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Audubon Society: Eight-Step Philosophy

Posted on September 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

When I began teaching environmental biology (1964) it seemed prudent to join The Audubon Society. The society was formed in 1905 probably inspired by John Muir’s creation of the Sierra Club in 1892. The membership included a monthly magazine that contained stunning Nature photos and relevant current event articles. At the beginning of each issue, the editors included: “A Statement of Audubon Philosophy.”

  • We believe in the wisdom of Nature’s design.
  • We know that soil, water, plants and wild creatures depend on each other and are vital to human life.
  • We recognize that each living thing links to many others in the chain of nature.
  • We believe that persistent research into the intricate patterns of outdoor life will help to assure wise use of Earth’s abundance.
  • We condemn no wild creature and work to assure that no living species shall be lost.
  • We believe that every generation should be able to experience spiritual and physical refreshment in places where primitive nature is undisturbed.
  • So we will be vigilant to protect wilderness areas, refuges, and parks and to encourage good use of nature’s storehouse of resources.
  • We dedicate ourselves to the pleasant task of opening the eyes of young and old that all may come to enjoy the beauty of the outdoor world and share in conserving its wonders forever.

– Audubon: March 1954

It is no wonder that the opening line of “The Audubon Philosophy” became part of the title and foundation that The Biodesign Class was built on.

Although I knew the steps by heart, my relationship with “step 6” was purely intellectual and definitely not soul-stirring. That all changed in 1972 when Lettie asked her fateful question (Biodesign Out For A Walk, Page 2) which led to meeting John Muir and hundreds of Naturalists, saints, sinners, sages and poets who were seeking a spirit-filled life.

 

My relationship with students was not unilateral, but reciprocal. I was supremely blessed to see Yosemite, Grand Canyon and California’s Mendocino Coast through the eyes of over 700 students. Mother Nature may have been opening their eyes and in turn, they were opening mine.

This is exactly what the Audubon Society was promoting and it was an honor to identify with and represent their philosophy.

Lowell H. Young
Author: Biodesign Out For A Walk

young.lowell@gmail.com

Posted in: Reflections | Tagged: Audubon Society, Biodesign Out For A Walk, Class of '72, Nature, nature inspiration, spiritual evolution, spiritual gifts, wilderness

Happy Valentine’s Day from John Denver

Posted on February 13, 2017 1 Comment

old_country_roadLori Evans Pugh (Biodesign ’79) shared this rare video of a John Denver song that I had never seen before. Not surprisingly, it conjured up a cornucopia of latent images and memories.

The Gift You Are – John Denver 1991

It is not an over-reach to describe Denver as a modern-day, wandering minstrel who was an incarnation of the spirit of John Muir. Muir came down from the mountains like a bearded prophet, preaching about the healing, inspiring, and transforming powers of God’s creation.

Denver came down from the mountains, like a whirling dervish, and wrote over 300 songs celebrating his love of Nature. His overflowing exuberance for life was contagious, on TV, but especially during his hundreds of live performances. Not shy about sharing his beliefs and feelings, his songs included many poignant thoughts and precious “poems, prayers and promises.”

In a wonderful, double synchronicity; John Muir and John Denver became huge influences in the emergence and evolution of The Biodesign Class. Muir became our guide into the wilderness (and converse inner journey) and Denver encouraged us to celebrate the music of life.

Denver’s songs have “gone viral” throughout the world; crossing seven seas and reaching all seven continents. His music has been translated into over 200 languages and been shared in some of the world’s most remote areas and beyond.

Some of his songs have been played on various space stations, scientific research centers on Antarctica, Inuit villages, Mongolia, Australia’s “Out Back,” across Africa and the vast Patagonian wilderness.

Some musicologists have suggested that the song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, which he tri-authored with Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert may have exceeded the status of the hymn, “Amazing Grace,” as the song that the most people in the world have  listened to. For a multitude of stunningly mysterious reasons, the melody and lyrics have combined to transcend race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, economic and political barriers.

Denver did not align himself with a formalized religion, however, his songs often evoked a universal appeal of faith hope and love of man and Nature. Like Muir, he saw the mountains as metaphors for reaching higher and striving to lead purer, simpler lives. It seems to me that, whether he knew it or not, by reflecting his musical interpretation of Nature, he was encouraging people to approach the possibility that they were created by an amazingly mysterious power, even if they were unable to describe it. This would surely qualify people as extraordinary gifts to those around them.

Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers to proclaim their love for those whom they love. I think Denver’s song, “The Gift You Are”, is a perfect Valentine gift and I encourage you to share with your family and friends.

Lowell H. Young
Author: Biodesign Out For A Walk

young.lowell@gmail.com

Posted in: Reflections | Tagged: Biodesign Out For A Walk, country roads, John Denver, John Muir vision, love, Nature, nature inspiration, The Gift You Are, Valentine's Day

Christmas—Celts—Jesus Christ The Apple Tree

Posted on December 20, 2015 Leave a Comment

Screen shot 2015-12-20 at 12.35.25 AMAlthough there is some doubt as to the author of the lyrics for “Jesus Christ The Apple Tree,” many musicologists have suggested that they were inspired by the Biblical book; “Song of Solomon,” 2:3:

“As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,
so is my beloved among the sons.
I sat down under his shadow with great delight,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”

Although the authorship of the lyrics may be in doubt, Elizabeth Posten is credited with the most popular melody version. However, the beauty, mystery and wonder of the hymn may be highly influenced by the arrangement (instrumentation) and where and how it is performed.

Understandably, there are many inspiring versions that have been sung in churches and cathedrals, however, my very favorite was produced by Thomas Moore in a CD titled:  “The Soul of Christmas: a Celtic Music Celebration with Thomas Moore.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pKdbstX9PE

Organ music has its place, however, the combination of Celtic instruments and the beautiful voices of Susan McKeown and Nikki Matheson produce a deep sense of rural spirituality that conjures up visions of the Irish, Scottish and English countryside. Additionally, the mystery, wonder and poignancy are intensified when we appreciate the darkness out of which the song emerged.

The Celts were people in Iron Age and Medieval Europe who spoke Celtic languages and had cultural similarities.

In the 5th century BC Herodotus referred to Keltoi living around the head of the Danube and also in the far west of Europe. In the first century BC Julius Caesar reported that the people known to the Romans as Gauls (Galli) called themselves Celts, which suggests that even if the name Keltoi was bestowed by the Greeks, it had been adopted to some extent as a collective name by the tribes of Gaul. The Celtic ethos included severing the heads of enemies, a practice that Roman soldiers regarded as barbaric. [Some info adapted from Wikipedia]

Understandably, without the guarantee of food that modern agriculture has accorded billions of people, the Celts lived close to the earth and relied on the capricious whim of 100s of deities. They also believed in animism, which suggested that all forms of life possess a soul. The Druids were the educated sect of Celts and were responsible for religious ceremonies. This included the practice of human sacrifice which the Greeks and Romans also described as barbaric.

Modern Christmas celebrations in the US are often a mélange of customs and beliefs that range from frivolous to deeply sacred. However few people know that the practice of couples kissing under the mistletoe was derived from the Druid practice of all the men kissing the most beautiful female virgin of a village, under an oak tree with mistletoe, before she was burned as a sacrifice to the “god of the harvest.” Little wonder that practices like these are now considered pagan.

The birth of Christ radically changed various religious and ethnic beliefs and practices. This spiritual awakening, and subsequent evolution, may not have been more dramatic than within the Celtic society. As more and more Celts embraced Christ’s message of “peace on Earth, good will toward men,” the Celts became far less barbaric and far more compassionate. However, they did not give up their deep love of nature or connection to the earth.

Perhaps, one of the most beautiful examples of them blending their past with their new knowledge is the Celtic version of, Jesus Christ The Apple Tree.

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne’er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne’er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I’m weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I’m weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For over 2,000 years, Christ’s life, light and legacy have been rejected, ridiculed,  scorned and scoffed at, however, the nearly 3 billion, self-confessed sinners, still try to follow His example and for them, Christmas Day is the most wondrous and sacred birthday celebration of the year.

Merry Christmas.

Lowell H. Young
Author: Biodesign Out For A Walk

www.facebook.com/biodesignoutforawalk
www.biodesignoutforawalk.com
www.linkedin.com/LowellYoung
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Posted in: Reflections | Tagged: Biodesign Out For A Walk, faith, Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, Merry Christmas, Nature

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