Living in sync with Nature

God's words to Adam in the Book of Genesis, "Dost thou art and, and to dust thou shalt return" encapsulate what life essentially is: the material component of each living being merging into Earth and the consciousness i.e. Atma subsumes into super consciousness, i.e. Paramatma of which it is integral part.

- Harish Barthwal

The precept subtly also urges to shed “ego” that creates man-to-man barriers that deprive man of abiding bliss.

To the early man Earth was not just a 5.972 billion trillion tons astronomical body orbiting around Sun but a mysterious divine entity offering ample resources for growth, rather survival of all flora and fauna including mankind. It sustained and maintained all living beings like a mother does, so it came to be addressed as 'Mother Earth' in most communities. That belief stays. In wide recognition of Earth's patronising role in feeding the world, after celebrating Earth Day since 1970 annually on 22 April, UN befittingly renamed it as 'International Mother Earth Day' in 2009.

The therapeutic wonders of Earth have been outlined by Alma Hutchens: "Mother Earth was the first physician and healer. Someday, everyone will realise that She alone owns the true pharmacy in medicine, for all drugs are made from Her garden.” Apropos of the mud therapy, a natural therapy that is fast gaining ground. Earth's blessings continue to be solicited by people of all faiths. In religious ceremonies of all descriptions Earth's blessings are invoked. Foundation laying observance of residential, industrial, scientific, or other structures is deemed to augur well only after Bhumi Pujan at the outset that is known to keep evil spirits at bay.