Earth Connection

That's a bit of a funny title when I look at it.  Sounds like some sort of alien that has invaded our planet.  I wasn't quite sure what to call this post, and that's what came out.  Because that is what happened to me.  Nope.  I'm not an alien (though perhaps my kids sometimes suspect otherwise).

Earlier this week, I went to a yoga class in a park.  I've gone a couple of times this month.  Yoga has always been an exercise that my body really responds to.  I feel stronger, more flexible, and most importantly, since I've struggled with chronic pain, I feel less pain.  

There is a lot in yoga about clearing your mind and focusing on your body.  I don't invoke much of the spirituality that some do, but I do pray, when I enter that state, that God will be my focus and that He will help me focus on the body He created, the body I am trying to make stronger and more fit. My body is a temple for my Lord and I do believe when I attempt to keep it healthy, in whatever means, it is a glory to Him.

At the end of the class, there is a cool-down time and it is actually an exercise we did frequently in some of my theatre classes way back when.  You lie with your back on the floor, palms up, and completely relax your body, working from the top down or bottom up and consciously sense each body part becoming heavy and almost sensing it sinking into the ground.  

In my classes, obviously we laid on the theatre floor.  When I have trouble sleeping, I often do this exercise in my bed.  This week, as I lay on my yoga mat, on the grass of this peaceful park, with the sun shining down on my body, I was struck with such a connection to God's earth.  I was lying on the ground.   And I thought to myself, "How often do I actually lie on the ground?"  Yes, I lie in bed or on the couch or the floor, but the outside ground?  I sit on the ground, but lie down and completely relax every muscle and fiber of my body right there next to the dirt?  Never.  I never do that.

As I lay there, I was overcome with emotion and gratefulness for God's earth, this solid ground that held my body there.  He created that ground for us.  He made it Holy and it is wholly His.  I found myself reading every scripture I could find this week about earth.  It was truly a spiritual moment that I've actually had a hard time finding the words for.  And sometimes, I believe, the most spiritual moments we experience, can not be described in mere words.  It is the mystery and sacredness of God in that moment and words cannot add anything meaningful to it.  

It brings a sense of sadness to me, at how we humans, who were mandated to care for this earth, have raped and pillaged it.  We dig and bore and strip it of minerals and oils and gems and all sorts of things that make rich people rich and give us conveniences galore, but at what cost to our health?  At what cost to this God-given earth?  I realize many of my daily conveniences are due to some of those resources.  But have we gone too far?  Eventually the earth fights back; earthquakes due to fracking, rock slides due to mining, and so much more.  Something has to give and the earth and its inhabitants pay the price.  But greed and pride rule the day.  

All of this because of 10 minutes on the grass at the end of a yoga class?  Perhaps.  But in my spirit, I know it's much deeper.  I want to respect and honour the earth my Creator made for me, for my children, and for all of the human race, whom He loves so much.