Viewer Jeanne Andrews says, "Each episode is a gift. Everyone I have recommended the series to has enjoyed it and said that they got a lot out of it. I am recommending the episode on "Earth Wisdom" to a mythology group I organize as we are visiting the State Indian Museum and exploring the wisdom and contributions of indigenous peoples in April. I am grateful that past episodes are available on-line at your web site :) Thank you."

In this clip from Earth Wisdom for a World in Crisis, a woman from Kenya says "there will be a pay back time." What wisdom can we learn from those who are deeply connected to the land?  What should we do now? What are the current environmental "shifts" trying to tell us?

This Sunday, June 27th, we will host a live video web chat with Brian Keane, Director of Land is Life. A man who has dedicated 20 years trying to get us to listen to the elders, to the people who have a proper relationship with the earth, with the sky, with the air and with the water. These people can help us now with this crisis in the Gulf, and they could have helped us long before....

Our response to the Gulf oil spill disaster has not been deep or complete. It has been from a place of policy and economics. We have sprung into action and forgotten to deal with the symbolic, spiritual and emotional nature of this crisis. I have seen no mainstream press organizations, the companies that caused the situation or the government communicating what it means to take FULL responsiblty for causing all this suffering.

It is easy to blame, but what is my role? Since we are not separate, I need to take responsibility for causing all this suffering. I have not spoken out enough, I have not listened properly, I have not respected our Mother, I have used resources mindlessly and I have forgotten to be thankful. But MOST importantly, I have been afraid to use my power to protect.

This crisis in the Gulf is a wake up call to me. It has awoken the "No" inside me. It has gotten me to a place where I will not rely on others to do the right thing in my home, my neighborhood, my community, my city, my country and my earth Mother. I will stick my nose in it and maybe make people angry or uncomfortable, but if I do not do this, then who?

There have been some people and organizations I think have responded fully and I thank them for it, like James O'Dea and Spirituality & Practice. They have expressed a full and appropriate response -- grief, sorrow and asking for forgiveness. Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee also is right to remind us of the importance of the symbolism of this experience.

On Sunday I plan to ask Brian how the indigenous people are responding to the Gulf oil spill. Then I am going to listen. I am going to listen with my heart and allow myself to feel the pain of my own and our collective forgetfulness. I am sorry it has taken us so long to get here. What I mean to say...is I am sorry it has taken me so long to get here.

For all of you who have seen the Global Spirit program "From the Heart of the World," you might find interesting this recent update from the director, Alan Ereira:

"I thought you might like to know that have just returned from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, where I was suddenly summoned at the end of April.  I was called to attend a large gathering of Mamas at one of the highest sacred places - a place where I had never been, and where outsiders are not normally welcome.  There was a most remarkable speech, spoken by a very senior male Mama and echoed almost simuItaneously by four female Mamas ("Sagas").  They were, in effect, the voice of the Mother behind his words.  I was allowed to film this on a mini-HD camera.
 
The speech was a statement of their present situation, which they regard as critical ("as serious as the Conquest itself").  They high sacred places are being fatally damaged by soldiers and guerillas, and as a result the life-essence of the planet is failing.  In order to make what is in effect a last-ditch effort to save themselves and the world, they are undertaking a fundamental re-organisation of their way of communicating with the outside world.  They believe that it is still possible to turn things around, and intend to do that over the next four years.
 
I was asked to give a full description of what has taken place with the film and my assessment of it.  I was then told that it is a high priority that I should make a new film with them, to bring Younger Brother to a fuller understanding of their own vision of reality.  They have been preparing for this work for some years, and have trained their own media unit(!) to work with me.
 
The plan they have been discussing is quite astonishing, and I am now waiting to hear exactly how they want to proceed."

If you'd like to respond to Alan's message, please leave a comment below!

After being in production for over 3 years, Global Spirit has launched! It is showing on national television and streaming for free to a world-wide audience online.  We created this blog to accompany the series, with the hope of keeping in touch with the wonderful new people and communities to which this show is appealing.

We will approach our blog entries from two different perspectives: 1) Personal Journeys: the real, personal stories and experiences of people who are on spiritual journeys. People who are seeking truth, exploring what it means to be human, and connecting with life in a deeply personal and meaningful way; and 2) Behind-the-Scenes: a look at Global Spirit as a web & television series. We will include updates from the producers and program guests, interviews, book and film recommendations, basically anything related to this world of creating innovative programming on culture, philosophy, spirituality and science.

We hope you will help us build a unique and inspiring web community around this blog, by sending comments and impressions our way. We want to know what's interesting, insightful, curious, and exciting about the series and guests, and in your life, so that we can continue to create programs that resonate with you... 

Check back soon when we give you Behind the Scenes: Update from Alan Ereira, Director of "From the Heart of the World." In April, he went back to visit the Mamas in Columbia and has some exciting news.

Megan McFeely, Director of Outreach
Adrianne Anderson, Co-Producer