November 17th, 2013
Nancy: I chose this book for the MAMs Book Club because I believe it is a prophetic treatise for our time. Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee brings together modern prophets who explain our future depends on our ability to listen and honor the sacred nature of life. The book calls for movement toward sustainable earth, a call which emerges from the heart of our mysterious and miraculous universe. The universe birthed us and now becomes conscious of itself through our awareness – as we are all integrally part of the original fabric of creation.
Come, read and meet amazing people. Thomas Berry, a Catholic priest, tells us that this is “our great work.” Wendell Berry, a Christian poet who farms the land and critiques our culture. Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, – who teaches mindfulness and waking up to how we are destroying our earth. Mary Tucker and Brian Swimme who teach us the value of the new scientific cosmology. Native Americans, Winona LaDuke and Chief Oren Lyons who call us back to an understanding of nature and Spirit in their people’s history.
When I consider the ecological crisis, I quickly become overwhelmed and depressed. But when I read this book, when I meditate, when I encounter the wise Spirit at the heart of creation, I am hopeful and I begin to tune into my own role in leading us to a sustainable path. So, I’m working on a sequel to Revelation in the Cave on this topic. I have a website and a blog; and a MAMs Book Club website… and I will start promoting the MAMs Book Club website soon, because I believe this is the defining moment for all of our lives. Will you join me in this quest? Together, we can work to make a difference for our children and grandchildren.
November 17th, 2013
Wendell Berry is my hero! An academic who went back to farming, and yes, a prophet. He slams the stock market, war, modern inventions, even human genius wanting instead to be a true human being, focusing on “the intelligence of the heart that we gather from the world, from the creatures, from the angels of inspiration, from the dead.” I’ve loved his poetry for years. And he’s right. I want to be a true human being with him. (p. 78-82)
November 17th, 2013
KATHARINE: Thank you, Nancy, for choosing this book. I hadn’t seen it yet. I’m going to have my students read it in our Spiritual Ecology seminar next semester. A great collection of spiritual teachers, who all teach spiritual reverence for the earth. Unfortunately, the Christian church has not been a leader in this area. I’m hoping that is changing. It must.
November 17th, 2013
ABIGAIL: The Quakers listen for that still, small voice within. That’s why we have silent meetings. Truth arrives when we open ourselves to hear. Yes, I believe the earth is deeply spiritual and as we listen, we will find the answers. I find this book deeply encouraging.
November 17th, 2013
MOLLY: God led the people out of slavery in Egypt. He led my people out of slavery in the USA. God is about leading people into a better place; so I’m with Hushpuppy from The Call of the Wild. I believe we need to listen to God within creation to find our way.
November 17th, 2013
PRISCILLA: This will take time for me to digest this book. I keep wondering what Jesus would say about this book. I know the Bible teaches that we should be stewards of the earth and that God speaks to us through the mountains, waters, out of the nature. It’s such a different viewpoint than I’ve been taught. I’m trying to reconcile it with my beliefs.
November 17th, 2013
JANE: Yes, Priscilla. I don’t usually agree with you, but I do find myself wondering a little when I read this book. Really? Is God within the inherent nature of the universe, speaking to us and showing us the way to solve the ecological crisis? I hope so, but I’m a little skeptical.
