“The Secret Teachings of Plants”, subtitled “The intelligence of the heart in the direct perception of nature” by Stephen Harrod Buhner is a powerful and thorough work that guides the reader through a comprehensive perspective shift regarding our hearts. The book methodically walks one through a process that allows for a conscious shift in the seat of perception from the mind to the heart, and this opens the doorway towards re-aligning the methods that we perceive the world we live in to the organic whole body coherence perception that is our evolutionary birthright.

I found it particularly interesting that while our minds are primarily concerned with linear and analytical constructs that inherently separate the perceiver from the perceived, heart based perception is fractal or non-linear in nature (just like nature), and has the ability to immerse one’s perceptions within a truly interactive and dynamic communication. This does not in any way diminish the benefits or worth of linear conceptual thinking, it just changes the priority it is given so that our interactions with our perceptions are based in a more integral manner, one that is coherent with the very fabric of creation itself.

From the book: “Still, there is great power in the world around us. It has not disappeared just because we no longer notice it. Redeveloping the capacity for heart-centered cognition can help each of us reclaim personal perception of the living and sacred intelligence within the world, within each particular thing. It moves us from a rational orientation in a dead, mechanized universe to one in which the unique perceptions of the heart are noticed and strengthened, to a deep experience of the living soulfulness of the world. As the process continues to deepen, it strengthens our spiritual sensitivity and, in the process, helps us gain a deeper understanding of our own sacredness. The use of the heart as an organ of perception and communication, to weave us once again inextricably into the life web of the Earth, to gather knowledge from the heart of the world, and to help us live a whole and fulfilled life, to become who we are meant to be, is what the rest of this book is about.”

Moving forward in the re-enchantment of the world,
Eric

I will never forget the moment that Thomas Berry’s core message clicked as I was reading his “Dream of the Earth”. It was the first time in my entire life that I genuinely experienced a synergy. Everything clicked. Everything connected. Everything all of a sudden made sense, and had a living, vibrant, connective context within which to make sense as it continually unfolded. Needless to say he left quite an impression on me, and I experience a depth of gratitude towards him that is usually reserved for parents or an intimate. Having passed away earlier this year at the wondrous age of 94, Thomas Berry has left us a legacy that has the power to help transform our world. Or to use one of his most beloved phrases, to help usher in an era of “mutually enhancing human earth relations”.

There are numerous biographies, eulogies, memorials, and further testaments regarding the profound vision that Berry has left us with online, and if the reader is unfamiliar with his work then I most whole heartedly recommend it. There are great overviews of his life from The New York Times and The LA Times, along with eulogies found on his own website, www.thomasberry.org. My favorite tribute however comes from poet Drew Dellinger, and I can’t recommend it, or Dellinger himself, enough.

If our lives are measured by the extent that we have left the world a better place then when we found it, we would need to dig out the tape used for M.L.King, Gandhi and company, the one usually reserved for prophets and saints. The pages of this blog were originally inspired by Thomas’ message to learn and tell the Universe Story in order to firmly establish a meaningful context within which to lead our lives, and it is my fullest intention of continuing The Great Work of our times by highlighting as many efforts to inspire and nurture balanced human earth relations as possible.

Thank you father Thomas. The world is indeed a much better place for your having been. I will close this post with a clip of Thomas sharing a most powerful perspective in his own words.

Peace,
Ericuni

I hope you enjoy these clips as much as I have.
Peace.
Eric