Native American Spirituality: A Path of Harmony with the Earth

In a world facing pressing environmental challenges, the need for a sustainable and holistic approach to our relationship with the planet has become increasingly apparent. Native American spirituality offers a unique perspective that emphasizes a deep connection and reverence for the Earth. In this blog post, we will explore why Native American religion stands out as a path that holds valuable lessons for humanity's harmonious coexistence with nature.

1 - Ecological Wisdom: Native American religions have long recognized the interconnectedness of all living beings and the environment. They view nature as a sacred and interconnected web of life, where every entity, from animals and plants to rivers and mountains, possesses inherent value and deserves respect. This ecological wisdom teaches us the importance of living in harmony with the Earth and embracing sustainable practices that honor the delicate balance of ecosystems.

Example: The Navajo people's belief in the interconnectedness of all things is reflected in their concept of "Hózhǫ́ǫ́gįį́," which encompasses beauty, balance, harmony, and health. It promotes living in alignment with the natural world, acknowledging the interconnectedness of all living beings and the responsibility to maintain harmony within the environment.

2 - Stewardship and Conservation: Native American spirituality emphasizes the role of humans as stewards of the Earth rather than dominant rulers. The concept of stewardship recognizes our responsibility to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations. Many Native American tribes have traditionally practiced sustainable land and resource management, showing respect for the Earth's gifts and ensuring their responsible use.

Example: The Iroquois Confederacy's Great Law of Peace emphasizes the importance of considering the well-being of future generations in decision-making. This principle reflects a deep respect for the environment and a commitment to ensuring the continuity and sustainability of resources.

3 - Rituals and Ceremonies: Native American religions often incorporate rituals and ceremonies that foster a connection with nature and express gratitude for the Earth's abundance. These practices serve as reminders of our interconnectedness with the natural world and help cultivate a sense of reverence and respect for the environment.

Example: The Sun Dance ceremony, practiced by various Plains tribes, symbolizes renewal and the cycle of life. It involves fasting, prayer, and dancing in harmony with nature, reinforcing the bond between humans and the Earth.

4 - Spirituality in Everyday Life: Native American spirituality emphasizes the integration of spiritual beliefs into everyday life. It encourages a deep sense of awareness, gratitude, and mindfulness towards the natural world. This approach nurtures a profound respect for the Earth and fosters a sustainable way of living in harmony with nature.

Example: The concept of "Mitakuye Oyasin" among the Lakota people expresses the belief that all beings are interconnected and part of the same spiritual family. This understanding inspires a sense of responsibility and care for the well-being of all creatures and the environment.

Native American spirituality offers a valuable perspective on our relationship with the Earth, emphasizing ecological wisdom, stewardship, and a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of all life. By embracing these teachings and integrating them into our lives, we can cultivate a harmonious and sustainable approach to coexisting with the planet. The wisdom and practices of Native American religions serve as a profound source of inspiration and guidance as we navigate the environmental challenges of our time and strive to create a better future for generations to come.

5 Things I Love About the Forest

Hello, beautiful souls! Today I'm diving deep into the greens and whispers of the forest—a place where magic breathes and peace resides. There's an undeniable charm about the forest that captivates my artist's heart, and I want to share with you the Five Things I Love About the Forest. 🌲🍃

The Symphony of Nature - Every visit to the forest is like attending a live concert composed by nature itself. The rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, the wind's melody through the trees—each sound combines into a symphony that soothes the soul and sparks my creativity.

The Play of Light and Shadows - As an artist, I'm fascinated by the interplay of light and shadows that the forest stages every day. Sunlight filtering through branches creates a dynamic canvas of light spots and dark patches, perfect for exploring in paintings and sketches.

The Ever-Changing Seasons - The forest showcases the beauty of change. From the lush, vibrant greens of spring and summer to the rich golds and reds of autumn, and even the stark, serene beauty of snow-laden branches in winter. Each season paints a new picture, offering fresh inspiration.

The Isolation for Reflection - There's a unique kind of solitude found in the depths of the forest. It's a space for introspection and meditation, where one can be truly alone with their thoughts, away from the hustle of everyday life.

The Richness of Biodiversity - The forest is a living museum, home to a myriad of creatures and plants. Each visit is a lesson in the diversity of life, each creature and flower a potential subject for my next piece of art, reminding me of the delicate interconnectedness of our ecosystem.

The forest isn't just a place; it's a living, breathing being that teaches, inspires, and revitalizes those who wander its paths. I hope this little tribute encourages you to explore your local woods and see what they might ignite in you. Perhaps you'll find your own reasons to fall in love with the forest, just as I have.

Stay wild, and keep creating,

Mila Brushwood 🌿🎨

Earth-Centered Spirituality: Embracing Nature and Connectedness

Table of Contents Table of ContentsIntroductionRediscovering our Connection with Mother EarthMore Than Just a Spiritual PathA Journey of Personal and Planetary HealingA Warm InvitationWhat is Earth-Centered Spirituality?A Reverence for NatureVarious ExpressionsHolistic View of LifePersonal Connection and ExperienceIII. The Principles of Earth-Centered Spirituality1. Reverence for Nature2. The…

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Processing existential anxiety one painting at a time.

I'm re-reading the Discworld series for reasons, and honestly the most relatable part of reading these as an adult is how many of the protagonists start out being tired, used to their little routine and vaguely disgruntled by the interruption of the Plot. Sam Vimes wants to lie drunk in a gutter and absolutely doesn't want to be arresting dragons. Rincewind is yanked into every situation he's ever encountered, though he'd much rather be lying in a gutter too. (Minus the alcohol. Plus regretting everything he's ever done said witnessed or even heard about fourth-hand in his whole life.) Granny Weatherwax is deeply suspicious of foreign parts and that includes the next town over; Nanny has leaned into the armor of "nothing ever happens to jolly grannies who terrorize their daughters-in-law and make Saucy Jokes"

Only the young people don't seem to have picked up on this---and that's fortunate, because someone has to run around making things happen, if only so Vimes and Granny and Rincewind have a reason to get up (complaining bitterly the whole time) and put it all to rights. Without Carrot, Margrat, Eric, etc. these characters don't have that reason; they're likely to stay in the metaphorical gutter and keep wondering where it all went wrong or why anything has to change.

............well, that's not quite true. You get the sense that Vetinari knows how much certain people hate the Plot. And as the person sitting behind the metaphorical lighting board of Ankh-Morpork, he takes no small pleasure in forcing the Plot-haters specifically to stand up, and say some lines.

The Profound Connection: Exploring the Intertwined Bond Between Humans and Nature

The deep connection between humans and nature is a remarkable phenomenon that has captivated and inspired individuals throughout history. From the gentle sway of the wind to the soothing touch of water and the warmth of the sun’s rays, these precious moments in nature evoke a sense of profound connection within us. This article delves into the multifaceted aspects, angles, and perspectives of the…

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satoru physically withers and crumbles every time you return his belongings. he doesn’t know how to tell you that he can only accidentally on purpose leave his glasses on your nightstand, or his jacket on your couch, or his shirt in your laundry so many times before he loses his mind. every time you don’t take he bait, he folds into himself and wonders why you don’t love him anymore and it costs him $22.50 to hear ieiri tell him to suck it up and use his words because he literally has to buy her company (and drinks).

but when you do take the bait, when you do wear his things, satoru thinks it’s all worth it. he can’t explain why it does what it does to him. it’s a sinister kind of possession he wants to have over you, knowing you’re your own person, free to do as you please, but also knowing you’re caged in him. it’s a lovesick kind of gooeyness that melts his heart seeing you fumble with the sleeves of a sweater that’s too long for you. it’s the vision of you seeing you drowning in him—in his clothes, in his things, in him, in him, in him. he’s selfish, he wants to consume you in as many ways as possible, wants you to drown in him, would die happily knowing you were one tenth as enraptured by him as he is with you. he doesn’t know how or why or when you gained so much power over him, but he doesn’t care, he doesn’t want you to ever stop, so if he has to keep pretending to leave his clothes and bags and glasses around then so be it.

Maru and Harvey at the flower dance 🥹 Even though he practices on his own, Maru still leads him through the steps. Maybe next year he'll have the courage to ask the farmer to dance.

I made this for the Flower Dance event @runawayface is hosting on the Harvey Lovers United discord server!

too mentally ill for desk work too incapable of acting human for retail and 200 years too late to be a 19th century grave digger 😔

I've seen a lot of people writing Danny as a space ancient and Dan and Dani as ghosts with moon and sun cores, being sort of parts, versions of Danny and therefore weaker. Now, consider: Dan and Dani are both powerful ghosts with really cool cores and stuff but Danny is just some guy™

Dan, who came from an alternate timeline and is kind of from the future but also not, is Clockwork's apprentice and will eventually become an ancient of time. He probably only agreed to have some lessons with Clockwork to understand better what happened to him, but he enjoys his apprenticeship now.

Dani, with her love of travelling, loves seeing all the different places the world offers to her, and that includes space and different planets and maybe even parallel universes, and she accidentally ends up being an apprentice of the space ancient. For now she's probably a baby ancient of freedom or something like that, but she might become an ancient of space in the future.

We can also have something like Dan having a core of destruction or Dani being the Speed Force if you want it to be dcxdp, or any headcanon of yours about their cool powers.

And then there's Danny. And yeah, everyone knows that he's super powerful, but also he's just some guy.

It can go different routes. Does everyone know that Danny is just Danny? Or do they think that with siblings (well, technically a clone and an alternate version, but whatever) so powerful, he must be even stronger? Is Danny actually something terrifyingly eldritch and ancient and strong, almost a god, but he just doesn't know himself? Or is he just really some guy?

Now, because it's obvious that I have a dcxdp brainrot, have a regular "JL summons/meets a powerful ghost" but its Dan and Dani, and they keep mentioning their original/brother who won a fight against them at some point. The JL is very concerned about Dan and Dani's godlike powers, and they can't imagine what Danny is like. And then they meet him (in his human form), and it's just a young adult in casual clothes, very friendly and helpful, with no evident powers. Imagine the confusion. Imagine Dan and Dani, radiating power, in their eldritch ghost forms, admitting that fighting Danny for real is the dumbest thing to do and not even they would succeed... And then there's Danny is jeans and silly t-shirt, waving shyly.

I loved the first commission so much, I couldn't resist ordering another one as a parallel of sorts! This lovely drawing is by @toktopus-art. It's based on a scene from Chapter 26 of my vamp!Eddie/Steve-gets-Vecna'd fic, laughing at the broken glass.

Scene excerpt is below, and the AO3 link to the fic is on my pinned post.

Steve wished they could just stay like this, but there were only two more songs left on this A-side. “Hey, can I see your bracelet?” Eddie asked. If not for his all-too-casual tone, Steve wouldn’t have suspected anything. “Pulling out all the stops, huh?” Steve asked wryly. Eddie flashed a shameless grin at him. Chuckling, Steve tugged his sleeve down before lifting up his wrist. To his pleasant surprise, the glow-in-the-dark effect was actually noticeable. Eddie took a moment to share in the admiration of the bracelet before grabbing Steve’s hand and tugging it down. “This is better, yeah?” Eddie asked. “Huh?” Steve turned to look at him again, but Eddie was staring straight up at the sky. “Than just sitting in your car in the freezing cold by yourself, I mean.” “I had Freddie Mercury with me.” “I’m serious.” Eddie finally turned his head to face Steve again. His expression certainly matched his words. Steve couldn’t help but tense up at the shift in tone, though he was swiftly eased by the way Eddie’s thumb brushed across his knuckles. “I...hate that you even have to ask.” Steve managed to smile, even though Eddie frowned at that. “Yeah, this is better.” One song left. It wasn’t fair.

"The intruder"

concert boys

forever bitter that the sonic ova home isnt used in any sonic media

if sonic is gonna settle anywhere its gonna be where nature has reclaimed itself.

im so sorry that i went without posting for a couple of days!!! but anyways, thank you to the person who got this set for me! it's so pretty, right?