Discuss: Gray Thunder: Listening to Elephants

How soul-wrenchingly sad this story is.  I am ashamed that we humans have so wantonly abused our place of trust on this planet.  I really, really want to know just what it would take to develop a collective sense of shame about our impact on our fellow species.

So far, not a single word, letter, article, book, conference, law, political agenda, demonstration or discussion has made any actual difference to the projected outcome, which by the way, looks pretty dire.

Let’s face it.  We are FAR beyond the point of talking about “how we need to be connected and what we need to do” And if those “leaping lords that party down while scraping the bottom of the barrel” aren’t connected by now, it is unlikely that they ever will be.  Neither will the people who invest in the gravy drippings off their tables.

But it’s not just the forest destroyers, the global industrial corporations, the chemical manufacturers and the oil industrialists that have a part to play in this unfolding nightmare.

How many people are really serious about giving up their cars?

...about refusing packaged goods?

...about only buying local, organic, seasonal produce?

...about only hiring local people or only working locally?

...about putting on two sweaters and turning off the heating?

...about giving up air travel?

...about turning electrical eqipment off standby?

...about feeding our waste into bio-digesters?

We KNOW what we have to do.  We have to get serious about changes and we have to get motivated, busy and determined… right now.. not at some vauge point in the future because it is a bit inconvenient just now.

I haven’t said anything that any person reading this doesn’t know, chapter and verse.  So really, what is the point of saying anything?  Nomatter how well intended, will it help the elephants?  I doubt it.  Nothing short of a miracle can help them now, because it doesn’t look as if we are going to, does it?

Beth,
This is one of the most well written and to-the-point replies I have read about this article.  Thank you for your articulation.  I have put some of your points into practice, made a lot of changes in how I live on the planet, and others I have not been able to.  After reading you I am inspired to kick it up a notch.  The only thing I disagree with is the shame part.  I think our collective shame is HUGE and part of what drives shameful behaviour.  If we could only realize what glorious beings we really are, “no less than the trees and the stars…” or the elephants, we might start acting like the beautiful men and women we were given life to be.  When we realize that we already have everything we need, then maybe we could stop taking and start giving something back out of the gratitude for all that we have been given.

Beth,

I agree with Thea that your response is nicely written.  And I agree with the underlying tenet that localized economic/social systems would improve our overall situation.

However, I think there is small disconnect when you say “But it’s not just the forest destroyers, the global industrial corporations, the chemical manufacturers and the oil industrialists that have a part to play in this unfolding nightmare.”

There would most certainly be those individuals who would not give up even the slightest convenience, but I’m not sure they would be the majority.  The real issue, as I see it, in this particular matter is that our societal structure is such that most individuals cannot AFFORD to give up many, maybe most, if not all, of those conveniences.  Certainly, turning off the TV, or adjusting the thermostat are actions everyone can undertake.

However, when we start looking at the other measures you list, it is apparent that they are largely ANTI-CORPORATE measures, based on reverting back to more localized systems, resulting in efforts that resist dealing with corporate entities that destroy local communal systems of economic and social interactions. 

I agree that this approach is the better way, but the current powers-that-be have solid control over the flow of goods, AND livelihoods (money), thereby maintaining a stranglehold on the ABILITY of many to resort to these more localized methods. 

So, in the end, it seems to me that, ultimately, the real conclusion is that the primary problem is, in fact, the “forest destroyers, the global industrial corporations, the chemical manufacturers and the oil industrialists” combined with the governmental system that supports and strengthens those same entities, empowering them within our social/economic system to the point that most individuals simply have very little choice in many of the particular issues that would have the greatest effect in improving our lot. 

Until society recognizes the ill-effects of the corporate model, the way it is instituted in today’s society, and takes measures to neutralize such corporate influence, the average individual will be able to do very little to change the destructive patterns of these greedy, self-interested entities.

Rick mentions it will take society, and yes it will. The issue in the USA is that most people are completely comforable and also lost in the white man’s religion. They actually want “armeggedon” to come and so will not look, thinking it is all God’s will. They are failing to look at their part, and that they could perhaps change what they think God wants.

This in the USA at least is a society that 6 2/3 years after 911 will not do anything about it. If they can’t do anything about the so obviously false flag operation and further will not stand forth on the two resulting wars and the rape of those countries resources, so shall it be that the law of karma will come upon us.

I remain saddened greatly by the person who must live in Iraq these days, and indeed also Palestine. Americans do not realize we are an occupied country.

There is no connection with Mother Earth in general, whether it be elephants or the decrease in birds, the bees, and the chemtrails in the air. God help us. However, we don’t realize we are the Gods who could help us. So be it. Nature well be the equalizer in all this. Take care, Candace

Thanks Thea and Rick for your insights.  Well put, Thea, about our true natures. Thanks for reminding me because sometimes the vison gets a bit fuzzy when looking at the illusion too deeply. 

Yes, under all of the layers of masks that we wear consisting of eons of dysfunctional action heaped on top of dysfunctional action, we are the original, beautiful, human children of mother earth. 

Best thoughts, Beth

Beth,
Ah, looking at the illusion too deeply—well put.  We have been well trained.  But looking at the bigger picture, perhaps the elephants have conspired to bring us the greatest teaching of all. Perhaps this is part of their evolution as well.  How convenient that there are those who would claim to not believe in evolution, but we all came from somewhere, and we are all going somewhere.  Perhaps that lesson is to learn how powerful we really are.
Big Love, Thea
http://www.theaandthegreenman.com

Thank you Cyril for this article. I had a remarkable experience with elephants in Thailand where I played music for them on my electric cello and then played with the Thai Elephant Orchestra (a group of elephants who have been trained to play these instruments that were built expressly for them. I learned so deeply about the connection that is formed when truly listening and watching and being with another species. I composed music and a friend created a short film that appears on my cd Hidden Sky that was all inspired by my time with them. You can see the film at http://youtube.com/watch?v=QMY0S7LCSCE
Check out my website if you are interested in finding out more about the cd. I am honored to have spent time with them in this way where music was the bridge between us.

I tend to feel all animals - from gophers to chickens to elephants to the homeless are all One.  Even so, one day as I was gently rocking on a kelp bed in my single-person kayak out on Monterey Bay, of a sudden a large sea lion surfaced next to me.  Being only a few inches from the ocean surface, I could see every whisker, every eyelash and as as I connected with his big round eyes I felt a soul-to-soul communication. We lingered, looking into each other. I will never forget the strength of our connection.  Later, at home, I wrote a haiku: 
Kelp rocks kayak
Crone and seal lock eyes
Ancient Knowing.