May 24th, 1997
IDENTITY
By Jackie Giuliano
Why climb a mountain?
Look! A mountain there.
I don't climb mountain.
Mountain climbs me.
Mountain is myself.
I climb on myself.
There is no mountain.
nor myself.
Something
moves up and down
in the air.
-- Nano Sakaki
We worry so much about our "jobs." Our jobs define us. They are what we do
"for a living." But are they really what we should be doing to "live?"
How many of us can say we are, as Joseph Campbell said, "following our bliss?"
Being so out of touch with the natural world, where our real identity should be, we are
lost in between. When we are not working, we often feel empty, without value. Unless we
are constantly doing something, we feel like we are "wasting time."
I was reminded of all this last night when I took my class on a hike in the hills of
Malibu under the light of the full Moon. This is a class that is studying the Moon and its
impact on our culture, art, literature, and science. They are considering the question
"what if the Earth had no Moon?"
Nearly everyone put up such barriers to doing this field trip that I considered canceling
it a number of times. The excuses were everywhere - "I work that night" or
"I have a wedding s shower to go to" or "I am so busy with my other
classes." Right up until a few hours before the hike, while getting confirmations
from people on the phone, people tried to make me feel guilty that I was requiring all
this work. One student told me of the "expensive" shift she had to give up at
work. Another told me she was looking forward to it, but asked me if it was really
"required." Bear in mind that it was not a far-away nature expedition I was
planning - the location for the hike was 20 minutes out of town and you get to park at the
bottom of the trail!
These are all good people, mind you, but they are all caught up in this frenzy in which we
live, this frenzy that makes us feel that taking time to connect with nature is a waste
and is taking away from our important commitments. I keep coming back to our misplaced
connection with the natural world as a root cause of this - our "original
trauma" as Chellis Glendinning puts it.
Look at the way we consume our planet's resources. The U.S., with 4.8 percent of the
world's population, produces 21% of all goods and services, uses 33% of the world's
processed energy and mineral resources, and produces at least 33% of the world's
pollution. The average U.S. citizen, when compared to the average citizen of India, uses:
- 50 times more steel
- 56 times more energy
- 170 times more synthetic rubber and newsprint
- 250 times more motor fuel
- 300 times more plastic.
I thought about all of this as I led the group up a fire road overlooking the ocean.
The Sun had set and we walked up the trail in twilight. People initially chatted among
each other, but slowly, they started to get quiet. Their quiet was probably more out of
concern that their instructor was taking them up a brush covered slope in the dark, but
eventually, you could sense the calming that took place.
Soon, all you could hear was your own breathing and the crunch of the brush underfoot. I
was acutely aware of my senses. My eyes, adjusting to the twilight, were noticing the
shadowy images of the plants all around. The ocean breezes mixed with the fragrant smells
of the native plants all around us. Sage, rosemary, chemise, chaparral, all combined to
make a perfume that touched a deep note of re-membering. This was what it means to live.
This is what we should be doing for a living - being a part of the natural world.
Moon!
Rising into a smog filled sky.
Moon!
How bright you are
Illuminating the shadows of my shadows.
I run into the darkness
So that I cannot see - to be hidden.
Yet under your light
I still see
soft shadows
delicate flowers.
My skin - smooth and creamy
under your protective glow.
I walk down the trail
Branches crunching under my feet.
I shouldn't be here
so much to do
no time.
But I belong here.
I hear the flowers calling
my true name
my destiny.
As we turned left at the top of the ridge, we saw the full Moon rising above the ocean! It
was a sobering and remarkable sight. We continued until we could go no more. We reached
the edge of the bluff and just stood and looked at the Moon. The ocean to our right,
shadowy plant forms all around, the presence of each other - it was simple and powerful.
We talked about the Moon. I asked questions. But mostly, we just stood and experienced the
moment.
We began our walk back. It was 9:15 pm, but you could easily see your way in the bright
moonlight. No flashlights, no technology, just the memory of the path on the way up and
the trust that we could make it back. Single file we walked, quiet, reflective.
At the bottom of the trail where the fire road picks up, we encountered the first house. A
spotlight was glaring from the top of the house, pointing at the back yard and at us. It
was a powerful assault on our "nature-tuned" senses. It seemed overly bright,
obtrusive, intrusive, unwanted. Most moaned in disapproval.
All were moved by that one and a half hour experience, a chance to stop for a while and
notice. There was no complaining, no rush to get to their cars. We all felt the desire to
remain peaceful, away from technology. Getting into the car was difficult. It felt harsh
and cold - a sensory overload.
So what can you do. Maybe it's not so hard. Here are some thoughts.
- Just stop. That's right. Every now and then, just stop what you are doing and look up.
Notice what is going on. Notice the lights and the electricity you are using. Notice what
you bought this week and reflect on if you really needed it. Notice how much quiet time
you spent with a loved one.
- Don't do anything for 30 minutes each day except just "be". Be a human
"being" for a change instead of a human "doing." Just be present with
whatever you are feeling. Walk around the block. Feel the air. Resist the urge to do
anything but be present in the world. It's hard.
- Try to notice the Moon each day for a month. This is a simple way to get in touch with
the Earth as a planet. Notice that your whole world is not your home or your car or your
office - you live in a vibrant, alive universe.
- Go for it and try to take a full Moon hike! There are easy trails everywhere, even in
the biggest cities.
Try to do less this week. It is enough.
Soil for legs
Axe for hands
Flower for eyes
Bird for ears
Mushroom for nose
Smile for mouth
Songs for lungs
Sweat for skin
Wind for mind
Just enough.
-- Nano Sakaki
RESOURCES
1. The Utne Reader's March/April 1997 issue's feature article is about slowing down. Check
out sample sections at http://www.utne.com/slowdown/index.htmlB
2. Check out Adbusters for ways to get off the consuming treadmill at http://www.adbusters.org./main.html
3. Go brain shopping at the EcoMall. Much environmental connections and information. It's
at http://www.ecomall.com/
4. Learn all about the Moon at http://bang.lanl.gov/solarsys/moon.htm
5. For downloadable software that allows you to keep track of the Moon with your computer,
check out http://www.fourmilab.ch/earthview/vplanet.html
{Jackie Giuliano can be under the light of the Moon in Venice, California. He is a
Professor of Environmental Studies for Antioch University, Los Angeles, the University of
Phoenix, and the Union Institute College of Undergraduate Studies. He is also the
Educational Outreach Manager for the Ice and Fire Preprojects, a NASA program at the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory to send space probes to Jupiter's moon Europa, the planet Pluto, and
the Sun.} |
