Lectio Sweetgrass: A Community Discussion
"Are we not yet transformed by relationship to earth?"
Welcome to our second Lectio Sweetgrass group. This book is so chockful of wisdom, I thought it would be great to break it down into bite-sized pieces to enjoy a more contemplative discussion. The format of the discussion is based on the Catholic practice of Lectio Divina, which is a meditative way of reading scripture, but of course, Braiding Sweetgrass is a non-denominational text and all are welcome. You many want a cup of tea or journal (if you like to write down your answers to the discussion questions) to accompany you as you read.
I chose this passage because, we are in this time of harvest when our gratitude for the reciprocal relationships involved in gardening are most apparent to us. Here are a few questions to guide you. I encourage you to follow the below procedure, but that’s not rigid instruction. Engage with the text in a way that feels nourishing for you.
Read the passage
Contemplate the first question: What is one word or phrase you are drawn to?
Sit quietly for 2-5 minutes
Read the passage again
Contemplate the second set of questions:
What do you feel?
What are your emotions?
What specific situation in your life relates to this passage?
Sit quietly again
Read the passage
Contemplate the third question: What do you feel called to after reading this passage?
Comments: To keep the discussion of each question a little easier to follow in the comments, it may be helpful to start your comment with 1, 2, or 3 for which question you are answering. Or if the passage brought up an interesting thought or question for you that is not directly related to the questions, please use OTHER:
Blessings to you, and my humble gratitude for joining me in geeking/whatever the spiritual equivalent of geeking is out on Robin Wall Kimmerer.
For any other big Robin Wall Kimmerer fans out there, I just learned that she has a new book coming out in November.
I love this passage. I love the reference to reciprocity and symbiosis. If feels like a surrender to me to know that we have this "obligate symbiotic" relationship with all living beings. And because sometimes I just wish I was corn or a rose or a bird. haha. Like Mary Oliver says, a rose doesnt wonder what is next. It just is.
Happy to hear her new book is coming!
I truly appreciate your work educating me. However, I live in a different ecosphere, the Sonoran Desert, so many things you describe most likely do not exist here. Yet, I can still enjoy your connection to Gaia.