Ashes to ashes, dust to dust? Not in the 'modern' burial. Since the introduction of embalming (say since the US Civil War) bodies are no longer reunited with the earth. (Having heard the report from a family member present at the relocation of a decades deceased relative- embalmed corpses do not naturally biodegrade. Sorry- it has to be said.)
Each year tons of resources are wasted in burials (hardwood or metal coffins, concrete vaults), and pollution released (formaldhyde from embalming, cremation air releases, and herbicide/pesticide maintenance of cemeteries ). The long-term and personal costs are staggering.
A while back a friend asked about alternatives to the modern wasteful and impersonal burial; luckily now there are choices. The Eco or Green burial movement aims to stop the waste and pollution caused by conventional burial methods, while also preserving nature areas. People from many differing faiths or perspectives are now turning to green burials. So if you want a tree planted to grow at your natural burial site- like me- you have options. Continue reading →
The Blue Marble, Visible Earth- NASA
The planet emanates a constant rumble far below the limits of human hearing. Discovered in 1998 this low level "hum" was thought to perhaps be caused by disturbances in the ocean or atmosphere. Scientists now suggest that the Earth’s hum is caused not by earthquakes or atmospheric turbulence, but by ocean waves colliding with the seafloor. It will be interesting to see if there are other factors that are also involved with the hum. (The idea of the Earth humming or singing is not so new to many spiritual traditions.) Here are some articles about the 'hum', earth 'singing', moon hums, and earth "hiss"! Continue reading →
If you study (or hold, collect, revere, or use) rocks and soil, look at this remarkable project to provide geological mapping on a worldwide level. Continue reading →
There's been a whole slew of research showing that animals can sense or use the earth's magnetic fields as an internal compass. (When do they find out humans can sometimes sense these fields also?) Keep on reading to see some of this research. Continue reading →
Nature is good (/groovy). And more! So here are items of interest from science to spirituality, plants, rocks, animals [...]
