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Sunday, June 16, 2013

On the Earth as teacher

The Earth supports all life like a great jewel in space -- and we are a part of it all.
As a guiding force, a source of refuge, the Earth shows us the way of interdependence, interbeing and it is all teachers, all life, all our precious mothers.

The Earth as Buddha,
The Earth as Dharma,
The Earth as Sangha.

Kusali Devi, a Newari Buddhist from Nepal, considered to be an emanation of the Mother Goddess Ajama said, that in her tradition "liberation is not possible until we have had 165 teachers! Teachers can be found everywhere and exist in all directions. We need many teachers to learn all the different skills we need in life, not just one. A true teacher directs us to ourselves; to the true 'guru within.' What could be a better teacher, a more perfect source of refuge for our times than the whole Earth? It is, after all, a complete expression of the whole of which we are each an inextricable part. There are lessons to be found in every direction. How exciting, humbling, and magnificent is that? How empowering and how awe-inspiring? Like meeting a great Master or our true love; this Earth, our greatest teacher. The embodiment of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.

Taking Refuge in Earth by Joanna Macy