The concept of “re-wilding” creation takes its cues from a philosophy of “Nature knows best,” by restricting human interference in creation’s own healing as an approach to ecological restoration and wholeness. Eminent biologist E.O. Wilson (1929–2021) had proposed—provocatively—setting aside and protecting half the biosphere for nature to heal and regenerate, and thus restoring balance to a human-befouled…
This weekend Prairiewoods hosts its annual Blessing of the Animals, a beautiful ritual celebrating the deep bonds animals and humans share. The wisdom of age-old stories and cultures tells us that no boundaries exist between animals and humans. Animals relate with humans every day through appearance, behavior, movement and pattern. Anticipating this favorite Blessing of…
We all choose our way To embrace or reject The kin of the park The kin of the pack Standing as tall arbor elders Rock jumping as Sierra Fence lizards Not as master or leader, but as collaborative guide of compassion to nurture and hold that which breathes, that breathes the breath of life here…
“Values according to which we conduct our lives will shape the future.” —Jeremy Lent, The Web of Meaning, p. 5 So what are the values that enliven Prairiewoods? What is the future emerging here? For that I look to the core values of the Franciscans who founded Prairiewoods so many years ago. Respect—We honor one…
On a September retreat at Prairiewoods, the trees woke me up. Just outside my second-story guest house window, they were shaking their heads wildly. In the background I could hear the rumble of thunder. It was past midnight, and now it was Mary Oliver’s birthday, September 10. Pieces of her poem “The Journey,” that I…
Each year, my husband and I and our beloved dogs look forward to Prairiewoods’ annual Blessing of the Animals. It’s a chance for our pups to meet dozens of other dogs, cats, guinea pigs, bunnies, bearded dragons, donkeys, turtles, etc. from around the corridor. (And this year’s Blessing will be extra special for me, because…
The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day; the score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play. And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same, a sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game. ********* The sneer is gone from Casey’s lip, his teeth…
Crises we experience today—spiritual, ecological, political, global—signify that we have lost consciousness (and perhaps conscience) regarding the sacred at the heart of all life. The Season of Creation invites us to re-awaken and transform the way we choose to live, relate and engage with creation. The celebration was birthed in 1989 when the Eastern Orthodox…
Beating flutter of the Divine within Convergence points all, between and among Start of a cry emerged, mothers joy Love contained, first glimpse of wonder Earth arbor and kin, seen and touched The last sigh of life, compassionate connection Deep remembrance, physically undeniable Unsure mind, but unforgotten Body spirit, remembrance of the One, the butterfly…
She’s on the ground right in front of me, in the newly mown path that cuts through the prairie, opening and closing her wings as if she’s airing them out, or doing her morning stretches. I almost step over her without a second glance—a small, brown butterfly in the grass—and then she does a full…