Editorial

We sense an inextricable association with nature at times, if not always. In low moments or moments of stress, we perceive a calming effect of nature on us. During moments of elevation, our contact with nature is translated into creative productions such as poetry, music, art, dance, just to name a few. History is rife with such creations born out of an intense communion with nature. Nature too has shown us another face of hers. We cringe before her face of so called violence and insurmountable energy. What is this Nature? Here are a few definitions: The material world and its phenomena; the forces and processes that produce and control all the phenomena of the material world; the world of living things and the outdoors; and a primitive set of existence, untouched and uninfluenced by civilisation or artificiality. There is an implication in the last definition of nature being quite separate from man. The Vedic tradition views man as an integral part of nature, as in nature consisting of two parts, namely the organisms of individuals and their environment. Nature is also known as Prakriti and means ‘that which gives shapes’ or ‘pure energy’ as opposed to Purusha the ‘creative consciousness’. Purusha uses the power of Prakriti for its unfolding in life. In this issue of our newsletter, we celebrate nature. April 22nd marks Earth Day, a day to think of the glories of the earth and lament over past and continuing ills inflicted upon her and make a collective resolution to do our part to preserve the earth which sustains our existence. This “doing-our-part” is a tricky issue. What is our part? Our part in doing what? What is the current situation of the earth to warrant this from us? Do we exactly know? Due to his indiscriminate practices bordering, at the final analysis, on greed, self-interest, disrespect for beauty, harmony and the natural rhythm and balance in nature, man has drawn towards himself the threat to his very existence. Increased carbon dioxide emission across the globe alone spells doom, as temperatures rise and as a result, ice-caps melt at a faster rate. In the long run, this means a rise in the sea level in some parts of the world, giving rise to the threat of submergence of land masses and in some other parts of the world, the threat of drought, as rivers run dry. Globally, signs of these are already on the rise and hence, the alarm. Earth Day brings to one’s attention these issues. It celebrates the individuals who have single-mindedly crusaded for the well-being of the earth in their own ways, in various nooks and corners of the earth – many there are who are not even known and march on in their endeavours driven by an inner conviction that the earth needs healing. Earth Day is also promising, as children around the world are given a golden opportunity to connect with the earth and make pledges of goodwill towards her. It is hoped that these children will bear that respect for the earth with them always, actualized in their day to day practices as they trod upon this very earth towards the future. For on these practices will depend the outcome of the living conditions that earth would hold for all of life in years to come. In this issue, we are given a glimpse of nature spiritualised through the eyes of The Mother, through the descriptions of this psychic relationship that she had with nature. Nature is a part of our own selves and we, an integral part of Nature. Herein lies the spiritual element ascribed to nature. The newsletter also reminisces over a past calamity to hit a country that The Mother has described with wonder and love.