My sense of things: I think the earth knows its”rights”. How about if we listen? Observe. Pay attention. Participate. Be a part of something bigger than our ideas.
It often seems that two things can be 'true' at once... I see what you/Justin has written, @luutoday, as a human's excellent attempt to advocate for Earth in a world - a forum - where what you so wisely suggest will simply never happen.
Get massive sign-ups to a COALITION FOR THE GOOD. Then we'd need a WISDOM COUNCIL to guide it. One person would volunteer to start that. Say Marianne Williamson. She picks someone. Say Cory Booker. Marianne and Cory pick a third person, the three of them pick a fourth, and so on, all respected figures people would listen to, who would guide the coalition for what it should do. Add a SUGGESTION BOX, for ideas that go to the Wisdom Council, and you have an ad hoc mechanisms for we-the-people to run the world.
One of my favorite reminder quotes is from Audre Lorde "you cannot dismantle the masters house using the masters tools". And to that end I am always on the lookout for how we/I inadvertently bringing in the tools/language of the master system - 'The System' - in to our attempts to to change things... which of course only serves to perpetuate The System's way of thinking... Because as you know, you write it in your work, the myths live deep within our bodies and are easily revived by the language of the System to whom we have dedicated our lives by choice ... or not.
While most of this declaration seems to be beautifully earth aligned,
'The Earth withdraws its consent.'
feels like an inept parent withdrawing something from a naughty child (which yes The System is), but she (I can only ever refer to earth as a she!) would never do that... she is the nurturing entity who birthed us, who while feeling intense pain at what we are doing to her, would not 'withdraw consent' - that only leads to trauma, she would say something more like: "Let it be known that: The Earth asks us to be kind"... everything that follows actually makes sense after that. And as this is so Non-System it is like a trip point that causes those who read it to doubletake.
The last line too, is rather confrontational (The System's language)
'We are the land, and the land is rising.'
It brings to the surface thoughts of "yeah F-them", "they will get their comeuppance", swords to the battlements feel... basically inviting vindictiveness... we become just like 'them'... it also has a quality of pushing away... Contrary to what you say in the previous line: "rejoin the Earth not as conquerors, but as kin."
so: 'We are the land, and the land is rising'. could it become
"We are the land, and will rise up to meet you"
ie asking us to step into right relationship... which IS what she wants 🐾
These are interesting points. I think it can be both rising up and calling up.
For me, I make a great distinction between conquering and defense. Yes, I view earth as Mother. Yes, mothers can be fiercely confrontational when it comes to protecting their children or young. Humans do it. Momma bears do it. Tribal people do it. And as a father, husband and son… I likewise would rise up to confront someone physically attacking the women (or men) in my life.
I’ll hash out some myths you might find interesting when I get more into myths about resistance.
I already wrote a nice piece and came up with the term “sacred resistance.” Let me know if this resonates some.
Mothers withdraw their consent all the time with their many children, especially when they fight amongst themselves. Ive seen it in mammals, ive seen it in birds, ive seen it in any nurturing parent that wants to give ALL her children a chance.
They also redirect, and ask us to change our focus so that we take on lessons and critical thinking which impacts our survival and well-being. This may not be heeded by the majority. Who knows how many will heed it, but many will.
Across time we have learned many lessons. And it seems humanity finds itself stuck within the frameworks of nationalism, capitalistic incentives, economics reduced to greed and GDP etc. I mean its hanging on for dear life at a time when it is completely exposed for its falsehood; completely unfit for purpose. So the universe is guiding its consciousness towards the blocks....and nature will eventually demonstrate how humanity can unlearn these toxic inherited systems. Its time we took off our masks and resolutely abandon the roles we've been forced to play out as "citizens." We cant be good human beings AND good citizens. The system doesnt allow it. Additionally we cant waste any more time in a cancerous paradigm that forces us all to survive it, while choking the life out of the body we all depend upon, our mother earth.....our loyalties cant be so overly complex and contradictory forever.....so something will give. Only time will tell how long it takes for us to be weaned of these crutches, this straightjacket of civilization, and return to earthly ways.
Who knows what we're being asked. Maybe we're being asked to hunker down and be in community to face the systemic collapse of this old order.....or maybe we're being called to rise up and transform into the final antidote to this viral machine of colonialism. Either way, i intend to form relations with the natural world, and all peoples who take their "spiritual responsibility to live with the earth" (as John Trudell always said) seriously.
Brilliant Justin! Reading this gave me goosebumps. I have a vision of an "Earth Party" forming in every country based on this declaration. A new political movement with partnership between the earth, humanity and all species at its centre 🌎 ✨️
It should be compulsory for every decision-making body, council, or board, national and international, public and private to have someone whose responsibility it is to speak for the Earth and its ecosystems and ensure this Declaration of Sovereignty is upheld. The person would need legal training and access to expert advice, and should be elected by a public process.
I’ve been saying for decades that all deliberations regarding any disruption to a place/ecosystem, need to take place where the disruption will occur. Not in a board room somewhere far from those who will be most impacted. (Those meaning all species). Sit there, in forests slated to be cut. Allow the energy of trees and living soil, fresh breezes, etc. to participate in those decisions. Just by being there will make a difference, and in a human who listens and translates and simply hold space for those “others”, would be powerful and I have no doubt it would matter.
Also advocate for Rights for Nature. There are actually groups and law firms, here in the US and elsewhere doing just that. Native people, or course, have always brought Earth into decision making, just as they have respected the wisdom of Elders, sadly lacking in our current timeline.
In my speaking and writing I have dropped the “the” in front of Earth. We don’t say “the Mars, or the Venus”. That little word objectifies Earth, and in doing so puts her at a “remove”, if you know what I mean. It’s an unconscious thing. Shifting our language to reflect reality is important. Language impacts how we see and how we feel and thus how we act. I’m also trying to do this with all species, but it’s a bit harder. So no longer using “it” to refer to a tree or rock or bird. Thinking and speaking of all species as “kin”. It’s harder when we don’t have gender prepositions for trees or rocks or mountains. This may seem picky, but I sense it is important in shifting awareness.
Oh my word ... I am printing that and putting it on my wall!
Glorious!
Love every word of this. I am in.
Profound.
My sense of things: I think the earth knows its”rights”. How about if we listen? Observe. Pay attention. Participate. Be a part of something bigger than our ideas.
The declaration isn’t meant to inform the Earth of its rights… it’s to declare them to the empire we are severing ties from.
It often seems that two things can be 'true' at once... I see what you/Justin has written, @luutoday, as a human's excellent attempt to advocate for Earth in a world - a forum - where what you so wisely suggest will simply never happen.
I agree totally! 💯💯💯
Good job. Now, how can it work? Some envisioning:
Get massive sign-ups to a COALITION FOR THE GOOD. Then we'd need a WISDOM COUNCIL to guide it. One person would volunteer to start that. Say Marianne Williamson. She picks someone. Say Cory Booker. Marianne and Cory pick a third person, the three of them pick a fourth, and so on, all respected figures people would listen to, who would guide the coalition for what it should do. Add a SUGGESTION BOX, for ideas that go to the Wisdom Council, and you have an ad hoc mechanisms for we-the-people to run the world.
Where do I sign…
This is magnificent
thanks for this!❤
One of my favorite reminder quotes is from Audre Lorde "you cannot dismantle the masters house using the masters tools". And to that end I am always on the lookout for how we/I inadvertently bringing in the tools/language of the master system - 'The System' - in to our attempts to to change things... which of course only serves to perpetuate The System's way of thinking... Because as you know, you write it in your work, the myths live deep within our bodies and are easily revived by the language of the System to whom we have dedicated our lives by choice ... or not.
While most of this declaration seems to be beautifully earth aligned,
'The Earth withdraws its consent.'
feels like an inept parent withdrawing something from a naughty child (which yes The System is), but she (I can only ever refer to earth as a she!) would never do that... she is the nurturing entity who birthed us, who while feeling intense pain at what we are doing to her, would not 'withdraw consent' - that only leads to trauma, she would say something more like: "Let it be known that: The Earth asks us to be kind"... everything that follows actually makes sense after that. And as this is so Non-System it is like a trip point that causes those who read it to doubletake.
The last line too, is rather confrontational (The System's language)
'We are the land, and the land is rising.'
It brings to the surface thoughts of "yeah F-them", "they will get their comeuppance", swords to the battlements feel... basically inviting vindictiveness... we become just like 'them'... it also has a quality of pushing away... Contrary to what you say in the previous line: "rejoin the Earth not as conquerors, but as kin."
so: 'We are the land, and the land is rising'. could it become
"We are the land, and will rise up to meet you"
ie asking us to step into right relationship... which IS what she wants 🐾
These are interesting points. I think it can be both rising up and calling up.
For me, I make a great distinction between conquering and defense. Yes, I view earth as Mother. Yes, mothers can be fiercely confrontational when it comes to protecting their children or young. Humans do it. Momma bears do it. Tribal people do it. And as a father, husband and son… I likewise would rise up to confront someone physically attacking the women (or men) in my life.
I’ll hash out some myths you might find interesting when I get more into myths about resistance.
I already wrote a nice piece and came up with the term “sacred resistance.” Let me know if this resonates some.
https://open.substack.com/pub/collapsecurriculum/p/sacred-resistance-why-earth-defenders?r=8pc4d&utm_medium=ios
Mothers withdraw their consent all the time with their many children, especially when they fight amongst themselves. Ive seen it in mammals, ive seen it in birds, ive seen it in any nurturing parent that wants to give ALL her children a chance.
They also redirect, and ask us to change our focus so that we take on lessons and critical thinking which impacts our survival and well-being. This may not be heeded by the majority. Who knows how many will heed it, but many will.
Across time we have learned many lessons. And it seems humanity finds itself stuck within the frameworks of nationalism, capitalistic incentives, economics reduced to greed and GDP etc. I mean its hanging on for dear life at a time when it is completely exposed for its falsehood; completely unfit for purpose. So the universe is guiding its consciousness towards the blocks....and nature will eventually demonstrate how humanity can unlearn these toxic inherited systems. Its time we took off our masks and resolutely abandon the roles we've been forced to play out as "citizens." We cant be good human beings AND good citizens. The system doesnt allow it. Additionally we cant waste any more time in a cancerous paradigm that forces us all to survive it, while choking the life out of the body we all depend upon, our mother earth.....our loyalties cant be so overly complex and contradictory forever.....so something will give. Only time will tell how long it takes for us to be weaned of these crutches, this straightjacket of civilization, and return to earthly ways.
Who knows what we're being asked. Maybe we're being asked to hunker down and be in community to face the systemic collapse of this old order.....or maybe we're being called to rise up and transform into the final antidote to this viral machine of colonialism. Either way, i intend to form relations with the natural world, and all peoples who take their "spiritual responsibility to live with the earth" (as John Trudell always said) seriously.
Brilliant Justin! Reading this gave me goosebumps. I have a vision of an "Earth Party" forming in every country based on this declaration. A new political movement with partnership between the earth, humanity and all species at its centre 🌎 ✨️
It should be compulsory for every decision-making body, council, or board, national and international, public and private to have someone whose responsibility it is to speak for the Earth and its ecosystems and ensure this Declaration of Sovereignty is upheld. The person would need legal training and access to expert advice, and should be elected by a public process.
I’ve been saying for decades that all deliberations regarding any disruption to a place/ecosystem, need to take place where the disruption will occur. Not in a board room somewhere far from those who will be most impacted. (Those meaning all species). Sit there, in forests slated to be cut. Allow the energy of trees and living soil, fresh breezes, etc. to participate in those decisions. Just by being there will make a difference, and in a human who listens and translates and simply hold space for those “others”, would be powerful and I have no doubt it would matter.
Also advocate for Rights for Nature. There are actually groups and law firms, here in the US and elsewhere doing just that. Native people, or course, have always brought Earth into decision making, just as they have respected the wisdom of Elders, sadly lacking in our current timeline.
Apologies Susan my recent comment was meant to be a reply to you. https://darknlight.com/projects/short-story/the-river-parliament-a-sacred-confluence-speaks-out/
That’s beautiful! Thanks for sharing it!
In my speaking and writing I have dropped the “the” in front of Earth. We don’t say “the Mars, or the Venus”. That little word objectifies Earth, and in doing so puts her at a “remove”, if you know what I mean. It’s an unconscious thing. Shifting our language to reflect reality is important. Language impacts how we see and how we feel and thus how we act. I’m also trying to do this with all species, but it’s a bit harder. So no longer using “it” to refer to a tree or rock or bird. Thinking and speaking of all species as “kin”. It’s harder when we don’t have gender prepositions for trees or rocks or mountains. This may seem picky, but I sense it is important in shifting awareness.
Great.
Well written declaration, I fully support this! Thank you
This is, by far, one of the BEST pieces of vocal art done by Justin! Well done! Viva le revelucion (or however you spell it)!
Brilliant. Where do we all sign?✍️