Lori Dueck, Victoria, BC

I was fascinated by hearing about the work and personality of Thomas Berry while at the Bethlehem day retreat. (see “Bethlehem Sacred Earth Event Features Hildegard, Thomas Berry, Teilhard” under the ‘Other News’ tab and “Sacred Earth Bethlehem Event – My Love Language” under the ‘Columnist’ tab) There were some books donated for us to have. I decided to read the essay, chapter 12, named from the book title, The Sacred Universe.

It is easy to read and gives a wealth of information regarding the history of damage we have done to our environment over the last 400 or so years here in North America.

It saddens my heart to read about the abuse we did to the native peoples. It is written, Wahunsenacawh (1547-1618), an exasperated chief of the Powhatan, confronted John Smith (1580-1631) with the questions: “Why do you take by force what you may have quietly by love? Why will you destroy us who supply you with food? What can you get by war? We are unarmed and willing to give you what you ask if you come in a friendly manner and not with swords and guns, as if to make war upon an enemy.”

Thomas Berry mentioned, “The wonder of earth diminished as its utilitarian value increased. “We logged the forests, mined the hills, damned the rivers, and shot to extinction billions of passenger pigeons, although at least that was for purpose of food. However in killing the buffalo at times it was for no other purpose than a satisfaction of killing.”

Now after four centuries we find ourselves in this mess, we have toxicity in the air, water and land. We were given the responsibility to look after the earth and its creation.

Thomas Berry mentions in this chapter how it’s only in the outer world of the universe we discover for ourselves complete self, our Great self. This is the experience as a child runs through a field, plays with an animal or chases a butterfly. In these activities the child is discovering its own being.

As a child with a forest as her backyard, I spent hours each day and evening playing outdoors in nature, communicating and interacting with a variety of plants, trees and animals using my imagination while watching the clouds form shapes, and staring into the stars.

We also have used many artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides on the fields causing more harm as Thomas mentions the book Rachel Carson (1907-1964) wrote called Silent Spring.

These are just some of the many factors that are harming “Our Sacred Universe”.

The chapter ends mentioning that we have not been able to effect a major change of inner attitude that would enable us to return from our extractive, non-renewing, industrial way of life to live an organic, ever-renewing, land-based way of life. “We thought we had established ourselves beyond the controls and limitations of Earth’s natural systems. But that wonderful interplay between ourselves and those natural forces of the Earth experienced as ever-renewing presences is what needs to be fostered more than ever before”.

I hope people will look outside of themselves, learn to spend time outside in nature again, being careful of some of our harmful behaviour. It isn’t only harmful to our environment but also to our health. We have such beauty and natural resources especially in Beautiful British Columbia. Let’s enjoy it respectfully.

I am looking forward to reading more essays from Thomas Berry as I want to be a part of the healing process.