tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51167368794127641162024-03-07T23:25:26.824-08:00The Writings of an Earth Lover: Articles of Vivienne ElantaJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-87685875196196693502008-02-05T22:41:00.000-08:002008-02-05T22:51:52.364-08:00Vivienne's Last WordsWho will hear the sound of the earth crying?<br />who will feel the earth suffering?<br />she's hurting i am hurting her sickness is my sickness<br />i love this earth<br />i am aware of her suffering<br />oh god, i am not fantasising i can feel it<br /><br />we must wake up to the earth suffering<br />we must stop putting holes into her<br />she is our blood and flesh she is me<br />and we must start feeling her pain.<br />my pain is her pain and its everyone's pain<br />everyone's pain.<br /><br />and if we can not start feeling her pain<br />we will die.<br />and that's why we are hurting,<br />because we try to be numb.<br />numbness is death.<br />the earth is one.<br />We are the earth.<br />The earth is us.<br /><br />We must feel. feeling keeps us alive.<br />healing keeps us connected.<br />And she is crying<br />I feel her pain.<br />We must all feel it,<br />so we can stop hurting her.<br />Feeling brings me back to life<br />Feeling brings me back to the earth.<br /><br />The earth is my mother,<br />the earth is my father<br />My sister, my brother.<br />The earth is me,<br />the earth is precious.<br />We are all precious.<br />So long as we are numb, the hurts will still keep coming<br />The hurts mean being alive.<br />No feeling equals death.<br /><br />Once we stop hurting the earth and each other<br />We will be happy again,<br />and we can come home to precious earth again.<br /><br />The earth loves us as we need to love each other, ourselves. I<br /> can feel the earth. She wants us to feel again.<br />To come back to life.<br />Its then that the suffering stops.<br />It is up to us.<br />Its up to all of us.<br />If the earth hurts, I hurt.<br />We all hurt.<br />We are one being, we are one living being, Earth.<br /><br />Await, I am listening to my body.<br />And earth is my body.<br />What I do to my body, I do to earth.<br />Only love will heal it all.<br />Earth can show us how.<br />And then we will all be happy.<br /><br />Thank you for being there.<br />This cancer is the earth speaking.<br />All of our cancers speak for the earth.<br />Oh my god, put your hands on me.<br />Today I am going to lie on the earth.<br />To let the earth heal me.<br />The tumour is telling me,<br />If I don't hear it, it will not go away.<br />It came as a messenger.<br />It will come in all of us, until our bodies are covered with tumours.<br />They are our messengers.<br />To come home to the earth.<br />To come home to our bodies.<br />And all of the poisons we are putting in her body, in my body<br /> in your body...<br />You cannot pour ink into a glass of water and think that it will not spread.<br />Yet that is what is happening.<br />And to be healthy, we must start hearing the song of the Earth.<br />Only then will we come and heal our tormented self.<br /><br />Listen to the earths heartbeat.<br />Listen to your own heartbeat.<br />Listen to each others heartbeat.<br />The myriad beings who share this precious earth<br />It's the same heartbeat.<br /><br />Oh god, its nearly done.<br />I am not some kind of Messiah.<br />I am a simple woman.<br />Awake.<br />Everyone can feel it.<br />Anyone can heal it.<br />Put your ear to the earth.<br />If you can't hear it, if you stop long enough, you can.<br />Put your ear to the earth until you do.<br />If you can't feel it,<br />put your hands into the earth Until you do.<br />If you can't see it, look closer.<br />See her creatures. They will tell you.<br /><br />There is just a tiny bit more, and then I sleep.<br />This energy running through me is nearly done.<br />Let me look into your eyes,<br />so that I can see your suffering.<br />Once more, a tiny bit...<br />Your suffering.<br />So I can see your suffering, as well as your joy.<br />Let us grow in our feelings.<br /><br />I am losing the last bit.<br />Let it go...let it go...<br />Through this cancer,<br />the earth is borrowing me to speak.<br />the cancer said if you try to shut me up i will shut you up<br />i will speak aloud<br />if you don't want to hear me i'll speak louder.<br /><br />I am no guru. I am just a simple woman.<br />I am awake.<br />The cancer has spoken.<br />We need to hear it.<br />We all need to hear it.<br />If anything comes, I'll let you know.<br />The trembling has stopped.<br />I feel quiet.<br />Blessed be,<br />it is done it has spoken.<br />All I know is I have to keep listening.<br />It may keep speaking.<br />It doesn't matter,<br />I will know when, and what I have to know.<br /><br />Vivienne Elanta, co-founder of the Gaia Foundation, July 2004, shortly before her deathJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-20869323654445339612007-08-31T01:14:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:31:29.627-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=5><B>SUSTAINING STORIES FROM A TOXIC AGE</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=5><B>By Vivienne Elanta</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=5><B>INTRODUCTION: FACING THE DEMONS</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Mind over matter. Never mind about matter, because what really only matters is mind. I grew up with such thinking. Most of us grew up with such thinking. We learn from an early age that mind is superior over body and we learn that self is separate from the environment. The cost to such an erroneous view is a sense of disconnectedness from the world. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>So if only the mind matters, and dad was never happy with my mind, then I must be not good enough and don’t really matter.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>What legacy have you left for your great- grandchildren? What sustaining stories from your life can you tell?</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always"> <FONT SIZE=5><B>THE TREE OF HOPE STILL STANDS</B>:</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3><B>REMEMBERING HEPBURN HEIGHTS</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>It is spring once more in Wadjuk Nyungar country. This is the season the Nyungar call Djilba, which is the “flowering”. I am thinking of Hepburn Heights, and my heart is longing to be there now. This week is the 11th anniversary of the ruthless desecration, the massacre of a large part of this high conservation value ecosystem, and the most beautiful tuart/banksia woodland, known as Hepburn Heights. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Since moving south of the river seven years ago and being car free, I have only been back once. As I turn into the road that separates the left half of Hepburn Heights, which is still pristine and intact and the right half, which is now buried under a heavy blanket of concrete and asphalt, I cannot hold back my tears any longer. I have been away too long. Coming here always brings me great sadness and pain, as well as much joy. As I entered through the gate I called out, “Kaya!” (Greetings! in Nyungar). This is indeed my turf.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>As I write my story I am sitting in a circle of elders, a circle of very, very old Balga trees. They stand in an almost perfectly round circle as if in a meeting. I have not noticed them before, but maybe now that I have become a grandmother, I qualify to sit with them and maybe that is why they have made themselves visible to me. I found a large enough gap between a couple of them in which I quietly sat myself, so as not to disturb this many hundred -year -old gathering. Balga trees are sacred to the Nyungar. I am glad to have followed the calling and feel grateful to be here on this beautiful warm spring morning in this sacred circle.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>I sense the patience, eternity and age of this part of Nyungar country. I can sense the presence of the ancestors of this place. I also feel the pain this land holds. I was a part of the struggle to protect this land from the invasion of housing development. Here I am today, paying homage to this place, which I was privileged to know so intimately during that fateful spring in 1992. As I sit here on this holy ground, all my senses engulfed by the sensual beauty surrounding me, the memories come flooding back.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>I had never heard of this place Hepburn Heights before, until a friend informed me that bulldozers were clear- felling this particular bushland and that all hands were needed on deck, to which I responded swiftly. I was overcome with dismay and horror on arrival. What I saw looked like the scalp being scraped off the head of a living being, leaving bare, raw, aching flesh exposed to the scorching heat of the sun. In that moment I jumped in front of the bulldozer, believing that the driver would stop. Instead he scooped up the pile of sand on which I was standing and emptied the sand and me a few meters further into prickly shrubs. I was hurting and bruised, but continued my protest against this ritual of desecrating sacred ground.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Other activists were present and without wasting any time some of us climbed onto the machine. The bulldozer driver tried to throw us off by rocking and shaking the machine with the help of leavers he was operating, and then proceeded to speed up. Malcolm was hanging off the front-loader and I feared that he would fall off and get run over, but he kept hanging on. The journalists and camera crew were running alongside and filming. The wild ride seemed to continue forever. Malcolm was still dangling from the front-loader, a couple of people clinging onto the sides and I was sitting on the roof with Wade, hanging on for dear life. We were heading for a tree. At the speed at which we were travelling, I did not dare to jump off, so decided to hang on even tighter until my knuckles felt numb with the pain. As we were getting closer to the tree I realised that the branches were low and unless we lay flat on the roof we would have been severely hurt or even decapitated. Eventually the machine came to a halt, bringing the nightmare to an end. The media gathered around us, shouting angry words of disgust at the driver for putting our lives at risk. We felt shaken, but glad to have escaped alive and unhurt. This was my first encounter with a bulldozer and the beginning of my love affair with this place. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>It feels good to sit here now, the soft, cool breeze caressing my face, the white-tailed black cockatoos screeching from above and a pair of ring-necked parrots darting in and out of their nesting hollow. I feel welcomed by country, welcomed by the Nyungar ancestors. I feel deep gratitude to know this place, and deep sadness for the pain and suffering my culture has inflicted on country and its indigenous people. The Nyungar are the traditional custodians of Nyungar country and we have failed to learn from them how to look after country. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>This place tells stories. The Nyungars always knew how to read country, understanding the stories the land told them. They knew where and when to find bush-tucker. They knew the stories of the six seasons of the year. Country sustained them and they in turn looked after country. This deeply spiritual relationship with place sustained itself for tens of thousands of years. I cannot lay claim to understanding the stories this place tells, for I have not lived and breathed this land long enough to know, to have knowledge of country. But I know that I love this place, that I am kin to this family of beings; the four-legged, the six-legged, the eight-legged, the legless and crawling ones and the winged. I would do everything in my power to protect their integrity and wellbeing.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Since that first meeting here, our activist group returned regularly in a still uncleared part of the bushland. We formed a strong bond with each other and would at times gather in the shade of a circle of trees, to sing to a wonderfully wild and strong drum beat, which always reminded me of my growing up in Africa. That spot to me felt like the heart of Hepburn Heights. They were wonderful times, carefree, celebratory and deeply connecting with each other and to this part of the earth. I can still feel the heart beat of this place, now partly buried under roads and houses. It feels like my heart and her heart beating together, just like that drum beat.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>I feel pulled back into the present by the wind cooling and the clouds gathering. I think the story is that it will rain sometime this afternoon or tonight. The pretty yellow flowers are nodding their heads, as if agreeing with me. That gorgeous pardalote in the tree above me has not left my sight all morning, flitting about in search for insects. This is the hight of Djilba. The flowering here is exquisite, the shrubs as well as patches of ground are covered in blue, yellow, orange, red, purple, white and everything in between. I feel entranced by the magic here and I have actually lost track of time. I feel no urgency to rush back to the fast pace suburb I now call home, but home to inner city suburbia I must return to for now.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Three days on and I am back, walking and walking for hours, marking my territory with every step and every deep breath inhaled, soaking up the intensity of colours, smells and sounds all around, below and above me. It did rain that night, making everything fresh and clean. As I quietly made my way through the bush, following the narrow path, I was startled - and so was the kangaroo. Our eyes met. Our gaze locked and became literally glued to each other for what seemed an eternity. But then a noise from behind made her turn her head. A second kangaroo appeared, sat there for a few moments, then the whole spell was broken and they bounced away together, disappearing out of sight. I have experienced this before with Kangaroos and also other non-human beings. When our gaze engaged, it was as if drawn into another time zone, another dimension, entering a different state of being for that moment. But somehow this encounter has effected me profoundly, deepening and affirming my connection to the more than human world. It’s beyond words. Tuart trees, and kangaroos occupy a special place in my life and in my psyche. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>I am sitting here again with the Balga elders, the ground still a little damp. Today I need to seat myself in the very centre, right in the middle of the circle. I am asking this circle for support, for I am feeling vulnerable and my heart heavy with remembering the tragic and futile loss of life here. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>After that first encounter with the bulldozer any further development came to a halt. My life settled back into the familiar “house-wife routine”, until one morning while still lying in bed, my beloved decided to turn on the radio to listen to the news. I was stunned with what I heard. What? A kangaroo killed at Hepburn Hights and the bulldozers completely clearing that hill this very morning? I flung myself out of bed, pacing the floor madly, feeling the anger and the outrage collecting in my belly. That morning I abandoned the vacuum cleaner and made my way to a costume hire store. When I told the shopkeeper as to what happened at Hepburn Heights and that I needed a kangaroo costume, he let me have it on loan for free.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>A friend dropped me off near a cleared spot, from where I made my way to the top of the hill. Looking down the other side I saw hundreds of people gathered near the main road. Panic set in. Sweat poured from every pore in my body and my heart pounded so fast and loud, that I could hear it in my throat. There was no way back. I have learned over the years that the only way out is in, right into the lion’s den. To go where the fear resides lies great power. So I took a deep breath….. and another one, and proceeded to climb into the suit and zipped myself up. Being totally covered with kangaroo, only my eyes exposed, it felt like I was stepping aside and the spirit of kangaroo having a loan of me to speak on behalf of her species. She started bouncing down the hill towards the protestors. My fear totally subsided and I felt swept away by the spirit of the moment. I vaguely remember the kangaroo speaking about loosing her home, sharing her stress and bewilderment of this terrible destruction and the killing of her mate, which was just dumped into a hole in the ground and covered with some soil and forgotten. The protestors, who were made up of mums, dads and their children took the kangaroo into their midst and led her across the main road. The media loved it. I was told that the kangaroo jumped across the TV screen over and over on every channel that evening. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>The following day I returned as myself (without the kangaroo suit). On that barren hill top, where only a couple of days earlier tall, wide-girthed ancient tuart trees stood, politicians and other government officials gathered to look and talk. As I looked down the hill I witnessed several bulldozers pushing over trees and turning this pristine bushland into a wasteland. I was struck with paralysis, shocked by what unfolded before my eyes. I was thinking at the time, how could anyone contemplate such mass murder, unless they are totally insane? As I kept staring in disbelief, I heard a voice in my head saying: “Would you be standing here and watching if these trees were your children?” Of course not! In that moment my legs began moving, and I found myself running faster and faster, heading for a bull- dozer. As I approached the monster machine, I remembered my first experience. The lesson I had learned there was not to fight machines, for they are much stronger. So I turned and ran ahead of it towards the tree the driver was heading for. I put my arms around her trunk and closed my eyes. After my first encounter with the bulldozer, there was no assurance that he would stop. Actually he did not stop. He simply swerved and headed for the next tree. I let go of the tree and raced to protect the next, and the next, always only just getting there in time. The bulldozer driver must have been enjoying himself, like a cat playing with a mouse. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>It did not take long for me to feel totally breathless and exhausted. I retreated and made my way up to a still uncleared part of the hill. Tired and distressed, I sat under a tuart tree, with my back leaning against the trunk. I wept and wept, overcome with grief. As I sat there feeling the rough bark pressing into my back, through the thin fabric of my blouse, I heard a voice saying; “Protect me!” I was startled. “Who is that?” Again I heard; “Protect me!” I then realised that this was the tree speaking to me. There was no time to think this through, to rationalise with my then logical western mind, the possible absurdity of a tree actually speaking to me. So I climbed into the first fork, wedged in there and not able to climb any higher. In the distance echoed the noise of the seven monsters. I was all- alone. No one knew that I was here, sitting in the fork of this insistent tuart tree, with an aching, sore crutch and a dry throat. I felt the power of this tree, the power of this place speaking through this tree. I knew then that I would be staying for a while.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>After maybe half an hour or so, I was surprised by the sound of an engine, and through the shrubs I could see a police car approaching. One of the police officers asked me, “What are you doing up there?” To which I replied, “The tree asked me to protect her and that is what I am doing.” Both officers had a big grin on their face. Then one of them said, “Why don’t you go further in and protect one of the bigger ones?” to which I replied, “It’s this one that asked me.” </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>They drove on leaving me sitting in the tree. They must have thought I was loopy, up a tree so to speak! About ten minutes later, I could hear another engine noise coming closer and closer. All of a sudden from behind the thicket appeared a bulldozer. It was heading straight for the tree. The driver saw me. There was no mistake about that, for our eyes met. He did not swerve this time. Instead he came straight for us, stopped short and started digging a deep hole, right at the base of the tree, exposing the roots. Terror was rising from my gut, filling my whole body. I wanted to get out, to jump out, but could not do it. My arms were tightly wrapped around the tree trunk. It felt like we were clinging to each other. I found myself screaming with the kind of terror of someone who is going to be chopped up inside a shredder. The whole tree started shaking. The ground too shook with the tremors. Still he did not stop. He worked his way right around the base of the tree, creating a deep moat. It seemed he was out to completely uproot this tuart tree. I remember thinking, “For Earth’s sake! He’s going to kill us! And then, like the kangaroo, just drop me in a ditch and bury me there and then. And nobody, at least no human, will have been witness to this terrible act.”</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Incessantly he kept digging and digging into the ground, driving the front scoop deeper and deeper. I remember shouting in vain, “Stop! Stop!” He probably could not hear me anyway from inside his cabin, not that he seemed to care. Suddenly he withdrew and vanishing as quickly as he had arrived. A few minutes later the police came by again. When I told them what had happened, they offered no help and just left again.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>A deep silence fell over the whole place. The stench of death hung in the air from the smoke of burning tree bodies. Eventually some hours later I saw a black suit and a brief case coming my way, which I thought belonged to a land shark, until he introduced himself as Miguel. He was taking photos for the “Friends of Hepburn Heights” he explained. After I told him everything that had happened to me, he left to phone my beloved John, who had no idea that I had been sitting in a tree all day. He also phoned the media, as well as my friend and fellow activist Wade. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Wade arrived within an hour or so. His first question to me was, “How long do intend to stay in there?” to which I replied, “For years if need be!” “I’d better go home to bring back material to build you a platform.” With that he was gone and back in a very short time. Wade set to work, with great skill creating me a home up among the branches, while I sat on the ground, eating a bowl of homemade soup he brought for me. I realised that I had nothing to eat and to drink all day. I still remember how tasty the soup was, which I savoured very slowly. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Within about an hour he had a platform constructed. Now it was my turn to learn with the aid of a harness to climb into the tree. I was scared for I had never climbed high up into a tree in my life before. But with practice and Wade there to support me, I finally did it. I told him that I would not sleep in the tree during that night because it was very windy and I was afraid that the tree could be blown over. I decided to sleep on the ground instead. Wade was not able to stay any longer, so I started making a tent for the night from a couple of tarps he left for me. It was getting dark and I crawled into my little make shift tent. I was proud of myself for such a fine achievement. I was lying there for a long, long time looking at the full moon through a split in the tarp. I was feeling cold and wondered how I would survive the cold night. I started praying hard, not to a god, but to the earth, asking her to keep me warm. I finally fell asleep. Some hours later I awoke to humans calling. I did not know if these voices were from friendly humans or from bulldozer drivers, so I quietly crawled out of my tent and made my way through the low bushes to find out who might be calling this time of the night? Well, what a surprise! There was Miguel, his wife Teresa and others coming to visit to make sure I was all right. Most of all they came to bring me a sleeping bag. I wept with joy, and climbed into it after they left, and slept tight all night. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>I woke up at dawn and was greeted by two laughing kookaburras, which were sitting already on a branch in the tree. I proceeded to climb into the tree straightaway, using the harness. The kookaburras made no attempts to take flight, and were still sitting on that branch after I moved in with them. We eyed each other with interest across the mere meter that separated us. I made myself comfortable on the wooden platform, which was only as large as a massage table. Wrapped in my sleeping bag and still attached to the harness, I sat still, watching my surroundings. Ears, eyes and nose highly tuned, waiting for something to happen. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>And happen it did. I braced myself with the engine noise I could hear coming up the hill. “Please not again!” I held my breath, waiting in trepidation and fear of more danger. Instead I saw a caravan of cars and vans in the distance, winding their way up the dirt track. Suddenly I could make out that it was - the ABC, Channel 10, followed by Channel 7 and 9, and SBS, the West Australian etc., etc. I panicked. Never had I been interviewed before. I wanted to vanish into thin air, but there was nowhere to go. So I took a deep breath, composed myself and waited quietly, pretending to be an old hand at this. They say, “fake it, till you make it.” </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>One by one the journalists and camera crew stepped out of their vehicles. “We would like to interview you.” one of them called up to me. “With pleasure”, I replied, then taking another deep breath to calm my nerves. They stood at the base waiting for me to descend from my height, which I declined, explaining that I will not come down. I lowered a bucket attached to a rope, into which they each carefully placed their microphones. It felt strange sitting high up in a tree, readying myself for a media conference. Once I sorted the microphones the way I would sort flowers into a bunch, I called down to the eagerly waiting men and women in high heels and suits. “Fire on!”</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>First question; “How long do you intend to stay up there?” “Indefinitely if need be”, I replied. “You will have to come down eventually”, someone shouted up. “Why?” I said. “Well, everyone needs to go to the toilet sometime?” “That’s easy”, I replied gallantly, clasping the big bunch of microphones between my fingers. “Just send up a bucket and I will fill it for you”, to which they all heartily laughed. They wanted to know why I would sit in this tree? Just like to the police I explained to them that the tree asked me. I voiced my concern, that we treat nature with contempt, turning eco-systems and non-human beings into mere resources to be used as we please. Our wetlands and bushland are unique in the world, and most of them have been lost to development already and need to be protected from any further plundering. It is hard for me to understand, I told them that sixteen thousand signatures, pleading for the protection of this place where completely ignored by the government, which is a total disregard of the wishes of the local community. That is why I was here, to speak for this tree, in fact for all of Hepburn Heights and for the rights of future generations, human and non-human alike.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>The media moved on for the day to hunt for the next newsworthy stories elsewhere. I enjoyed the constant stream of people from all walks of life, gathering here in solidarity with each other for the wellbeing of this place. I was brought everything from food to warm blankets. For a toilet I had a bucket. Wade brought a few tarps, which he attached to make walls on three sides and one for a roof. Having walls meant having a little more privacy when going to toilet or washing myself. I felt very challenged and a little uncomfortable when someone offered to empty my poo bucket and yet such very acts helped build a sense of family and community in the coming together for a shared purpose. I felt humbled by people’s generosity and caring for one another and this place. I especially appreciated their caring for my wellbeing. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>By the afternoon my human friends had left to attend to their own lives, and I was left to attend to mine in my new household. I actually welcomed the silence and solitude, for I felt exhausted from the lengthy interviews, posing for the cameras and talking with so many people. After a hearty meal, which was lovingly made for me I lay down for a late afternoon snooze. It was just after sunset when I was woken up by the two laughing kookaburras, which were sitting right next to me again on the branch within an arms reach. I think they knew why I was sitting in their tree. I sat up, still tucked up in my sleeping bag, watching the moon make its way across the sky, while reflecting on the day’s events. It all felt like a dream from which I would eventually wake up for its not the kind of activity of an ordinary day. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>The following day more media arrived and many more people came to visit before taking their children to school or going to work. Teresa was with me that morning when another bulldozer charged towards us. The tremor that went through the tree trunk had an intensity I can still remember with every bone in me to this very day. The tree trembled and shook again, and this time it was more intense than the first attack. I remember fumbling with my shoes, trying to put them on so that I could jump out of the tree, but the tree would not let me. The trembling became so intense that I clung to the edge of the platform. I felt terrified. I looked down and saw Teresa looking up at me, who was wedged in the forking of the tree lower down. The front loader was being driven deeper and deeper in the ground around the tree. After several attacks the metal monster disappeared down the hill, leaving us exhausted and trembling for a long time. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Towards lunchtime I found myself without human company once more, which allowed me to be more present to the non-human world. I was so shocked by the desecration of the land. The beautiful native orchids were all gone. The ground charred and barren. Penetrated. Raped. Dead baby- birds, squashed rare duck eggs and dead lizards lay strewn around. It looked like a battlefield. This was a battlefield. I was witness to the raping of the land all around the tree, leaving bare overturned soil. Sitting in the last tree, I wept and raged for a long time that afternoon.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Then the most amazing thing happened. Only a few meters away from my branch landed a pair of male and female scarlet robins. Western culture presumes that the male is active and the female is passive. What poppycock! To my delight and fascination the female wriggled herself eagerly underneath the male. She took a strong lead. It was a great honour to witness such an exquisitely beautiful mating ritual. I felt somewhat bewildered though, that these two lovers would plan for new life in this wasteland. What is the point, when there are no more trees to nest in? Looking at these very beautiful and lively beings so eager to produce new offspring, when only yesterday their trees were pushed over, made me marvel at life’s fecundity. It is in this place that I began to develop a sense of billions of years of tenacity. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Towards sunset many people arrived to set up tent to share their love for this bushland and commitment to save it from development. A fire was lit, which drew people together to share cups of tea and coffee from a billy-can. The sound of many voices and laughter filled the cold night air. I felt a little isolated sitting on my own in the tree, while everyone was mingling and talking with each other. I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of community, which grew so quickly around the campfire and revelled in the people power present here. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>My most memorable experience of that evening was of a woman in her senior years, and despite walking difficulties managed to make her way up the hill. Standing at the base of the tree she called out to me and said, “I saw you on television tonight. Thank you for your courage. I could not visit until now, but I was with you in spirit all this time. I brought you some muffins, which I made especially for you.” She held them in her cupped hands and reached them up towards me. I was so touched by her sweetness and love, and the power of such an act of caring and connecting through a handful of muffins. I hoisted them up in the bucket and carefully lifted the little bundle of muffins held in a serviette in the palm of one hand. I slowly opened it, took one out and with closed eyes took a bite of what tasted like heavenly blueberries. The tears spilled down my face. I found myself choking on the muffins with emotions. I nodded down to her and thanked her for this precious gift. I came to learn through these simple acts of kindness that deep down people do care. Sometimes it looks like we humans don’t care, but what we are really doing is shutting down due to overload and fear of feeling our pain for the world and feeling overwhelmed with the enormity of it all. I arrived at this understanding in the years to follow through the teachings of Joanna Macy, an eco-philosopher, writer and activist.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>The next morning people packed up their tents to head home, to work or to school. Teresa and Cate stayed with me. The media paid a short visit and left. Then the police arrived, followed by the terrifying droning of a bulldozer. One of the police officers walked towards us and called out, “Come down Vivienne.” To which I replied, “NO! This tree asked me to protect her and that is what I am doing.” He replied, “Look Vivienne, you have had good media coverage and you made your point. Please don’t make it hard for me, because I will have to come up and arrest you if you don’t come down voluntarily.” </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>After my final refusal, the police officer signalled the bulldozer driver, then jumped into the front loader and was lifted into the tree. I clung to my beloved tree as tight as I could, but he grabbed me by the arm, which he pressed hard, pulling me into the front loader, which immediately lowered us both to the ground. I was taken to the police van and held captive there, only to witness an intense struggle at the base of the tree. Teresa and Cate flung themselves into the tree. Teresa was taken out, but Cate straddling in the lower fork could not be pulled out that easily. Being a strong and heavy person the police had their hands full. Eventually she was pulled out, her legs still stuck in the fork of the tree, while the bulldozer started pushing the tree over. I was horrified that they would undertake such a dangerous operation. To push the tree over while Cate was still stuck in it was unbelievable. Have bulldozer drivers become unfeeling machines? I was so angry. I felt this assault on my human sister and my tree sister in my own body. It was unbearable. Cate was finally pulled out just seconds before the tree hit the ground. My murdered tree sister was then pushed across the ground and dumped onto a pile of other dead tree bodies. Both Teresa and Cate were charged and pushed into the van and I was released, because they said that they did not want to make a martyr out of me. As the police van disappeared in the distance I sat on the ground weeping, feeling grief struck beyond words. My kookaburra friends flew over and sat on a branch on their tree. They did not make a sound, they just sat there in silence for a long time. I was sure that they were mourning with all of us. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>People gathered again and made a signboard saying, “The Tree of Hope still stands”, which children placed next to the crater, where once this strong tree anchored its roots deep into the ground. Many of my friends arrived to support me. For me this was a time of double grief, for I was brought news of my father’s death. I felt that I needed a memoriam for this place and all the beings who suffered and died here because of human greed. My friends gathered with me in a spot over the hill and further in. The rape and pillage was even worse than I could see from the tree during the past 3 days. Huge murdered 500+ year old tuart trees where lying on their side. Their bodies hollowed out from burning for days, the intensity of the heat drying the skin on my face. My close friend Skye brought me an old African cloth doll as a gift. I pressed the doll against my belly, and then without thinking I threw her into the gaping red glowing insides of this tree body. It felt like an offering to the earth, and to the beings, which were about to return to her womb. The air carried the sound of our wailing across this wailing land. It was also a time of saying good-bye to my dad. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>The day after a large number of people gathered for a vigil. Many trees were planted that day. My grief was just too great to remember too much of that event. At times I regretted not staying and fighting on, but I had no energy left.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Only months after the struggle was over and I was able to reflect on the string of events during those fateful days, that I understood that the attempts to shake me out of the tree was to prevent any media attention on this issue. Hepburn Heights I learned was a political issue in a marginal seat, just before an election. Hepburn Heights was promised to become Homes West housing for the elderly. We were conned once more by the fat cats and their friends, because Hepburn Heights became an expensive walled estate instead.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Although the politicians and developers murdered a large part of this place and covered it with concrete, they were not able to murder the spirit of the people, for “The Tree of Hope still Stands” in our hearts. And the Spirit of this place can never die, for one day, when the buildings crumble with age our great-grandchildren will read our stories and will offer this place to the seeds, which slumbered for so many years under this concrete blanket.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Sitting here in this circle of Balga elders, I rejoice having been a part of the struggle to preserve Hepburn Heights alongside so many passionate and caring people, who love this place as fiercely as I do. This tree-sister will always have a place in my heart, her spirit giving me strength and hope for a tomorrow. I have learned that trees can and will teach us about things like patience, persistence, courage, and compassion for the healing of this ailing and confused world. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>May this place be protected from harm and continue to be cared for with love, for all the children – the four-legged, the six legged, the eight-legged, the legless, those that crawl, and the winged and the two-legged also. May we all understand that we are one family and that country is our mother. Without country we have no existence. May the very ground we walk on, help us to Re-member! </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=5><B>A PARTY BRANCH</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>About six months after my tree sit at Hepburn Heights, I received a phone call from the West Australian Greens, asking me if I would like to stand as a candidate in the Lower House for the seat of Marmion. I felt overwhelmed and shocked with such a request, a bit like being asked to become the next Prime Minister. Although I knew that I would never win this seat, the thought of standing was outside my comfort zone. I responded by asking the Greens to phone me the next day to ask me again, hoping that they would forget or change their minds. No way would they forget, for I received a phone call the next morning at 7am. I still had not made up my mind, so I simply said, “Yes”. Being a member of the Greens and strongly believing in their stand for a just and sustainable world I wanted to help in this election. And with that a new adventure began. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>The following day I was walking down Fosten Drive in Duncraig, to visit Alan Lloyd, who was the president of Friends of Hepburn Heights. Alan who was a local resident informed me that a 200 –year- old Tuart tree was to be replaced with housing for the elderly. He thought that since I was standing as a Greens candidate for Marmion I should do something to stop the development and save the tree. I told him that I could do nothing until after the election, which was only five days away. He insisted that if I did not do something by Thursday, which was closing day for submissions, all would be lost. As I was listening to his pleas I proceeded to walk down the street towards the tree. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>As I got closer and closer the tree grew bigger and bigger and by the time I stood next to the trunk I realised how big and majestic this tree actually was. I looked up marvelling at the generous outreaching of branches. Then it hit me like lightening. Yes! That’s it! I could have my very own party branch up here. A political platform with my own little office, which would be open every day, just like that of a candidate. I called out to Alan, who had followed me, “Yes Alan, I will take it on.” </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>I called my trusted friend Wade to my aid. He arrived with a bow and arrow, a fishing line, climbing equipment and lots of building material. I stood there mesmerised watching Wade shoot arrows up the tree. Finally after about twenty minutes of failed attempts the arrow made its way across the air and over a strong branch, pulling the fishing line with it. Wade then tide thick rope onto the fishing line, which was pulled over the branch. With a very strong rope tightly fastened to the branch, he could now climb into the tree, and begin the process of hoisting up the timber for the platform. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Then came the time to move into my new office. The journey up was a challenging one, because I had to literally walk through the air with the climbing gear, like climbing a ladder. This tree was much bigger and taller than the one at Hepburn Heights, and the platform was placed a lot higher up amongst the branches. I had to promise Wade to stay attached on my harness day and night, just in case I rolled off the platform in my sleep, which was again only the seize of a massage table. What surprised me most was how cold the air was 15 meters above the ground, while on the ground the temperature measured about 40 degrees. I had to use my minus 8- degree sleeping bag for the night and put on my tracksuit, a woollen beanie and gloves to keep me warm. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>The first day I spend my time writing press releases. I was especially concerned that Wanneroo Shire Council was determined to cut down this tree, when only six months earlier they praised my action at Hepburn Heights. In a letter to them I suggested that they could build the houses in a semi-circle around the tree. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>On the second day the media found its way to the foot of my tree. A journalist was calling up to me, almost yelling to be heard, while a helicopter hovered around the tree with someone inside trying to film us. I could not hear him very well and had to repeat myself many times. Sitting in this tree did not have the intensity of the Hepburn Heights experience. It had a different more subtle quality. I spend my days watching the neighbourhood and all its doing. In the mornings the roads were busy with parents taking their children off to the local school and in the afternoon the reverse would play itself out. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>While all the humans were busy the birds were going about their business also. I realised how important this tree was to the birds and the insects. The loss of this tree would mean more habitat loss. Most of the local residence seemed to have little or no awareness of the wider, ecological community and its needs. I think that politicians should practice tree sitting for a week or two at least once a year to get in touch with their local community and spend time listening to the ecology. This would empower them to make decisions on behalf of that community, rather than for their own political interest.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Three days later it was time to descend from my lookout, leaving behind the most interesting birds eye view. Most of my friends heard about my tree-sit and wanted to help hand out how to vote cards. That Saturday was a very wet day. I spend my time darting from one venue to the next. My enthusiastic team covered all twelve polling booths scattered throughout the Marmion electorate. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Some people felt that I was nuts to sit in a tree for they believed that no one would take me seriously and I may loose votes. History showed that it was the right thing to do, because I actually won more votes for the Greens than any previous Green candidate standing in Marmion. I was told of a woman who wanted to vote for “that woman who sat in the tree”, and to do so she had to find out my name and what party I stood for. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>During the following week I spend my time door knocking, asking people to sign a petition and write letters to the Wanneroo Shire Council asking them to not cut down this tree. It proved to be a massive task encouraging people to produce the amount of signed letters needed to make a difference. The Council did come to the party and built the houses in a semi-circle, just like I suggested. The tree looks so majestic in its place in the centre of the courtyard. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Trees are sacred in most parts of the world. Some indigenous cultures believe that spirits live in mature trees. There certainly lives a powerful spirit in this tree at the corner of Doveridge and Fosten Drive, who made sure that its tree was left to live. To have such mature trees in our midst is a great blessing in our daily lives.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always"> <FONT SIZE=5><B>SITTING UNDER THE BODHI TREE</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>One day the news of a month long blockade deep in Western Australians old-growth forest was announced far and wide. I heard about it a couple of weeks before my birthday. During the past two decades many people had worked hard on a series of campaigns to stop the clear felling in our forests, but to no avail. Every elected government was deaf and the wider community had no idea at the time of the rape and pillage in these unique and rapidly dwindling eco-systems. We were going to change that and I was going to be a part of it.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>So I decided to have a big birthday party, which was also going to be a send off for me, a kind of “going to the forest party”, to which I invited all my friends. And what a party it was. Everyone brought me a special gift to keep me warm, such as a raincoat, woollen underwear, thick socks, boots, a scarf, a beanie, and a pair of mittens. To the sound of drums and didgeridoos I was blessed for my journey ahead. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>A week later I arrived at the blockade campsite with my beloved, who stayed for the first week. Many of my friends were there also. Hundreds of people were moving about, setting up tents, cooking, washing, playing with children or just sitting around and talking. There was a real sense of community and camaraderie in the air. Yes, this was certainly the place to be.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-left: 0.2in; text-indent: -0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always"> <FONT SIZE=5><B>FROG DREAMING</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>When our children were in their teens, we decided to rent a house with a swimming pool, so we could cool off during the hot summer days. We all agreed to share the cleaning of the pool. When autumn arrived and the weather became windy and cold the pool was neglected. So a slightly green swimming pool would gradually turn darker and darker in colour and richer in nutrient by the day from lots of leaf litter. And still no one bothered. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Then one fine, sunny spring afternoon, when the air was filled with the sweet scent of orange blossoms I looked out of the window, when suddenly my attention was drawn to something in the pool. There in this green brew I noticed a long trail of little wrigglers moving alongside its edge. On closer investigation they proved to be tadpoles frolicking in this primordial soup. Not hundreds, but thousands of them. At first I was shocked, which soon turned into excitement and delight, until 3 days later when we received the three monthly inspection notice from the real estate agent. My goodness! What were we to do?</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Out came the net and the bucket. Hour after hour, day after day I scooped out the little critters. Six hundred and forty seven… I was giving them away to whoever wanted them. Buckets full we carried to the local lake and a lot were warmly received by friends, such as Carol, who created a beautiful home for them in bathtubs filled with waterlilies. This fishing expedition seemed never-ending. One thousand and seventy one…. My back was aching. I felt that I could not go on any longer. Two thousand and twenty eight…. I felt like crying from exhaustion bending over the pool day after day, meticulously fishing for each individual passing by. I began to feel a sense of panic, as there were only two weeks left before the house inspection. Two thousand and ninety one… three thousand. On the day of inspection the pool sparkled, and over three thousand taddies found new homes, a process that would repeat itself every spring for several years. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Every winter, especially during the night, we would hear coming from the garden a call which sounded like,..whoop,….whoop,….whoop, which we thought was an owl. Many times we went outside in into the dark, cold and rainy night with our torches to find this owl somewhere up in a tree, but every time to no avail. Years later this mystery owl eventually revealed itself. We discovered that the hooting did not come from a tree, but from holes in the ground, which were occupied by moaning frogs. We were pleased to know that not only did we have a summer breading frog, but also a winter one as well. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>When we moved to Gaia House in East Victoria Park, I was keen to build a community in my street. I went from house to house and introduced myself in the neighbourhood. What we all had in common were untidy verges, so I proposed that we beautify them together. People liked the idea, but were too busy to join in with me. So I spend my weekends weeding and revegetation the neighbours verges on my own with native plants, gradually transforming the streetscape. I felt somewhat disillusioned with community building, as it seemed too hard. Consumerism and individualism dominates our western culture so much. We don’t know how to be in community any more. Although most people love a particular place somewhere out there in the wilderness, many do not have a sense of place where they live. Certainly the street verges, which are shared by all of us, are not seen as “the commons” any longer. Privatisation seems to be the current trend. Walling in what is yours and the rest “belongs” to the Shire Council or some other government department. This made me feel sad.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>So instead of trying very hard to build a sense of community with my fellow humans, I proceeded in creating habitat for wild life and building frog ponds in my own garden, a most nourishing activity. It all began with a visitor, actually a total stranger, named Peter, who happened to discover a drawing of a frog pond pinned to my message board in the kitchen. When I explained what it was, and that maybe one -day I would get around to building it, he asked me for a spade. He started digging straightaway, with me as his assistant. We used a tractor tyre, which was lined with strong plastic. After it was built, we dropped a few coins into the one- meter deep water for a blessing and named it “Peter’s Well”. It just so happened that Carol had to move house, and decided to give us all her tadpoles, which were the great-grandchildren of the frogs from our swimming pool days. I used to sit next to the pond every morning watching them dart around looking for food. I enjoyed sprinkling spirulina powder (an edible alga) on the surface of the pond. It did not take long before hundreds of little mouth, like vacuum cleaners surfacing from below to greedily suck up their breakfast. They seemed to grow by the hour. Within a few weeks they grew into beautiful, little froglets, with green and golden stripes, known as Golden Bell Frogs or Motorbike Frogs.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Once our little friends reached maturity, the males started calling for the first time, which was such a thrill for John and myself. They actually sound like motorbikes changing gears. Then on the night of the spring equinox, which was also a full moon, it began to rain. Slowly one by one the males started calling and soon a whole chorus exploded in that small, round pond, the sound being carried through the cold and wet night air. Eagerly frogs were piling on top of each other in two’s and three’s. The mating croaks were accelerating, becoming faster and faster. John and me were dancing in the rain and celebrating such fecundity, by joining in with their chorus. Now and then we would hear low rhythmic grunts coming from this amphibian orgy. Such raw lust was very infectious, so we eventually retreated into the dry, warm house, an environment more suited for our own species for expressing fertility rituals. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>As the frog population increased, more and more ponds were needed until finally we had ten of various seizes scattered throughout the garden. In one of my dreams the frogs let me know that they needed more wet places, so I phoned some of my friends and passed on the frog’s message. Within a couple of hours I had enough money raised to buy the material to construct a larger pond surrounded by three sides with a wetland. Today it is the most popular spot for the majority of the frogs to hang out on a hot summer’s day.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>As the colony grew, they spread throughout the neighbourhood, totally disregarding fences and making themselves at home in places like on top of the neighbour’s hot water system. Reports of frogs in people’s gardens came in from all direction. Neighbours talked to each other. I quickly came to understand that it was not me who was building community, but the frogs, indeed a very humbling realisation.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>During the weeks and months to come I fell more and more in love with these beautiful beings. All I wanted to do was to be in service to them. And that is what I did. In the front of the house we created a native garden with lots of leaf litter and ground cover, to give them protection as well as a source of food. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Then the frogs began to appear in my dreams more frequently. Frogs are a symbol of transformation in several cultures, probably due the fact that they metamorphose from tadpole into frog. The messages of some of the dreams were quite clear to me. I was called to embark on my own transformation towards an integrated sense of self, menopause was central to this journey. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>During the months to come many people in our street also fell in love with those froggy friends, and soon built ponds in their gardens. But not everyone loved our frogs. One day as I was tending to our front verge, planting more native shrubs, a local resident I will call Bill came across the road to have a chat with me. I learned that his son built a beautiful native garden with a large pond. I offered him tadpoles, but instead he said, “I hate frogs!” I was taken back by such a severe reaction and wondered if this was connected to a childhood trauma, such as someone putting a frog in his bed when he was four. I did not dare mention the word frog again… </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">…<FONT SIZE=3>Until about a year later, when he hurried across the road to tell me about a documentary he saw on TV about the disappearance of many frog species all over the world. He concluded by saying, “ I am very concerned about our frogs”. Did I hear right? Did he say, “<I>our</I> frogs”? I got so excited. After we spoke for quite a long time about the plight of the frogs and the state of our environment, I cautiously repeated my offer from the year before, to which he replied. “Well…. They will find their way into my garden eventually”. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>I happened to see him leave his driveway that afternoon, taking his dog for a walk. Being the dedicated ambassador for the frogs that I had become, I wasted no time. I fetched the biggest jar from the shed, dipped it into one of the ponds and hauled out hundreds of little wrigglers. I dashed across the road, stole my way into his garden and carefully lowered the jar into the thickets of reeds of his pond. Yes! It is amazing what can be achieved with a little helping hand. He did say, that they would eventually find their way into the garden. And that they did.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>A couple of months later I went across to borrow a hammer. His wife opened the door and instead of responding to my request she grabbed me by the hand and pulled me across to the pond, pointing at the little fat tadpoles, and exclaimed excitedly, “Isn’t it a miracle?” To which I replied, “Yes, what a miracle!” Indeed it was a miracle that the frog hater became the frog lover. He proudly introduced his frogs to every visitor. Once Bill and myself even posed for a photo together in front of his frog filled pond for a newspaper article on frogs.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Some time later a friend told me about a privately owned wetland not far from Albany Highway, which was destined to become another housing development. So I packed my net, buckets and Wellington’s into the car, in anticipation of an adventure usually only four- year olds and crazy scientists get to enjoy. The wetland was small but filled with several species of frogs. The chorus was deafening. I was glad to know of its existence, even though my acquaintance with it would be short lived. The bulldozers doing preliminary work had left deep tyre marks in the clay soil, which had filled with rain during the past weeks. The frogs were quick to deposit tens of thousands of eggs in these temporary breading places. At that time I could not tell which tadpole belonged to which frog species, so I just took home whatever found its way into my net, which included dragonfly larvae and many other, then unknown to me wetland creatures. I spend many hours wading through the shallow waters, totally immersed in this amazing place, which was teaming with such an abundance of life. Bucket loads of this rich, thick chocolate coloured soup were poured into our ponds, vastly increasing the number of different species within their ecosystems.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>By studying books on frogs, I learned that each species has different requirements. The sand plain froglet for instance lays its eggs on the bottom of shallow waters, as it is not strong enough to dive into the depths. Banjo frogs on the other hand need a lot of overhanging reeds for successful breeding. Having created these new habitats, there was not much more I could than wait patiently and observe what would unfold in this jungle garden of ours.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>One morning I happen to sit at the large pond when suddenly one of the frogs snapped up a smaller frog. It gulped several times, the struggling legs still sticking out from its mouth. I heard the victim’s desperate screech, but was helpless to rush to its aid, because it happened all in such a flash. This is life! Eating, and being eaten. Every living creature enters its life through the process of birth and eventually meets its death, which in turn makes space for new life. Just as this young frog met its end, the dragonfly larvae I brought back from that swamp started to metamorphose into beautiful adults. Several hovered over the pond every day and to my excitement one of them deposited its eggs into the water. The interconnectedness of all life is so profound. The dragonfly larva lives off tadpoles and the frogs live off dragonflies. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>A couple of seasons passed, when one January day the sky gathered clouds, which built into a massive thunderstorm. The heavens split open, thunder crashed and a torrent of rain came gushing down. Then during the night I woke up by this noise. Bonk, bonk, bonk… I heard myself muttering, “What’s that?” To which my already awake beloved, replied, “Banjo frogs”. “Wow! Our family is growing”, I shouted with excitement. A few days later I discovered a large mount of froth on the water surface under a clump of overhanging reeds, which looked like whipped egg white. It proved to be banjo spawn, gifting our ponds with again thousands of tadpoles. Our place was becoming a wetland and sounding like one too. Our frog population numbered in the hundreds, which was spread over the whole neighbourhood, with an estimate of up to 20,000 tadpoles laid in our ponds every year alone.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Our neighbour Pat could not stand it any longer. One morning she charged across her front yard and confronted me at my gate. “ I have not slept in days” she snorted at me like a steam engine. I did not know what to say. Eventually I said, “I am so sorry that you are having sleepless nights”. I listened to her anger and frustration. And then she said, “Well, what are you going to do about this?” After a long pause I said, “ A hundred years ago we would have slept peacefully with frog calls and would have been distressed with engine noises. Today we sleep soundly with cars screeching past our bedroom windows and get distressed with nature sounds. What have we come to!” I left her with these words.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>The next day her sons told me that their dad was fixing the cracked concrete pond and wondered if I could give them a few water plants, which I gladly did. To my surprise they came running back two days later, calling out, “We have tadpoles, we have tadpoles!” I was a bit suspicious of such a miraculous birth. This pond was dry and empty only the day before. The only possible explanation was that tadpoles were trapped amongst the roots of the plants I gave them. So I checked my own pond and found that it was filled with tadpoles. We had no more complaints from our neighbour since that confrontation about noisy frogs. Then one sunny morning while gardening, John heard Pat, like a proud parent call across the road to Bill, “Have your tadpoles got legs yet?” </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>As I sit here in the shade next to one of the ponds, I acknowledge with immense gratitude the healing these frogs have brought into my life. They have taught me so much about the interconnectedness of all things. They truly are medicine for a culture that has become alienated from the natural world. The frogs are bringing us back to our senses if we only let them show us how. I believe that frogs have the power to help us in our transformation from a consumerist society driven by greed, towards a life sustaining society, which acknowledges our interdependence with each other. It is in our own backyards as well as in our own psyches that we must tend to pond building for our collective healing. Sitting on one’s verandah and engaging with frogs in a conversation in their language helps us enter into frog dreaming, something that cannot be learned from books. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3>For many indigenous peoples frogs occupy a special place in the order of things. The indigenous Nyugar people of the area of Pinjarra and Australind were known as the Pinjareb – the people of the wetlands (Pinjar = wetland). These people lived sustainably within this region, which was rich in food sources. The first European massacre of indigenous people in Western Australia was against the Pinjareb custodians of these wetlands. This massacre did not stop with the people, it has continued with the killing of the land down to the present day. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>At the time of contact the coastal region from Yanchep to Busselton was dotted by coastal lakes within wetlands, and separated from each other by lines of sand dunes. Distinctive vegetation covered this region. Paperbark trees covered the wetlands, banksia heathlands covered the shallow soils of the foredunes and mixed tuart/jarrah forests covered the thicker soils of the hind dunes. This environment has become the most damaged ecosystem in Western Australia and is amongst the most damaged on the Australian continent. More than eighty percent of this natural vegetation has been lost to development. Around Perth wetlands and swamps have been filled in for housing and industrial development. An Indian Proverb says that, “The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives”. That is precisely what we have done through excessive use of groundwater, the water tables have dropped, which is killing the tuart trees and eliminates the wetland habitat of many seasonally breeding species of frogs. Fifty years ago suburban wetlands were filled with the dawn and evening chorus of many species of frogs. Today these places are largely silent. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>A frog’s diet consists of a variety of different kinds of insects and in turn larger predators eat them. Scientist refer to them as keystone species, which means that if they disappear in our gardens and wetlands, many ecosystems will suffer and may even collapse. Frogs, just like the canaries, which used to be kept in the mineshaft to warn the miners of toxic gasses, the frogs too are indicators of the state of health in our ecosystems. If they are ill or are dying due to pollution, so will we.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-41673429414670095702007-08-31T00:46:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:32:50.030-07:00<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">NYUNGAR JOURNAL</span><br /></span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Vivienne Elanta</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">12021131</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Introduction to</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Nyungar Cultural Studies A1671</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Lecturer: Marie Taylor</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:100%;">To Munjie</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Nyungar Yorger from Pinjarra,</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Who lives on in all of us.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><b>Nyoongar Journal</b></span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 1</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Marie welcomed us in Nyungar to the course. It sounded very welcoming and generous, even though I did not understand a word.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I come to this course quite ignorant of the Nyungar culture and language. That is why I am here and am keen to learn. I always felt shy talking to aboriginal people because I did not know what to say. There was also the enormous guilt and shame I carried in regard to the way aboriginal people here in Australia have been and still are being mistreated by Wadjalas. I feel so sorry for the suffering of the aboriginal peoples. It is so disgusting to think that we have a Prime Minister who cannot say SORRY on behalf of the nation and admit to the wrongdoings of past and present. I appreciated Marie asking us not to do the guilt trip.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This course gives me the opportunity to learn about this ancient culture and its language. I also hope to come home to this country in a deeper and more meaningful way. Being born on another continent and living in many parts of the world as I was growing up, has made me feel at home everywhere in a strange kind of way. Having lived in WA for the last 20 years has allowed me to get to know the south-west of WA a fair bit. This course I hope will help me to get to know this land from the perspective of the Nyungar people, if that is possible. Although I experience a deep belonging to earth, I still have not quite come home to this land and I think that the Nyungar Cultural Studies will help me to do so.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 2</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Yesterday I bought the book “Walwalinj – The Hill that Cries” and read it straightaway. I was absolutely stunned, because when I first went up that hill many years ago I remember standing there and looking down onto the plain and found myself crying, but I did not know why. I had no idea back then that it was called the hill that cries. Now I know that deep in my bones I knew something - I responded to the hill and the land around it. I believe that everything is alive and has spirit (or soul). Walwalinj is alive. I would like to go back someday. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Today on the bus home I became aware of a duality of landscapes. The western thoughtform of technology and progress superimposed on this ancient land. As the bus was moving through the streets I could sense another landscape underneath the roads and houses. It made the current landscape look superficial and intrusive. The shape of the houses, the green lawns, fences and the straight roads just do not flow with the land. These structures seem rigid, imposing and totally unsustainable - a typical reflection of the modern technological, scientific, economic western mind. Even many hundred years ago western buildings had a spiritual quality to them, largely lacking today. If ever this civilisation collapsed (and it will) would the many millions of seeds of the tuart, banksia, jarrah and marri lying under all this city concrete still germinate? </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am struggling with the pronunciations of Nyungar words and find it hard to even read them. Michael assured me that it is very hard to learn a new language, having studied several himself. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 3</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am so amazed at the complexity of the Nyungar family structures. It would take me forever to learn the minute detail such as the 2nd eldest child being called a “mardidjit” or the youngest baby son referred to as “martwit”. I can see now how interesting it would be for linguists and anthropologist to study languages and cultures. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 4</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Although I have been aware that many of our country towns and places are Nyungar place names, I only knew the meaning of a few of these names. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I just loved doing the assignment on place names, totally getting lost in the different wordlists, looking for words which sound similar to place names and making connections. It seems that the Nyungar language strongly expresses the interconnectedness of things. I found it interesting that the word pinjar = swamp, pinjah = tadpole, and pinjaring = bullfrog. The Pinjareb are “the people of the swamp”. This is an example of the interconnectedness and family of words within the language, which to me clearly expresses the interconnectedness of the daily life of the Nyoongar people, which was not separate from the environment. I strongly belief that language says something about the people who speak it. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">It is interesting that in the English language the word “you” is written in lower case whereas “I” is written in capital. For me that says something about the importance of individualism and that I come first, then everyone else. It seems that in Nyoongar the “we – ness” is so much more important than the “I”. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 5 </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I found today’s lecture and tutorial very heavy going. My heart just sinks whenever I hear about the terrible treatment of aboriginal people. The 1905 Act was supposed to protect aboriginal people, but somehow I still don’t understand how. All that I can see is a systematic way of destroying a culture, assimilation and integration as a way to achieve that. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Seeing the film “Rabbitproof Fence” was such a heart-wrenching account of the stolen children who where sent to Moore River. I am kind of feeling stuck with all these heavy emotions. I think I need to vent my anger and express my deep sadness which are sitting right here in my gut. It is unthinkable that the custodians of this land were and are still treated like second class citizens. Australia might be a different place today, if the Wadjalas had treated the Aboriginal peoples with respect and even learned from them how to live with the land, rather than rape and plunder it. We would have no salinity and erosion problems of the magnitude we experience today. We would all speak Nyungar and English. The Nyungar would be proud and healthy peoples. The Wadjala spirituality would possibly lean more towards an earth -centred spirituality rather than a Christian religion. Who knows?</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">There is so much talk about needing to be tolerant towards aboriginal people. I cannot make friends with the word tolerance, because it means to “endure”, and I also understand it to mean to put up with someone or something. Rather than just tolerate each other, we could all benefit from ACCEPTING each other for our differences and CELEBRATING diversity. That is what enriches us.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 6</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Len Collard’s session was great and I found his teaching style alive and interesting, though a bit confronting. One just could not hide behind the desk. He wanted everyone participating in speaking Nyungar and expected students to make themselves vulnerable and at least try. I was quite pleased that by now I knew a few words, one of them being Nyungar, which I thought meant “man”. When Len asked us what the word Nyungar meant I enthusiastically put my hand up and called out “man”. Wrong! I was told, it meant person, people. I was furious because several worldlists say it’s “man”. “Man” he said means maan or maarm. Over the last 6 weeks I did not know what was what really. One reference says one thing and another says something else. Len suggested to be more relaxed, see it as a challenge, and to have more of a curious approach. That was a great suggestion, for it helped me to be less serious and more light-hearted about learning the language.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I think the tricky thing is that the Nyungar language is an oral language, not a written one, and because there are very few fluent speakers around, its harder to get to learn it. Even the spelling of a word would be different from one writer to the next. Phoning many different places to see if I can buy tapes was totally fruitless. We live in Nyungar country, but one cannot buy tapes, but there is a limitless supply of language tapes in French, Italian or Spanish. I hope this will change.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">One of the activities that Len gave us to do was making sentences, which I enjoyed a lot, such as “I am a grandmother soon” – nyung moyiran boortja. Because it’s the daughter of my koort, who was expecting a baby I was looking for the word step-daughter in the wordlists and found none. Len told us that there was no such word because all the children whether biological or not are your children. I like that!! So I made the sentence, “nyung nap boodjari” meaning, my daughter is pregnant. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I found the topic of “winje noonook nyin” very difficult. I simply answered ngany boodjar Victoria Park. This topic is difficult for me because being born in a city in a hospital and not growing up in that place makes me feel a stranger to it. I have more sense of place in other parts of the world. My mother did not even live in that city when she carried me. I feel sad that I grew up without an extended family, without my dem and moyiran. I can never know the pain the Stolen Generation experienced. I do know though what it feels like not to have extended family for I lost them all during the war before I was born. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 7 </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;">Wow!! The bushcraft session was absolutely fantastic. I enjoyed and appreciated Fred Collard’s knowledge of the ways and customs of his people. Also so enjoyed sitting in a circle on the ground with women and making my wanna. At first it was hard getting the bark off the stick, but quickly I found a way of stripping it off. The whole activity felt so earthing, so grounding. I jokingly said to the women that having a wanna now, has made me complete as a woman. There seems some truth in that somehow. I enjoyed prancing around with it after Marie tied the feathers to it. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I found the story of the crow and magpie, which Fred told us very interesting. It explains why the crows and magpies around my place are not getting along at all. I loved it so much to wake up to the mob of kulbardi singing for me. Now they do not sing anymore in my garden because the crows chased them away. I miss the magpies and wished they would return.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Woke up this morning from a dream in which Len Collard spoke in Nyungar to me. He told me a poem in Nyungar. They were actual Nyungar words he used. The deal was that if I could remember what he said when I woke up I could have the poem for my story for assignment 2. But guess what, I can’t remember a word he said. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This dream had such a very strong and powerful feel to it, so much so, that I had the overwhelming need to hop on the bus to get back to Kulbardi to pick up every bit of wood shaving from my wanna. I wondered wether it was still lying on the lawn where I sat yesterday. It seemed a bit crazy in one sense, rushing off to university at 7 o’clock in the morning, when I could potter in my garden talking to my kweyaar. It felt very appropriate to be crawling around on the lawn covered in dew, collecting every strand of bark. I just had to have them and bring them home for a special purpose to be used in the making of my journal.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This journal is not the journal I set out to write. Yesterday’s lessons with Fred, as well as my dream have set me on a new course of making this journal creative and artistic, enriching the written word. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I realised this morning that I had never really settled into this course until yesterday. Sitting on the ground and making my wanna was a good thing. It grounded the course for me. This was also the first time that we did work at Kulbardi, which is much more conducive to studying Nyungar culture than in a stuffy classroom. It also presented a great opportunity for us students to get to know each other better. I feel very grateful to Marie for having had the vision and the energy to create such a wonderful course in Nyungar Cultural Studies.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 8</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Fred Collard has such an easy teaching style. I enjoyed him showing us how to build a mia mia, weaving together the materials to keep the rain out. It’s so simple and practical. What struck me was that the conical shape is so similar to the Native American tradition of building a tipi, except that a tipi has a central fire inside the structure and is covered with buffalo hide.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Next time there is a major storm, I want to bring home some blown down tree branches and make a strong mia mia in the garden here. I could use it as a place to rest and contemplate during hot summer days. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 9</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;">My Nyungar vocabulary is slightly increasing. I find myself saying to people: “Kaya, Yaarn noonook?” When I first started the course I was so keen to learn it quickly, but now I know that learning Nyungar language is a long-term project. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">One of the many things which I love about this course is the practical hands -–on component. The bushwalk was superb, trailing after Fred and Marie to eagerly take in all the interesting and useful knowledge about plants and animals for their use for food, shelter and medicine. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have seen Bayn (pig face) along the coastal dunes. It reminds me of aloe vera in its fleshiness and use in soothing and healing sunburn. Gosh ! I have learned so much today. I learned that one could make rope for horses and boomerang from silver wattle to boiling flooded gum leaves to inhale for clearing up colds. I was aware that paperbark grows near water, but had no idea that by putting a hole into the trunk water will drip out. I would have never guessed that the black manna gum or black wattle is good for curing constipation or indigestion. I would like to have used the resin to paste together this journal, but its not the right time of the year Fred informs us. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Walking through the bush was so special. That’s what my granny would have done if she had been alive. Just like Fred and Marie she would have taken me through the forests and meadows in Germany, showing me the different plants, fungi, mushrooms, berries and herbs for human use. She knew them all. She would have taught me when to pick them, what part to pick and how to prepare them for food and medicine. It makes me sad to know that this knowledge is lost to me. It must have been devastating for Nyungar kids, who would have wanted to learn from their elders, but were forbidden and punished if they did. So much knowledge lost, so many elders not here anymore to teach song, story and dance. It is a terrible loss to the Nyungar people and a terrible loss the whole world. It is predicted that within the next 50 years 90% of all languages in the world will be lost. We are living in a very tattered world full of remnants. Remnants of cultures, remnants of languages, remnants of biodiversity, remnants……remnants…….remnants!!!!!!! When we loose a language we loose history and ancient knowledge of land. We loose culture , and we loose forever a part of human diversity.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I used to walk through the bush years ago in total ignorance, thinking how lovely the flowers were, until I did the “Bush Regeneration Course” with APACE in Freo. I learned to see and evaluate what percentages are still in good condition and what percentage is degraded and infested with introduced weeds. The flowers, which I used to think were lovely, I learned were the horrible watsonia and other plant pests. There are still a lot of healthy trees and plants in the Murdoch bushland, such as the beautiful paperbark, the black manna gum, egg and bacon, red gum, balga, string bush, silver wattle, pig face and flooded gum. It would be great to do a project to seed more of the native bush and weed out the pests. I would love to learn more about bush tucker and the uses of material for string and things like that and just hanging out with elders like Fred. He makes a great elder - lots of wisdom, knowledge and a quite manner.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The message for my message stick has become very clear to me over the last few weeks. In my mind’s eye I can see Wadjalas and Nyungars coming together in a circle around the fire -place for reconciliation, living in peace together in this land. I want to express that in the form of white and black footprints walking towards the centre - the fireplace. I want to also add the symbol for peace and the heart for love and the stars for the ancestors of this land watching over all of us.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">During study break.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Its been an amazing week since the bushwalk. I just had to go back to that bushland and collect paperbark lying on the ground and gumnuts and leaves and flowers for pressing, which I will use in the making and decorating of the journal. It was great taking Bill along with me to take photos of this beautiful place. I tried to remember which way Fred took us and which plants he pointed to, so Bill could take a photo of each. I think we got most of them. He is such a great photographer and I appreciate his kindness.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I was somewhat concerned to see that someone is taking huge zamia palms out of the bushland. Shouldn’t they stay in the ground, so that Nyungar as well as science students can benefit? These palms must be several hundred years old and would cost $500- 800 each, if one was to buy them in a nursery. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Then on Wednesday went to the hills to spend a few hours with Mary, teaching me how to make hand made paper for the journal. What fun that was, selecting the flowers and petals to sprinkle into the pulp, stirring the brew and then dipping the frame into it, to haul a thick layer of the sloppy pulp onto the frame. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">It was special to use the shavings from my wanna for rolling onto a couple of sheets of paper. It was great taking the wanna with me to Murdoch bushland, while searching for plants Fred taught us about. The photos will look great on this special paper. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Since a couple of weeks I observed one single black wardong (crow) in and around our garden. I immediately remembered what Sandy told us about a crow on its own bringing bad news, especially when it looks at you with intensity. I felt a little disturbed at first and then decided to push the fears away. I told myself that nothing bad would happen to me. I am not Nyungar I told myself, so therefore it does not apply. Doesn’t it? Well here is food for thought. It’s been a week now, when a rottweiler dog savagely attacked Spotty. That’s when I realise that the crow messenger had indeed something to convey. It was such a terrible experience to witness our little dog being almost shredded to death. Next time I see a crow by itself hanging around for days, what should I do? Be careful? Talk to the crow? </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 10</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">At the moment all the frogs are out sunning and mating in every pond. My life seems to be infused by the presence of frogs. So when Marie spoke about her grandfathers totem being the frog I had such a lovely feeling. I just love frogs so much. I have known for a while that kweyaar, the frog is my totem. I found it quite powerful to dream about frogs and then find one little green one in the shower the following morning. I know that they bring me messages. Much of these messages in my dreams seem to do with transformation and change. I think the most single message they convey to all of us today, is to care for the environment. We need frogs. They are the most important link in the food chain and are vital to the health of ecosystems. Nyungar people knew all that. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">When I talk about frogs I always seem to make a connection to snakes. It seems logical, because snakes feed off frogs. I love snakes, though I keep my respectful distance. One thing struck me quite strongly sometime ago, that to Christianity the snake is something evil, the tempter. In Nyungar spirituality the snake (Wagyl) is a life-giving force. It must have been very confusing for the Nyungar when the white man arrived with his bible. I love the story of how in the Dreamtime two rainbow serpents, called Wagyl created the rivers and the lakes here in WA, the female laying eggs along the way. One place where she laid eggs was at the foot of Kennedy Fountain. That place is special to me, because that is were Nyungar elders blessed us and send us off on the pilgrimage around Australia to stop Uranium mining. It is interesting that here we have a male and female Wagyl creating different parts of the waterways and coming together now and then. Other cultures in different parts of the world also have female and male aspects to the landscape.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;">We did not get to talk about men’s/women’s business really. At least I can’t remember us doing so. I think, that men’s and women’s business is a great thing. I still remember the time a group of us decided to split for a few days. The men staying behind and doing what ever men do, and us women (with the permission and blessing of an aboriginal woman elder in NSW), to sleep out at a women’s sacred site. I still recall to this day, that when we did rejoin the men a few days later, who cooked us a yummy meal, the energy between the two sexes was charged with more respect and caring and enjoyment of each other. And I recall that both parties knew that the secret business was never known by the opposite sex. I can imagine that both Nyungar men and women have different obligations in performing their ancient customs at the sacred sites. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 11</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;">Reading “Echoes of the Past” is very heavy emotionally. I am feeling such deep sadness for the stolen generation and their families who suffered so much. I also feel rage at the injustices committed. Every story is so deeply touching. One gets to know these people very intimately. Their courage is enormous. Their capacities to endure so much pain are incomprehensible. It is hard to imagine having ones children taken away, never to see them again. If I were in Don and Sylvia Collard’s situation of having eight out of 14 children taken away I would go insane. Leafing through the book and looking at the photos makes me cry. It feels like there is a heavy hole inside me a mile deep. How must it be for the families? </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The photo in the book of the room with several rows of cots gives me the shivers, because it reminds me of the time I spend in a children’s home when I was four years old. I don’t know to this day why the sisters there tied every kid’s hands and feet to the cot bars all night. Still today I don’t like sleeping on my back and hate being tied down in any way. The older I get the more the human race baffles me. Why can’t we live in peace with each other and be kind to one another? </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am grateful to all these brave people for sharing about their life in Sister Kate’s Home. It is important to hear the stories of how it was. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 12</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I loved the Boorno Wongkie sharing circle. The art –works on some of the message sticks are just so beautiful. I was delighted that there was such a strong reconciliation theme present. For me the high point of the tutorial was when Sandra held up a poster with the words WAARNGKINY BODJA. I felt like a child in first grade, which just recognised and read its first two words. Gosh, was I thrilled. I could actually read the words and knew what they meant.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I enjoyed listening to Terry (Kudda ?). I agree with him that the land is the most important and that without such there would be no life for any of us. The Nyungar have known this for tens of thousands of years. David Suzuki echoes the same message. He said that indigenous peoples honour the four elements of air, water, fire and earth. He said in his talk that we are EARTH, we are AIR, we are WATER, and we are FIRE. I loved the way he backed it all up scientifically explaining that the human body is made largely of water etc. It’s strange how the western world needs scientific proof in order for something to have value or truth. There is always the element of the unexplainable, the spiritual and the sacred, which cannot always be scientifically explained. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Find myself roaming in second hand book- stores lately, in the hope of finding old books on Nyungar. Could not believe my luck when I found, “The Passing of the Aborigines”, by Daisy Bates. Now, how lucky can one get? The photos are amazing. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Week 13</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;">What a privilege it was to meet Gerard Shaw. I just could not hold back the tears listening to his story. It’s so hard to find the words here. Beyond any words I can feel an enormous warmth and love welling up in me for the Nyungar people. I am so glad that they have survived such terrible atrocities to tell the stories. Thumbs up for his idea of rendering the WA government responsible for the kidnapping. I am sure there is a lawyer or barrister out there who would love to take up the challenge.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> “<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;">Never deny your roots or you will never be a full person”. I know that these words are not just words coming out of Gerard’s mouth. These words come from a deep knowing, a personal experience of what it is like not to know ones roots. He emphasised the importance of “being welcomed, being owned”.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I don’t care how well meaning the Wadjalas were at the time , setting out to “rescue” so called half and quarter cast children into white society, it’s still a crime. I agree it’s kidnapping, soul rape , and genocide of a culture. And it is a most terrible cruelty and torture to the mothers who carried these children in their bellies for nine months. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Nyungar spirit is alive and strong. I love the explanation of the word aboriginal – meaning belonging—to arise—becoming visible. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">May the spirit of the Nyungar People of the South-West of WA grow from strength to strength and become visible. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Visit to the Museum</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;">Finally I made it to the museum this morning to look at the display on Nyungar culture and history. As I stepped out of the elevator my eye caught two words on a poster, KATTA DJINOONG – to see and understand us. It reminds me of Gerard’s words of “becoming visible”. The truth of past treatment of aboriginal people is very visible at the museum. I felt very teary and overwhelmed from reading and looking at photos of the near genocide of a unique, precious and ancient people. The removal of aboriginal children was not legal, but little was done to stop it. I do not like the word removal. It sounds like furniture being removed. I tend to go for the word Marie used, namely KIDNAPPING, because I think that it was, no less than that. Kidnapping is a serious criminal offence. Apparently 100 thousand children were kidnapped. I agree that if we are to have true reconciliation we must understand how it was for aboriginal people and we need to name it for what is was. The 1905 Act was meant to systematically extinguish an entire culture and connection with land, which is a strong part of their being. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Being torn away from their families would have a devastating affect of a magnitude too hard to comprehend. First of all the children would have grown up without developing positive parenting skills, which would have led to a second generation being kidnapped. Known as “associated family dysfunction” can lead to vicious cycles of substance abuse, involvement in crime, domestic violence, possibly leading to further institutionalisation and imprisonment. It is precisely this kind of substance abuse like alcohol and glue sniffing and violence that is so prevalent among many indigenous communities in many parts of the world today. What they all have in common is dispossession of their land, disruption and loss of culture and language and “second-class” citizenship, many living in the poorest conditions. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I belief that physical, emotional and mental health is maintained through being part of a close loving family and community and a strong spiritual connection to land. When these bonds are broken, dysfunction and illness befall the human species, irrespective of race. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I was horrified to learn that between 1830-1895 Nyungar suffered 40 epidemics, leading to 75% drop in population. According to the museum’s information 89% of WA’s population lives in what was once Nyungar country. The extent of this dispossession from traditional lands is unparalleled elsewhere in the state. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">To the Nyungar living with the land means managing and nurturing the land and its resources. Successful hunting and gathering requires intimate knowledge of the habitats of any given area. Without this knowledge people would die.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I was delighted to find some wisdom on a poster on the museum walls by Fred.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> “<span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">What land means to Aboriginal people is, </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">it’s their mother. They get everything they want of it,</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">so they look after everything on the land, because it </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">supplies you with all your needs and that’s why they’re </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">in touch with the land – and spiritual-wise as well.”</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Fred Collard, Nyungar Elder, 1996.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">For the Nyungar the law comes from the dreaming, or creation stories as Sandra would prefer to say. “The law is a set of rules for behavior. Elders maintain the law and ensure that it is passed on. Lore also comes from the dreaming. These are the stories that contain the law.”(museum poster) </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Wadjala law certainly does not come from any dreaming. Wadjala law does not look after the land or after the people. I may be cynical but I think that it primarily serves vested interests. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">After 2 hours of reading about and looking at pictures on the walls depicting the terrible crimes committed over the last 200 years towards the traditonal owners of this land I felt quite ill in my stomach pit. I just had to get out and take in some fresh air. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">But before leaving I found myself in a conversation with the security guard, who’s job it was to guard the displays. He told me that he really was not interested in any of this stuff, pointing to the pictures on the wall. I was dismayed but decided to keep my composure. Instead I ask him wether he knew anything about the stolen generations? He proceeded to tell me that he lived just around the corner from Sister Kate’s Home in the 1950’s as he was growing up. He remembered it all well, that is, looking through the fence and seeing the children playing happily. He insisted that they were happy and that being taken away from their parents did not harm them. They were happy!! </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Somewhere in the middle of all this conversation he began to talk about his own abusive childhood. The family violence was so bad that he hated coming home. He said that he had to develop ways of coping as a child, pretend it did not happen, cover it up. I ask him wether it could be possible that the stolen children had to find ways of coping as well , just like he did? Wow!! I could see an “Aha” look on his face, and he had no choice but to agree with me. Maybe today he is studying the display. The world is so full ignorance and assumptions. May I be cured of my own……… and may there be healing in the world.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Weekend at Bogin Boya</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">So enjoyed the bus trip out to Bogin Boya. We travelled through Gosnells, Roleystone direction Brookton / Beverley.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Fred started to tell us about country as we travelled. He showed us how to look at the land, how to read the land (nginniny boodja), pointing out Malak Boodja (thick country), filled with Red Gum trees, paper bark tree (milli milli boorn) and banksias. Somewhere nestled in there also was Yonga valley were one would find lots of kangaroos.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We entered Mudjar Boodja, Christmas Tree Country. Mudjar is a parasitic tree, living on the roots of other trees. Slightly off the road to the left was Christmas Tree Well. The place has only been called that 40 years ago. Fred said it should be called Dongal Kep. I </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">found it very interesting to learn about Charlie Dongal who slept in a huge tree hollow lying on the ground. He lived there for 40 years and mainly lived on bushtucker. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I soaked up every bit of Fred’s knowledge about the land, which he so generously shared with us, ranging from possums, widgedee grubs in silverwattles to Sheok country, Wando and Spotted Gum. It was truly a lesson in Malak Boodja. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The bus was so well air-conditioned, so when I stepped out of the bus, I felt like shrivelling with the heat. And the flies………… I had this romantic idea of making a mia mia, but on second thoughts I was glad to have brought the tent with me, which proved to be a wise choice given the mosquitoes descending on us by sunset.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Had a great afternoon learning from Anton and Jack how to crush ochre and mixing it with red gum resin for tonight’s korroborri. Anton also showed me how to peel back a section of one side of a young gum leave, which gets placed on the tongue to make bird sounds. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Kulbardi Boorndoon dance group was fantastic - first class entertainment and fine quality dancing and didge playing. I enjoyed watching the dancers giving the kids an opportunity to practice dancing. Somehow I did not get to hang out with the kids or help with the food preparations. I was flat out learning about the place. What an amazing place it is. It has a very strong presence of the ancestors of that place. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I distinctly noticed how the adults were with the children. Very loving and firm, using stories to keep them in line and to keep them out of danger, a bit like a fence around them. One of the stories told was about the little hairy people, “the Wardarchi” (Mumara). These hairy men catch those kids who don’t go home before dark. Fred compared them to the Irish leprechaun. One description likens them to banksia cones, and looking frightening and only come out at night. Maybe that’s were May Gibbs gets her idea of the ‘bad banksia men” from. I have never seen one, but don’t doubt their existence, because Lana saw one when she was only 2 years old. I did not know about such things way back then. She was very frightened, when she pointed to one, describing it as a little man. I believed her. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sunday morning was another highlight for me, when Fred and Neville took us to a cave on Bogin Boya. The painting of the “Old Man”, the keeper of the rock, was so awesome. That was such a special moment for me - Nyungar and Wadjala sitting together in that cave in the presence of good spirits. Anton playing the didge pointed into a crack was so haunting, so breath taking. I could have stayed there for a long time, and I think that’s what would probably be needed in order to enter a state of timelessness. I very much understand that Boyagin Rock is sacred ancestral ground. “A place to contemplate, go back in time, dreamtime mythology”, Fred explained. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Then Neville led us up the smaller rock, and again like Fred he was reading country. He showed us where the echidna scratched for ants and where the kangaroo slept last night. I would not have known about lizard traps if he had not pointed them out. The Nyungar made them a long, long time ago for trapping lizards and snakes. We saw barking lizards (kaalaari) running across the rocks with great speed. Neville explained that quartz does not naturally occur in this place. It was brought in for making axes, knives etc. He pointed to what is known as scatter-sites, which are left-over quartz pieces strewn all over a small area. He even found a kodj. The scratches the echidna made on the ground and the quartz scatter sites reminds me of the story of how echidna got his quills. Further up the hill were lots of tea trees covered in beautiful little white flowers. Tea tree oil, being good for killing germs. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Walking close behind him I took in everything he said. I found myself the lucky recipient of all kinds of wonderful gifts from the trail up the rock. Neville picked a few nuts off a bush and strung them onto a grass reed, explaining that Nyungar men would make them for the women they were courting. I feel very honoured that Marie took us here, so I could witness the deep love the Nyungar, custodians of Bogin Boya have for this place. I am grateful for the knowledge and stories so generously shared with us. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Being invited to sharing time and space with Marie’s family gave me an opportunity to see for myself what Gerrard Shaw was talking about when he emphasised the importance of “being welcomed, being owned and knowing ones roots”. All that was so present amonst the Nyungar people on the weekend.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">With this last entry the course has sadly come to an end, like all things must. I have made a few great friends and connections with Nyungar and Wadjala people. I am very grateful to Ross for introducing me to this course in the first place. I am grateful to so many wonderul people for sharing their knowledge of the Nyungar way -- Marie, Sandra, Fred, Neville, Gerrard, Len, Anton and the dance troupe. Then there is my koort John for loving me and showing me how to scan photos, and Tim for extra special tutoring, Mary showing me how to make my own paper and Bill for taking the photos at Murdoch bushland. And last but not least the land that teaches me all the time and sustains me with every breath.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Yes! I learned a lot about Nyungar culture and language. This course has been very growth promoting for me. I no longer have a need for a “coming home”, because I have come home. I know that THIS IS HOME. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">At the beginning of the course I found the story of “THE HAND OF HUMANS”, a Dreaming story, which I enjoyed learning about. This story is so important to me, because we Wadjalas have largely forgotten our creation/dreaming stories, which has brought us almost to the brink of destruction. We don’t look after the land and the waters and the plants and animals. With our hands we can protect as well as destroy life. The story of “The Hand of Humans” help us to remember and guide us to look after things. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Now that I have been shown by Anton how to blow ochre on a surface, I want to close this journal with my handprint and the story. For me it’s a way to recommit my life to doing good and protecting and looking after the plants, animals, the land and the waters. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">THE HAND OF HUMANS</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">In the Dreaming, plants, animals and people spoke with each other, formed partnerships, had fights. But there was no law, no teacher, no leaders. Chaos prevailed over the world.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">From the heaven came the call for somebody to come out of the Dreaming to create law and order on earth.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">At the gathering that followed, five Dreaming spirits attended:</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Wagyl the snake, Karrda the racehorse goanna, Yonga the kangaroo, Weitch the eme, and Nyoongar the human.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">After some discussion, Wagyl the snake said, “I’ve had enough of talk. I’m leaving. No-one will listen to me.” As he left, his movements pushed up the sand to form hills and valleys. Rain fell along the paths to become rivers, and tunnels and holes filled with water.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Karrda the racehorse goanna thought about the call to create law and order on earth, and said, “ I do not want such a duty.” He promptly left to wander the land.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Yonga the kangaroo also did not want the burden, and left immediately for the place we now call the Stirling Ranges. From the Stirling Ranges, all the kangaroo family spread out. An argument between an emu and a kangaroo resulted in the emu being killed. The burial place can be seen as Yongermeer Peak in the Stirling Ranges. </span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Next to speak was Weitch the emu. He said, “I will come out of the Dreaming, take on flesh form and give law and order. Look at my powerful legs. They can carry me everywhere and emu tracks can be seen all over the ground.”</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Finally, Nyoongar the human stood up and said, “I can speak for everyone. Look at my hand! My wriggling thumb is the wagyl. With the next finger I can make the kangaroo tracks. With the next three fingers I can make goanna fore-prints. And my middle fingers represent the emu tracks.”</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">All the Dreaming spirits looked at each other. They all agreed that the human should become flesh, give law and order and responsible for everything.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Lucida Handwriting, Courier New, cursive;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The humans put their handprints onto the mountain caves and ledges for all to see. This symbolises how we have to care for all the plants</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">and animals, and the land and waters.</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-75893254033278229782007-08-31T00:19:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:31:29.664-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=6 STYLE="font-size: 26pt"><I><B>CRUCIFIXION</B></I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3><I>Explanation for the Creative Piece</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <I>Vivienne Elanta 12021131</I></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <I>Ecofeminism S221 April 2003</I></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>Central to ecofeminist philosophy is the exploration of the link between the oppression and exploitation of women and nature inflicted by patriarchy. Karen Warren says, “Some ecofeminists have explored the symbolic association and devaluation of women and nature that appears in religion, art, and literature” (p.268). My creative piece affirms this ancient connection between women and nature, honouring and celebrating women’s sacred and deeply creative powers, expressed in art and literature.</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>Today is Good Friday, and in the Christian tradition it is the day when Christ was crucified on the cross. I am feeling quiet, contemplative and very creative. I have just finished my creative piece, or rather I shall call it my creative peace. Let me tell my story from the beginning.</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>Exactly ten years ago, as I was travelling home in my car from a therapy session, an image of a naked, pregnant woman nailed to a cross appeared in my mind’s eye. No matter how hard I tried to think of other things, thinking that this was ridiculous, the image would not go away. So I bought clay and set to work, never having worked with clay before. A few hours later I nailed her to the cross, and placed her on my altar and thought no more of it.</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>Three nights later I woke up drenched in perspiration with one desperate thought, to take her off the cross fast. Fumbling with kitchen knife and fork, I eventually freed her. Crouched on the floor next to the bed I held her to my heart and in that moment emotions of deep pain flooded my whole being for hours. Endless tears rolled down my cheeks like a brook flowing down a hill. I cried with the crying earth and I cried with all beings and I cried with all suffering women. The pain that I felt was so intense and deep, it seemed unbearable. My partner John slept through the whole event. My wailing would not even stir him the slightest.</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>When the dawn chorus began, the pain subsided, the tears dried up and I strongly felt to wrap her up in a black shawl and then placed her back onto the altar. There she lay for many weeks, undisturbed, like a chrysalis. </I></FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><I><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt">Then on my birthday, the 22nd of June she “insisted” to be brought into the centre of a circle of women friends. I carefully released her from the shawl, held her to my heart, bringing tears to my eyes again. She seemed to want to go around the circle, so I passed her on, every woman holding her to their heart and weeping, and passing her on in turn. No one uttered a word during the entire process. When she completed the circle I placed her on a green shawl in the centre of the circle, as we sat in silence for some time. We ended by swaying in a dance, singing, “…all will be well again I know…,” (“The Bells of Norwich”). None of this was planned or thought out. The event was totally spontaneous and it felt like this ritual created itself and <U>did us</U>, rather than we doing the ritual.</FONT></I><SUP><I><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><A CLASS="sdfootnoteanc" NAME="sdfootnote1anc" HREF="#sdfootnote1sym"><SUP>1</SUP></A></FONT></I></SUP></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>I want to say that at the time I did not identify myself as a Christian, a Pagan or a Feminist. What touched me, was that the women all had a similar response to the naked, pregnant woman and the women did not know that she had undergone the ritual of crucifixion many weeks prior to the gathering of this event. I suspect that something very archetypal was at work here. </I></FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>For me she represents my own crucifixion as a woman growing up in a strongly abusive patriarchal family. She represents the crucifixion of all women. She represents the deep wounding of the feminine and of the earth, inflicted by a patriarchal world -view. She represents the crucifixion in the denial of the feminine within men. She also represents the journey of Inanna’s death and rebirth, much older than the Christian version.</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>Today on Good Friday many Christians all over the world gather to worship the death and resurrection of Christ, their Saviour. Five thousand years ago the Sumerian goddess, Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth descended into the underworld to console her grieving sister Ereshkigal. Erishkigal’s husband Gugalanna, the great bull of heaven had just been slain by Gilgamesh, the first archetypal patriarchal hero.</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>In the wildness of her grief, Ereshkigal hung Inanna off a meat hook to rot. Three days later she was rescued, taken off the meat-hook and allowed to ascent, bringing fertility and life back to the land, a ritual enacted every year, which tied its people deeply to their land and its seasons and honoured the feminine powers.</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><I><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt">Jean Houston, a leading spiritual psychologist, has said that the DNA of the western psyche has its origins in Sumeria, the cradle of our civilisation.</FONT></I><SUP><I><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><A CLASS="sdfootnoteanc" NAME="sdfootnote2anc" HREF="#sdfootnote2sym"><SUP>2</SUP></A></FONT></I></SUP><I><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"> If that is the case then it makes sense why I, as a western woman, can with the help of a clump of earth, tap deep into ancient knowings and share this with my sisters without explanation. Deep knowings of the cycle of death and rebirth within the human psyche and within nature were known and honoured by women throughout the ages.</FONT></I></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>With the coming of the Christ we forgot much of our ancient ways, that of our ties to the land and the rhythms of the seasons. It became a worship of a male on the cross, a religion that persecuted women and nature. This view is powerfully supported by Lynn White Jnr.(1966) in his paper “Historic Roots of Our Ecological Crisis”. Warwick Fox, describing White’s contribution, says, “especially in its Western form, Christianity is the most anthropocentric [ie. human-centred] religion the world has seen’ and that, accordingly, ‘Christianity bears a huge burden of guilt’ for the ecological problems that have attended the ‘Occidental, voluntarist realisation of the Christian dogma of man’s transcendence of, and rightful mastery over nature”(p.5).</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>Today on Good Friday she is once more nailed to the cross, reminding us that things must die in order for life to continue. She also gives the deeply wounded the opportunity to undergo a resurrection of the healer; the healed.</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><I><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt">My creative piece has brought me more in touch with my creativity, the feminine principle and nature, which in my view are inseparable. Easter Sunday brings the promise of new life, through the resurrection of the Christ in female form, offering spring to the landscape of the human soul.</FONT></I><SUP><I><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><A CLASS="sdfootnoteanc" NAME="sdfootnote3anc" HREF="#sdfootnote3sym"><SUP>3</SUP></A></FONT></I></SUP></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>I made her of brown clay to celebrate Earth. I made her of brown clay to celebrate my sisters, especially my dark sisters. I covered her big beautiful swollen belly with the web of life, celebrating her fecundity. From her breasts flows milk, and from her vulva drips honey. I covered her not with a thorny crown, but with a halo, that of a serpent eating her own tail, symbolising the never- ending ecological and spiritual cycle of death and re-birth. The wood for the cross I salvaged from a rubbish heap, which came from the body of a murdered tree sister.</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><I>May she, who is the Holy One, guide me this Easter to my own resurrection, my own creative peace.</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt">REFERENCES</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt">Warren, Karen J, 1998, ‘Ecofeminism: Introduction’ in Michael E. Zimmerman et. al. <I>Environmental Philosophy: From Animal Rights to Radical Ecology</I></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt">Wolkenstein, Diane and Kramer, Samuel Noah, 1983<I>, Inanna: Queen of Heaven and Earth – Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer, </I>Rider&Co., London</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt">Fox, Warwick, 1990,<I> Toward a Transpersonal Ecology</I>, Shambhala Publ., London </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt">Zimmerman Michael E. et. al. 1998<I> Environmental Philosophy: From Animal Rights to Radical Ecology</I> Prentice-Hall, New Jersey</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <DIV ID="sdfootnote1"> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="sdfootnote-western"><A CLASS="sdfootnotesym" NAME="sdfootnote1sym" HREF="#sdfootnote1anc">1</A> Tarquam McKenna, a Jungian/Art and Psychotherapist, suggested this attitude to ritual to me.</P> </DIV> <DIV ID="sdfootnote2"> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="sdfootnote-western"><A CLASS="sdfootnotesym" NAME="sdfootnote2sym" HREF="#sdfootnote2anc">2</A> Jean Houston at her workshop “The Bones are Rising”, on the story of Inanna’s descent, 1995.</P> </DIV> <DIV ID="sdfootnote3"> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><A CLASS="sdfootnotesym" NAME="sdfootnote3sym" HREF="#sdfootnote3anc">3</A> <I><FONT SIZE=3>Easter Sunday is also the time of the full moon of the spring equinox, the time when the Sumerians celebrated the New Year Akitu festival, which was the sacred marriage of Inanna and Dumuzi, symbolising the rebirth of spring and the fecundity of life. </FONT></I> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="sdfootnote-western"><BR> </P> </DIV> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-43877662470166280312007-08-31T00:11:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:31:29.672-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4><B>DIARY ON THE DEATH OF A DOG</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Vivienne Elanta</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">12th Feb 2002</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Who would have thought that the little four legged Jack Russell would bring us so much joy over the past eight years. I still remember the day clearly, when Lana, my daughter, brought this frightened and abandoned being into our house. It did not take much effort on his part to worm his way into our hearts. Being covered in lots of brown spots, it was obvious to name him Spotty.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Now Spotty is dying. I am bereft. It feels like a hole being carved out of my heart. It feels strange to have left him behind on Thursday, seemingly healthy and three days later, after facilitating a “Council of All Beings”, to return home to find him in a state of ill health. I am still in shock. I expected him to life another 3-4 years before dying of old age, instead he is dying of an aggressive heart tumour. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">At the moment it is not easy to sit down and write down my thoughts and feelings, as it is hard to concentrate. I find myself deeply immersed in my feeling world, which is second nature to me. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">I have been reflecting today on the way in which western society deals with death, dying and grief. I am coming to the conclusion that we do not handle this area of life very well at all. Denial and suppression of our response to pain is so widespread, so deeply entrenched in the western psyche. It is this very denial, which has brought us to the brink of ecological, economic and social collapse.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Spotty is lying quietly at my feet as I type these words. He seems peaceful. I am meant to be starting on my critical thinking essays, but find it hard even to write simple journal entries. I will keep on stumbling and fumbling for words to express this most profound journey, because if I don’t I will not be able to recapture much of the moment to moment insights, and experiences, interactions and reflections. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">This present moment is about my relationship with this beautiful more than human being, a loyal four legged little friend. This present moment is about my relationship with death. This present moment is about my relationship with myself. This present moment is about my relationship with life itself</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">13th Feb</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Spotty seems better today. As I am sitting on the floor here, being nudged and pestered by him to throw the ball for him to fetch, I am aware of the preciousness of life and how death can take it all away. He is just so gorgeous and alive in his being. He does not seem upset about dying, rather he engages me every second in living fully in the moment, seizing very delicious moment. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Today a woman on TV said that: “grief lived openly has great power to heal”. I so agree with her. During the past few days I have been living my grief openly for the whole world to see. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">I love naming what really is. We may need to give him an injection to ease his death, rather than saying that we will “put him to sleep”. Or, “if anything happens to him”. We are in such denial and find it hard to call a spade a spade. It is easier to say that we are eating mutton, than to say we are eating dead sheep. Only a patriarchal society could have come up with phrases and words that avoid truth telling and naming for what it is. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">How does one face death? Is death a friend? an enemy? Am I to fear death? I ponder and ponder. And its quite simply. Death is a friend. Death is inevitable. Death comes to everything. Death is holy. Without death there is no renewal of life. Death is an integral part of life. . Every living being, is a temporary node in the flow of life, slowly unravelling to become another temporary node expressed in another form. Spotty too will unravel to become the new growth on the mulberry tree and the mulberry rolling on my tongue.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Spotty just got up from the warm patch at my feet. He is listening and alert to sounds in the street. His body slightly shaking. I can’t help but want to stop writing now to put my arms around him reassuring him of my deep love for him. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">I feel so grateful to my women friends who have been sending him Reiki almost non- stop during the last few days. It’s interesting that it’s largely the women in societies who do the nurturing and caring and healing, while the men are out there doing the “real” work. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">18th Feb</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">The last few days just past so fast. My whole life revolved around Spotty. In the mornings just before 7am he begs to go to the park to hang out with his doggy friends. Not to tire him I carry him there and on the way back up the steep hill. This dog wants to live. He engages me in play, especially with the ball. I wonder wether Parson Russell thought to torture us two legged creatures, when he bred the Jack Russell. To the last moment of his life he will pursue his obsession with fetching balls.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Today was the most difficult day. I had to take Spotty to the vet again to extract fluids from his heart and abdomen, in order to relieve the pressure. He always brightens up afterwards. The vet told me today that he resisted having a needle inserted, so he had to give him a local anaesthetic, saying that it is upsetting for Spot.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">I feel alone and don’t like to reach out for support in a society that is so anthropocentric. Everyone has a different opinion as to what I should be doing. Who I am to make a decision as to how long Spotty lives. We go out of our way to keep a human alive, using the most horrendous treatments such as chemotherapy, but when it comes to animals we are quick to “put them out of their misery” so to speak. What about asking the dog? What does he want? I know he wants to live and play ball with me. I also know that he does not want to suffer. If I give him the lethal injection he will not suffer any more. If I let nature take its course he may suffer terribly before dying. If I have fluids extracted from him he feels miserable with the treatment, but feels better for it after, ready to run around again. It feels like navigating through a tricky terrain, always being on the look out as to what needs to be done in any given time.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">I feel so tired from only sleeping 2 hours last night. He woke me up after midnight. I crawled out of bed and made another bed on the floor next to him, holding his little head in my hand and stroking him with the other. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> ---------------------------</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Spot was euthanized three days later. The results of his death are told by Vivienne in “There is a Story to that Mulberry Tree”</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> </P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-25937909295491178652007-08-31T00:01:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:31:29.681-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><B>WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF ECOFEMINISM FOR POLITICS</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Politics has been defined as the art of the possible. Yet modern political and economic systems are making the continuation of life on Earth increasingly impossible. We are living in an ailing planet. The modern project has accelerated the process of environmental destruction and the domination of everything living. The culture of Western political economies has shifted during the past millenium from a concept of “Terra Mater”, that of a living earth as mother, to “Matter”, a mere resource to be exploited for the greedy consumerist market. A kind of insanity has taken hold at every level of “mainstream” society, especially in economics and politics where the accumulation of power and money disregards any ethical concerns for life. Unless we have the political will to find more sustainable practices, a future for the human species is seriously in question, because we are literally consuming the life support systems, which sustains all life. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Many people today feel disillusioned with politics. “Dirty politics” is a very common phrase used to describe major political parties, political systems and their leaders. We need to change this attitude to politics. Ecofeminist politics offers us a a guiding ethic for a sustainable, and just politics – what Fran Peavey calls a “heart politics”. She says, that “Politics is the development and exercise of power…..Heart on the other hand is a soft word involving feelings, tenderness, questions and openness. Heart in politics does not accept alienation in organising and always recognises a deep relationship of all beings. It is a female word”.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Current mainstream politics needs ecofeminism to bring the heart back into governments, to eliminate their current destructive practices. How is this to be done? Stephanie Lahar states that “ecofeminism must continue to dissemble the multiple layers and strands of ideologies and practices that power a dysfunctional society and make it dangerous to individuals and to the totality of life”. Ecofeminism brings a major contribution to grassroots green politics, which addresses the issues facing us today, including environmental degradation, social injustice, collapse of communities and Third World development, contributing to a new holistic way of practicing politics and economics.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Charlene Spretnak has spoken of how ecofeminism is vital to an understanding of this green politics. Green political parties are based on the four pillars of non-violent resolution of conflict, participatory democracy, social justice and ecologically sustainable development. These are “initiatives that ecofeminism has both drawn from and contributed to” (Lahar). Ecofeminists within the Greens have had a huge influence on reshaping the political agenda in a number of countries. Charlene Spretnak has been instrumental in fostering the development of local Greens Parties across the USA, and feminists like Petra Kelly have been involved in forming Die Gruenen in Germany. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Joanna Macy speaks of a “Great Turning” from the Industrial Growth Society to a Life Sustaining Society, which operates within the carrying capacity of its life support system. This “is happening simultaneously in three areas or dimensions that are mutually reinforcing. These are: - 1. actions to slow the damage to the Earth and its beings; 2. analysis of structural causes and creation of structural alternatives; and 3. a fundamental shift in worldview and values”. Ecofeminists are involved in all three. At the forefront of the holding action are the women of the Chipko Movement. Jo Vallentine and Helen Caldicott’s work on nuclear disarmament, the women of Greenham Common, Starhawk and other ecofeminist’s work in resisting corporate globalisation and the many thousands of young ecofeminists like Julia Butterfly Hill who place their bodies in front of bulldozers to save old-growth forests. Academic ecofeminists such as Karen Warren, Val Plumwood, Chris Cuomo, Carolyn Merchant, Patsy Hallan and others are engaged in the analysis of the structural causes of the ecological destruction. Wangari Mathai and the Greenbelt Movement in Africa are creating structural alternatives to unsustainable forestry. Women are the majority of people involved in Concerned Citizens of South Central Los Angeles. Cynthia Hamilton suggests that women “play a primary part in community action, because … of the threats to their homes and the health of their children”. The fundamental shift in consciousness in worldviews and values is spearheaded by spiritual ecofeminists such as Starhawk, Riane Eisler, Charlene Spretnak, Joanna Macy and others.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>The WA Greens are a wonderful example of political ecofeminism in praxis. In the WA Greens, all Federal Senators and the majority of State Parliamentarians have been women, All other parties are dominated by men, perpetuating androcentrism and its compulsively competitive, aggressive and consumerist obsessions. The WA Greens women politicians have lead the way in building a political structure, which is non-hierarchical, participatory and has a commitment to fostering co-operation in building a socially just and environmentally sustainable future. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>My own experience as a women and activist within the Greens has taught me the importance and power of active resistance to a life denying political and economic structure. Standing as a candidate for the Greens within the Marmion electorate allowed me to witness first hand political ecofeminist practices within this political party. My decision to built a political platform in an old growth tuart tree and living in it for three days and nights prior to the election, was for me a living example of personal empowerment and initiative supported by a party which has a strong practice of decentralising power. This active resistance is very strong within ecofeminist politics, going back through feminism to the first suffragettes, who fought for women’s rights. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Political ecofeminism is therefore a radical praxis, fostering the integration of theory and practice in its approach in confronting and subverting the dominant paradigm. Such a radical praxis advocates non-violence, with fierce passion and compassion in addressing the aggression, domination and exploitation of women, nature, race and class. It is also a powerful tool for analysing the dysfunctions of our current patriarchal political structures. </FONT> </P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-89314151954240764572007-08-30T23:37:00.000-07:002007-08-31T02:42:51.318-07:00<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;" lang="en-AU"><span style="font-size:180%;">THE STRENGTHS AND THE LIMITATIONS OF ECOFEMINISM</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;">Ecofeminism is a very powerful and radical philosophy, because it weds ecology and feminism. It attempts in its praxis to understand and challenge the current dominant patriarchal mind set, so destructive to all life. This is a major strength. On the other hand the term “ecofeminism” may be a limitation, preventing the philosophy from finding acceptance within the wider community. Mainstream society has never warmed to the ecology movement, as it is seen as anti-development and anti-jobs, an attitude, which has been largely pushed by business, politicians and the media. The feminist movement, which has achieved a lot for women’s liberation, is also tainted with the radicalism of the “bra-burning” feminists of the 70’s. </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;">An immense strength of ecofeminism is its unity in diversity. Ecofeminist scholars bring their unique backgrounds from as diverse philosophies such as social ecology, deep ecology, feminism, science, animal liberation, grassroots politics and earth-centred spiritualities. What unites them all is the commitment to investigate “the causes of ‘the environmental crisis’ in particular, the causes of domination and control that encourage the exploitation and degradation of the natural world”(Hallan). This diversity expressed in different view- points paradoxically gives it huge strength, because conflict allows for growth, just like a living, breathing organism, which maintains a dynamic tension in order to develop and evolve.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;">A major limitation of explicit ecofeminism is that it is not made available to a wider audience of readers, because much of the texts (eg. Val Plumwood), is written in very academic language, usually only understandable to a very small exclusive circles of academic audiences. If we are to see a major paradigm shift in the way we currently view the world, we will need the wisdom, knowledge and experience of ecofeminism communicated to a much larger audience.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;">Sadly, a number of ecofeminists like Marti Kheel strongly attack deep ecologists, claiming that deep ecology was created by a group of men, who believe that the root cause of the environmental crisis lies with anthropocentrism, whereas ecofeminists claims the root cause to be androcentrism. Ecofeminists argue that the oppression and exploitation of women and nature are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing. Because some deep ecologists have failed to make this connection, many ecofeminists have rejected deep ecology altogether. Such a rift between large sectors of the ecofeminist movement and deep ecology does not help to strengthen its cause. Patsy Hallan adds strength for the healing between ecofeminists and deep ecologists when she says that, “In order to educate for environmental responsibility, we need the lessons from Deep Ecology: nature is not a commodity, human are not the centre of the universe, our true nature is ecological. In order to educate for environmental responsibility, we need the lessons from ecofeminism: the sensitivity to gender, the ability to hear women’s voices, the value of care, receptivity and nurturing”.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;">Several men I have spoken to recently, who are deeply critical of patriarchy, feel marginalised and excluded by the “feminism” of ecofeminism. I think that our culture has made the terrible mistake to see male and female as two opposing forces (eg. the battle of the sexes), rather then viewing male and female as complementary within a dialectical unity. Some men also feel that ecofeminism demonises the male, blaming them exclusively for all the problems in the world. </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;">I think that if ecofeminists wants to succeed in healing the curse of dichotomising the world, they will need to address their own issues of loving their own inner male, and loving the hurts in the world into wholeness. By criticising and rejecting (which is different to critique) that which is wounded, only adds more salt to the wound. A big ask but essential. Many ecofeminists tend to solely blame men, rather than a patriarchal world-view for the oppression and exploitation of women and nature. They fail to explore the ways in which women participate in maintaining the status quo. It is only</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">through a balanced and reciprocal equality for both masculine and feminine, will we engage our full potential as human beings.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;">Ecofeminism seems largely dominated by educated, middle-class, western women. What would ecofeminism look like if it had grown out of the Third World? Having said that, Vandana Shiva, who speaks powerfully from the perspective of a woman of the Third World, says that, “Third World women are bringing the concern with living survival back to centre-stage in human history…. they are laying the foundations for the recovery of the feminine principle in nature and society, and through it the recovery of the earth as sustainer and provider”. I think that more voices from Third World women would add more strength to ecofeminism. </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;">A vital strength of ecofeminism is its inquiry not only into the oppression and exploitation of women and nature, but also that of class and gender, as they are all linked in the struggle against an oppressive and dominant patriarchal system. Ecofeminism has made a huge contribution in its analysis of an ailing and dysfunctional culture, and its commitment to re-awaken our kinship with each other and our more-than-human relatives.<b> </b></span> </p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-43999687098583916782007-08-30T23:33:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:35:06.614-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=5 STYLE="font-size: 20pt">WHAT IS ECOFEMINISM?</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>It is believed that the term Ecofeminism was coined in France in 1974 by Francoise D’Eubonne in identifying the underlying causes of the twin crises of overproduction and overpopulation. In 1974 Sherry Ortner in her article “is female to male as nature is to culture” posed the problem central to the work of many ecofeminists. Gabriele Kuby from Germany in 1975, in “The End of Patriarchal Domination” argued for the closeness of women to nature, grounded in women’s bodies. In 1978 Susan Griffin and Mary Daly criticised male-lad economic development as damaging to women and nature. The concept of ecofeminism became “a movement in 1980 with a major conference ‘Women and Life on Earth: Ecofeminism in the 80’s’”(Carolyn Merchant).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Ecofeminism is a philosophy, which explores the relationship between the oppression and exploitation of women and the oppression and exploitation of nature, and how they mutually reinforce each other. It investigates the causes of the environmental degradation through feminist theory. More than any other philosophy ecofeminism rigorously analyses not only the domination of nature and women by a patriarchal culture, but also the gender, class, race and species injustices suffered under such a destructive and dysfunctional patriarchal world-view. Ecofeminism is believed to be a radical philosophy, which Kate Rigby aptly describes as both a “theoretically sophisticated form of critique and a global movement of resistance and renovation” (Kate Rigby). Ecofeminists assert that the root cause of the environmental crisis is caused by androcentrism (male-centredness), unlike deep ecologists who belief that anthropocentrism (human-centredness) is the root cause. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Ecofeminism as a philosophy and movement is deeply rooted in a diverse range of feminist and ecological backgrounds, creating a wide spectrum of alternative visions. Karen Warren offers us a wonderful metaphor, that of a quilt to describe such diversity in its richness and depth, with quilting, as with ecofeminism. There is a long worldwide tradition yet constantly evolving craft of quilt making amongst women, with each generation of quilts adding its own variations to an old art form. Women traditionally would gather for a quilting bee, each woman bringing pieces of material to add to the collective effort. Ecofeminist conferences and plublications serve the same function. During the past twenty or so years, many ecofeminists from different strands of ecofeminism have been bringing their pieces of theory and practice to the “ecofeminist quilting”, one that is constantly evolving. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>One of the pieces of the quilt is what is criticised as “essentialism” or perhaps is better called psychological ecofeminism. Essentialist or psychological ecofeminism would argue, as does Marti Keel that ecological problems have psycho sexual roots. She claims that women have felt a sense of connection to the natural world, superior to men who by comparison have “an aggressive drive to ‘fuse’ with an alienated self”.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Sometimes linked with essentialist ecofeminism is spiritual ecofeminism, which traces the origins of patriarchy to the invasions of settled Neolithic matrifocal cultures by tribes of warrior Indo European nomadic pasturalists. Drawing on the work of Maritja Gambutas, ecofeminists such as Charlene Spretnak and Riane Eisler seek a recovery of the goddess-centred “matrifocal, matrilineal, peaceful and agrarian era”(Karen Warren). Caroline Merchant sees the “Death of Nature” stemming from the mechanistic reductionist paradigm for science and technology based industry coming from the European Enlightenment.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Social Ecofeminism by contrast, has arisen from a critique of liberal feminism, viewing oppression of women and nature as a “direct result of the institution of class, society, and under capitalism of private property”(Karen Warren). Ynestra King draws on social ecology of Murray Bookchin.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Theoretical/Conceptual Ecofeminism argues that it is value dualism’s, in which pairs (male, female; nature, culture) are seen as exclusive (rather than inclusive) and oppositional (rather than complimentary). Top-down value hierarchies then give preference to one of the pair over the other. Finally, identification of those seen as superior (male, culture, technological, developed) as linked and in opposition to those seen as inferior (female, nature, primative, underdeveloped). Val Plumwood and Karen Warren are strong advocates of this approach. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Political Ecofeminism focuses upon a praxis, linking theory to the practice of issues such as women’s and environmental health, to science, development and technology, treatment of animals and peace, antinuclear, antimilitarism and activism. Typical of political ecofeminism is the work of Helen Caldicott.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Ethical Ecofeminism is part of environmental ethics. Jim Cheney speaks of a “ecofeminist ethic of care and appropriate reciprocity” Adams and Slicer address ecofeminist animal rights positions. Plumwood criticises the Animal Liberation approaches of theorists like Peter Singer as inappropriate extensions of “individual human rights “based upon anthropic utilitarianism” (Karen Warren).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Third World Ecofeminism emerged from the work of such writers as Vandana Shiva, who shows that western development is really ‘maldevelopment’, a development bereft of the feminine – a “paradigm that sees all work that does not produce profits and capital as non- or unproductive work. Third World Movements such as the Chipko Movement in India, or the Green Belt Movement in Kenya are seen as practical extensions of ecofeminism in third word settings.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Feminist Utopias by such writers as Ursula Le Guin, Marge Piercy, Monique Wittig, Rochelle Singer, Starhawk and others “started out with the intend of showing a society where women were not dominated”(Barbara Holland-Cunz). They finished showing that it was probably only in a post- patriarchal society- “one that decentralised and ecological- could there be an end to the domination of women”</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Warren considers ten boundary conditions, which the ecofeminist quilt must satisfy, which establishes the border, without dictating the interior design. These are:</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>1 Opposition to all isms of domination</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>2 Making visible how ism of domination are maintained and reinforced by patriarchy</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>3 Theory building as theory in process within a set context</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>4 Structural pluralism rather then structurally reductionist or unitarymonist</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>5 Anti patriarchal inclusiveness </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>6 Challenging the use of any power, which perpetuate and justify oppressive relationships</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>7 Conception of humans as essentially socially constructed beings in relationship</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>8 Central place for care, appropriate reciprocity, trust and love</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>9 A place for psychologies and theologies of liberation</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>10 A guide for action in the present. (Karen Warren).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=4>Ecofeminism brings together philosophers from two very strong movements, namely ecology and feminism, thus birthing a strong, radical and passionate ecofeminist philosophy, which encourages and celebrates immense diversity and unity within the movement. </FONT> </P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-79650517849653816312007-08-30T23:28:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:35:06.621-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><B>EARTH PRAYERS</B></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Selected by Vivienne Elanta</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">I’m going to plant a heart in the earth </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">water it with love from a vein</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">I’m going to praise it with the push of muscle</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">and care for it in the sound of all dimensions</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">I’m going to leave a heart in the earth</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">so it may grow and flower</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">a heart that throbs with longing</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">that adores everything green</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">that will be strength and nourishment for birds</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">that will be the sap of plants and mountains</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Rosario Murillo</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Wherever you are home is home</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">And the earth is paradise</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Wherever you set your feet is holy land</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">You don’t live off it like a parasite</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">You live in it, and it in you,</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Or you don’t survive.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">And that is the only worship of God there is.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Wilfred Pelletier and Ted Poole</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">I have come to terms with the future.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">From this day onward I will walk</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">easy on the earth. Plant trees. Kill </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">no living things. Live in harmony with</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">all creatures. I will restore the earth </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">where I am. Use no more of its resources</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">than I need. And listen, listen to what it is telling me. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">MJ Slim Hooey</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">To be of the Earth is to know</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">the restlessness of being a seed</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">the darkness of being planted</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">the struggle toward the light</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">the pain of growth into the light</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">the joy of bursting and bearing fruit</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">the love of being food for someone</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">the scattering of your seeds</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">the decay of the seasons</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">the mystery of death</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">and the miracle of birth</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">John Soos</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Sowing the seed,</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">my hand is one with the earth.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Wanting the seed to grow,</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">my mind is one with light.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Hoeing the crop,</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">my hands are one with rain.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Having cared for the plants,</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">my mind is one with the air.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Hungry and trusting,</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">my mind is one with the earth.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Eating the fruit,</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">my body is one with the earth.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Wendell Berry</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Watching gardeners label their plants</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">I vow with all beings</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">to practise the old horticulture</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">and let the plants identify me.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Robert Aitken</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-50465830602643477872007-08-30T23:14:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:35:06.628-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><B>SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3><B>500 WORD CRITICAL THINKING ESSSAY</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Vivienne Elanta 12021131</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Ecofeminism S221 May 2003</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Tlaloc Tokuda</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>In his article Tlaloc Tokuda examines current agricultural practices and the problems they pose. He says that these practices are detrimental to the environment, and therefore unsustainable in the long term. He suggests an alternative agricultural practice, which he believes is sustainable. Further, he reflects on the impact both practices have on Majority World (Third World) countries, where the growing of cash crops is increasingly replacing traditional subsistence agriculture. He concludes by saying that, “We have to change our ‘mind set’ and start thinking about sustainability and all its ramifications”(p.231).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>In support of his argument he states that the modern agriculture practices are causing environmental degradation through the use of ever -increasing quantities of highly toxic pesticides, which enter the food chain. He points out that these chemicals were meant to kill insects, but in fact they produce resistance in insects and weeds, forcing the farmer to use larger quantities, “creating super bugs and weeds”(p.228). He says, that additionally we pay the price of soil loss, water depletion, salination, and genetic material loss. He points out that mechanisation not only depletes fossil fuels, but also creates increasing unemployment and puts farmers in further dept and growing numbers are loosing their farms. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Contrary to modern agricultural practices of monoculture, Majority World farmers traditionally practice crop diversity. He highlights that the “genetic wipe out”(p.228) of many plant species are occurring as a direct result of Majority World farmers using Green Revolution seeds in favour of their heirloom seeds. This, he says, has had a detrimental effect on the people in that it left them with less nutritious foods, as well as loosing their economic autonomy by becoming dependent on western corporations who dictate the prices.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Tokuda believes that, agricultural economists are ignoring externalities such as environmental degradation, resource depletion and unequal distribution. He suggests that we need a change in ethics, “a change in our attitudes and relationships we have to the ecosystem and each other”(p.229). Western countries exploit the earth as mere resource for human benefits only, an attitude he believes is “short sighted and ultimately suicidal”(p.229).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Tonkuda has correctly exposed the problems caused by a “modern agricultural practice” and has strongly argued for a sustainable agricultural practice. I also agree with his recommendation of a need for change in ethics, something seriously lacking in today’s consumer society. The attitude of mass production to satisfy the ever -hungry consumer society in the North has had huge costs for the people of the Majority World in loosing their way of sustainable agricultural practices.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>I think that Tokuda has given the reader an excellent description of the problem and prescription of a solution. He has, however, failed to enlighten us in how to acquire an ethic of care, that of recognising our dependence of and interdependence with the earth, without which we ultimately have no existence. I think the major problem is that most affluent consumers live in cities and depend on their food from faraway places, a situation in which the consumer and the producer never meet. I think that the dwindling number of subsistence farmers in the Majority World could teach us about living with and off the land in a sustainable way. My own daily practice involves growing at least some of my food, which gives me a greater appreciation of what it means to practice sustainable agriculture.</FONT></P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-76210948749238879712007-08-30T23:09:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:35:06.637-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4><B>LIVING LIKE WEASELS, HOWLING LIKE WOLVES</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3>Vivienne Elanta 12021131</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Ecofemism S221 May2003-05-09</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> 500 Word Critical Thinking Essay of</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3>SISTERS OF THE EARTH</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Annie Dillard, Anne Labastille, Lois Crisler, Susan Griffin, Marge Piercy and Rachel Carson</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>In this collection of very moving and heart felt stories the authors give the reader an opportunity to recognise and understand in greater depth our relationship to the more than human world. These stories are personal accounts and testimonies of what happens when we allow ourselves to experience our world as lovers of life, or as subjugators like that of a master over a slave. The stories all convey a single and simple message, namely that this world is alive and responsive and that our response will effect this greater being, of which we are a part, for better or for worse. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Here are a few glimpses of their experiences and deep knowings and the effects of being lovers of life…</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> ”I was stunned into stillness….our eyes locked and someone threw away the key. .… Our look was as if two lovers, or deadly enemies met unexpectedly on an overgrown path…. It emptied our lungs. …. He disappeared. …I tell you I’ve been in that weasel’s brain for sixty seconds, and he was in mine”(p.75).</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> “The grace and rhythm almost hypnotised me… One morning, with my arms wrapped around the trunk, I began to feel a sense of peace and well-being. …..It was as though the tree was pouring its life-force into my body.”(p.79).</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> “…there came a sound we had never heard before, the howl of a wolf….Impulsively I imitated the sound, pouring out my wilderness loneliness. I was answered. Not by one voice but by a wild weird pandemonium of deep-pitched voices. We stood awestruck.”(p.82).</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> …<FONT SIZE=3>..and a glimpse of the blindness and greed of ‘man’ …..</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> He will make her his own. … He will have her….. (Once catching their prey, they step on her back, breaking it,….)”(p.84). “He breaks the wilderness. He clears the land of trees, brush, weed”(p.85). “What he possesses, he says, is his to use and to abandon”(p.86).</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> “The sage was killed, as intended. But so was the green, life-giving ribbon of willows…Moose had lived in these willow thickets… Beavers had lived there, feeding on the willows. With the eradication of sage and grassland, “The moose were gone and so were the beaver. …and the lake had drained away. …..None of the large trout were left…… The living world was shattered”(p.91).</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.69in; margin-right: 0.63in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Poignantly told, the authors passionate first hand accounts are profound, stirring deep re-member-ring of the wild places in my own being. Their stories convey that, not by imposing their will unto the more than human world and the beings they encountered, but by simply <I>being with</I> and <I>letting be, </I>can one have deep communion with our fellow beings like wolf, beaver and trees. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Rachel Carson warns us that ‘man’s’ folly of thinking that he can improve nature, comes at a huge cost. If we want to rid the land of sage with poisons, we will have to pay the prize of not only loosing the grouse, but entire eco-systems, creating a “Silent Spring”. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Instead of breaking the wilderness and clearing the land, Marge Piercy puts it succinctly, when she says that “we must come again to worship you on our knees, the common living dirt”(p.88). These powerful “Sisters of the Earth” remind us, that we can only find our way <I>home </I>when we can once again allow ourselves to “share a feeling of continuity, contentment, and oneness with the natural world”(p.77), awakening and nurturing our own wild, warm, sensuous animal- self to enchanted moments.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-43388476728466853522007-08-30T23:03:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:35:11.641-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=5><B>WOMEN IN NATURE</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3>Vandana Shiva</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4><B>500 Word Critical Thinking Essay</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3>Vivienne Elanta 12021131</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3>Ecofeminism S221 May 2003</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Vandana Shiva’s main thesis focuses on “nature and women as producers of life”(p.171), which the current consumer society marginalises and makes invisible. She believes that we could learn much from world-views of ancient civilisations, as well as diverse cultures, toward creating sustainable societies. She suggests that the shift in perception from “Terra Mater”, the great mother goddess, to viewing the world as matter, a mere resource, is the root cause of the ecological crisis, which “spells the death of the feminine principle”(p.171). </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Shiva offers insight into Indian cosmology, which honours the feminine principle, the primordial energy, which sustains all life and is inseparable from diversity and sharing. Unlike western thinking, Indian cosmology views male and female as “a duality in unity”(p.170), and sees no separation between man and women, or humans and nature. She says, “With the violation of nature is linked the violation and marginalisation of women, especially in the third world”(p.171). She further points out that it is the marginalised women, the providers of food, water and sustenance, who still embody and honour the feminine principle. Rather than seeing these women solely as victims of the current environmental degradation, she proposes that these very women, are the “intellectual gene pool of ecological categories of thought and action”(p.173).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Vandana Shiva argues that it is women who are the real producers of life and sustenance, within a truly productive and sustainable relationship to nature. The dominant ‘productive’ man uses nature’s resources and women’s labour to make consumer goods, which is the only recognised work of value. This short- sighted view of a consumer society, which is stuck in a concept of production for capital accumulation, treats the work of women and indigenous peoples as invisible and unproductive. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Sustenance, Shiva points out, is built on nature’s ability to renew its fields, forests and rivers. It is the third world women, who are deeply connected to nature, who view nature not as their surroundings, but as their substance. It is within this paradigm, that we can view natures work and women’s work as real productivity and sustenance of life’s processes. Shiva believes that the key to true liberation and transformation from the unsustainable and life negating practices of a greedy consumer society, to a life sustaining global culture which embodies the feminine principle, lies in the “new categories of thought and new exploratory directions. She also emphasises the importance of a liberation that is “trans-gender”(p.1750, which she says is the “principle of activity and creativity in nature, women and men”(p.175).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Vandana Shiva’s article is thought provoking and to the point in her argument for the devaluation of women’s work and the exploitation of women’s labour and natures resources for the acquisition of material goods for a consumer society. I do agree that third world women can and hopefully do take leadership in reclaiming ecological sanity. This, I think they are equipped to do, through their experience and daily practice of living sustainably with the land. I do think that third world women are not the only ones able to offer leadership in this regard, as there is a growing movement of peoples in the west opposed to the industrial growth machine, who are involved in many innovative projects towards a life sustaining culture. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-12027436463529511472007-08-30T22:58:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:38:08.770-07:00<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:180%;"><b>BEING PREY<br /></b></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" lang="en-AU">Understanding Val Plumwood</p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><b>500 Word Critical Thinking Essay</b></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Vivienne Elanta 12021131</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> Ecofeminism S221 April 2003</p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">It is only through the experience of being death- rolled not once, but three times by a crocodile, that Val Plumwood earns the authority to speak on the topic of being prey. Her central argument in this amazing real life story is that “Crocodile predation on humans threatens the dualistic vision of human mastery of the planet in which we are predators but can never ourselves be prey”(p.138). Through such a dualistic vision, we remove ourselves as separate and outside of nature. Furthermore she suggests, in order to claim an ecological identity as humans, we need to heal this “hypersepraration”.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Plumwood suggests that by extending ecology into the human realm and ethics into the more than human realm, this split can be overcome. She believes that we need to include those we eat within the boundaries of our ethical concerns, as well as honouring a reciprocal ethics within the food chain. She says, by not identifying ethics exclusively with human, and ecology solely with non human, creates the possibility of bringing culture and nature, ethics and the non human closer together. In so doing we embrace our place in the world as both culture and nature and begin to acknowledge that “all our food is souls”(p.139).</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">The curse of dichotomising within the western psyche extends itself into every realm of Plumwood’s story. Not only was she being prey to the crocodile, but also her story became prey to the appropriation and distortion of a veraciously hungry media. Her story, she says, became a masculinist appropriation, turning the crocodile monster into a sadistic rapist, in which society sees the woman as the helpless victim, one who should not be out there in this untamed terrain of danger which only men can handle. </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Val Plumwood has given me a better understanding of the importance of story. I agree with her statement that our society is deeply impoverished in the ability to pass on story in an authentic way. This, she says “is part of the emptiness at its core”, which must be filled with ever more material possessions and control. “Being Prey”, has made me think and feel more deeply about this emptiness, which seems to indicate a deep loneliness of spirit and immense fear of life itself. May authentic stories like “Being Prey” facilitate our escape out of this self-imposed exile from nature of a culture, which is still stuck in a master/monster narrative. </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Val Plumwood’s story is powerful beyond measure and her encounter with a crocodile, puts her into a position of experiencing the natural world the way it <i>really</i> is. Most of us live in a cocoon, which protects us from ever being prey in nature. Whereas within culture we are always prey to the patriarchal mindset of dichotomies and oppression of women and nature and the appropriation of story, which keeps on affirming the current dominant world view of hyperseparation of culture and nature. It is a gift to the world that Val Plumwood lived to tell <i>herstory,</i> the real story to a world, which desperately needs a new narrative of cultivating a sense of vulnerability and sensitivity to the ecology and to each other.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-24829631565269309642007-08-30T22:52:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:35:11.655-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=5>AWAKENING TO THE ECOLOGICAL SELF</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4>Joanna Macy</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4>500 Word Critical Thinking Essay</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3>Vivienne Elanta 12021131</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3>Ecofeminism S221 April 2003</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Central to Joanna Macy’s thesis is what she sees as the emergence of the ecological self. She suggests that our current conventional understanding of the self is limited to a narrow ego-self, which is competitive and endlessly needy. The ecological self, on the other hand extends beyond the ego-self, “transcending separateness and fragmentation”(p.262). The process of this extension she refers to as the awakening of an “ecological selfhood”(p.261.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>She gives three main reasons in support of her thesis. First, she presents the reader with the idea that the ecological self is born directly out of the current environmental crisis. Through “Despair and Empowerment Work”(p.262) grief and fear of what is happening to our world can be expressed. This pain for the world, she asserts, when “redefined as compassion can free us from the confines of a narrow sense of self.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Second, she argues that this understanding of self is emerging through systems theory, which teaches that the web of life is self-organising and interdependent, and that ultimately there is no recognisable separation between the self and the other. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Last, she points to the resurgence of what she refers to as “non-dualistic spiritualities”(p.264). She gives an example from Buddhism, that of dependent co-arising, which “presents a phenomenal reality so dynamic and interrelated that categorical subject-object distinction dissolve”(p.264). She says that, “What emerges, when free from the prison cell of the separate, competitive ego, is a vision of radical and sustaining interdependence”(p.264).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Joanna Macy’s thesis is groundbreaking in offering a process in shifting from a self obsessed ego-self towards an eco-self, which in my view is an essential process to insure a sustainable and viable future for all beings. I strongly agree with her supporting reasons, because, like Macy I also believe that the current ecological crisis is derives from a distorted and dysfunctional sense of self. General systems thinking informs us that everything is in constant flow of matter, energy and information. Creatures that isolate themselves from the flow of life eventually die.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Some ecofeminists like Marti Kheel would trivialise and dispute the concept of an ecological self, a view with which I totally disagree, as I can personally testify to the emergence of the ecological self, which is occurring in myself. I have witnessed this metamorphosis from the small self into this larger self in a growing number of people, as they become involved in the wellbeing and enhancing of all life. I agree that the ego-self has no interest or loyalty beyond its own “skin” and the effects of its self-absorption can be witnessed through the degradation and annihilation of our ecological world.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>I find Joanna Macy’s argument compelling and indisputable in its logic and practice and I believe that the awakening of the ecological self is pivotal in the next stage of the evolution of Homo Sapiens. Without such a leap forward we will choke to death from the smog, the greed, terror, hate and loneliness of spirit produced by our shrivelled sense of self. Macy not only offers the theory, but also gives us the tools</FONT><SUP><FONT SIZE=3><A CLASS="sdfootnoteanc" NAME="sdfootnote1anc" HREF="#sdfootnote1sym"><SUP>1</SUP></A></FONT></SUP><FONT SIZE=3> for such a transformation from the ego-self towards an ecological self, a priceless gift for a society, which finds its deep interconnectedness with all life in a place beyond self-absorption.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <DIV ID="sdfootnote1"> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="sdfootnote-western"><A CLASS="sdfootnotesym" NAME="sdfootnote1sym" HREF="#sdfootnote1anc">1</A> Joanna Macy’s “Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect our Lives, Our World” (1998, New Society Publ., Canada) provides practices, rituals and meditations for individuals and groups with a framework to nurture the awakening of the ecological self.</P> </DIV> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-9675263266552988472007-08-30T22:50:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:39:17.597-07:00<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PERCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF GAIA</span><br /></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">by David Abram</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:130%;">500 Word Critical Thinking Essay</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">by Vivienne Elanta 12021131</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Ecofeminism S221 Aril 2003</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">David Abram takes the reader on a journey beyond Lovelock’s Gaia theory, which he believes is still tainted with a mechanistic view of the world embedded in a subject/object relationship. Drawing on Merleau-Ponty’s work of psychology of human perception, he unlocks the door to an understanding that, “perception itself is a communication or communion between an organism and the living biosphere”(p.242). He asserts that the most radical and important aspect of the Gaia hypothesis is the element air, bringing renewed awareness of our immersion in a living organism, Gaia, thus opening our senses to the opportunity to perceive our world in a new way.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">David Abram disagrees with traditional perception as a one-way process and the assumption that “the senses are passive mechanisms adapted to an environment of random chance events”(p.240). This model of perception he says is what perpetuates the mind and matter separation. Instead he argues that “perception, then – the whole play of the senses – is a constant communion between ourselves and the living world that encompasses us”(p.241</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">In further support of his argument he points out that the first evidence of the earth as a living organism came from the study of air, recognised as “a functioning organ of the Earth”(p.239). He says, “We are immersed in its depths as surely as fish are immersed in the sea”(p.239). He aptly describes the air as “a thick and mysterious phenomenon no less influential for its invisibility” (p.246). He draws his conclusion that “if the Gaia Hypothesis is correct, we shall have to admit that we exist <i>in</i> this planet, rather than <i>on</i> it.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">David Abram’s main thesis <i>stands on solid ground</i>. He makes a vital contribution to the Gaia debate with his theory of perception and its implications for Gaia. His radical insight into the importance of air shifts the Gaia Theory into new territory by making the assumed invisibility of air very tactile. He extends the scientific importance of air into the spiritual, by emphasising the sacredness of air in Native American Cosmology as well as other spiritual tradition.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Embedded in his argument is a paradoxical weakness in assuming the air to be the most radical element. In so doing he elevates this element as the most important, creating a superior versus inferior dichotomy. Without earth, water and fire there would be no life to breathe in air. If Gaia is indeed a living organism, then like the animal body the liver is no more radical or important than the heart. I do agree with him though, that the air is the most neglected and invisible element. </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Through the use of a lively imagery and poignant metaphors Abram’s argument is convincing.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">It enriches my own understanding and perception of Gaia as a living breathing organism, with a full capacity for deep communication and communion with us through our senses, “a sort of sensuous immersion – a communication without words”(p.241). His argument has left me in a “Spell of the Sensuous”.</span><sup><span style="font-size:100%;"><a class="sdfootnoteanc" name="sdfootnote1anc" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5116736879412764116&postID=967526326655298847#sdfootnote1sym"><sup>1</sup></a></span></sup></p> <div id="sdfootnote1"> <p class="sdfootnote-western" lang="en-AU"><a class="sdfootnotesym" name="sdfootnote1sym" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5116736879412764116&postID=967526326655298847#sdfootnote1anc">1</a> Abram, David (1997) ‘<i>The Spell of the Sensuous’</i>, Random House, New York</p> </div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-91817701839018278372007-08-30T22:47:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:35:11.669-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><B>FROM MECHANISM TO ORGANISM:</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3><B>THROUGH CHERRISHING THE FEMININE AND NATURE</B></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <I>by Vivienne Elanta (12021131)</I></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <B>ECOFEMINISM S221 26-03-2003</B></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> 500 word critical thinking essay of Patsy Hallen’s article:</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> “Why Ecology needs Feminism”</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>In this multi-dimensional thesis, Patsy Hallen proposes “that if we are to make peace with the environment, ecology needs to be transformed by the knowledge of feminism” (p.93). She strongly believes that science needs to shift from its current mechanical world-view to an organic world-view through a feminist understanding. Science as she sees it is currently dominated by patriarchy, which is one-sided and destructive to the earth. In support of her thesis she draws from psychological, sociological, philosophical and historical sources through what she calls “a spiral, processive way” (p.93). </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Patsy Hallen strongly maintains that this one-sidedness cannot be overcome “until our scientific understanding of the living world is mediated by the content of feminist epistemologies – the sensual, the relational and the intimate. Science as a largely masculine endeavour is sexist, which as Patsy Hallen says “is the expression of a basic psychology of domination and repression” (p.94), which has phycho-sexual roots, and need to be investigated in order to “uproot the causes of domination”(P.93).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>She also asserts that western moral philosophy is inadequate in cultivating “new ways of seeing”(p.86) in order to bring about an “ecocentric metaphysical reconstruction”(p.86). This western moral philosophy perpetuates the erroneous belief that only humans have moral standing, and regards nature as a mere resource to be plundered. Patsy Hallen says that what underlies the new reconstruction of western moral philosophy is “the unity of nature”(p.87) and that such a moral integrity recognises that “the world is my body”(p.87). In so doing we transcend the very dichotomies which creates male versus female, white versus black, human versus nature, in which the former is always superior.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Patsy Hallen’s argument that ecology needs feminism is very strong and in my view is absolutely correct, because like so many areas of human activity science is largely dominated by a patriarchal mindset. Forged by Francis Bacon and others, this view of putting nature on the rack to be tortured that she may reveal her secrets is still central to most scientific practise, such as the treatment of animals used for vivisection. This world -view is responsible for the environmental degradation that we see all around us. She succinctly points out that “anti-feminist sentiment feeds ecological disaster, from the testing of atomic bombs to using animals as tools of trivial research projects”(p.109).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>I do not agree with her when she says, “gender is always asymmetrical”(p.91), unless she refers to western culture only, as there have been cultures such as the Bushmen who do not practice a gender bias. I also do not agree with her suggestion that, “the businessmen’s lack of house-training is a major cause of world pollution”(p.98). Most western women with all the house-training in the world are amongst the greatest polluters as consumers and many pursue a daily practice of pouring large amounts of poisons down the kitchen sink in the name of cleanliness. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>In conclusion I think that Patsy Hallen’s article is powerful and inspirational, giving the reader an opportunity to step out of a confined box of a patriarchal, mechanistic world-view. She introduces us to the possibility of a science which is “transformed by the knowledges of feminism”(p.93), cherishing the female, and so birthing a new way of practicing science holistically, which values the feminine and nature.</FONT></P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-11685043354802995312007-08-29T19:03:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:39:34.320-07:00<P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=5 STYLE=FONT-SIZE:20pt><B>JOURNAL OF EARTH OTHERS</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=5 STYLE=FONT-SIZE:20pt><B>& WALKING COUNTRY</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4 STYLE=FONT-SIZE:16pt><B>Vivienne Elanta</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=3>Ecophilosophy STP255</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=3>Lecturers: Drs. Anthony Weston & Patsy Hallan</FONT></FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <H1 CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">First Week</FONT> </H1> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I am meant to be observing earth others, but whom do I choose. The frogs leaping all over the garden at night, the spider, which first made her home in the kitchen window six years ago? Or should I look for a being in my neighbourhood, or would it be best to stay within the boundaries of my garden? Well let’s see what the next days have in store, which being speaks and which being will want to commune with me.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <H1 ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">Second Week</FONT> </H1> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This morning I woke up to the carolling of myriad of voices of the Kulbardi, (the Australian magpie). They used to serenade to me every morning from the two Norfolk pine trees, just on the other side of the fence in the neighbours garden, but one day they were chased away by the Wardung (the black crows), who have claimed these trees as part of their territory. Kulbardi songs are so melodic, that the Australian landscape would be empty without them. This morning their call is having a magnetic pull on me, so off I go walking the neighbourhood in search of these very beautiful black and white friends. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I can hear them clear and loud from two different directions. One group is sitting amongst the branches of gum trees of the local school, while the second group is sitting in a Lemon Scented gum tree just across the street from the school. I climb over the low fence and seat myself on the grass within the local school grounds, which is a mere street block away from home. From my vantagepoint I can see two birds in the tree across the road. They are singing their little hearts out. I just wished that I could write down these melodies, but I don’t know how to record them on paper. I cannot see the second group, but I can surely hear them. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Now I know what is going on. These two groups are having a conversation. When one has finished the other group answers. I am holding my breath with excitement right now, because 5 mudlarks have just landed on the ground not far from me. Stalking over the damp grass, and digging their beaks in between the grass blades for food, (I can’t see what they are eating), they look so petite in their black and white coats. Now two Jitti-Jitti (Willy-wag-tails) have just landed too. They are so delightful, the way they are both wagging their tails right now, while darting around looking for something edible.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I wonder whether they are the same pair, which spent most of last summer in my garden raiding the compost heap for worms and other insects. Every morning I was greeted by one of them who was sitting on the fence, directly looking at me and intensely talking to me, while very nervously wagging his/her tail. I understood what was asked of me, so I would go across to the compost heap and turn over the top layer, so uncovering lots of worms and insects. Swiftly they would dart across and eagerly gobble up insect after insect. This little ritual of turning the compost heap at least once a day continued for several weeks. I think they were feeding their young. One day it all stopped, for they did not return any more. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The magpies are still calling. I feel like joining in the conversation, but don’t know what they are saying and don’t know the protocol. Sounds are coming out of my mouth, or should I say some kind of croaks. My vocal cords are just not coming up with the right notes. Three Wardung (Australian Raven), also referred to as crow have just arrived too, stalking the ground as if they owned this place. I don’t have a strong liking for these very black ravens, primarily because they have driven the Kulbardi out of the pine trees. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The Nyungar say that when a single Wardung looks you directly in the eye, while talking to you intensely you should take note, because it is a message, a warning of danger or bad luck, an announcement of an accident or a death. When I had such a visit by a Crow barely 18 months ago I took no notice, because I believed that this applies only to the Nyungar people. Gosh was I mistaken, because our little Spotty was attacked by that massive Rotweiler two days after the announcement and then consequently died three months later. Birds are messengers to Aboriginal peoples and they listen carefully to what is being said.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>So here I am sitting amongst all these birds, which are coming and going just like in a busy airport. In this moment I am so aware and so immersed in this bird world, that the human world has moved into the background. I feel a stranger, an outsider, a mere onlooker to their activities on this glorious morning. I love birds, especially the Magpies and want them to visit more often. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>It is after 9pm and I am about to wonder into the garden to pay a visit to my beloved frogs. I have observed them a lot during the day over the past few years and found them to be the most interesting earth others. Frogs can be very testing to any impatient observer, because they have the ability to sit still for hours on end without making the tiniest movements, and without anything seemingly happening. And suddenly within a fraction of a second the tongue flicks with lightening speed and some poor morsel found itself in the frogs stomach. They are very keen observers and always hungry for more food. One day I witnessed a fairly large frog sitting opposite a smaller frog, when out of the blue the big frog snapped up his smaller companion, who was letting out terrible screams. It was all over in a flash, the struggling hind legs still sticking out from the predator’s mouth.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I have never sat with the frogs for any length of time after sunset, so this would be a new experience for me to be with them. Shining the torch into the bushes I can see so many eyes peering at me. I am concerned about pointing a torch at them, but how else can I see them in the dark? During the day many jump away as soon as I come close to the pond. In the dark they don’t jump away at all, which puzzles and fascinates me immensely. Why don’t they jump away? Can they see me at night? Do I look different? Before I go shining torches into their faces I wanted to know more about their habits at night, so I phoned the Dept. of Conservation Biology at Murdoch University to find out how frogs see the world. I was surprised to be told that nothing is known on that topic. Absolutely nothing is known about how frogs see the world? Here we know so little about earth others, and many are driven into extinction forever before we even discover that they lived right under our noses.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This is such an exciting adventure of embarking on the challenge to get to know an earth other of which nothing is known as to how it sees the world. I may not discover how my froggy friends see the world, but I am open to them letting me into their world and teaching me what I need to know. So I come with an open mind and an open heart and gladly accept the gifts offered to me. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <H1 ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">Week 3 </FONT> </H1> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The big shakedown is here. We have just arrived at the starting point of our walk. I was shocked to find so much litter lying around, which was intensified by most people actually walking on real asbestos sheets strewn all over the ground. I held my breath until I was well away from that site. Then behind the last shrub opened up a paradise – pristine Australian bushland. We were standing on the outcrop of ancient granite rocks. The view into the valley was breathtaking. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Gathered in a circle we were welcomed by country. I loved the way Jenny stood so strong and straight on her rock, calling out loud across the valley, introducing us to country and asking for permission for us to be here, and lastly asking for guidance and protection. My hair stood on end and I felt alive and touched by the spirit of this land. I was ready for this inner and outer journey. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>As we descended into the valley, white tail black cockatoos were screeching in the trees around us before they settled down for the night. As we meandered through the thick shrub, the sound of running water reaches my ear. And yes, there it was – water navigating its way over the terraced rocks down into a pool. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4><FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">We have embarked on, “walking the world into being”. What does that mean? Rainer Maria Rilke suggested that instead of finding an answer to our question, we should stay in the question and live our way into the answer. Maybe this is a hint for me to stay in the question and <I>walk </I>my way into the answer. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>As I settled into my sleeping bag for the first night I realised that maybe Patsy and Peter have taken us to this spot deliberately. Leaving the city and expecting to arrive at pristine wilderness, but finding all this rubbish instead and then being led to a very clean pristine waterfall and surrounding bushland had a powerful effect on me. Our rubbish follows us wherever we go because it is a reflection of our cultural mindset of senseless, irresponsible consumerism.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>After a sleepless night, we set out in the cooler part of the morning. I love the Australian bush and never cease to be amazed at the diversity of fauna and flora within the Jarrah woodland. I felt small amongst the tall Jarrah and Blackbutt and Marri trees. The unusually serrated leaves of the Banksia, which scratched and prickled as I brushed past, as we climbed up the slopes of this constantly changing terrain from one unique ecosystem/landscape to another, opened my heart with wonderment. One moment the understorey is made up of predominantly banksia and a few steps further we enter forests dotted with Balga or clustered with Prickly Moses.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I was thinking of and Aboriginal Elder, Cliff Humphries, as we walked through these ancient forests. During a recording with Tim McCabe, Cliff said that, “The spirit of our dead were placed inside both dead and living trees”. I too can feel the spirit of the dead in every tree. As we walked amongst the trees I could feel the ancestors watching us, the kind of feeling as if someone is standing behind you and you can sense their presence. Nyungar spirit is truly alive in this part of country. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>By midmorning I became very hot and tired and automatically switched off and pushed on. That was the coping mechanism I learned from the adults around me when I was growing up. “Mind -over- matter” was a standard reply to anyone expressing pains or discomfort in my family of origin. By the time we arrived at the destination set for the day, I suffered from heat exhaustion, severe headache and pain all over my whole body. I decided to rest next to the Kardup Brook, which was hidden amidst lots of small trees and shrubs, keeping the brook shady and moist. Dangling my feet in the very cool bubbling water, I rested on a thin layer of flattened undergrowth, which felt so soothing for my aching limbs. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>We were meant to read Chapter 2 and 3 from “Back to Earth”, for which I had no energy left, so instead I relaxed into the pages of this beautiful book, framed by undergrowth. The rocks in the brook were covered over with the softest of green moss, and the waterfall was composing an endless and uplifting music, surpassing even Mozart and Beethoven. An exquisite dragonfly surprised me as it flitted passed my face with lightening speed, occasionally hovering in on spot like a helicopter. A very loud Wattlebird announced its arrival and small grey birds were swiftly moving about amongst the thin branches of the bushes. My peaceful rest was occasionally disrupted with the visit of a mosquito or two. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>My feet were still dangling in the water, and it felt as if the brook was flowing through my own brain, washing away the heat in my head. The brook had a message for me, “to go with the flow”. This message was affirmed once more by Patsy, when she suggested to “take one step at a time”. I needed that support, because I was not sure whether I could continue with the walk or not. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sometime during the night I woke up. As I turned my head I saw the moon rise from behind the gathering of trees. I lay there mesmerised by its sheer beauty. I woke up about every hour, only to witness another snapshot of its journey across the firmament, and close to the end of the night it reached the centre of the sky, almost ready to cross over the Milky-Way. Then dawn gave way to the most breath taking colours before a magnificent sunrise.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>We had an early start and soon arrived at another dam for breakfast, which I always greeted with much gratitude. Feeling so hot I revel in the experience of the body of cold water engulfing my hot body and exchanging some of our temperatures. I frolicked in this sensuous liquid emersion. This experience is always heightened even further in the company of my fellow travellers, most of who were total strangers to me a mere three weeks ago.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Once again I lifted the heavy backpack onto my back to face the day with new challenges. Arriving at the sealed road was the demarcation line and once crossed there was no way back, only forward. When Jenny decided not to continue, I felt like staying with her. I felt her disappointment in having to leave, and I felt my own loss of her leaving the group. I also knew that if I did not continue and finish the day I too would have had to withdraw from the course. I remembered Patsy saying “to take a step at a time”, and I remembered the brook saying, “go with the flow”. And that is what I did. I send my blessings with Jenny and turned towards the forest ahead. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>As we were leaving civilisation behind, and ever deeper entering this sacred old forest, I could feel a shift in myself. Crossing the sealed road was also a symbolic crossing from the old way of thinking to something new and wholesome. The revelations came flowing in and what I needed to know became crystal clear. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The practise of suppressing pain is a practise of numbing. My newfound practice on this trip is not to suppress, and push on regardless. The idea is to be fully awake to every happening in my own body as well as the larger body of earth, which is the ground I walk on and how my feet touching the earth. How earth meets my feet. How the air and the lining inside my lungs meet. How my eyes touch with those of the kangaroo in the bushes. It is about full awareness within myself, around myself, and with earth others. It is about feeling, seeing, touching smelling, hearing and all the other hundreds of senses my culture I was born into, is numb to. To disrupt the mind/body dualism is called for right now on this pilgrimage for me.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Here is my chance to heal from a long held habit and illusion, which has very destructive consequences, an illusion which has kept me burned out and in isolation. So I took on the practice of breathing into the pain and of being present to what is as I put one foot in front of the other. The trick is not to push through, but to breathe through the pain barrier, and at the same time knowing when to rest. Then I remembered one of Jean Houston’s, processes of imagining myself confident and gifted with the qualities I want to grow more of. Then follow in the footsteps of that self and you re- member that self. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I followed myself, placing my foot into my own footstep of that me, which is confident and connected to self and the world. One foot followed the next and the next and soon I felt a great sense of enjoyment and aliveness, which helped me to arrive at the top of the hill, very tired, but also very elated. I made it “one step at a time”, being welcomed with cool spring water and chocolate. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>May the forests stay well, and as Cliff Humphrey said, “continue to remain spiritual reservoirs” for future beings.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <H1 ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">Week 4</FONT> </H1> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Monday: Tonight the frogs are roaming the garden again. I am very interested in one in particular, which is sitting on the slightly open shed door every night since at least a couple of weeks. It could be a male juvenile, because males seem slightly smaller, unless the young males are mating with big fat older females. He has positioned himself very strategically, obviously to catch insects, just like the spider, who has built her web right in the corner just beneath where he is sitting. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This particular species is called Western green tree frog or Litoria moorei, which is found near permanent water on the Swan Coastal Plain as well as in the Darling Range. It is also commonly known as the Motorbike frog, because of its call, which sounds like a motorbike changing gears.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This young frog is sitting very still and only twice in the last ten minutes did he blink his eyes. He just moved his hind leg sufficient to see that he has webbed toes, though his fingers are unwebbed. He is a member of the tree- climbing frogs. I don’t know why he referred as a green tree frog, because just like the Chameleon, he changes his usual green with brown patches into black or dark brown or light green, depending on the background of his environment. Motorbike frog is my preferred name. I am coming a little closer, but he is not moving, except for his loose hanging chin, which is making three small pumping movements per second. Actually now that I am looking closer I can see that this loose hanging chin is the air sac, which he can blow up with air, which creates the motorbike sounding, mating call. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Tuesday: Again just like last night my little friend is sitting on the shed door again. He looks like a little Buddha statue. A couple of hours have passed and he only winked once in that time. He sat motionless for all that time, only his skin under his chin moved as he breathed. I am aware of having expectations of the frog to be active, so that I can report something in my journal. But it is not about that. Jane Goodall sat and waited and the earth others made themselves known to her. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Wednesday: The little Buddha is sitting on the shed door motionless again. His patience is inspiring. I am sure that meditation was practiced long before we humans had the idea. I have not seen him catch an insect yet. Just sitting here and watching him is very calming for me.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Thursday: I woke up during the night and went outside to visit little Buddha, but he was not there any more. I so wanted to know what his movements are during the night. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The birds have sung me awake this morning. Walking along my street three Mudlarks are greeting me with pee-wit, pee-wit. Now the Magpies have joined in with their sweet carolling. There are six sitting in the tall Lemon-scented gum tree across the road. Two of them are greyish, which means that they are young ones. Blow me down!! I am seeing for the first time this morning New Holland honey eaters in my neighbourhood. The few Banksia trees are in flower. The little birds are darting from branch to branch, chirping excitedly and looking for nectar. In the Woolly bushes I can see Pardalotes roaming about, digging their beaks in between the fine long needle-like leaves, looking for insects. This area is very small (2 - 4 acres maybe), and very degraded, but nevertheless worthy of regenerating. The discovery of the New Holland’s has given me the enthusiasm to plant many plants of the Dryandra and Banksia family in my own street. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <H1 ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">Ten days on the Bibbulmun Track </FONT> </H1> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Today is Saturday and we have arrived at Franklin River Hut, the first hut on our 10day walk on the Bibbulmun Track. I am sitting at the edge of the Franklin River, which is so beautiful. Little wrens are flitting about and ants are running all over the ground around me. The large tingle next to the river became the major focus for poetry. Here is mine.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Ancient Tingle</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Great story teller.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>You who are so ancient</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Deeply rooted in the earth.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Your form melting in, and yet standing out.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Branches twisting, gnarled</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Stretching, reaching up into the sky.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Leaves rustling and swaying in the wind.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Grey, brown skin,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>dripping with thick blood,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>endlessly shaped by insects,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>flame licked, charred, rough, sensuous.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Ancient Tingle, thou art so majestic.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I bow to you.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>It is a beautiful Sunday morning, gone is yesterday’s rain. The sun is filtering through the canopy. I decided to go for a walk when I passed an ant’s nest on the side of the footpath. I sat down next to the mound of twigs and leaves. Medium seized brown ants are scurrying about, many carrying pieces of dry leaves or tiny twigs. One ant is pulling with all her might one long, single sheoak needle all the way up to the centre of the mound. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I know that they know that I am here watching them. When I first sat down their movements sped up, which after a few minutes slowed down again. This is more than many individual ants running around. I have a sense of being watched by one large living being. Even the sedge into which this colony has build this round mount of sticks, leaves and sand grains is a part of this larger being, as all these very busy workers are scurrying around pulling pieces of organic matter onto the mount. I find myself wondering as to wether this is one being or many beings all working away in harmony. Maybe it is not a question of one or the other, but both.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>To study a single earth other is almost impossible, because quiet soon more earth others present themselves, such as the dragonfly just flitting past and the tiny wrens hopping around looking for insects. As I continue on my morning walk I am thrilled to discover that this forest is teaming with earth others. Before me lies a huge fallen ancient tree close to two meters in diameter and endlessly long. This tree has not really died. Her spirit is still alive and strong. Covered in lichen and moss, (light green, splashes of brown, tinges of decaying bark showing here or there), she has become home to many small creatures.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>As I am continuing on my Sunday morning walk through the forest I come to another tall tingle, reaching her branches towards heaven. Resting against her massive trunk I feel deep relaxation flood every cell in me with contentment and a sense of deep gratitude for being alive, being here in this place. I am amongst so many earth others and it feels as if I am being observed, which makes me feel vulnerable. If I had a choice of another life I would like to be a big tingle tree and eventually be the log decaying on the forest floor, giving a home and food to a myriad of beings. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>A leaf is gently, slowly gliding on an air current, being pulled by gravity to the ground. It may become food for earthworms, or building material for the ants. Who knows? A blowfly is buzzing around my head. Leaves rusting in the soft breeze, the river is murmuring sweet melodies and the birds have been delighting me all morning with their songs. I am appreciating the diversity of life in the forest, from the strong presence of the black cockatoos, screeching from the treetops, to the tiny wrens hopping around on the ground looking for food. Yes, I agree that, “the land sings”, and that “it is our sensory immersion that most profoundly links us to the land”. Sitting here at the base of this ancient being I much better understand that, “we are open systems; we are open to the world” (Anthony or Patsy). </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Today is Monday and what an amazing walk I have had. I found it hard going at times, especially the hills. I am very pleased with being mindful and attentive to my wellbeing. The tingles are so majestic, so powerful and so ancient. These forests hold an immense diversity of flora, the landscape changing so fast at times. There are sheoaks everywhere sprinkled amongst the Tingles, as well as the occasional tassel bush, semaphore sedges and bracken fern. I felt like hugging every tree, but the pace was just too fast to even contemplate stopping, so I hugged them all from afar from my heart. I realise how little of the fauna and flora I actually know by name or even what their role is in the forest. I want to learn more. I want to be able to know what plants, and which parts of the plant is edible and what time of the year etc. Such knowledge would bring me a little closer to being at home in the forest, rather than just passing through.</FONT></FONT> </P> <H1 ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </H1> <H1 ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;FONT-WEIGHT:medium> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">Wednesday</FONT> </H1> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Glorious morning I sing to you. In today’s circle I will dedicate my walk to the Bibbulmun people, the traditional custodians of this part of country. The air is quiet – no wind and its overcast. There is a pregnant and yet empty silence and into that silence a bird calls “tututit – tututit”</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>It’s breakfast time and I am hungry for fresh fruit. Instead I am eating porridge again. I am aware of how lucky I am to have access to so much good food at home. It makes me think of all the people in the world who don’t have enough to eat. So here I sit amongst the last stands of tingle before leaving the forest, eating my porridge with gratitude. Thank you tingle trees.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Descending into coastal heath land</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Ocean in view</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>kulbardi carolling us a welcome.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Carpets of greens dotted with red swamp bottlebrushes.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Charcoal trunks of jarrah,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>berry saltbush and zamia palms,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>long, sword-like kerbein,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>prickly, slender banksia.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Lizard flitting across sandy track,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Ants scurrying about.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>A cool breeze caressing my sweaty face.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Walking, breathing, seeing, feeling, smelling,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Touching the earth.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I feel welcomed,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>walking this part of the world into being.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I feel alive.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Finally arriving at the beach was exhilarating. Walking with my human community is so bonding. After lunch we continued on the second half of the walk to Rame Head Hut, which proved to be quite challenging and so wonderful.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Up and down sand dunes</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Amazing vistas greeting me.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Clouds pregnant with rain,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Cool clean ocean air rushing into my lungs.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Leg muscles stretching, aching.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Pearls of sweat dripping from my temples,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>heart pumping, pulse racing.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>One step at a time,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>pushing up-hill,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>staying connected.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Opening my senses to this breath taking landscape,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>covered in creeping banksia, semaphore sedge,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>grey cottonballs and succulent bain.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Brushing past Prickly Dryandra and Kangaroo Paws,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>then reaching another dune top.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Gasping in wonder.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Before me stand steep cliffs,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>roaring, spitting, waves</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>thunder against these ancient rock formations.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Yes! Val, it’s orgasmic.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Finally Rame Head Hut in sight.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Tired, but happy I sink onto my rolled out sleeping bag.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Sleepless nights at Rame Head Hut</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Tossing, turning, tossing, turning,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Snuggled in my sleeping bag,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Aching body on hard floor.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Mosquitoes buzzing around my head,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sandfleas crawling over my skin.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Distant ocean waves are rolling, crashing against my eardrum.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Pain, pleasure, discomforts and joy all rolled into one.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>During a long walk along Rame Head beach I found a dead cormorant lying in the sand, wings outstretched just the way cormorants do when airing/drying their wings. It is such a sobering sight to look at the hollow ribcage, knowing that her insides was food for maybe the seagull standing not far from me, ready to take flight. We are all food for each other at some point. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4><FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">Today we are walking to Peaceful Bay.<B> </B>It has been a great walk from Rame Head to the edge of the ocean. Have just arrived at the lookout and what a sight. Black N.Z. Fur Seals diving and frolicking in and out of the gentle waves. The grace and ease, with which they move in the water, elegantly pointing velvety flippers out of the surf like ballerinas. Now they are bobbing almost upright like corked, empty bottles at the edge of curling waves. Suddenly the show is over - they have vanished out of sight. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>A Song from the Edge</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Rolling sand dunes,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Covered in carpets</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>of flame reds, greens, rusty brown and silver greys.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Roaring, blue-green waves</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>crashing against mottled boulders.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Like lovers,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Land and Sea hug.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Their atoms electrically mingling,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Singing of the Great Edge.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Finally I arrive for a most delicious lunch in Peaceful Bay, after lingering in scenic places along the way. A green frog in the place where we set up tarp for the night greeted Jason. I loved the “wing-ding”.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The next morning I walked along the beach just before 6am. I walked straight into a fishing operation. Several fishermen were holding a huge net, filled with what looked like tons of herring. Poor fishes were struggling in the huge net. Pelicans bobbing on the water, waiting and waiting for a fish or two. Now and then an old fisherman throws one towards the group of 8 pelicans. Fisher-wives gathering in a group, waiting for their men. A crane pulling the next load in towards the waiting truck, while Black-backed Gulls are circling the full net. Thousands of fish are gasping and struggling to get back into the water as they are airlifted in a small net by a crane. Five pelicans are scratching and preening themselves with their long pink bills, gently nibbling between their feathers. Now they are standing strategically in a row waiting for more fish. I am allowed to help myself to a few of the fish lying in the sand around the truck. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The Pelicans are coming towards me, as they can see that I am stocked up with tucker. One is very frisky, but not game enough to come right up to me, so I push the fish more towards her…. and yes, she snaps at it and pulls the fish away from me. The sea gulls are circling me too now, wanting their share. A sea gull snatches a small fish and flies away with it, chased by a pelican, wanting the fish for himself. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Although the fishermen are feeding fish to the birds, they keep their distance from the humans. I was thrilled when I was given a bucket full of fish to feed to the pelicans. It gives me a chance to see these beautiful birds from very close up. Their bodies are big, yet they are graceful in their movements. They make a grunting noise, but I don’t know what that means. One is struggling to swallow a big fish. She is juggling the struggling fish about in her bill, dangling in the pouch, a kind of distensible throat pond. Then finally she gulps the fish down. Imagine a live, wriggling fish in your stomach? The more daring one of the group comes towards me again. Our eyeballs meet. We look at each other for a minute or so, then I place another fish on the ground about a couple of meters away from where I sit. And again she cautiously, in an almost sneaking forward movement, snatches the fish away with lightning speed and gulps once or twice - all gone.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The fisher folk have long left and I have run out of fish. The gathering of human and earth others has dispersed and I am on my way to my own breakfast plate back at the caravan park.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>While we are travelling home on the bus I am reflecting on this amazing 10 days, walking this part of the world into being. I am beginning to get a sense of what it actually means to “walk the world into being”. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-LEFT:0.2in;TEXT-INDENT:-0.2in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Week 7</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-LEFT:0.2in;TEXT-INDENT:-0.2in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Monday: Back home.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Yes, Anthony is right that it is not about escaping, but to “move the more-than-human permanently back to centre stage, to re-centre, not to get away at all”. Being back after the ten days away I am so aware of earth others. There are at least six different birds in the trees in my garden right now. Two pink galahs are swinging from the branches and one is dancing on the nesting box. I think that they have claimed it for themselves. Then there is a whole community of tiny pardalotes roaming amongst the elderberry bushes, and many honey eaters, as well as the Red Wattlebirds. And then there is the Jitti-Jitti, the Willie-wag-tail demanding of me to turn the heap of grass clippings, so she can search for insects. I am particularly interested in the Pallid Cuckoos, which are eagerly devouring the hairy caterpillars from the Cape Lilac tree. Hairy caterpillars are their only food. This tree has been infested with thousands of hairy caterpillars every year, forcing me to be drastic in my response by vacuuming them at my doorstep. This is a lesson in trusting that somehow and somewhere along the line, things balance out again. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Tuesday: Tonight is the first time since returning from the Bibbulmun Track, that I spend time walking in the garden looking out for frogs. Well, little Budda is not sitting in his usual place. Actually I saw only one young frog near the compost heap. He seemed unperturbed by my presence. After about 5 minutes he jumped across into the mint plant. I did not feel comfortable chasing after him. As the nights are getting cooler, more and more frogs will go into hibernation for the winter.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Wednesday: It is about 3am and I cannot sleep. Wandering around in the garden at this time of the night feels strange and yet so good. The moon is waning, the neighbourhood is so quiet one could hear a pin drop. The air is fresh and so clean and the frogs are out foraging for food. I could only find three, including the little Budda who is perched slightly sideways on the edge of the roof of the shed. As always they sit motionless and focused. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I feel deeply disturbed by the film “Exile and the Kingdom”. I am pondering over the quote, “In the beginning Creation beings lifted the soft world out of the sea”. Such softness oozes from this sentence. “Then the earth became hard…. Colonisation, slavery, mining booms…”. Why is it that we continue to exile Aboriginal people from their land? Is it because the western psyche is also still exiled from their Garden of Eden? Why is it that we cannot and will not look to Aboriginal people for spiritual guidance, something we are so desperately in need of? I feel troubled beyond words. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Saturday: While weeding, a small brown froglet jumped out from amidst a strawberry plant. It is so beautiful and delicate. There have not been many of these very young frogs in the garden this summer. I have noticed that a number of the mature frogs are sitting around the ponds and looking into the water for hours on end. I suspect that they are eating their own tadpoles, because the number of tadpoles has been dwindling and the snail population has grown from a few to hundreds. Why are they not eating snails any more. They used to eat all the snails and the slugs. I hope that they know what they are doing. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>A kookaburra has just landed on a branch. He is diving down to the ground. I could not see what he was swallowing, though I hope it was a mouse and not a frog. He found something else to eat and is now hitting is beak against the branch, sitting there for a few minutes, totally unperturbed by my presence before flying away. We seem to have visits from every kind of bird from the Perth area. We are so pleased to be offering a heaven for so many earth others.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Tuesday: I have noticed that during this semester, I have been much more alert and present to earth others. Every morning I am very tuned into the many voices of all the birds in our neighbourhood. I know most of our bird friends by their call. I am trying to learn to converse with them and it seems that sometimes they respond to me saying “aaa aaa aaa or pee-wit, pee-wit.</FONT></FONT> </P> <H1 ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </H1> <H1 ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">11 Days in the Pilbarra</FONT> </H1> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>It has taken us almost two hours to finally leave suburbia well and truly behind. The Great Northern Highway cuts its way through farmland. We have abused the land, through clear felling, ploughing, and fertilising it to death. Bill Neidjie says, “Land got to stay, always stay same…..You look where timber gone, pulled out. Bulldozer rip it out. Well you feel it in your body. You say, That tree same as me…” As we travel through Nyungar country I am so aware of this abuse to country and its traditional custodians. We are feeling it in our bodies. We are ill in our psyche, and many people are physically ill as well.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I think that it is so important to name things the way they are. We need to ask the question, just like Parsifal was meant to ask the Fisher King, “What ails thee?” If we don’t asked this question to the ailing earth and to our ailing heart, we will like Parsifal continue to wander around, lost in the desert of our own psyche. Once we asked, “What ails thee?” both the land as well as our own spirit can heal also. If the land is ill, we will be ill too. Bill Neijie says it succinctly: “If you feel sore, headache, sore body, that mean somebody killing tree or grass. You feel because your body in that tree or earth.” </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Travelling through Wheatbelt country.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Mallee, Yate, Wandoo, Jam tree Country.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Exhausted soil,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>ploughed and fertilised to death,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>for the bread on my dinner table.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Mt. Singleton Country</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>water puddles from rain,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>beautiful country.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Mulga bushes,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>black feral goats roaming,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>beings of red earth,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>strong spirit.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Land of the red kangaroo.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Straight roads cut into this sacred land.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>We are such recent arrivals to this ancient land. We will only truly come home once we respect this land and the traditional custodians and know how to live sustainably from the land. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Open mine</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>44 gallon drums rusting in the bushes,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>spilling white men’s story onto</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>holy ground.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Bill Neitjie’s story</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> “<FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This earth</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I never damage.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I look after”.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Soft red earth</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>millions of flies</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>red sunset</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>warm camp fire</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>earth nourishing sleep</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>small town Cue</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>little quaint stone house</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Travelling towards Meekatherra</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Feeling sleepy</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>want to soak up everything</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and celebrate country</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>take it all in.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Dead kangaroo on road side.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Wedgetail eagle soaring above.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Feeling the earth,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>tightly curled white fluffy clouds,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>precious water puddles,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>land soaking up rain,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>black, brown sheep</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>some with long tails.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>No houses, no towns for miles and miles.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>But deep holes from mining,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>tailings hurt my heart.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Clouds spreading out,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>slowly breaking up.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Patches of green</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>coming up after the rain.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>More water filled ditches,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>smooth hills dressed in greens.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Clouds growing</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>into long, thin strips,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>like arrows pointing east.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Caledoman Mine site.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Big holes,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>digging up bones,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>ploughing sacred ground.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Gaping wounds,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>burning with poison.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Earth crying.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Feeling connects me to life.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Low shrubs as far as the eye can see,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>interrupted by bare patches of red earth.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Arid land?</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Rich country,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>lots of life here.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Everything grows fast</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>after rain.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>First small trees in sight,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>towering above the seemingly</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>endless shrub scape.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Knarled dead wood</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>strewn over the landscape.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Travelling towards Newman</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Powerful country,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>very harsh,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>yet soft.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Land is sinking</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>into deeper greens.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>More trees,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>more bare soil,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>countless clumps of tiny grass shoots</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>here and there.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Dead straight roads</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>in a land of unevenness,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>beauty and diversity.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>We have reached the Ferguson River. Clothes are dropping off my body fast, cool water touching my ankles, slowly I slide into shear bliss. I love the sense of community we have grown over the last few weeks, a community of humans from Nyungar country visiting communities of earth others in Nyiabali Country, home to the Nyiabali Western Desert people.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Nyiabali Country,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>hilly,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>grassy,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>round bushes.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Mt. Whaleback,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>iron ore mining,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>human made flat-topped mounts.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Mt. Newman Ranges in sight,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>lushes vistas.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Road to Eagles Pool.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Grasses poking out</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>from amongst rich red/brown termite mounts.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Feather-like grasses on long shafts,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>swaying in the wind.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Strong heartbeat,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>feeling serene.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I sing to thee,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Oh, beautiful Pilbarra.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Red, red earth,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>ancient ranges - haze blue</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>lacing the horizon.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Gentle terrain,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>meandering track</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>off the straight roads.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Charred, small trees,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>stretching their bare branches</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>towards the soft,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>blue sky.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sunset</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>at Eagles Pool.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This is a great place. I slept well. I am sure it was that Port. Caroline is such a great tent buddy. We get on so well. Waking up at the feet of two very, very big (in circumference) River gum trees is magical. Drinking water straight from a creek is something I have not done in decades. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Walking to Eagle Falls was enjoyable. Arriving at the falls left me gasping. That waterfall I will never forget. The memory of sitting directly under the pressure of the waterfall naked for such a long, long time, has found its way into the marrow of my bones forever and ever. It is almost impossible to describe the experience here. Sometimes words cannot capture the feelings and impressions experienced, so it is better to leave it shrouded in that magic and mystery, that, which cannot be named.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This morning we have packed up to walk to Hidden Tree Pool. The cool morning air is delicious. Not many people can say that they sat down for breakfast in Spinifex country. Sitting on red, red earth and eating my last piece of fruit brings a sense of deep gratitude for just simply being alive.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>As the sun climbed higher as the day progressed I really felt the effects of the heat. I reminded myself to stay connected to the experience of discomfort, to feel and honour the potency of this land. As I put one foot in front of the other I felt a lightness of being. The birds were singing in a nearby stand of low trees. I wonder when a human came through here the last time - maybe years ago? In this magical land, which Anthony called "Magical Meadows", I found a large light brown egg, probably belonging to bush turkeys. I loved the dainty flowers growing amidst seemingly endless rock beds. Spinifex as far as the eye can see. Lizards, ants and termites bless this land and sister-fly was our constant travel companion. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This country is strong, like strong medicine. This morning I dedicated my walk to the beings who cam e before us, who used to walk this land into being for tens of thousands of years.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Today had an almost serious ending for me. I don’t know how I manage to trip and fall, scaping my shin along a sharp rock edge. I am glad to have escaped breaking any bones. I felt grateful to Anthony for carrying my backpack for the last part of the walk. Still a little in shock, hurting all over and tired I clambered over the last rock outcrop, when a magical valley/gorge of waterholes, little waterfall and dragonflies opened itself up to my senses. I felt welcomed to this paradise. When opening my eyes on this first morning, the sun was rising, soaking the rocks in pure gold. Trees are growing between the cracks in the rocks, giving the scenery a bonsai appearance. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Yesterday definitely was hard. I felt tested to my bones, literally. I am feeling bruised all over. The land is harsh and merciless, and if one does not know how to navigate oneself through this varied terrain, one simply dies, probably from heat exhaustion and lack of water, or falling off rocks.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>And yet, here I sit on this glorious morning at the edge of so much water, it is hard to belief that just over the crest is dry parched earth. I have never seen so many dragonflies in my life. There are red ones, and fluorescent green ones, and my most favourite are those with blue body and red tail. They look like beings, which flew off the pages of a fairy tale book.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Dainty tufts of grasses are growing in between the cracks of these iron rich, hard red rocks. Strong River Gum trees tower as guardians alongside huge rock formations. This land appears extremely hard and yet there is frailty and softness in every flower, dewdrop, birdsong and murmuring of running water.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>A tiny froglet, camouflaged in red/grey colours, is sitting next to my right foot. He looks so fragile. He is cleaning himself and scratching his face with his little fingers. He turned around towards a grass bush, exposing dark brown/black stripes along his torso. He is a perfectly formed frog. White tailed ants are scurrying past him. His attempts to snatch one, which narrowly escapes his flicking tongue. This species is a climber. He is hanging off the rock vertically now, literally hanging up side down. With lightning speed he jumped forward and yummy, there is an insect in his tummy. And another one, and yes another one, his stomach muscles moving busily. Sitting so still I can see so many insects moving about. This is a living dinner table for this little being. Hop, hop and he disappeared out of sight, somewhere in between those rocks. Happy hunting frog! </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-before:always> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Dragonfly Dance</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Pheromones drifting on air currents.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Free for all.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>single fluorescent green males</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>darting about</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>looking for dancing blue/red females.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Amorous lovers passionately</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>plugged into and onto each other.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>In their glittering wedding dresses</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>they glide, flit, circle, speed up</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and stand still midair,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>always moving as one</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>in this sea of orgies.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Darting</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>touching the shimmering water surface.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Flitting away again,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>hovering in one spot in the air.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Loosing each other,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>moments of chasing,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>then re-uniting.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Two pairs</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>dancing around each other</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>in delicate</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>acrobatic movements</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>midair.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Dozens of exquisitely beautiful</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>dragonflies</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>moving to the rhythm of an ancient</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Dragonfly dance.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Grey sky,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>light morning dew,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>day birds rising to sing,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>waterfall still tumbling over rocks.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Reddish/dark browns,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>blue greens.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Offerings of iron red bands of</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-inside:avoid;page-break-after:avoid> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>thin clouds</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-inside:avoid;page-break-after:avoid> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>drifting from the east,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-inside:avoid;page-break-after:avoid> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>slowly turning pink,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-inside:avoid;page-break-after:avoid> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>then becoming yellow tufted.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-inside:avoid;page-break-after:avoid> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Finally crowning</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-inside:avoid;page-break-after:avoid> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>into a golden halo.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-inside:avoid;page-break-after:avoid> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Ah, there she comes</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-inside:avoid;page-break-after:avoid> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>over the horizon</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-inside:avoid;page-break-after:avoid> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>once more pouring out her golden glory</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;page-break-inside:avoid;page-break-after:avoid> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>for all to see.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Next morning,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>blue sky loosely clad</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>in feathery clouds of white.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Every being that was asleep during the night</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>now awakening from a grey/brown slumber.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Moments of golden glow</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>spreading over the valley.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>All night beings are now asleep.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sitting on this billion- year-old rock I ponder over Bill Neitjie's words. Tears are flowing down my face and I don’t know why. "Story about Feeling" opens me up to the fullness of my feeling for country. I love the story about "Tree". I do understand that the way to connect with the world is through feeling. All through his writing shines forth an important message, namely that all life is one. We come from the earth and we return to earth. We are all family. If the tree gets hurt we feel that hurt in our own bodies. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>It was good not to go to Three Pools. I am feeling my sore muscles. It is warm this morning. The rocks are glowing with such power. I am enjoying painting, thanks to Anthony's soft, gentle, loving and attentive presence beside me. It feels as if I am picking up the threads dropped 42 years ago, but with the sprinkle of 4 billion years of re-member-ings.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I felt so at home here at Hidden Tree Pool, that it was not easy to leave. The lure of another Pool lifted me across the red plains, stinging with the heat of the midday sun. I enjoy feeling my feet touching the dusty red earth. Earth meeting me. This is a sacred pilgrimage, not to be taken lightly, but to be walked joyously, letting the spirit of the land and my own spirit commune. After meeting numerous earth others along the way we finally arrived at Stuart Pool. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Hidden Tree Pool was magical beyond words. The smooth round boulders offered themselves to us for resting. Here at Stuart Pool it is different. I feel I have had to plead and grovel with the land to find a resting- place. Right now this land does not sing to me at all, and yet, it is so beautiful in its own way. The pool is so soothing and a reprieve from the scorching heat of the early afternoon sun.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Walking from Hidden Tree Pool to Stuart Pool was a little hard at first, but became somewhat easier as we progressed. The power of that particular country overwhelmed me with emotions. Pilbarra country is strong, like medicine. I remember Peter saying, "The land will swollow you up and spit you out". You don’t mess with this country. You have to listen to the land, or you can get lost or even loose your life.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Peter is a fine navigator, and I felt save following his lead. I learned a little about the compass, but not enough to find my own way. I need more lessons on map reading, as well as that other thing, which Peter carried, telling him how far to walk before he changes direction. Thank you Peter for generously sharing your knowledge of country.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This land demands of me to be honest, mindful, observant, humble, respectful and curious. This land is harsh land, yet generous and soft. Much is hidden to the unobservant senses. If willing, the land will teach you to sharpen your senses. One can even awaken to the forgotten senses, which have slumbered for many generations. This land helps me to appreciate the preciousness of water.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I find this place hard, rocky. There is no where to sit. I wanted to be back on my round boulders, back there with the dragonflies. I could not find a place to rest that afternoon. After a nights sleep the morning always offers new beginnings. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Grey sky,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>giving way to the rising sun.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Trees covered in yellow glow.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Bullrush seeds dancing</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>on air currents.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Insects forming ripples on water surface.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Mottled River Gums,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>guardians of this valley.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Waterfalls,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>gentle background music.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Bird songs,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>now joined by Patsy's</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>"Good morning to you…"</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Yes, good morning it is.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>At the beginning of this journey I yearned for a ritual in which I wanted to be introduced to the more-than-human world. There was no need for me to do a ritual, for the ritual has been doing me all along. The land like a mother has carried me from place to place introducing me to the rising and setting sun, to the moon and the stars, the mountains and the rocks, and the many beings along the way. I am "walking this world into being", and this land is singing me into being, and welcoming me into the world.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Pilbarra country is one great painting. Each rock is a piece of art in itself. All these rocks scattered over the red earth looks like a huge painting, a kind of rock art. Yippee! I am having a great idea. I am going to make art with the help of these rock beings, and through that, I hope to give their beauty and magical powers another form of expression. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Truly, this valley has its own haunting beauty. All morning I walked up and down the riverbed, inviting rocks to be co-creators of rock art. Only rocks which where lying loose on top of other rocks, and which wanted to be a part of this creation I gathered and brought back to the place. The placing of the rocks had to be done mindfully and slowly, as not to disturb the surroundings. This meditation had a Zen flow to it. Bringing the rocks together, then placing them under their guidance in patterns. And one day, when the rains come, all will be dismantled by the torrents of floods, making new art somewhere further along the creek bed. This was such fun and very meditative, creative and deeply interactive with the rocks.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sitting on a rock, weathered to perfection to fit the contours of my back. I feel quiet and content after a full day of reading, journal writing, bird watching and rock gathering. I so enjoyed watching tiny birds, flitting from branch to branch, seemingly chasing each other and being very noisy. Swaying grasses in the wind and the sound of the waterfall are having a very calming effect on me. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Patsy, Peter and Elly are walking to Motorbike Pool. Anthony has gone solo up to the plateau and the rest of us are sitting in the shade against a huge outcrop of rocks, painting and journal writing to our hearts content. I have never seen so many eager students before. It's because Patsy, Anthony, Peter and nature are such great teachers. This place certainly draws something out of me. Spider Dreaming Pool has grown on me and again it is hard to part. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I agree with Graeme, that Stuart Pool is not the right name. We should rename it as " Spider Dreaming Pool". Every cranny and nook is home to colourful spiders, each one sitting in the middle of her web. As I float in this divinely earthy, watery juice of life, I honour these beautiful spiders, dream weavers of power and passion. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The face painting for the corroboree was such fun. I loved the spontaneity and the wildness of it all, with Jason setting the tone for the evening, left me exhausted with laughter. Who needs alcohol to have fun. I have come to love these wonderful fellow travellers in this unit. Everyone is so unique and so special in every way, wether it is the way we painted each other, or the way we danced, or the way we argue a point during a tutorial, or the way we smile or laugh. It was such a fun night. Thank you all. Finishing with a swim was for me the perfect ending to a full and rich day.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Friday: Today is the last walking day back to Eagle Pool, completing the circle. I dedicated my walk to the Aboriginal peoples all over Australia. May reconciliation and land rights gain a number 1 position on the national agenda. I am feeling low in energy today, so it was no surprise that I struggled to climb the very steep hill. I wanted to reach the top all by myself with my backpack on my back, but lacked the energy to carry it through. Anthony eroded my stubbornness with his gentle wizard nature. I was reminded once more that letting go and allowing others to help me is not a sign of weakness, rather a sign that strength lies in vulnerability and humbleness. Walking country is teaching me so much about so much. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Today, more than any other day I am savouring every second with intensity, as if it is the last day of my life. Once I reached the top, I gasped for air with amazement of the stunning beauty of the vistas below. It was all worth the effort. On the plateau before us spread out a landscape, which looked like an herb garden. Many plants and shrubs smelled strong and resembled herbs such as sage, lavender, marjoram and santolina. Even the seeds smelled very strong.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The last four kilometres were hard on my feet, and the landscape soft on my heart. It was wonderful sharing this last part walking with Seth. As I am writing these words, I am sitting on a thick root of a river gum, my feet are dangling in this cool soothing wetness back at Eagles Pool. I HAVE MADE IT! Not only did I survive, but also I thrived and grew. This was no trip, this was a pilgrimage for me, a pilgrimage to finding a deeper connection to land and earth others, as well as a pilgrimage in finding my strength and wellbeing.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Last week I sat here reading "May's Lion". Just when I finished this thought provoking, amazing story, I looked down and saw a small, flat honey-brown stone lying at my feet. This stone travelled with me to all the places. Now it is time to let go and return this rock being to this riverbed, where the cycle began. It is a difficult thing to do, but the land demands honesty and integrity. In my minds eye I can see a snake made from sand and the rock forming the head. The creation of this snake is a reminder of this precious time and place and the power of this pilgrimage.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Saturday: We are back on sealed road for the first time, travelling to Newman for the Wing-ding shopping. It is so different to be travelling by car/bus to see the land. That is the way most people see Australia. To walk through country, now that is much more intimate. The following poem speaks to me loudly. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>ESCAPE</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>When we get out of the glass of our ego,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and when we escape</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>like squirrels turning in the cage of our personality</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and get into the forest again</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>we shall shiver</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>with cold and fright.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>But things will happen to us</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>so that we don't know ourselves.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Cool underlying life will rush in,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and passion will make our</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>bodies taut with power.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>We shall stamp our feet with new powers</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and old things will fall down.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>We shall laugh and</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>institutions will curl up</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>like burnt paper. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">D. H. Lawrence (p.270)</FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Saturday: We travelled all day, followed by a big Wing-ding. What a great party that was - preparing good food, eating it, merriment, drinking wine and beer, and sharing stories.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sunday: I feel uneasy about going back to the place I call home. I loathe the concrete footpaths, the heavy, noisy traffic, and the obsessive consumerism and city stress. And yet…there is more than that. My beloved John, Huckleberry, Whiskel, the pardalottes, willi-wag-tails, frogs, magpies, dragonflies, ants, and… and…a whole community of earth others, are eagerly awaiting my return. Now that is worth going home for.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>We are passing through Wubin, yellow earth. The land is tamed here, cultivated with crops, which are inappropriate for this land. Chopping down the trees makes the earth cry more tears, which brings more salt to the surface, creating more and more barren land. The land is in pain, but we don't listen. All we see is money and profits. What for? The flocks of birds are dwindling. But we are blind to such losses. The cities are like black holes, sucking in all the resources. Earth others loose their homes, our children's future is in question and still we send our men to the mines in the "Wild West", the "Great Frontier" to bring home more metal for more goods of which we have more than enough. Remembering travelling past the iron ore mines I recall Rilke's poem:</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The kings of the world are old and feeble.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Who are their heirs?</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Their sons are dying before they are men,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and their pale daughters</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>abandon themselves to the brokers of violence.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Their crowns are exchanged for money</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and melted down into machines,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and there is no health in it.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Does the ore feel trapped</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>in coins and gears? In the petty life</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>imposed upon it</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>does it feel homesick for earth?</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>If metal could escape</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>from coffers and factories,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and the torn-open mountains</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>close around it again,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>we would be whole.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive">Rainer Maria Rilke (p.180)</FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Moore River Country,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Nyungar Country,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Bindi Bindi,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>turn off to New Norcia.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Endless ploughed fields</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>burnt fields,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>earth crying.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>lonely, spars trees,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>cairns of orphaned rocks.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Shadows growing longer,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>windmills</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>farm houses</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>power lines</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Warbing</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Yagina River</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>lichen covered rocks</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>grazing cattle</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>dead trees</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>eroded soil.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>First Balga in sight,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>rolling hills,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>black fields,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>like burn toast.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>New Norcia 10 km away.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Salmon Gum trees,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>crossing Beelar Brook</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>New Norcia</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>greyish clouds</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>lingering in the sky.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Longbridge Gully</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Grazing sheep</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>dotting the landscape.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Vineyards,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>steep hills,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>familiar earth others of</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>banksia, dryandra,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>balga and sheoak.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Rocky creek bed,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>patches of bushland.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Descending into the</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>coastal plain, home to</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Bassendean sands.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Advertising billboards,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>suburbia,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Real Estate Agents,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>land for sale,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>development,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>fences,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>entering Swan Valley.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Traffic lights,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>motorised wheel chairs</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>clogging up the highways,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>spreading foul farts.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Into this darkness,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>the dark hole of consumption,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>speed and stress,</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>the sun still sends her rays</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and welcomes us with a rainbow.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Week 8</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Monday: Coming home felt somewhat strange, and walking up the driveway felt like having been away from home for months. Sleeping in a square room felt even stranger. The strangest was falling asleep while looking at our white ceiling instead of the star filled night sky. My bed was great though. I slept tight. During the night I had to empty my full bladder. In my sleep I walked around to John's side of the bed, squatted and did the biggest pee ever. This morning I remembered vaguely the event, so I had a look, and to my horror (or gladness) I saw the puddle still there, half seeped into the wood and slowly dispersing between the cracks of the floorboards. That's what I call becoming uncivilised. Evidently I am still in the bush. Honestly this has never happened to me before, and I hope this will not happen again, otherwise I might have to move our bed into the backyard for good. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I plugged into John's brain to find out about the Nyiyapali people of the Pilbarra. He informs me that these people speak the Nyiyapali language, part of the Pama-Nyungan language family, the largest in Australia. With the end of Aboriginal slavery (“employment”) in the pastoral industry in 1967, they were forced off the stations to places like Jiggalong, Newman and Nullagine. Nyiabali people have alternate generation levels, with patrilineal local descent, meaning that you inherit your locality from your father. The Nyiabali people’s kinship system is also divided vertically into name sections. This particular kinship system forms part of the Western Desert type, which is the largest in Australia. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>When they were settled at Jiggalong and Nullagine, Wanman speaking Bailgu people and Mantjiltjarra speaking Martu people were also moved into these settlements. This institutionalised degrees of conflict between families and kin groups is far worse than forcing refugees from Germany, France and Italy to live in the same area. Moving these groups into a town has severed much of the connection between the land and its people, producing a sense of loss, despair, alienation and displacement, almost impossible for us westerners to comprehend.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>No wonder that they queue in front of bottle shops for drink, in order to numb their pain. When forced into these settlements tribal law broke down, the young were forced into whitefella schools, leading to disrespect of elders, disrupting the pattern of cultural transfer to the young. When the mining town of Newman was build, no thought was given to the traditional owners of that country, forcing them to become fringe-dwellers in their own</FONT><FONT SIZE=3> </FONT><FONT SIZE=4>land. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This is such a messy situation. I don’t know how healing can occur here. Also, I honestly don’t know why I did not learn a little beyond the video about the people prior to departure. I regret not having done so. Such knowledge beforehand would have enriched walking that country. This would make a great project for next time. I am glad that at least I greeted the Aboriginal people, who were sitting in front of the shopping centre, as I walked past on our morning shopping in Newman. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I also learned by studying the map that Cue and Meekatherra are within the boundary of Yamatji Country, and as we travelled towards Wubin, Nyungar Country begins. Western Desert Country landscape is distinctly different to, Yamatji Country, as is Nyungar Country. For instance, Salmon Gum, Gimlet, Wandoo, Jarrah, Banksia and Tuart are all trees of Nyungar Country and are not found in Yamatji Country, except for some Salmon Gums maybe. Each bioregion is unique and specific to each country. I am quite excited about this new study about Indigenous Australia, which I want to pursue more in depth. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Tueday: The evenings are cooler now and no frogs in sight. They may have gone into hibernation for the winter. I am still fondly remembering the tiny froglets at H.T.P. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Thursday: Since returning I am so aware of the many birds in the morning, especially the Magpies. They have been calling from the Norfolk Pine trees next door every morning lasting several hours. I have been feeling so exhausted that its been impossible to go for walks in my neighbourhood to visit earth others, instead I am enjoying their beautiful calls from my bed, while dreaming of red earth and spinifex.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sunday: All week I could hear the birds calling early in the morning, the traffic noise almost drowning out their beautiful melodies. This morning it is quiet on the road and I am observing the birds here at the little remnant bushland again. Next door to this bushland is a fenced in property administered by a government department called "Archives". In their yard, just over the fence is this morning's major activity. Red wattlebirds are sitting in the silver prince's tree, silver eyes are darting about and New Holland honeyeaters are dangling from the beautifully pink flowers with yellow centres, eagerly feeding from the nectar and pollen. This one is doing that by forcing his whole face into the opening of the flower. I assume that this way she brushes against the anthers and with her face covered in pollen dust, carries this to the next flower, playing a vital part in the pollination process. They are such tiny birds, so very beautiful in their black and white dresses, with a splash of yellow on their wings and tail. I want to attempt to paint this little bundle of energy if that is possible. Also very present this morning, are the tiniest of pardalotes, going about their business with speed and vigour. Hundreds of small, yellow pom-pom flowers cover the entire wattle bush, which grows snug next to a pin cushion shrub, displaying its full glory of pink pin cushions. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I have bought myself a wonderful book, "Leaf on Branch: Trees and Tall Shrubs of Perth", by Robert Powell. I want to learn about the fauna and flora of Perth. Looking through it I have identified the candle banksia (biara), and firewood banksia, much loved by many birds I can see from where I am sitting. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Then there are several Christmas Trees, (mooja). I do know that they flower around Christmas time and that this tree is a semi-parasite, but I did not know that mooja is one of the richest sources of pollen and nectar for insects such as wasps, ants, bees and nectariferous beetles. The flowers also attract many birds, such as bee-eater, silvereye, New Holland honey eater, little wattlebird, red wattlebird, yellow-rumped thornbill, black-faced cuckoo-shrike, western spinebill and brown honeyeater. Wow this is so inspiring. I want to study this book and introduce many of the trees named in this book into my neighbourhood.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I have to do something positive, otherwise I go nuts living in this suburb. The street from here leading back home is littered with broken bottles, plastic and paper. Such a contrast to walking in the Pilbarra. I think I am in shock, maybe similar to culture shock. It is not easy to maintain a sense of wellbeing in an insane society, in which most peoples senses are dulled. I am going to stay awake and alert to the newly awakened and sharpened senses from walking country. I never want to loose that. The price is that I am also more than ever awake to the grey colours of the city as well. I am going to pick up rubbish and plant local trees, so that the birds can sing us awake from this deep stupor of senseless existence. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Week 9</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sunday: During the past two days the rain has cleaned the air, giving it a crisp smell and everything green has taken on a most vibrant green. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>The frogs have gone into hibernation during our time in the Pilbarra. I feel unsettled and don’t quite know why, except that it has something to do with having been away and coming back. The place is not the same, I am not the same. Something has changed in me. I need to time to integrate this something and yet since returning I have felt pressured to fulfil obligations and commitments, which are getting in the way of completing this part of the process.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I want to be able to do nothing. Absolutely nothing at all for a while, just simply be. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>It feel like a vital process interrupted, like that of going back to work one week after you gave birth to your baby, or going back to work the day after your wedding. My life circumstances force me into the hectic doing mode of appointments, lectures, shopping for toilet paper and milk, paying bills, worrying wether there is enough money to pay them etc etc. After such a deeply spiritual pilgrimage the landing back into suburbia has been too sudden and too hard. I am also physically exhausted. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>This has been a pilgrimage in the truest sense of the word. I have been tested and stretched to the limit. I feel stripped bare to my bones. I need time and space to reassemble. Into what I don’t know, though it feel strong and good. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Week 10 </B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Wednesday: I very much appreciated Lauren's suggestion for each one of us to write a poem about a world worth caring for. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>A World worth Caring for</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Full moons</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Starlit nights</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Walking barefoot on soft moist earth</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Frogs leaping across the pond</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Birds feeding their young</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>People planting trees</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sweet scent of orange blossoms</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Wild storms</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Raindrops hammering onto a tin roof</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Spider webs stretching across the entire kitchen window</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Making compost</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Growing my own food</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sunflowers covered in ladybirds</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>My beloved rubbing my tired feet</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Just sitting around doing nothing</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>and simply being.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sunday: It is raining tonight and I am listen out for the first calls from the Banjo frogs, which will wake up from their long summer hibernation after the first heavy rains. Maybe it has not rained enough yet. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I am thinking of little Buddha, and wonder where he hibernated for the winter. I am grateful for the teachings he offered me. His quiet presence is inviting me to spend more time in stillness. The hectic last weeks have been the very opposite. Unless I make a commitment of finding time to be still, it will not happen by itself, this I know.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Week 11</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Wednesday: This bushland is still covered in local Woolly bush and there are at least ten large banksias with many more small, younger trees knee high. The total biomass of both local and non-local native vegetation supports a fairly large population of diverse bird life as well as insect life.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Coming here is educating me. I am learning that not only certain places are sacred sights, rather that even the tiniest square millimetre is sacred ground. The places that are most neglected are the ones that need most loving and caring. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I had a dream last night, in which I found a bundle placed outside my front door of my house. On closer inspection I found that it was a baby. As I picked up the little being I saw a woman watching me, who then walked away, leaving me with the baby. I took the baby inside, which was wrapped in a blanket. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Again I opened the front door and again another baby was left lying next to my door. Again the woman watched me and once I picked the baby up into my arms, she turned and walked away. I can feel it is a powerful dream of great significance for me in relation to my journey inner and outer during the past few months.</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Friday: The sky is grey. Rain is on its way. The air is cool, and thick with the smell of car exhaust. I have never liked this corner of degraded bushland until now. Even now it's hard to love this place. It's not big enough to escape the pollution and traffic noise. And yet through coming here to observe earth others, especially the birds I am noticing a change of heart, of mind. Places such as this one need to be sung up. Thank you Freya. Singing up places and spaces is a sacred ritual, which helps us bond with, and celebrate them, and in so doing we become whole again. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I am walking this place into being</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Following narrow footpaths</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Picking up broken glass and plastic</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Joining all these beings in</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Singing up this place</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Holy ground</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Sacred Earth</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I am walking this place into being</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Week 12</B></FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Wednesday: This is my last entry. All things come to an end eventually, so will this unit next week. We came together from all walks of life, from different places. We have shared of ourselves, we have learned from each other and we have walked together and have grown into a little community. May our love we have grown for each other and the world spread its wings and bring more joy to every being alive. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>I would like to close by acknowledging and thanking all the beings, which are the myriads of earth others, my human friends and the land, who all taught me so much about living closer to the earth. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Blessings to earth, fire, water and air</FONT></FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Blessings to sky,moon, sun and the stars</FONT></FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Blessings to all those who came before us</FONT></FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Blessings to all the beings alive this moment</FONT></FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Blessings to those not yet born, who are still to come</FONT></FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Blessings to the cycle of birth and death</FONT></FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT FACE="Lucida Handwriting, cursive"><FONT SIZE=4>Blessings for the gift of every breath</FONT></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=JUSTIFY CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <DIV TYPE=FOOTER> <P ALIGN=CENTER LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0.46in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <B><I>Page </I></B><B><I>1</I></B> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> </DIV>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-83131351414492070962007-08-29T18:58:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:39:34.351-07:00<P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=6 STYLE=FONT-SIZE:22pt><B>THERE IS A STORY </B></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=6 STYLE=FONT-SIZE:22pt><B>IN THAT MULBERRY TREE</B></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=3><B>AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF RECIPROCITY</B></FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Vivienne Elanta</FONT> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P ALIGN=CENTER CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Although I grew up in Africa, I never saw a live elephant, antelope, zebra, lion or giraffe. Appreciation for the natural world was never fostered in our family. I did not grow up with any “pets” when I was very young, though I do remember a monkey, which my parents kept attached to a chain on our verandah. He used to screech and frantically pull on his chain. During my teenage years a stray female dog found refuge with us. She gave birth to several litters, and in no time at all we had thirteen dogs. My parents grew up in Germany during the Nazi regime, which did not teach people to respect life. We children were abused, and so were the dogs. A week before our family migrated to Australia, our dogs were disposed of in the dog pound. I used to have nightmares about how much they were neglected and how quickly they were jettisoned. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Only many years later, when I was pregnant with my daughter Lana, did I begin the healing journey of connecting through my own body to the natural world around me. When Lana was six years old we brought home several little bantam hens and a rooster, which was the beginning of offering refuge to many homeless beings, such as our two wonderful cats. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Although I have enjoyed several, special relationships with earth others, I am going to focus on one in particular. As I write these words, a light breeze is gently rustling through the Mulberry tree, caressing its shiny, light green leaves. There is a story in that tree. It is a story of an extraordinary little Jack Russell dog, an extraordinary bundle of energy, inside a shorthaired, white coat with brown spots. He has absolutely changed the way I relate to earth others. This is how it happened.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>One day our daughter Lana, then 12 years old brought him home. She found him sitting on a busy main road, shaking with fear. Living in a rental home, we were not allowed to keep a dog. So I said to her: “No dogs!” Turning up her bottom lip, she said: “ Oh mum? This poor dog has no home.” I firmly stood my ground and insisted that he must have a home somewhere out there, and maybe people were looking for him. After Lana phoned the local dog pound and the vet, she embarked on asking people in the local neighbourhood for any clues, while the dog was sitting very quietly on the back-step. As I observed him through the kitchen window, I began to develop an uneasy feeling. These two have made a reciprocal pact. They had a plan. I could smell it.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>As expected Lana had no success, so we decided to give him a wash as he was covered in fleas. We had no choice but to keep him for the night. As I was preparing the evening meal I noticed the little four-legged standing next to me and just looking up. As soon as our eyes met, he wagged his stump, a reminder of a gruesome practice of tail lopping usually performed on this breed. At first the wagging was cautious, a little hesitant, almost questioning. His searching eyes were checking me out, reading my body, maybe even my thoughts and feelings. The more his eyes hung onto mine, the more his little body tensed up, waiting for a response. He looked just so cute. I reached down and patted him on the head, which flipped his tail into a wild and excited spin. I continued cooking and almost forgot about him, until I went into the lounge room to let John know that dinner was ready, when I found to my surprise he was lying on John’s lap and busily working away at winning him over too.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>We did find out where he lived, except that the people had moved away, and left him behind. So we named him Spotty and welcomed him into our family. Our two cats had opposite feelings about this new addition to the home. Whiskle rubbed her body against him and purred, and he in turn greeted her by eagerly licking her face. Huckleberry on the other hand utterly disliked him right from the start, which she demonstrated by striking out and scratching his nose and hissing at him. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Lana and Spot were good mates. He used to sleep not on her bed, but in her bed, right between the sheets. One morning I saw them both still asleep, Spotty’s whole body under the blanket, only his little tail sticking out, which was pressed against Lana’s cheek. Four times a year we would have a visit from the real estate agent, who would conduct a house inspection. So half an hour before the agent arrived, we would send Lana for a long, long walk with Spotty. We managed to keep this little secret for more than a year until we moved into our own place. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Spotty lived boldly and fearlessly. One day while in the front garden a large beam fell onto his head, knocking him unconscious. He looked dead. I took him to the veterinary clinic immediately where he stayed in intensive care over night. The vet was not sure wether Spotty would survive the night. I phoned every friend who practiced Reiki, asking them to send Spotty lots of healing. The next morning I picked him up, the vet commenting that it was a miracle that is was alive.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Then when Lana moved from home and could not take Spot with her, I took on the job of caring for him. Spot loved taking me to the park. He demanded these daily rituals every morning and evening, always on his terms. He determined the pace, which was usually hurried and only interrupted with the lifting of a leg against every tree along the way. Arriving at the park was for both of us a special time. Spot was overexcited to see his doggy friends, and I always enjoyed watching Spotty enjoy his world. While the dogs were socialising, running and tumbling and sniffing each other, the humans also walked and talked. Every human knew the name of every regular visiting dog, but rarely knew each other’s names. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Spotty loved fetching balls and if we forgot to take the ball with us, he would find a stick for me to throw. I became very interested in the way he would follow a trail of scent with such intensity and attention. His nose would search over the ground at varying speed. It looked to me like he was deeply engrossed in reading the daily news. It was evident to me that he was processing vast amounts of information. I wished that I could read his mind. What did he do with all this data? Remembering the smells of another dog from today and meeting this dog the next day, would he say, “ Pleased to meet you! Its great to put a face to your smell”. If only I knew? I knew though that he had a rich life and I felt privileged to be a part of his busy daily routine. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Spotty taught us from the start that he could not be owned. Derek Jensen, author of “A Language Older Than Words” points out, that the belief about “ownership” gets in the way of authentic communication between humans and earth others as inter-subjective equals. Whenever I neglected to take Spot for a walk, he would bite holes into our bedding, and when scolded he would growl, showing his teeth. I quickly learned from him that he was a being in his own right and deserved respect. As long as he was not neglected, our bedding was safe.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Whenever the phone rang he would watch me and if I did not attend to the phone immediately he would howl until the ringing either stopped or until I answered it. A major dislike was being bathed. Those were the times our wills clashed, ending in a battle I always won. Afterwards he would run around the house in a frisky mood, rolling around on the floor and begging to play balls with me. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Then things changed when I became ill. I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, which left me chronically fatigued and in constant pain. As I became weaker, and spent more and more time in bed, our walks to the park became more infrequent. I would sleep away the days, with Spotty by my side, his little head resting on his paws and occasionally letting out a big sigh. His persistence was so inspiring, because he fully enrolled John in taking him on his rounds to mark his territory.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>One day, while dragging myself out of bed to prepare myself some breakfast, Spotty insisted that I take him to the park. He pulled his lead from the top of the telephone table and dropped it in front of me, wagged his tail and sat down, and looked at me with his round black eyes, while slightly tilting his head. If I did not respond, he would pick it up again and drop it repeatedly in front of my feet until I took notice. How could I resist such an invitation, after all I too missed our walks. So we walked to the park, but now at my pace. I am grateful to Spot for insisting on these walks, for he helped me to hang in and fight for my own survival. As my depressions lifted and my health recovered over the months to come, our regular walks became longer. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>One afternoon we arrived at the park as usual, when suddenly a male Rotweiler charged towards Spotty and stood over him. Jack Russells are known for their courage and tend not to back down to any threats. Spotty warned the dog to back off. Instead the dog attacked him and dug his teeth into Spot. I ran towards the savage Rotweiler, grabbed him by the chain around his neck and pulled him off our dog. As soon as I achieved this mammoth task, the dog charged forward again, dragging me along, and once again dug his teeth into Spot and proceeded to shake him, in what looked like a killing frenzy. In that moment I knew that Spotty’s life could be over in a flash, so with all my strength I pulled the dog off Spot once again. Again he lost his hold on Spot. I dashed forward and in a flash grabbed my little friend and lifted him into my arms. He was in severe shock and so were several human onlookers, who never came to my aid. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>I rushed him to the vet, where he underwent a major operation and spent several days in intensive care. He survived massive injuries to his neck and right shoulder, which had almost killed him. When I brought him home, I placed him in his bed, which always stood in the main living area of the house during the day and at night he would sleep next to my bed. During the weeks to follow I had to clean several drainage tubes, which were sticking out from his wounds. Whenever he stirred or groaned at night I would reach down and stroke his head until he settled down again. Spotty slowly recovered, but never regained his former strength. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>On the way home from our rounds in the park he now had difficulties walking up the steep hill, so I would carrying him home in my arms. Some months later we rushed him once again to the vet, because his body was swelling up. He was diagnosed with a heart tumour, an aggressive cancer, which only gave him days or at most a couple of weeks to live. Taking in turned, we nursed him day and night. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Spotty was never allowed to go into the library because it was a carpeted space, but during his last days we placed a double bed mattress on the floor. Spot was over the moon to be allowed into this forbidden place. He would lie in the middle of the mattress like a lion king. We could see that he was uncomfortable with his very swollen abdomen and his swollen heart, so every second day we took him to the vet to have some fluids removed so that he had a little respite. Eventually that was no longer an option any more, because while removing fluids a lot of protein was lost also. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>We knew that time was running out. The last three days we slept on the mattress with him. He seemed content lying between John and myself. We stroked his very bloated body and sat with him most of the time, which he loved, returning his love for us by licking our hands. I felt a deepening bond with this brave little being.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Then the dreaded day came when we called the vet to our house to give Spotty a lethal injection to bring an end to his suffering. I will never forget that moment in my whole life. Julian the vet, John and myself sat in a triangle on the floor, with Spotty in the centre. I appreciated Julian’s patience and his deep love for dogs. We shared stories about Spotty. The story I told, which Julian liked the most was an incident, which occurred on one of our regular walks in the park. We heard a woman yell at her dog. She was trying to stop him from lifting his leg on something on the grass. Spotty, not wanting to miss out ran across to the scene and promptly lifted his leg on whatever it was. When I finally caught up, I was horrified, because Spotty had emptied his entire bladder content onto a lonely mobile phone lying on the ground next to other belongings. I felt so embarrassed and did not know what to do. With so many people gathered for a sports carnival it was impossible to locate the owner, so I decided to keep walking, telling myself that I did not see what had occurred. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Our laughter soon gave way to the reality that the moment we dreaded was here. I said to Julian that I was not sure if this was really the moment and maybe we should wait another day or two. Julian assured us that it is never the right moment. If we would go ahead now we will feel bad that we deprived him of more hours and maybe days of life, and if we would wait, Spot would die a most terrible death, through a massive, very painful heart attack. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Spotty sat in front of Julian waiting for him to throw a gumnut, so he could retrieve it. Julian threw it and Spotty laboured to fetch it and placed it in front of Julian. Spotty sat still, when the green fluid slowly entering his bloodstream. He could feel something happening to him, because he turned to John and leaned across to him, the plea in his eyes begging for protection. He always went to John for protection, but now there was no help. It was too late. He collapsed and his last breath left him and soon the heart stopped too. I hated that moment. I wanted him back. I wanted to turn the clock back, for I wanted this to end differently. I still don’t know that we had the right to send him to his death in that way, or so soon. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>The suddenness of the shift from such aliveness to this deadness lying on the ground was so immediate and shocking. We all three put our arms around each other and we wept and wept. After Julian left, we sat next to Spot and continued to wail for a long time. Then at sunset John and myself dug a hole in the garden, into which we placed him, wrapped in his favourite blanket. Next to his head we placed his bone and covered him with handfuls of white rose petals. We planted a Mulberry tree right next to him. Saying farewell to our little friend was so very painful.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>That night I did not sleep well, so I went into the living room. Huckleberry and Whiskel were lying curled up on a rug. I sat myself next to them and stroked their silky fur, which made me burst out crying again. I wept and wept, lying curled up on the floor. Both cats came close and rubbed their bodies against me and licked my face. There was no doubt that they were in their own way trying to console me. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>I was so deeply involved in my own grief, so much so, that it did not even occur to me that they might be grieving too. How could we forget to let them see Spotty before we buried him? How could we forget not to include them in the burial ritual? I felt sorry and so ashamed for being so self-centred. I remember seeing them sit at the door motionless for several hours the day after, which had the feeling of a wake. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>What astounded both John and myself is that not long after Spot’s death, Huckleberry displayed a whole range of new habits and behaviours, which were so typical of Spot. She started lying on John’s lap in the evenings, while he was watching Television. The way she would place her head on her front paws or turn them inwards was almost identical to the way Spot used to lie. She was no longer displaced by the dog and seemed more relaxed.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Right from that first evening when he systematically wormed his way into our hearts, I knew that this was a special earth other. I grew to love him so much during the nine years he lived with us. He taught me about unconditional love, innocence, playfulness, loyalty and being in the moment. When most of my human friends were too busy to support me during those long, difficult months of illness, Spotty was always by my side. His love was unconditional. I finally understood the term, “a man’s best friend”. Spotty may have been Lana’s dog, but he was my best four-legged friend. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Today, a year and a day later John and myself are standing in front of the Mulberry tree and remembering our little four-legged friend. The tree has doubled in seize, its roots now intimately entwined with the bones of Spotty. John had a dream the night before in which Spotty came to him and covered him with countless doggy slobbers and kisses. I reached out to the tree and covered its leaves with countless kisses to let him know how much I feel his presence. I know that our love was reciprocal and he will live on in our hearts, and will also live on in this beautiful Mulberry tree.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>In writing this autobiography in reciprocity I have had an important insight. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>My parents never showed me how to love and respect earth others, because they did not know how to, but my daughter Lana, who climbed trees and played with bantam hens and brought home every stray cat and dog she encountered, showed me the way. It was for her and because of her, that I first became an advocate for the wellbeing of all earth others. Through my parents ignorance I lost my connection to my earth community and through the innocence of my child I found it again.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Blessings to Spotty for the gift of unconditional love and immense joy he brought into our lives. And blessings to all dogs, for the world would not be the same without them. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>The works consulted below have enriched and deepened my appreciation in preparing this autobiography in reciprocity.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-LEFT:0.5in;TEXT-INDENT:-0.5in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Sheldrake, Rupert (1999<I>) Dogs that know when their Owners are Coming Home,</I> Arrow Books, London</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-LEFT:0.5in;TEXT-INDENT:-0.5in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Noske, Barbara (1997) <I>Beyond Boundaries:</I> <I>Humans and Animals, </I>Black Rose Books, Canada</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-LEFT:0.5in;TEXT-INDENT:-0.5in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Shepard, Paul (1996) <I>The Others: How Animals Made Us Human,</I> Island Press,Washington, D.C.</FONT> </P> <P CLASS=western LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-LEFT:0.5in;TEXT-INDENT:-0.5in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <FONT SIZE=4>Jensen, Derrick (2000) <I>A Language Older Than Words</I>, Souvenir Press, London</FONT> </P> <DIV TYPE=FOOTER> <P LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-TOP:0.46in;MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> Page 1 </P> <P LANG=en-AU STYLE=MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in> <BR> </P> </DIV>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-52351139535457625352007-08-29T18:42:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:39:34.364-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" ALIGN=CENTER style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=4><B>CONSUMER ADDICTION</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" ALIGN=CENTER style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Essay 1</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Vivienne Elanta</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> The Oxford Dictionary defines addiction as a “condition of taking drugs excessively and being unable to cease doing so without adverse effects.”</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Addiction is a vicious cycle, that of craving and withdrawal. The addict craves the experience to momentarily feel better. Once the effects have worn off, withdrawal symptoms set in. They may be those of pain, despair, self-loathing or even feelings of suicide. In order to avoid such pain another fix is needed, giving the illusion of safety, wellbeing and happiness. The effects of addiction on a long term basis have detrimental consequences on the individual, possibly causing poor health physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically. These effects flow over to the family as well as to the rest of society. In many cases an addict is unable to work, therefore burdening the health and social security systems. In partnership with the addict is the pusher, who supplies the addicts with what they crave, which keeps the cycle firmly in place.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Stanton Peele and Bruce K. Alexander belief that there are four theories of addiction. They are: “genetic theories (inherited mechanisms that cause or predispose people to be addicted), metabolic theories (biological, cellular adaptation to chronic exposure to drugs), conditioning theories (built on the idea of the cumulative reinforcement from drugs or other activities), and adaptation theories (those exploring the social and psychological functions performed by drug effects). “ </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">The conditioning and adaptation theories would be the most suited theories to explain consumer addiction. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">To consume, the Oxford Dictionary defines as: “destroy; use up; eat or drink; spend; waste.” </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">To varying degrees we are all consumers just by virtue of being alive and depending on resources for basic shelter and food. Our western culture has shifted from satisfying such basic needs towards an “addiction to unbridled consumerism”. Allen D. Kanner and Mary E. Gomes poignantly state that “the idea of more, of ever increasing wealth has become the centre of our identity and security and we are caught by it as the addict by his drugs.”(78). </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Since the second world war, people have sought happiness in an increasing array of consumer goods, giving a false sense of security. These feelings only last a short time, therefore in a sense it has the same effect as the drug, in that a new fix is needed. A growing number of people admit that the new car or dress makes them feel better, which is sometimes jokingly referred to as “shopping therapy”.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">The advertising industry here plays the role of the pusher, selling ever more sophisticated gadgets to amuse and titillate the senses. Millions of young Australians sit in front of television almost four hours everyday being bombarded by advertising. Much advertising is targeted at our vulnerable youth, brainwashing them to buy the latest plastic bauble on the toy market. The consumer pusher has successfully hooked the next generation to being consumer addicts, contributing to ever increasing economic growth. Our politicians hail this growth as economic success, spurring the Australian consumer on under the guise of creating jobs and national economic wellbeing. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">This false sense of wellbeing brings with it an unease. In our cultural psyche we know that all is not well. Common sense tells us that increasing levels of consumption also increases the amount of waste and accelerates the rate of depletion of non renewable resources, and yet as members of the consumer society, most Australians behave as if we live on a continent with unlimited infinite resources. Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees for example state “ Current rates of resource harvesting and waste generation deplete nature faster than it can regenerate. Stanford University biologist Peter Vihoutek and his colleagues calculated in 1986 that human activities were by then already ‘appropriating ,’ directly or indirectly, 40 percent of the products of terrestrial photosynthesis.” (pp.1-2) </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">What this means is that there is only 60 percent of the energy of photosynthesis left over for the total life support functions of the remaining twelve million species. More worrying is the fact that human consumption is currently doubling every twenty eight years. Australia’s ecological footprint per person was estimated in 1996 by Wackernagel and Rees to be 3.74 hectares. If the whole world’s population consumed resources at such a rate we would need over two and a half planets.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">“Since the beginning of this century, the ‘available’ <I>per capita</I> ecological space on Earth has decreased from between 5 and 6 hectares to only 1.5 hectares. Meanwhile as levels of consumption have increased, the Ecological Footprints of people in some Industrialised countries have expanded to more than 4 hectares….[illustrating] the fundamental conflict confronting humanity and the real challenge of sustainability today: the Ecological Footprint of average citizens in rich countries exceeds their ‘fair earth share’ by a factor of two or three; thus if everybody on earth enjoyed the same ecological standards as North Americans we would require three Earths to satisfy aggregate material demand”. </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">(Ibid pp.88-89) Alongside such resource depletion, such levels of consumption are causing a massive loss of habitat and enormous growing rates of species extinction. Biologists estimate in 1900 one species a year became extinct. Today it is estimated that the rate of species extinction is over 62 thousand per year, and is doubling every six years.</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Not only is the consumer told that material things will bring happiness, but that consuming is vital for the economy and the growth national product. Australia is one of the largest consumers on this planet</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">Eric Fromm, author of “To Have Or To Be?”, suggests that our society is in “Having” mode, which focuses on the accumulation of material possessions. He says that , “ Today’s consumers may identify themselves by the formula: I am = what I have and what I consume.”</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-30513958772962092032007-08-29T05:02:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:39:34.376-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt"><B>THE MYTH OF CATCHING-UP DEVELOPMENT</B> </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Vivienne Elanta 12021131</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> CRITICAL THINKING ESSAY</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Aidan Davison</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Maria Mies begins by explaining that the goal of the “Catching-up Development Model”, is “for the undeveloped, non-industrial, and poor countries of the world to catch up with and share in the affluent good life of those northern societies”(p416). She strongly believes that such a model is a myth. She says that “Catching-up Development” reinforces oppression and division and creates serious ecological costs, effecting both impoverished and affluent nations. She further points out, that the environment, women and future generations suffer most under such a model of development. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Maria Mies supports her argument by saying that, it is neither possible nor desirable for undeveloped countries to catch up with affluent societies. Firstly, as soon as the ultimate in development has been attained, “the industrial centres themselves have already ‘progressed’ to a yet more ‘modern’ stage of development”(p418). Secondly, she points out, “that the six percent of the world population who live in the USA annually consume 30 percent of all the fossil energy produced”(p418). She says, “then, obviously, it is impossible for the rest of the world’s population, of which about 80 percent live in the poor countries of the South, to consume energy on the same scale”(p418). She suggests that if catching-up was possible, it would take 500 years provided we had access to unlimited resources and “abandoned the model of permanent economic growth,”(p418).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>She further argues that this model perpetuates the current inequalities between a minority elite and an impoverished majority, who are totally dependant on such an exploitative economic system, because they believe that “catching- up” will offer a good life, equal to that of their affluent oppressors. What the “poor” do not take into account is that this “good life” of the “elite” is created by their labour and resources exploited for the benefit of the elite.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Maria Mies says that not only the poor are trapped in the myth of “catching-up” but women in the developed world are entranced also. They work hard to catch up to have equal status with men. She points out that, “For women living in the industrialised countries catching-up development meant and continues to mean the hope that the patriarchal man-woman relationship will be abolished by a policy of equal right for women”(421). The reality is that women are still being marginalised. “Women’s household labour is defined as non-productive or as non-work and hence not renumerated”(418), therefore their domestic reproductive work being omitted from the GNP calculations. The “Catching-up Development” has also competitively pitted poorer women against women in the more affluent societies in the north by paying the poor workers far less then workers in similar jobs in the north. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Maria Mies’s critique gives the reader an excellent analysis of the current unsustainable and unjust model of the “Catching-up Development”. Her arguments are well grounded, because as a thinking woman living in an affluent society I too can see the effects that such a model has on women, the environment and ultimately future generations. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>I cannot see any weaknesses in her argument. The weakness appears to be totally with the Catching-up Development Model.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>In conclusion, Maria Mies presents the reader with a logical argument, showing us that this model of “Catching-up Development” indeed is a myth, for there seems no evidence of achieving the desired goal. It is exploitative and oppressive, except for those benefiting, with white males benefiting disproportionately. Ultimately only an egalitarian society can really offer us a “good life”. This will only be achieved when wealthy individuals or nations abandon affluence; or when the undeveloped nations as well as individuals realise that striving to catch up is like attempting to catch up to or jump over ones own shadow. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>REFERENCE:</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Mies, Maria (1999) ‘The Myth of Catching-up Development’ from Desjardins, J. (Ed), <I>Environmental Ethics</I>, London, U.K.: Mayfield, pp.416-423</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> </P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-40360074075853608222007-08-29T04:58:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:40:24.733-07:00<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>ETHICS IN THE GREEN LIFEBOAT</b></span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" ><b>Vivienne Elanta 12021131</b></span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <b><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">Critical Thinking Essay</span></span></b> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" ><b>S 206 Aidan Davison</b></span></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Peter Huber belongs to a growing anti-environmentalist movement, which he calls “Hard Green”. His main thesis is that the environment needs to be saved from the environmentalists, people he refers to as “Soft Green”. He argues that most environmentalists are eco-fascists and are anti-human. He holds a strong anthropocentric view and suggests that “the destruction of nature is an aesthetic disaster, but not a utilitarian one.”(p161) In his opinion we ultimately really do not need nature and we can “go it alone.” (p161)</span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">In support of his argument, Huber attacks the environmental movement by making it guilty by association. He states that Garrett Hardin’s Lifeboat Ethic leads to the eco-fascism of Pentti Linkola and Theodore Kaczynski, and further claims that Garrett Hardin is a soft green, therefore, environmentalists are eco-fascists and anti-human. This is a philosophical fallacy, similar to saying that “some nurses are angels; all angels have wings; so therefore some nurses have wings.” (Thomas Mautner, 1996, p.194) It <i>is</i> valid to say that there is a small faction within the environmental movement, with a strong eco-fascist view of the world. His argument becomes weak when he tars all environmentalists, with the same brush.</span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">He acknowledges that Soft Greens have a strong belief in the intrinsic value of life, but seem inconsistent with that view when it comes to letting tapeworms live in their own gut. They will also go out of their way to save a snail from extinction, even if it means not repairing a dam, at the peril of human life. Here Huber uses a common propagandist technique of excessive exaggeration to a point of absurdity.</span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">He rightly draws our attention to the fact that the “lifeboat is twice as crowded, but still well afloat” (p173), a quarter-century after Hardin first wrote the essay on Lifeboat Ethic. His argument diminishes in strength, because he fails to explain that the very reason the Lifeboat is still afloat for the richer nations is because they <i>are</i> still practicing lifeboat ethics on a massive scale, as the current refugee crisis illustrates.</span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Huber says that the environmental movement always sets its “ethical sights farther out in time and space.” He continues by saying that “ Hard Greens do not trust far-future telescopes at all”(p163). They prefer the immediate gratification of the “rosy, short term benefits” of the industrial growth machine. Here he basically denies that scientific progress allows us to see the consequences of our actions with increasing accuracy.</span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Peter Huber attempts to convince the reader that the Hard Greens are the “real greens”, who really care about the environment and that the rest of the environmental movement are a bunch of dangerous half-wits. Using tactics of ridiculing and trivialising in an attempt to discredit the environmental movement, Huber has succeeded in convincing me that the <i>he</i> <i>is </i>a part of a movement, which is very dangerous, because it supports unlimited unsustainable industrial growth. </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">In conclusion I think that Peter Huber’s chapter on “Ethics on the Green Lifeboat” is a gross misinterpretation of the environmental movement. He does not accept that the environmental movement comprises of a vast diversity of people with a multitude of different views. He truly does not understand the intrinsic value of all life, otherwise he would not trivialise the environmentalists’ deep commitment and long-term vision for the survival of complex life on earth. Contrary to his belief, we cannot “go it alone”, because human beings are an intrinsic and inseparable part of the web of life. We need a long-range view, one that aims towards a sustainable future, so that we can stand in the present with integrity.</span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">REFERENCES:</span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in; margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Huber, Peter (1999) ‘Ethics in the Green Lifeboat’ from Huber, Peter, <i>Hard Green! Saving the Environment from the Environmentalists</i>, Basic Books, New York</span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in; margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Mautner, Thomas (Ed) (1996) <i>Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy<b>, </b></i>Penguin Books, Harmondsworth</span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" lang="en-AU"> <br /></p> <div type="FOOTER"> <p style="margin-top: 0.46in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> Page 1 </p> </div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-4636475839106895582007-08-29T04:34:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:39:37.012-07:00 <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">HUMAN OVERPOPULATION</font></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">COLUMBIA (NORTH WEST AMAZON): DESANA</font></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">The fate of other species inhabiting the biosphere, according to the Desana, is inextricably bound to that of human beings. Because most life on earth draws upon a single, common reservoir of reproductive energy - one with a finite capacity - every human activity that consumes a portion of this energy renders it unavailable for other life-forms. </font> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">Thus, any suggestion that human populations can expand exponentially without simultaneously diminishing the future prospects of other creatures is sheer folly. Nature fuels the continuity of life on earth by apportioning a fixed quantity of reproductive energy to diverse life-forms. By necessity, it will balance the fragile equations of global distribution of this limited available energy, regardless of whether human beings are aware of the effects of their actions upon the reproductive future of fellow species. </font> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">The fundamental Desana truth that no species is an island imposes a heavy ethical burden upon human society. It suggests that any excessive consumption or exploitation of nature's precious, exhaustible stores of reproductive energy will seriously affect the survival of nature's entire, interconnected energy system. It imposes upon humans a conscious obligation to limit their energy use so that other forms of life will he assured of their rightful share of nature's rigid budget of energy. It suggests that unrestrained sexual activity, as well as the rapid growth in population that would likely result from such an unbridled expression of human passions, is irresponsible. </font> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">The need for human sexual and reproductive restraint is particularly important to the Desana hunter because his relationship with animals is at once exceedingly intimate and forever in fragile equilibrium. But it also applies to the worldwide human community, whose daily existence depends equally upon the fortunes of other forms of life and whose survival is at stake in both a biological and a spiritual sense. </font> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">With astonishing clarity and imagery, the Desana worldview embraces the timeless ecological truth that human births, for all their personal pains and pleasures, do not take place in splendid isolation. In some sense, each represents (as does the emergence of new life in any species) the active siphoning off of a small quantity of precious energy from the vast, yet finite, reserves of vital. biological capacity upon which the entire natural world ultimately depends. </font> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">The modem population ecologist may prefer to frame this pivotal truth quantitatively - in terms of rising birth rates and failing death rates; in terms of the reduced capacities of pollution-degraded habitats to support animal and plant, as well as human populations; or in terms of increased competition among species for fixed food resources - rather than in the Desana shaman's vivid hydraulic imagery of a closed system of interconnected biological energy pools and flows. But the central messages of scientist and shaman are complementary, rooted in much the same soil of daily observation and familiarity with the processes of healthy, living ecosystems. </font> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">Science sees this ecological truth from afar, without forging an unimpeachable moral imperative for all humankind. By contrast, Desana nature-wisdom is steeped in rewards and punishments to ensure that human beings respect the fundamental biological and spiritual links between their own reproductive behaviour and the fate of all creatures in the rain forest. All members of traditional Desana society - not just the all-seeing shaman - are expected personally to understand that, in the words of anthropologist Gerardo Reichel-Dolmatoff, the retention and accumulation of human sexual energy is not only conceived as a conscious control of the human birthrate but has as its equally important goal the conservation of a broad margin of sexual potential in which the game animals can participate. And they are expected to act accordingly. For their development children need the respect and protection of adults who take them seriously, love them, and honestly help them to become oriented in the world. (pp.168-170) from David Suzuki and Peter Knudtson (1992) “Wisdom of the Elders” (Allen and</font><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2"> Unwin, UK)</font></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2"><b>APPENDIX</b></font></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">Both modern science and indigenous people knew that there was limited energy available to support all life. This is something that the “modern project” has never accepted. It is the complete ignorance and disregard of this reality, and our drivenness to consume for economic growth that pushes us towards extinction. The Desana people of the Northwestern Amazon, like most tribal indigenous people around the world knew that, “life on earth draws upon a single, common reservoir of reproductive energy-one with a finite capacity- every human activity that consumes a portion of this energy renders it unavailable for other life-forms….</font></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">The fundamental Desana truth that no species is an island imposes a heavy ethical burden upon human society. It suggests that any excessive consumption or exploitation of nature's precious, exhaustible stores of reproductive energy will seriously affect the survival of nature's entire, interconnected energy system. It imposes upon humans a conscious obligation to limit their energy use so that other forms of life will he assured of their rightful share of nature's rigid budget of energy. It suggests that … the rapid growth in population that would likely result from such an unbridled expression of human passions, is irresponsible.” </font> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><font style="font-size: 9pt;" size="2">Vivienne</font></p> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-51648262352899201262007-08-29T03:51:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:39:37.021-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=4 STYLE="font-size: 16pt">CREATIVE PROJECT</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Vivienne Elanta 12021131</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> Aidan Davison</P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>The Idea of my creative project was born on the way home from the Animal Rights lecture. I felt so deeply distressed for several days after. What concerned me was how my fellow students would process and integrate the information about the suffering of animals for experimentation. I knew that I had the skills to deal with my own emotional overload. So several days later I became quite excited about the idea of sharing my knowledge and skills with my fellow tutorial students by offering a very creative process in the form of a “Despair Ritual”. Although I have been extensively trained in leading this work, I have never led this particular despair ritual I wanted to share with the group.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>I am convinced that despair work is very essential in coping with the bad news with which we are daily bombarded. To shut down or look away will not address our current ecological and social crisis we are finding ourselves in as humans. To face reality and sustain the gaze is absolutely vital in order to respond to difficult situations confronting us everyday. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Shared grief within a ritual setting is very powerful and allows the participants to feel their deep interconnectedness with each other and the more than human world. The process also frees up a lot of energy, which was previously used to suppress our pain we feel in response to the suffering in the world. This energy can now be used for positive action in the form of projects etc.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Reclaiming ritual of such nature, especially within an academic environment is so important for the healing/wholing process for our tattered world.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>I hope to make a worthwhile contribution by offering my creative project as a shared experience, which students can choose to draw from for the rest of the semester and hopefully beyond.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>I am very grateful to Joanna Macy for her wisdom and knowledge in this work, which she has pioneered over the last 30 years and so generous shared with me.</FONT></P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-38015535489705071802007-08-29T03:43:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:39:37.029-07:00 <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=4><B>A SACRED PLACE TO DWELL:</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Living with Reverence upon the Earth:</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=3><B>Ecological Spirituality and its Practical Consequences</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2 STYLE="font-size: 11pt"><B>Vivienne Elanta 12021131</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=4><B>Critical Thinking Essay</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" ALIGN=CENTER STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2 STYLE="font-size: 11pt"><B>S 206 Aidan Davison</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Henryk Skolimowski suggests that we urgently need an ecological spirituality, one of “Living with Reverence upon the Earth”(1993, frontespiece). He invites us to challenge our current mechanistic view of the world, replacing it with a more ancient “idea of the world as a sanctuary”(Ibid p6), “a sacred place to dwell in”(Ibid p6). He says, ”to make peace with the planet Earth we must change the dominant consciousness which is greedy, parasitic and materialistic into caring, compassionate and participatory consciousness”. He emphasises, ”that healing the planet and healing ourselves is spiritual work”(p8). He says, “To act in the world as if it were a sanctuary is to make it reverential and sacred; and is to make yourself elevated and meaningful”(Ibid p15).</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>In support of his argument, Skolimowski suggests that, “one of the causes of our half-blind economic pursuits is a total lack of reverence”(Ibid p5), which derives from a longstanding practice of treating the world like a machine. He says that the old religions with its contemplative attitudes are in its present form inadequate to address the current ecological problems. Only “an active one, an ecological one”(Ibid p12) can guide us in living with reverence upon the earth. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>The importance he places on spirituality is a major strength in his argument. He says that, “The withering of spirituality in many present societies, and in particular individuals, is tantamount to a withering of humanity in us”(Ibid p2). Most humans in western society are lost in a world of consumerism, which makes their lives empty and meaningless, making them less than human. Skolimowski insists that we have to stop treating our world as a machine, and instead “treat it with love and care and it becomes a loving and caring place”(Ibid p6). </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>A weakness in his argument is the whole concept of transcendence, which strongly suggests a hierarchical and dualistic mode of thinking, which lies at the foundation of a number of traditional spiritualities. This is in direct contradiction to his call for an embodied ecological spirituality for our current times. It merely offers a reformist approach, that of giving nature a better place within a hierarchical paradigm of a transcended God, above and outside of the material world. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>Hendryk Skolimowski fails to engage me beyond the intellect. He offers the reader the “what”, but not the “how”, in building this new spirituality. Mary Oliver, in “Home” (1999) on the other hand gives the reader a true sense and understanding of the meaning of dwelling in a Sacred Place. I am deeply touched and moved to tears by the simplicity and poetic beauty of her words: “Daily I walk out across my landscape, the same fields, the same woods, and the same pale beaches…”(Ibid p22). Unlike Hendryk Skolimowski, Mary Oliver leads me to the practice of an ecological spirituality, not through transcendence, but through an immersion experience of a very ordinary, simple, but deeply profound and transformative nature.</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>In conclusion, Henryk Skolimowski offers sound reasons as to why we need an ecological spirituality. This spiritual work in my view does not entail saving or healing the planet, as Skolimowski suggests, because the planet can heal itself. What is called for is a practise in deep caring and reverence for all living beings. Such a practice holds a promise of restoring our integrity as a species within the web of life. </FONT> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <BR> </P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%"> <FONT SIZE=3>REFERENCE:</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in; margin-bottom: 0in"> <FONT SIZE=3>Skolimowski, Henryk (1993) ‘Ecological Spirituality and its Practical Consequences’ from Skolimowski, Hendryk, <I>A Sacred Place to Dwell: Living with Reverance Upon the Earth</I>, Rockpot, MA: Element</FONT></P> <P LANG="en-AU" CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in"><FONT SIZE=3>Oliver, Mary (1999) ‘Home’, <I>Aperture</I> 150:22-25</FONT></P> Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116736879412764116.post-25148704426234183862007-08-29T03:29:00.000-07:002007-08-31T01:41:20.823-07:00<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>THE GREENING OF THE SELF<br /></b></span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" ><b>Vivienne Elanta 12021131</b></span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Critical Thinking Essay</b></span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" ><b>S 206 Aidan Davison</b></span></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Central to Joanna Macy’s thesis (1993) is what she sees as the emergence of the greening of the self. She says “the notion of the self with which we have been raised and to which we have been conditioned by mainstream culture is being undermined”(p183) and is “being replaced by wider constructs of identity and self- interest”(p183). She suggests our current conventional understanding of the self is limited to a narrow ego-self, which has a very strong need for approval and self-preservation. The ecological self on the other hand extends beyond the ego-self, “co-extensive with other beings and the life of our planet”. The process of this extension she calls “the greening of the self”(183).</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">She gives three main reasons in support of her thesis. First, she presents the reader with the idea that the ecological self is born directly out of the current environmental, social and spiritual crisis we are collectively facing. Second, she argues that understanding of this self is emerging through general system theory, which teaches that the web of life is self-organising and interdependent, and that ultimately there is no recognisable separation between the self and the other. Lastly she points to the resurgence of what she refers to as “non-dualistic spiritualities”(p185). She gives an example from Buddhism, that of the dependent co-arising of phenomena, “in which you cannot isolate a separate, continuous self”(p189).</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Joanna Macy’s thesis stands on solid ground, as I can personally testify to the emergence of the ecological self, a phenomenon, which is occurring in myself. I have witnessed this metamorphosis from the small self into this larger self in a growing number of people, as they become involved in the wellbeing and enhancing of all life. I agree that the ego-self has no interest or loyalty beyond its own “skin” and the effects of its self-absorbtion can be witnessed through the degradation and annihilation of out ecological world.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">I strongly agree with her supporting reasons because, like Macy, I also believe that the current ecological crisis “derives from a dysfunctional and pathological notion of the self.” General systems thinking informs us that everything is in a constant flow of matter, energy and information. Therefore, it makes sense that a “skin encapsulated ego”(183) cannot be anything else but dysfunctional, because the ego thrives on separation. Creatures that isolate themselves from the flow of life eventually die.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">In order to have a future, humans will need to give birth to their ecological self. My question is how will six billion people tune in fast enough to bring about such a shift in consciousness. We could be too late, but then, who knew that the Berlin wall would come down so suddenly. For me the issue is about greening of the self, irrespective of any outcomes. Faced with the current ecological predicament it is a truly meaningful thing to do.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><br /></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">In conclusion, Joanna Macy’s “greening of the self” is a powerful argument, which I believe is pivotal in the next stage of the evolution of Homo sapiens. Without such a leap forward we will choke to death from the smog, the greed, terror, hate and loneliness of spirit produced by our shrivelled sense of self. Macy not only offers the theory, but also gives us the tools</span><sup><span style="font-size:100%;"><a class="sdendnoteanc" name="sdendnote1anc" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5116736879412764116&postID=2514870442623418386#sdendnote1sym"><sup>i</sup></a></span></sup><span style="font-size:100%;"> for such a transformation from the ego-self towards an eco-self, and that is more than most can offer.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 200%;" align="justify" lang="en-AU"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>REFERENCE:</b></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><br /></b></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in; margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Macy, Joanna (1993) ‘The Greening of the Self’ from Macy, Joanna, <i>World as Love World as Self</i>, Random House, London</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in; margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-AU"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <div id="sdendnote1"> <p class="sdendnote-western" lang="en-AU"><a class="sdendnotesym" name="sdendnote1sym" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5116736879412764116&postID=2514870442623418386#sdendnote1anc">i</a> Joanna Macy’s “Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect our Lives, Our Word” (1998, New Society Publ., Canada) provides practices, rituals and meditations for individuals and groups within a framework to nurture the ecological self.</p> </div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788917338735011821noreply@blogger.com0