Planetary Consciousness
Planetary Consciousness - A short essay by Chris Dews
If we humans would like to have a better understanding of the role we play in the global ecosystem, perhaps we should first take a closer look at our own body and begin to make some simple comparisons.
If we could believe that each one of our cells contains some special information and has a specific natural function as part of a particular organ or system, then we could also imagine that its’ life’s work is to perform that function in the most efficient way possible. Also that if each organ of the body is part of a complex living machine, then we can appreciate that it will only work correctly if it is maintained in good condition, receives all the right nutrients and is well connected with the rest of the machine. Logically, if all our cells had a positive attitude towards themselves and to each other, the overall effect should be a greater level of efficiency and a higher degree of social well being for the whole body.
There are probably as many different adaptations of the human functional ability on the planet, as there are different types of cells in the human body and each potentially with a specific function in respect to global employment and social responsibility. There are natural doctors, nurses, therapists, philosophers, organisers, communicators, writers, artists, inventors, cooks, farmers, engineers, builders and carpenters etc, plus the multitude of people who are not so specific in their work.
Now consider our world to be a living organism as the Gaia theory suggests, compare it to our own body and imagine each human being with a particular job to do in the whole network of activities involved in keeping the planets vital organs in good order. We’d need to look after our rain forests and wet lands, the rivers, the oceans, the coral reefs and our fragile atmosphere etc. Sadly however, due to our disconnection from nature, many of us are not even willing or able to take enough care of our own vital organs, so it’s hardly surprising that we have allowed our Planet Earth to arrive at such a poor state of health.
No-one knows at which point we will develop a better health care system for the Earth but it will depend on how quickly we can reconnect all the human cells to their real task, which is to work together and do all we can to take care of our planet. Maybe then we could evolve a more ecological planetary consciousness and will be allowed to see where our ‘earth cell - Gaia’ fits into the universal picture.
