Restoration is imperative for healing the earth, but reciprocity is imperative for long-lasting, successful restoration…..Here is where our most challenging and most rewarding work lies, in restoring a relationship of respect, responsibility, and reciprocity. And love.”
From BRAIDING SWEETGRASS by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Reciprocity
- Responsibility
- Restoration
- Relationship
- Respect
These words are used over and over again in BRAIDING SWEETGRASS. They all lead and are integral to Love. Love is what transforms and transmits all that is necessary for us to have a just sustainable life-giving community, society and world.
This book combines science and the knowledge of indigenous people to instruct and illustrate how it is possible, and even imperative, to live in love and relationship with our earth and each other. We are called to be responsible caretakers of our earth, our communities, and our world through reciprocal relationships. Aren’t these the same teachings of the Divine mystics and prophets?
Buddhists take a vow to not kill ANY living being. Yes, that includes mosquitos and roaches. I don’t know what value these insects and some other species add to our world, but I do believe that they have a purpose. We have no right to kill them because they are annoying or we don’t have a use for them. But haven’t we been taught in our culture to disregard that which doesn’t serve us, and because it doesn’t serve us it must not be needed? Read the story of the salamanders in BRAIDING SWEETGRASS and we get their place in our world. They teach us. Their journey is hard. Life is hard. And they keep doing what they are here to do.
Our study group, “Hopeseekers” read this book and we strongly recommend it to all! It is a book that can be read and re-read; its teachings are subtle and profound. It offers wisdom and hope.
I am almost finished with it and am entranced with both the beauty of the writing itself and the depth of wisdom it contains. I may end up buying my own copy to reread. It’s not one that can be digested in the time the library allows, even renewing it twice. I find the images set up in each chapter cannot be easily bumped up against each other if the full meanings are to be gleaned.
Sounds like a good book Rosie. Thanks for sharing.
Patti
Rosie,
Thank you for this recommendation. I also loved this book; it’s written by an indigenous female scientist, who is also a teacher, a mother of two girls, and whose writing is as lovely as poetry. It is a rare treat .
Very interesting and something that I will read.
Thanks for sharing ! You and all associates are in my prayers!