Nature, Reflection and Learning - from bluecray.org

"It is good for man
To try all changes, progress and corruption, powers, peace and
anguish, not to go down the dinosaur's way
Until all his capacities have been explored: and it is good for him
To know that his needs and nature are no more changed,in fact,
in ten thousand years than the beaks of eagles" Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962) from "The Beaks of Eagles"

Reflecting and learning through nature can lead to increased understanding and awareness of the nature of humans and our relationship with our world.Masanobu Fukuoka, is one such iconic 20th century example of how this can be achieved through his writings on sustainable farming in Japan.

Human history abounds with oral and written stories concerning human interaction with animals, plants, places and natural events. Australia, including the Mt Warning Caldera Region , is rich in such written and oral history.

Over the years, it has become scientifically recognised that in Australia (and the rest of the world), the presence and activity of birds and other animalswithin any given environment reflects the state of that environment and its ecological components. Environmental status, health, wellbeing and resilience can be reflected by the bird activity within any given environment.

This is not a new idea. Cultures of past and present ages throughout the world have practiced closely intertwined rituals and nature based ideologies. This has been as a matter for survival, cultural education and environmental wellbeing. New concepts and practices forming around nature and learning are crystallising and modernising age old practices, bringing ancient concepts to a modern scientific understanding. Janin Benyus, author of "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature" (1997 William Morrow, NY), is just one of many recent advocates of a natural approach to environmental management and education. ( Nature's 100 best)

Meanwhile, I would like to talk more about birds. Take for example, the expression "a little bird told me" .

The Phrase Finder website gives a possible reference to the expression as "Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter" from Ecclesiastes 10:20 King James Version

Think carefully at all times where your mind leads you. Should a "little bird" take that thought far on the wind, and spread it beyond your life, into the world. Daily practice of loving thoughts have a widespread healing implication, nearby and far. Creating a prayer, for yourself, that a bird may carry, can set it free, on the winds of time.

The vision of a future where birds are happily living on this planet, and prayer to go with this vision, may be a good starting point to healing this planet with love. Furthermore, understanding nature and reflection on birds may be as simple learning to birdwatch.

Bird watching can be a simple, relaxing past-time, relatively cost free and extremely rewarding. There are many Bird websites on the internet to explore. Bird identification, information and resources can also be found in most libraries and second hand bookstores.

Bird Links at Bluecray.org

Al's CROW links