We are all familiar with forests being called the lungs of the earth because healthy trees remove carbon dioxide out of the air and replace it with oxygen. Thus we need the service trees provide for our own respiration process in which we take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide.
Imagine what effect massive tree excision from the body of the Earth, and the escalating introduction of genetically-modified organisms and synthesized chemicals into the air, water, and soil are having on the health of each of us. We are all affected, although our exposure level depends on our geographical location and socio-economic status.
Let the Freedom-loving, peaceful human being consider the following to counter the devastating effects of deforestation and the large-scale injection of synthesized chemical poisons and invasive GMO species into the world of the elements, with its intricate nexus of living beings created by Nature’s wisdom:
- Plant organic trees and plants in healthy soil,
- Support groups involved in reforestation,
- Support groups involved in organic and biodynamic gardening and agriculture,
- Support sustainable sourcing and fair trade practices through your spending and voting habits.
We are also familiar with the concept of global warming, which is usually described based on its more exoteric and less in terms of its more esoteric, supra-physical effects. In line with Eastern and Western esoteric teaching, we might describe the human being as having physical, etheric (life-energy or vitality), astral (psychic), and lower and higher mental (noetic) bodies. The more esoteric consequences of deforestation and global warming cause imbalances and impair the functioning of our subtle physical, psychic and mental aspects.
In Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophical teaching, the threefold schema forms the basis of the many sciences he introduced, including anthroposophical medicine and biodynamic farming. Over the last 100 years, these health-creating and -sustaining initiatives have continued to evolve and are finding growing acceptance across the globe. At the same time, they have faced formidable enemies whose wealth and power are based on perpetuating selfish, materialistic thinking, which forms the philosophical basis for the heartless, destructive exploitation of human beings and of the natural world.
In Anthroposophy, or spiritual science, both the plant and the human being are revealed as threefold, consisting of a nerve-sense system, a rhythmic system, and a metabolic-limb system. The following, taken from William Pelikan’s work, translated from the German as “Healing Plants: Insights through Spiritual Science”, sheds more light on these vital questions:
>> Leaf Process and Rhythmic System
We only have to look at the outer form to see that the foliage, with node following node in rhythmic repetition, is the middle principle of the plant, its rhythmic system. Its counter-image is the human middle or rhythmic system, its anatomy based on the rhythmic sequence of spinal column and rib cage.
Plant respiration and assimilation processes are also rhythmic, following the light rhythms of night and day. They are the complete opposite of human respiration. The leaf takes carbon dioxide from the air. This goes through a process of carbon condensation and carbohydrate metamorphosis that essentially provides the material for the plant body. Oxygen is exhaled in the process.
The human rhythmic system takes up oxygen in the chest organization and disassembles the “carbon-ness” of the body, combating its dense nature and ejecting carbon dioxide from it. Both processes proceed rhythmically between the fluid and airy spheres, but they go in opposite directions.
The hollow structure of the lungs with the trachea and its branches, that is, the bronchial space, represents an ideal tree which, like a real tree, takes up carbon dioxide and releases oxygen to the inner world of the blood-filled lung. The whole is a nature-given illustration of the ideal relations between human and plant rhythmic systems. <<
As our Love nature evolves and our understanding deepens, we perceive ourselves and the world around us with expanded senses and are moved to behave more kindly towards Life in all its forms. To view the world with selfish greed and a materialistic worldview no longer makes any sense to increasing numbers of awakening human beings.
We can evolve as individuals, as nations, and as a global community into something better. We can. We can each strive to improve the health of Humanity and of the Earth. Each single action taken by each of us in this direction will tip the scales in the direction of a healthier, happier future for all.
In fact, without this evolution of consciousness and the will to heal and transform ourselves and the world around us, what realistic hope is there for a future, given the deepening social and environmental crises in our day?
Joseph Michael Contrada
Educator and Healer
Heilpraktiker (Lic. German Medical and Psychotherapy Provider): Natural and Alchemical Medicines | Holistic Psychotherapy | Divine-Spiritual Healing
Medical Philosopher and Journalist
Posted 9 October 2017, last revision 2 October 2022