The Earth is Our Mirror

We live on a living organism we call Earth. If you believe in this principle, known as the Gaia Hypothesis, and you have also been following the warming trend that is happening on our planet, it is very easy to come to the conclusion that Gaia has a fever.

In a living organism, fevers naturally occur when fighting a disease or pathogen as a way to "cook" the disease, weakening it until is can be managed, killed, or balanced by the rest of the systems. Rashes, dryness, and anxiety are but a few of the early symptoms that show up as signs that something is out of balance in a human body. We witness a similar response in Gaia. 

A few years ago, scientists declared that we were living in a new epoch, they dubbed the Anthropocene. This is a time where humans have made such an impact on our planet, that our "influence" on ecosystems, climate, and geology will leave an irreparable mark. Our Earth’s resources are finite. It has been clear for a long time that we cannot continue to live with ongoing exponential growth, following the same patterns we have become accustomed to, without creating our own demise.

This year, 2023, we are experiencing the hottest year since humans started recording temperatures. If you believe the beautiful hypothesis that the Earth is Gaia, a living breathing organism, then it's not a stretch to agree that our Mother has a fever. Climate change; dryness in places that used to be moist,  storms that dump incredible amounts of rain in short periods of time causing landslides, intense fires that are engulfing our cherished communities, grasslands, and forests. These are all symptoms of imbalance that we can probably relate to on a personal level, and yet we all feel like there's nothing we can do to change the course we're on.

We see this same mindset with the way the majority of people approach their own healthcare. So many see the signs of deep depletion without understanding that these are the early signs of disease. We continue to "shush" our bodies, avoiding looking at what needs to change in how we are living, as we grapple with more and more sickness and inflammation. At the same time, we continue to throw money at drugs and procedures they hope will save us, but these only mask the symptoms and pull our bodies deeper out of balance. Just like most climate scientists and politicians, many doctors are not thinking about the holistic approach, going deeper than the symptom to find the root cause of our disease. "Here's a band-aid." or "We really don't know what's wrong with you, but we're going to put you on this drug and you should feel better."

My prayer and deep hope is that more people will wake up to the intrinsic health that is available to them through living in alignment with nature and their personal constitution. This is Ayurveda, the knowledge of life, how to live in alignment with nature (both internally and externally).

I recently read this statement from NAMA (National Ayurveda Medical Association) and I feel like it sums up the Ayurvedic perspective that living in alignment means it is good for us AND the planet. See what you think:

“Ayurveda is not only a profound approach to well-being but also a beacon of sustainability in today's world. Rooted in the principles of harmony with nature, Ayurveda advocates for a balanced lifestyle that promotes both individual health and the well-being of the planet.

At its core, Ayurveda aligns with sustainable practices that reduce the strain on the Earth's resources and contribute to biodiversity preservation by emphasizing the importance of eco-friendly habits, encouraging mindful and conscious living, therefore promoting an awareness of the impact our choices have on the environment.

By practicing self-awareness and making conscious decisions, individuals can reduce excess consumption and waste, fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship.”

Simply by living in alignment with nature, we can make a positive outcome on both the Earth and our health. We have to approach both with incremental habit change if we want to see a brighter future. There are answers, and I am here to assist you find your health again. I believe that if we are to support the planet in healing, we must also support our own healing. As we might heal Gaia, we find our own paths to health.

If you are interested in exploring Ayurveda and supporting your health using seasonal foods and daily practices as medicine, I encourage you to sign up for one of my programs. You can find them all on my website under the Programs tab.

I am here to support you, be in community with you, and connect with nature alongside you as we navigate the days ahead.

With love and light,

Hannah