Your Compassionate Earth

[Jessica Snow]

Dear Friends, 

Passionate environmentalism has recently been consumed by the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, a crude oil pipeline that runs from the tar sands in Canada and through the midwestern United States into the Gulf of Mexico. The economists claim that by pumping and refining our own oil, we will gain energy independence from foreign countries and boost our dire state of financial affairs. The environmentalists cry for the salvation of preserved and native lands, firmly stating that after the exorbitant costs of transporting and refining there will be no financial surplus for the citizens of our United States. Already we have seen handfulls of pipeline oil spills, destroying personal property, killing wildlife, and irreparably damaging the habitats that hold our planet in balance.

“Please show respect for a chill spot and take what you brought!”

I have spent many years torn by the anger of a broken heart, faced with the consistent inaction of our society towards the destruction of our planet. Looking at the pictures of the prolific destruction across our planet, every petition and picket line only served to deepen my feelings of helplessness, further proving my separation from the legislation that would serve a remedy. Lost, I began to look for the solution within– reducing my consumption and waste at home, picking up trash from parks and creeks and roadside, and finding creative solutions for reuse and repurpose whenever possible. I sent my prayer into the earth, and held for her the vision of balance and wholeness. I realized that war is no way to honor love and beauty.

Cleaning up the C&O Canal with the Alice Ferguson Foundation, 2010

A few months ago, my good friend Davey Rogner invited me to join him on an environmental movement tracing the route of the final Keystone pipeline installation. As Davey explained to me the vision of this walk, a compassionate movement in loving meditation, I knew immediately that I needed to be involved. Instead of blame, we come in prayer– all faiths and forms alike. Instead of decrying the corporate adgenda, we carry the adgenda of a strong and supportive community structure. Instead of fear and violence, we embody love and compassion. This is the future of progressive revolution.

A sign, from the Earth, to move in a new direction.

It is an honor to be considered among the first pioneer movement of these Earth Pilgrims– beginning our journey south on the 1st of July, at the apex of the pipeline in Hardisty, Alberta. The trek will be a beautiful challenge on many levels, confronting physical, emotional, and spiritual limitation while holding space for positive transformation, and functioning as one communal unit. I look forward to the hail storms of the Dakotas, and the vast, endless landscape of the Great Plains. I know that I will build strong and supportive relationships while learning to care for myself in ways that directly contribute to spiritual evolution. Most of all, I look forward to touching the spirit of the beautiful communities that we will be connecting along the way.

If love is the vehicle of transformation, than YOU are the pilot!

The Compassionate Earth pilgrims and I will be traveling with the support of a vegetable fuel school bus, powered by donated solar panels. Our camp will be tents, on the structure of the earth. Our most important expense will be food, for both the pilgrims in travel, and the community outreach events that we are organizing along the way. By living in close community, closely to the earth, we are demonstrating the principles of sustainable living that can be incorporated into any civil social lifestyle. We are setting the example for this new paradigm of community that incorporates compassionate living into both the social and natural world.

 

Sign-holders in Ocean City, MD, 2010

I ask that you help with this proactive shift in consciousness in whatever way that you are able. If you have a day or week that you can join us in solidarity on the road, our tribe will welcome you kindly with an open heart. If you are able to donate money or storable foods for our sustenance, we thank you for contributing the fuel that our fire so greatly needs. If you share this message with others who will support our vision, in spirit or in action, then together we build the structure of this socio-environmental re-evolution.

This movement is our future.

Thank you so much for all of your love, and support both on and off the road.

Truly and deeply, I bow to you, community.

With love always,

Jess

 

To contribute to our Start Some Good campaign, visit: startsomegood.com/compassionateearthwalk

To mail a cheque or food/supplies, address to:

The Compassionate Earth Walk

c/o The Harvest Collective

1518 Menlee Rd.

Silver Spring, MD 20904

To gift via Pay Pal, address to: david...@gmail.com