s 1,2

ecosophy

Relationship of the Divine Entity and the Natural World

August 16, 1995

[given at Mt. Shasta]

I wish to speak about the relationship of the divine entity and the natural world. You know, this is a lovely place. All of the creatures who live here, they are of the natural world. That is to say, they are governed by Prakrti; they are governed by the forces of nature. And being governed by the forces of nature, they live in a kind of harmony, because they are the children of the Great Mother, the Great Mother nature from whom this created world has sprung. And so they are living in harmony, living their lives, feeling the joy and the pain of their lives. In the winter the cold is bitter; in the summer the heat can become excessive. The struggle for life is endless. The surge of life to move forward is there in all beings.

At the human stage, there is also the ability due to developed mind to make decision to go one way or another. Human beings may decide of their own accord, "Will I do this, will I do that?" They may decide to be in harmony with the natural creatures, or they may decide to live apart, to destroy the natural world, because their mental capacity is greater. They have developed great capacity both for good and for ill. And so the human beings in their greed, in their selfishness, destroy the natural world. And when they destroy it, they violate the laws of Prakrti. She is very patient, because the human beings also are Her children. So She is very patient with them.

But She is also the Mother of all the natural world, and She cannot allow that such exploitation exceed a certain degree. She may be mighty and fierce in Her destruction. So, it is best for human beings to live in harmony with Her, lest they see Her more destructive side. For She is the Great Mother, and all the created beings are Her children. Under Her rule, this entire universe has come into existence. And despite the vanity of human beings, She is still the ruler of the natural world, including human beings.

So, it is best to strike a balance and a peace with Her, individually and collectively, so that Her creatures might be preserved and Her wrathful face not be shown.