Spiritual protocol for harvesting plants or animals

When we start to accept the idea that we are spiritual beings in command of physical vessels, all our relationships suddenly change.  I spoke about this shift in consciousness in my book 'Graduating Life with Honours' when I suggested that spiritually we are to be stewards of the land.  

The implications of this mandate from Creator means we have a choice: be a tyrannical or a benevolent leader.  We are currently stewarding this planet using a model of tyranny as we rape and pillage all the resources we can find.  As a benevolent leader, a different approach is required.  To make this leap requires a paradigm shift in how we view all life, including the planet herself.  

I view myself as a spiritual being in command of this sacred gift we call a body.  This body is my temple to allow spirit to express itself here in this physical realm as we all struggle to practice the Pacem Arts (Art of Peace).  But we are caught in a paradox as our vessel would perish without sustenance, shelter, clothing and all the other necessities of life.  Our modus operandi (mode of operating) is to find what we need and take it.  If we cannot find what we need, then we hire other people to go out and find it for us and we pay them for those services.  

As a spiritual being I must now confront myself with the idea of taking the life of another for my own vessel as being a violent act.  I now recognize that all life, whether it is an animal, plant, rock or water (all building blocks of Mother Earths vessel) has a similar make up as I do.  They are all spiritual beings in command of their own physical realm vessels.  For me to just take what I need would violate the spirit of those that I am taking their vessels to provide for my own needs.  

Mother Earth is a spiritual being just as I AM or any other plant or animal.  So how to I provide for my needs without engaging in violence?  I ask for permission and wait for the spirit of the organism to give of their own free will!  Then it is no longer me taking, but the spirit giving instead.

There is a great book by Derek Jensen called 'A Language Older than Words' which explores this whole idea of learning how to listen to the animals, talk to them, let them know what we need and wait for them to prepare to sacrifice themselves for us and approach us when they are ready.  I will suggest that we go one step further and do so with the plants, water, rocks and all the other matter that we find on Mother Earth as it is her vessel that we are a part of and require for our own survival and prosperity.

The goal for us is to find a way to bring prosperity for ALL live on this planet, not just me or a few select individuals.  That is one of the terms of us being here.  So what does that mean?

During our journey to UNGRIP and explore our relationship with Mother Earth, I had the privilege of spending time with some indigenous leaders.  Sweetgrass Sitting Bear and I have formed a strong bond of friendship and brotherhood.  We have taught each other a lot and we still have a long way to go.  When we harvest from the forest, whether it is a mushroom, berry or leaf, their protocol is to leave some tobacco as equal exchange.  That way there is a give and take and consideration has been met.  But if we just take, then we have violated the spirit of the organism and engaged in violence.  

I will also point out that this extra burden is placed on us because of our desire for a higher level of consciousness.  Christ level consciousness requires that we find ways to live without engaging in violence.  Animals and plants that have not acquired self awareness are not under such a burden.  But we are not to be acting like animals, but rather highly evolved spiritual beings.  There are others on this planet that has acquired self awareness and are on the same journey as we are.  Those beings would be the great apes (gorillas, chimpanzees & orangutans), elephants, dolphins and orcas.  

It would be difficult to suggest that we are farther along our journey towards Christ level consciousness but it is safe to say that I do believe we are to help one another accomplish such levels of consciousness.  I consider the harvesting of self-aware beings murder.  For animals that have not acquired self-awareness, we must still provide them with the opportunity to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others.  It is the sacrifice that brings growth.  

It is our job then, to sit, learn and listen to how these plants and animals communicate so that we can speak the language that is older than words.  This requires that we get in touch with our feelings (not to be confused with emotions) so that we can feel what others are feeling.  This is how spirit communicates with spirit, through the heart and feelings that we experience as we interact with one anther.  

When we need food, clothing, shelter, water, etc for our own needs, it is up to us to do so honourably and with integrity.  The indigenous have taught me to use tobacco as one way of doing this work.  I've also learned that the animals will come to me.  I don't have to go and take.  When they are ready, they will approach me and that experience is very powerful and moving.  It does not matter if it is a chicken, goat or cow, they will all do it, as long as we are patient.  This must be done on their terms, not ours.  

Modern factory farms and slaughter houses violate every tenant of this principle and results in untold violence as a result.  It also removes the responsibility from us where each individual needs to work on this relationship.  As a result, the majority of the people are completely disconnected from the responsibilities of being a proper steward and have lots the skills to have any level of meaningful relationship with Mother Earth, the plants or animals that we all depend on for survival in this physical realm.  

To return to our path requires that we walk away from the grid and spend meaningful time with Mother Earth, plants, animals, water, stones, soil, bugs, etc so that we can re-connect and re-establish ourselves as stewards and learn the language that has been drowned out by all our own language, technology and bias.  It is a long journey, but very rewarding when we learn to sit and really listen to what others are saying.  So who do we listen to?  

EVERYTHING!!!!