Spirituality/General: A Gaia Experience

"Each cell in our body is its own entity, its own eco-system, its own earth." - Dr. Darryl Pokea, 2003

I went outdoors worried about accomplishing many tasks. I often like to think about my talks while working outside. This particular day, the mental preparation for the talks and the physical chores were all overwhelming. I thought, "I've got to get from here to there and get the work done." My body felt tight, but I ignored it. I wasn't attentive to the sounds, the scenery, the breeze, or the light. I was only focused on getting to the picnic table to tighten its bolts and stop it from wobbling. I felt just as shaky as the picnic table and no thoughts were coming to me about the subject matter of my talks. "I need to get all this done," I thought. I felt angry, hurried, and irritated that I had so much to do.

I began tightening the bolts on the picnic table near the pond. I lay down on the ground beneath the table and it felt good. The dog followed me and laid down and turned on her back with a big sigh. She put her paws up in the air and began basking in the sunlight. I tightened one or two bolts, paused and felt so good again, feeling the Earth supporting my body. I felt the gentle breeze, shifting directions, and became aware of my breathing in and out, and how comfortable both were. I felt the sun on a portion of my right hand and face and became aware of heat throughout my body. I heard the sound of fish splashing water in the pond, and became aware of my circulation. As I heard the blend of the sounds of water, wind in the trees, and birds, my mind began to quiet. The dog came over to lick my hands.

I tightened a couple more bolts with ease and was amazed how fast it went. Over half the picnic table was done and it seemed effortless. It was as though healthier rhythms were re-awakened in the task of tightening the bolts on the picnic table. Ideas began to flow again with ease on what I wished to present in my talks. I wanted to stay there all day, under the picnic table laying on the earth. The dog, sensing I was nearly finished, began exploring other areas near the pond.

Article Continues After Illustration

©2003 Jan Jennings - All Rights Reserved "Gaia"

Says the artist: "In the Buddhist tradition, 'Gaia' means Earth and it is alive. In this painting, I wanted to express the energy of the Earth, the interconnectedness of everything on Earth, and our love and respect for the Earth. The geometric shapes or thought form of the blue triangle within a yellow circle would appear within my mind's eye when I was outside around nature; or if I was looking at trees and foliage. The figures represent a deep connection and love between human beings, animals, nature and the Earth."

When I did finally get up, everything around me looked more alive. Even when standing or walking, I felt connected with the earth, enjoying each step touching the ground. As I continued walking, I felt attuned to everything around me. It seemed as if every blade of grass under my steps was aware of my presence and I was aware of every blade of grass cushioning my step. I moved on to many other tasks that day with the awareness of this connection staying with me. Everything seemed in sync.

The experience I had is free and available to us all. It was as though at some deep level of consciousness, every cell of my body was renewed and had rejoined with the earth. My senses were heightened; there was a deeper perception and an effortless flow of thoughts. I felt awake, clear in my thinking.

An appreciation of the beauty of creation all around us can free the mind to be open to our Spirit's inspirations, and is also healing for the body as cells return to harmony. The earth and its beauty are good for the immune system. Studies have shown that hospitalized patients whose rooms have a view of a dumpster, parking lot or alley, take longer to convalesce than those whose windows open out to flowers, trees and other natural landscapes.

Every time we see a leaf and are filled with awe, we are appreciating the miracles and wonder of life in ourselves. As we hug a tree and embrace the miracles of creation all around us, we embrace the same miracles of creation within each of us. The chlorophyll in plants is similar in its molecular makeup to human blood hemoglobin. Even the processes of bacteria, many of which nurture our bodies in helping us to digest our food, are also are similar in their activities to the cells in our bloodstream and lymphatic (immune) system. We are interconnected and interrelated with all life. Every time we support and witness consciously the rebirth of a forest or any ecological system, we are supporting the same within our own bodies.

In my experience at the picnic table, the natural sounds of water, wind through the trees, and songs of birds opened my mind so that I could begin to think clearly and creatively again using my whole brain. The Japanese, who are raised with a deep appreciation of nature, have been found to process nature sounds as if they were a symphony, utilizing more holistically both their left and right brains as musicians of all cultures do. Cultures which do not support an appreciation of nature from an early age were found to use smaller portions of their right brains and little of their left. They process nature sounds as if they were noise, not music, communication, or language.

As I was lying on the ground feeling its support and the breeze, I became aware again of my breath, "taking in and letting go." I could feel the rhythms with each raising and lowering of my chest, the expansion and contraction of my diaphragm. These are the pulsations of life. Our organs, tissues and all of our cells each pulse in their own vibratory patterns. Even our brain wave frequencies are pulses that can open corridors to expanded levels of consciousness. The alpha brain wave frequency achieved in meditation states oscillates at approximately 8-11 hertz. The earth's electromagnetic frequency is also at approximately 8 hertz. Our bodies and brains are most similar to the rhythms of the earth.

We are all made of the same stuff. The stuff of our bodies is the same stuff of the earth, the stars, the universe. We are composed of earth matter and the elements of the earth compose (calm) us. There is a deep healing that takes place when we experience the composition in the beauty of nature, around us and within us. When we exclude earth (elemental) consciousness, we set up cascades of ecological disharmony in our bodies. We cannot ignore the stuff that we are made of. When we ignore Gaia, the subtle effects occur at the deepest levels of our unconscious. The consequences can be profound in our peace of mind and corresponding physical health. Just as children cannot ignore that they have features from both of their biological parents, we cannot deny that our bodies are connected to the earth and its multitude of features. Holding our body with reverence is holding the earth with reverence. Holding the earth with reverence we are holding our body with reverence. They are the same symphony, orchestrated by the same Master. They are the same composition.

©Copyright 2003 by Dr. Darryl Pokea - All Rights Reserved

©Copyright 2003 by AlternativeApproaches.com

About the Author: Dr. Darryl Pokea ("Po-Kay") is a professional speaker and author on Mind Body and Spirit Interconnectedness and Complementary Medicine. Dr. Pokea invites you to his website to view synopses of his presentations and listen to samples of his Healing Meditations at www.drpokea.com

About the Artist: Jan Jennings has practiced yoga and meditation since the early 1970s. She has sought to integrate the creation of art work with her spirituality. In reality, there is no separation or difference. The art is her "way", her "path". To focus or concentrate on the creator is to be creative. Visit her site, Jan Jennings Art, or email her at jan@janjenningsart.com.