Earth Love

Earth is one of the five elements in the Vedic tradition—earth, water, fire, air and space. Each element has its own unique qualities and has its own special role to play in our life. Could you imagine having to live without just one of the elements in your life?!

Our body is also made up of the five elements, but earth element is so special because it centers us in the physical aspect of being alive. In our bodies we experience pleasure and pain, the warmth of the sun and the cold of snow and wind, we taste delicious food, smell flowers of all kinds and colors, and touch the skin or fur of our loved one.

Earth is also our planet, our home while we live in these bodies. As we celebrate Earth Day this week I was re-reading Thich Nhat Hanh’s “love letter to the Earth” and am delighted to share some of it with you today:

“Dear Mother Earth,
You are the mother of all beings. I call you by the human name Mother and yet I know your mothering nature is more vast and ancient than humankind. We are just one young species of your many children. All the millions of other species who live—or have lived—on Earth are also your children. You aren’t a person, but I know you are not less than a person either. You are a living breathing being in the form of a planet. Each species has its own language, yet as our Mother you can understand us all. That is why you can hear me today as I open my heart to you and offer you my prayer.”

Join me today in writing your own “love letter to the Earth” as a reminder that Earth is our home, earth is an element which makes up our body, and Mother Earth is here for all of us. May we always be here for her.