July 2008 : Life Cycles - Children's Health

Green Thoughts : Inner Green
by Debbie Borel

Polluted skies, poisoned waters and depleted soil issues forth from polluted minds, poisoned bodies and depleted personal energy.

Unhealthy people create an unhealthy planet.

There are some who would rush about in order to save the planet and lose their personal lives and environment. Some seek security for family and home all the while oblivious that the very ground beneath them is slipping away.

There are some who seek to save souls while quite content to let the planet go to hell and the devil take the trees.
Jesus says that you shall know a man by his fruit. What sort of fruit have we born from this great gift of life we have been given? What sort of steward chooses to serve the world and in the process neglect their personal environment? What sort of steward serves their family and ignores the issues facing the planet and future generations? What sort of steward cares only for saving the soul and neglects the temple which houses the soul and the planet which nurtures the temple and the soul?

The Cosmic Mystery is no great mystery at all. Like it or not, ignore it or not, all things are One and all things are connected. Heaven, Earth and Man are One. All aspects of life need to be given their due. Our physical, our spiritual and our social existence all need to be nourished and inform one another. Without this inter-relationship between all aspects of our being, our bodies, our minds and our environment become out of balance. A world out of balance is a diseased world. A body and mind out of balance is a diseased body and mind.

“If you want to stop being confused,” the sage tells us, “then emulate the ancient folk, and join your body, mind and spirit in all you do.” Create inner and outer green simultaneously.

Slow down. Slow down your breath, slow down your mind, slow down your actions. Resist the urge to constantly be on the go. Embrace peace and quiet. Frantically trying to grab the future we miss the potential found in the present moment.

Reconnect with the natural world. Enjoy the birds’ morning praise. Take in the glory of the clouds in the sky. Let the evening breeze sooth your soul. Step back from the artificial and allow the scents, sounds and rhythms of the natural world harmonize your being.

Choose exercise that harmonizes the body, mind and spirit. Yoga, qigong, taiji, sacred dance, walking in the park all nourish and balance the inner and outer person. Choose longevity. If your exercise is compromising your joints, it is not balanced and it is not true exercise. It is only working out the ego. Choose health for the long haul.

Choose and create meals that nourish your life and the life of the planet.

Choose your life! Refuse to complacently comply with the agendas of folk who care only for personal gain and nothing for the health of the planet. Choose life.

The Hua Hu Ching says:
“Would you like to save the world from the degradation and destruction it seems destined for? Then step away from shallow mass movements and quietly go to work on your own self awareness.

If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself.
Understand that true growth comes from meeting and solving the problems of life in a way that is harmonizing to yourself and others.”

On a personal note, I have truly enjoyed contributing to KC Wellness this last year. This next year I need to be completing my qigong studies with my teacher, Ken Cohen. Jeanette and I are looking for folks interested in contributing by sharing their day to day lessons in going green. Send ideas and articles, 550 words please, to Jeanette. Maril Crabtree has already answered the call to write for Green Thoughts and her guest column will appear in the August issue. Thank you, Maril. Peace, deb out.

Debbie Borel lives in south Kansas City where she gardens, writes and teaches yoga and qigong at the Yoga Barn. For information on classes call 816-966-9659 or go to yogabarnkc.com.

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