There’s lots of talk in the media these days about the concept of sustainability. The term has been broadly defined as “the capacity to endure. . . . the potential for long-term maintenance of well-being.” We hear it used extensively in relation to ecology, use of natural resources, future planning, energy efficiency, and so forth. Is there a spiritual way of looking at this issue? How can we apply it in our own healing practice?
Some answers came to me just a few years ago when I had a healing experience while on vacation. I was on a 50-mile horseback ride when my horse suddenly became lame. I had no choice but to get off and hand walk him to the nearest checkpoint and trailer access. The ride was situated on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in October. As I walked, I lifted my thought from the fear of injury and disappointment over having to pull out of the competition and opened my heart to feel the presence of God all around me. I became caught up in the incredible beauty—the gold of the aspen leaves arrayed in their fall glory, the deep green of the pines, the brilliant blue sky above, and the amazing Grand Canyon at my feet. Suddenly the question came to thought, “How do the aspen trees know to drop their leaves in the fall while the pine trees keep their needles through the winter?” The answer came right away: All of God’s creation—including man and woman—expresses the self-sustaining nature of His being.
All of God's creation—including man and woman—expresses the self-sustaining nature of His being.
