Sacred Grounds Blog
Respect for the Interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
“Our seventh Principle may be our Unitarian Universalist way of coming to fully embrace something greater than ourselves. The interdependent web—expressed as the spirit of life, the ground of all being, the oneness of all existence, the community-forming power, the process of life, the creative force, even God—can help us develop that social understanding of ourselves that we and our culture so desperately need. It is a source of meaning to which we can dedicate our lives.”
~ Rev. Forrest Gilmore
Impetus for the Sacred Grounds – Our 7th Principle Writ Large
as interpreted by Rod Belshee
Connection to something greater than ourselves
Humans need connection to something larger than ourselves. For me it is nature. Over a thousand nights in the wilderness have generated great awe and respect. Nature is simultaneously non-caring and supportive and healing. The thunderstorm will bear down with no concern, and the ocean waves will restore your equanimity like no therapist ever could. I feel both insignificant and magnificently sufficient as a small part in a much more powerful universe. I can’t really explain it but it provides strength, comfort and a compass.
Nature is not something separate from us. Separation from nature leaves a large void in our soul. Individualism leaves us empty and rudderless. Buddhism teaches that connection to the larger world comes with diminishing our narrow view of self. Buddhism gives radically a different view of self than that of Western philosophy. It teaches that one encounters fear, pain and anxiety when a strong self-view separates us from the interdependent web of life. To live securely in the present moment means to live without ego, and not to strive to with individual ambition. The duelist belief of self being separate from others and from nature is the ultimate cause of human suffering.
A Cahuilla Concept of Nature
Dr. Gordon Clarke Jr., a UCR professor and Cahuilla tribal leader, shares some perspective. Nature is not a resource to exploit for gain. That pervasive concept is individualistic, short-term, and disconnected from meaningful relationship. It is about extracting wealth and ignoring the interconnected consequences. Dr. Gordon Clarke’s concept is that we are part of nature, one species among many though perhaps unique in our ability to sustain or to destroy the others.
He describes our reciprocal relationship and obligation. Humans are just one part of a larger interactive system composed of cooperating entities that share responsibility in the workings of plant life, animal life and the environment. Humans are not the center. He points out that Cahuilla language doesn’t have a word for nature, since it is so overarching. Our role is to tend to nature, make a blessing of thanks, nurture some seedlings, or pick up trash.
Leave No Trace
I am profoundly influenced by the Leave No Trace principles. We need to tread lightly on the land. “Take only pictures/memories, leave only footprints” has been variously attributed to Chief Seattle, John Muir, and Robert Baden-Powell.
It drives much of my relationship to the land. Everything that supports us comes from the land, whether copper and lithium for our electronics, oil for our plastic, or water for our gardens. There is no material thing that we created out of thin air. Every material item that you have ever possessed came at a price to the natural world. Every material item you purchase had an impact on the land.
It’s not about recycle, or even reuse. It is about reduce. Minimize your footprint.
Connection with Nature
Some of us have experienced a deep connection to nature. I have been fortunate to spend a thousand nights in the wilderness, many months at a time. It is there that I both feel minuscule and sufficient. There is no striving, no fighting nature, no need to make my mark. Instead there is just being united with nature.
Being in the wilderness has granted huge gifts. I have watched a wolverine strolling up the path ahead of me. I have seen a dominate male gray wolf chase the juvenile male out of the territory. I have followed the track of a snow leopard. I have had mountain lions stalk me in the day and scream at me at night. None of these derive from pursuit or desire; they come from simply being still and observant in the wilderness.
Desert Canyon Habitat Nears Completion
Take a stroll through the new Desert Canyon Habitat garden by the labyrinth. The first of 4-5 habitats on our grounds, this provides refugia for our native species, and provides a place for us to develop and nurture a deep a spiritual connection to the interconnected...
Sacred Grounds Update: November 2023
Celebration Garden
Huge progress! Our stunning Celebration Garden is really taking shape. The walkway is embossed with designs inspired by native plants and lizards, a ring of Encelia (brittlebush) circles the metal sculpture, and a new bladderpod hedge to screen off the parking lot is in place.
Desert Canyon Habitat
On October 23 we started planting the Desert Canyon Habitat with over a hundred native plants!
Sacred Grounds Update: August 2023
Wow, this has been a busy month. We've finalized the landscape design for the Desert Canyon Garden, defined the paths, got the plant material list ready to order and even got 25 tons of boulders delivered! The Celebration Garden is taking shape too - the stamps for...
Sacred Grounds Update July 2023
A lot has been happening with Sacred Grounds -- take a peek! Sacred Grounds Update: July 2023
Sacred Grounds Update June 2023
Greetings from Sacred Grounds! A lot has been happening so let’s catch you up. We are hard at work and eager for you to join in the creation of the Celebration Garden and several Native Plant Community Gardens. Sacred Grounds Update: June 2023 Spoiler: October...
Sacred Grounds Weed Pull, March 2023
Dear Friends of Sacred Grounds and Fellow Weed Pullers, The rain this winter has produced a new crop of schismus grass, and we need to remove this pesky invader soon. Schismus grass is easy to remove! No need to get on your hands and knees. You can stand and scrape it...
Sacred Grounds Update January 2023
Here’s an update on progress since the November Sacred Grounds meeting, at which various sub-teams were formed. There are many opportunities for you to get involved, matching your interests and skills. Read about the Native Plants sub-team, the upcoming Weed Pull Party, landscaping, design ideas for the sidewalks and more!
Fall Kickoff!
Sacred Grounds relaunches! Seventeen people met after the November 13th service to introduce Sacred Grounds to newcomers, rekindle excitement, and get moving on Phase 1 projects. Enthusiasm was high!
Volunteers jumped in to start planting native species, join the Love the Land work parties on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, staff the patio info tables and communications, and select the material for the paths. As we complete visible projects we should gain more visibility and more volunteers and be able to move forward on the other parts of the Phase 1 projects.
Earth Day Worship Service
First, a huge thank you to Katie Barrows. The Barrows family of Katie, Cameron, and Colin is the undisputed First Family of our local natural lands. The family business has been protecting our native lands, being stewards, listening to and understanding interconnection of the other species, and inspiring more stewards. Please let’s acknowledge our gratitude to Katie and her family.
Our beautiful area is hurting. The eastern valley
Sacred Grounds Update
Remember the Sacred Grounds Initiative? After a long Covid hiatus, the Initiative will be starting back up.
History
Oh, didn’t Covid change everything? By March 2020 a large group of congregants had formed the Sacred Grounds Initiative, a vision for our amazing grounds that included support for the native plants and critters, plus nourishing human souls with places for meditation, connection and reflection. The minister spoke from the pulpit, a couple of congregation-wide meetings were held, and a Love-the-Land work party
Sacred Grounds Blog Posts
Desert Canyon Habitat Nears Completion
Take a stroll through the new Desert Canyon Habitat garden by the labyrinth. The first of 4-5 habitats on our grounds, this provides refugia for our native species, and provides a place for us to develop and nurture a deep a spiritual connection to the interconnected...
Sacred Grounds Update: November 2023
Celebration Garden
Huge progress! Our stunning Celebration Garden is really taking shape. The walkway is embossed with designs inspired by native plants and lizards, a ring of Encelia (brittlebush) circles the metal sculpture, and a new bladderpod hedge to screen off the parking lot is in place.
Desert Canyon Habitat
On October 23 we started planting the Desert Canyon Habitat with over a hundred native plants!
Sacred Grounds Update: August 2023
Wow, this has been a busy month. We've finalized the landscape design for the Desert Canyon Garden, defined the paths, got the plant material list ready to order and even got 25 tons of boulders delivered! The Celebration Garden is taking shape too - the stamps for...
Sacred Grounds Update July 2023
A lot has been happening with Sacred Grounds -- take a peek! Sacred Grounds Update: July 2023
Sacred Grounds Update June 2023
Greetings from Sacred Grounds! A lot has been happening so let’s catch you up. We are hard at work and eager for you to join in the creation of the Celebration Garden and several Native Plant Community Gardens. Sacred Grounds Update: June 2023 Spoiler: October...
Sacred Grounds Weed Pull, March 2023
Dear Friends of Sacred Grounds and Fellow Weed Pullers, The rain this winter has produced a new crop of schismus grass, and we need to remove this pesky invader soon. Schismus grass is easy to remove! No need to get on your hands and knees. You can stand and scrape it...
Sacred Grounds Update January 2023
Here’s an update on progress since the November Sacred Grounds meeting, at which various sub-teams were formed. There are many opportunities for you to get involved, matching your interests and skills. Read about the Native Plants sub-team, the upcoming Weed Pull Party, landscaping, design ideas for the sidewalks and more!
Fall Kickoff!
Sacred Grounds relaunches! Seventeen people met after the November 13th service to introduce Sacred Grounds to newcomers, rekindle excitement, and get moving on Phase 1 projects. Enthusiasm was high!
Volunteers jumped in to start planting native species, join the Love the Land work parties on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, staff the patio info tables and communications, and select the material for the paths. As we complete visible projects we should gain more visibility and more volunteers and be able to move forward on the other parts of the Phase 1 projects.
Earth Day Worship Service
First, a huge thank you to Katie Barrows. The Barrows family of Katie, Cameron, and Colin is the undisputed First Family of our local natural lands. The family business has been protecting our native lands, being stewards, listening to and understanding interconnection of the other species, and inspiring more stewards. Please let’s acknowledge our gratitude to Katie and her family.
Our beautiful area is hurting. The eastern valley
Sacred Grounds Update
Remember the Sacred Grounds Initiative? After a long Covid hiatus, the Initiative will be starting back up.
History
Oh, didn’t Covid change everything? By March 2020 a large group of congregants had formed the Sacred Grounds Initiative, a vision for our amazing grounds that included support for the native plants and critters, plus nourishing human souls with places for meditation, connection and reflection. The minister spoke from the pulpit, a couple of congregation-wide meetings were held, and a Love-the-Land work party