life thrived. We often think of wild creatures as merely surviving but that is not necessarily true. Life THRIVED in the rainforest.
As to the EMF of Earth, I too have wondered this. I do know that when they sent astronauts into outer space that once outside Earth’s EMF the astronauts tended to lose bone mass. So the scientists had to simulate Earths EMF on the astronauts space ships so that they would not lose bone. So many changes happening in the world, and we humans, like any other species, will have to evolve. For instance I’ve often wondered how are brainwaves are adapting (if they are) to all the cell phones, TV, Computers, and so on. Or how is our inner ear adapting to high noise levels. Fascinating topic. And thank YOU, Iyabo, for being here. You are a creative thinker!!
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nothingprofound Says:
20 January 2010 at 8:27 am.
Personally, I’d never ask that question. And if someone asked it of me, I’d say: I don’t think about things like that. I just think about how I can enjoy this day.
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I am like you, in that I have never asked this question either. I think it is for the very reason you speak of here. I am sooooo FULLY living and experiencing as much Life as I can that I don’t think like that. And yet, oddly I do a lot of things that are kind to Mother Earth. …but then doing those things comes from a powerful love of Earth and an awareness of my connection to her. I simply revere her. However, I must admit that I have been blessed to live a life where I was expose to much time in the wild, which of course fostered that life of Earth and Life. Thank you my friend.
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Chris Edgar Says:
20 January 2010 at 10:22 am.
Hi Robin — I like that perspective, and I think it’s useful in all areas of our lives — it seems much more resourceful to ask what choices we’re going to make next than what the world is going to do to us.
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 2:46 pm
That’s funny you say that, Chris, because while I was writing this post I too thought that it applied to all areas of our lives. I also LOVED how you worded the next part about it being more resourceful to ask what choices WE are going to make as opposed to worry about what the world is going to do TO us. One of is very proactive and the other is living as a helpless victim….as if the world is happening TO us. Thank you for making that distinction. I so appreciate your wisdom here and on your site as well. Wonderful!! Laughed out loud over your comment on Wilma’s blog. Ticked me pink that you have a sense of humor as well.
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Boris Says:
21 January 2010 at 3:26 am.
Robin,
Great post, it makes us think! It inspires us to act!
I think that humans will survive anyway. The question for me, though, it is not if we are going to survivve. For me the question is Are we going to have a decent life?
In order to have a decent life, we have to live decently, responsibly!
All the best,
Boris
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 3:00 pm
What a wonderful insight, Boris. Yes, to feel decent and have a decent life we must act decently. I think for some people — like John – Zen Moments said above — they have no real connection to “decent” or healthy or even awareness that Earth is real to them. However, I think somewhere stored in each of us is a sense of decency and even if we can’t FEEL it at first, if we act accordingly the feeling will naturally follow. It’s a bit like eating healthy food. At first we many not want to and it many not initially FEEL healthier, but with time our bodies respond and we DO start to FEEL healthier. Thank you for taking the time to stop in and share your wise thoughts Boris. I really appreciate it.
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Zeenat{Positive Provocations} Says:
21 January 2010 at 4:19 am.
Dearest Robin,
This is such an important topic…and youve explained the logic so beautifully..wow..I can literally feel your love for mother earth..and its giving me goose flesh !
That being said…more and more people need to start being aware of this…that this so called ecological change…is actually our doing and our doing alone! And only WE can restore it back to normal..the way its supposed to be.
I think we truly need to go back to basics…live simply like our grandparents and their grandparents lived..where they used public transport to commute and ate fresh food and didnt know what on earth a refrigerator was. We are so hell bent in becoming technologically savvy…we have forgotten how much these things are harming US in the long run.
I thank you my dear soul sister for feeling and writing about this….It felt like you were inside my heart..and writing exactly how i was feeling.
Love you so much…please always be YOU! Youre awesome!
Much love,
Z~
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 6:09 pm
What a joy you are, dear Z. I am always touched by your kindness. I just cannot get over the love you exude. I too LOVE the idea of returning to basics. I’ve noticed a trend lately of more people doing this. Or at the very least they are simplifying their lives and parring down “things”, living simpler lives, gardening and so on. I really like that idea and way of life so much myself. Often what we THINK we need to make us happy is really is not what we seek at all.
I believe that you move through the world in such a place of love that you automatically offer contrast to those who are lost, suffering and cannot yet see. I think what your loves offers others is great peace, hope and the desire for a better life, a healthier life, a more loving life. Love does AMAZING things to ALL beings. So I would say to you as well my dear soul sister: “Please always be YOU! You’re awesome. and keep loving in that truly remarkable and Divine way that is SO YOU” And yes, I love you as well, sooooo much.
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Patty - Why Not Start Now? Says:
21 January 2010 at 4:46 pm.
Hi Robin – I love the way you reframe the question and ask us to step up to our personal responsibility. But I have to say that thinking about this makes me sad, too. Because I believe there are underlying social issues – particularly poverty, hunger, homelessness – that make it nearly impossible for many people in the world to take action to do anything. And until we begin to look at all of these issues together, I worry that we will not make much headway on the environmental front. Sometimes I suspect we need a big wake up call, a swift kick in the pants. I don’t know what that will be, though. (Sorry, don’t mean to be a downer today!)
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 6:35 pm
You are never a “downer”, dear Patty. You are honest and deeply heartfelt. That makes you beautiful, honest and real to me. I totally understand how you feel and I’m sure many other feel the same as well.
As I read this part of your comment “..there are underlying social issues – particularly poverty, hunger, homelessness – that make it nearly impossible for many people in the world to take action to do anything.” I had these thoughts. For me it is for this very reason that I, someone who is not going hungry, homeless, or living in poverty, must do as much as I can. Because there are so many who as you say are not in a place where they can do much. The mere fact that these conditions exist in other countries and even for people in my country USA, is my reason for doing whatever I can.
Maybe if we switch our focus from how much “headway” we are making to just doing whatever we can when we can, at the very least we improve our own lives and the lives of those beings around us. Even if we improve the life of one other being we have made a difference…right now. There are so many ways we can do this even without money. Maybe I will have to do a post sometime that looks at ways we can each make the world a better place. I highly value your heartfelt expressions. It’s what makes you YOU! Thank you dear one.
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Tess The Bold Life Says:
22 January 2010 at 9:40 am.
Robin,
This topic used to make me angry and judgmental of others. Now my only concern is myself and I go choice by choice about my business daily making small changes one at a time so I stick with them. I’m getting better each day and remember that my actions speak louder than my words about what others are doing. To all those out there who want to judge me know I’m coming along and please be patient with me and the rest of the world!
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:32 am
What a wonderful thing to say. I agree that no matter WHAT, we must not judge others. Judgment or criticizing doesn’t change people or the world. I above ALL else we have to be patient and loving. I think more change happens that way than when we judge others. REALLY good point, Tess. I too am learning to not judge but to live moment to moment, do what “I” can. I have noticed that people NOTICE what I am doing more that what I might say. AND I know I certainly am NOT perfect, not even close, so I don’t want to be judge. Judgment creates fear and shame. So I try not to judge either OR let others subject me to judgment. It just doesn’t help anyone or anything. Thank you for making this important point dear Tess.
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Bern ~ Walking in Stillness Says:
22 January 2010 at 11:42 am.
When we learn to become attentive to the moment which is inside ourselves and not in the outer world, then we begin to notice that what we think and what we do creates the world around us. We then become consciously accountable for what we are drawing to us and what we are experiencing with each moment. Therefore, we learn to attract feelings that we will want to play with. And as we begin to love ourselves once again, then we will see that the world is loved too. If an individual does not survive, then to them the world is dead, because they believe in death. When we want to live and when we want to flow with life, then the world resonates and comes to life through our eyes and we can see and feel what the earth feels. We become one and the same.
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Dorothy Stahlnecker Says:
24 January 2010 at 3:53 pm.
Oh Robin you hit the nail on the head here. so many say they want to help make this earth cleaner and better however, actions speak louder then words, and I find myself taking baby steps I focus on I can do 3% less thus I turn of lights, keep the heat lower, and I try to save from using paper and plastic when I don’t have to I’m even printing memos less…ugh it’s hard however, so worth it in the end..
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
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Eliza Says:
28 January 2010 at 6:37 pm.
I think you touched on this, Robin. “Will we survive?” is the wrong question. It’s akin to “can we tough this out?” “Will we survive?” sounds like we own a pet that has turned rabid and is attacking us. It absolves us of responsibility.
We are stewards of our planet, not owners. So, the question should be “are we being good stewards?” And actually, I am going to put a positive spin on this discussion and say that from what I see, we are really starting to get it.
Examples from my part of the world, in Eastern Canada:
1. plastic bags are pretty much obsolete. Most stores refuse to even supply bags. We all carry our own reusable bags.
2. our municipal recycling program is extensive and we have HUGE blue bins which we all roll to the curb
3. we are all getting ‘wet garbage’ bins which we will fill and roll to the curb for municipal composting
4. we separate our garbage in our offices
5. a lot of the coffee shops will fill up our ceramic mugs
6. both Ontario and Quebec have banned chemical fertilizers
Personally, our household uses baking soda instead of commercial shampoos and cider vinegar for conditioner. We are getting rid of a car and becoming a single car family. Small things, but I see more and more people doing the same.
We aren’t at war with Mother Earth, so it’s not a question of survival. We are in partnership with her. And from what I see in my little neck of the woods, we are honouring that partnership.
Robin Replies:
Dear Eliza, what a lovely comment. I agree that many people the world over are making astounding changes in their lives. My sweetheart and I do many of the things on your list here and various other things as well. we went to one car a few years ago and do as much as we can to make a difference. I have to say that what is going on in your area is much more than what is going in my area and much of the USA. Most stores here still give out plastic bags, accept for one or two health food stores. We do have a few cities that have gone plastic free, and that’s it. And recycle bins for the curb were only issued a couple of years ago. I love the compost idea. We do not have that here yet, but my husband and I use it all for our garden. And I applaud the ban on chem fertilizers. THAT is HUUUUUGE!! Hope that Chem pesticides are next and GMO food. Here in the USA we have a long way to go to catch up to your Canadian standards. BUT that said, things are changing.
My other thought was this: I totally agree with you. We most definitely are NOT at war with Mother Earth. If we are at war at all, it is with ourselves. We are in no way threatened by Mother Earth, I lived many years in the wild and personally know Earth ONLY as love…no matter what we humans do. If we are threatened by anything, it is ourselves. I also have found that our natural state of being is one of living in partnership WITH Earth, but I also feel that many have forgotten this connection, this relationship or partnership. But MANY are also reawakening to it once again, which is a life giving thing for all beings. Thank you for your wise and inspiring comment. It is a joy to see you here.
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Richard | RichardShelmerdine.com Says:
2 February 2010 at 2:46 am.
I am genuinely not sure what is going to happen. I think its in our hands. Tell as many people s you can and we will be ok.
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Humains pourraient-ils survivre? Says:
16 February 2010 at 11:08 pm.
[...] Une question que les gens Niggled Beaucoup J'ai parlé avec me demandent: «Pensez-vous que les humains survivent à la crise écologique actuelle?" L'autre jour, quelque chose à propos de cette question niggled sur moi. Quand j'ai regardé dans mon cœur, j'ai été inondé de perspicacité. Avez-vous déjà remarqué que lorsque nous recevons une réponse positive à cette [. . . ] URL article original: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/will-humans-survive/ [...]
soulMerlin Says:
22 February 2010 at 4:38 am.
Hi Robin ~ You are so right…”Wouldn’t conscious compassionate and healthy living just feel better regardless of any environmental crisis?”
……otherwise compassion and healthy living is simply something to endure, during the “crisis” …until it is over and we can go back to our own destructive ways.
Destructive over-consuming living feeds the Ego and starves the World
xhenry
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Robin Easton Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Wow!! This is a wild dream. I can see why you never forgot it. A dream like that for any of us certainly would impetus to at least think about how we would their lives. I have had many such dreams – not about Earth and our effects on it — but dreams that made me change my life, dreams that gave me a deeper insight or, as I said, impetus to live, think, feel, act (or whatever) differently. You are quite a remarkable soul, Shirley, and I am over and over amazed by you.
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