weaving holy grass

Nature is a constantly flowing cycle, and the entire world is a rich gift that comes and goes.

Intertwined with spirituality, science and indigenous wisdom, it is the most thought-provoking ecological writing under the contemporary environmental crisis!

As a botanist with rigorous scientific training, Kimmel learned to understand nature using objective and rational systematic tools, but this knowledge did not allow her to empathize with nature. Later, she discovered that the inheritance from her ancestors filled the gaps in science. Indian wisdom allowed her to understand the spirituality of the world, allowed her to see the connection between all things, and made her believe that animals and plants are the mentors of human beings, and they must communicate with nature in a two-way manner through gratitude and reciprocity.

In this book, Kimmel combines different genealogies of knowledge and uses moving myths, rituals and childhood experiences to show how Indian culture sees the gifts of nature in all things and reveals important life issues. She continues to ask: How can we find ways in the modern world to once again recognize the land as a gift, to restore our sacred relationship with the world?

■The cultural significance of weaving "sacred grass"

Sweetgrass, also known as grass, is an important spiritual symbol of Native Americans. Wild cogon grass is harvested at a fixed time of year, braided into hair and given to relatives and friends, and burned before the ceremony to purify, pray and gain strength. This book uses the cultural symbol of "holy grass" as the structure of the book. From the rituals and steps of planting, harvesting, weaving, and burning, it develops diverse plant experiences in each chapter, and implements the spirit of temporal progression and the cycle of all things.

■Animism, love and attachment to the land

With a sincere writing style that is almost like a memoir, he traces his childhood memories and family and tribal history, and remembers the lost culture, language and land traditions. Through the creation myth of the "Sky Goddess" and the legend of Potawatomi to the daily experience of you and me, we can open up the deep connection between people and the land and plants, and combine it with the value behind the ritual life of the four seasons.

■The grammar of life reflects the thinking of respecting all things

Aboriginal languages ​​are different from English in which non-human beings such as animals and plants are replaced by "it". Instead, they regard all things as living beings, showing a spirit of equality and tolerance. In addition, 70% of Indian languages ​​are verbs and dynamic expressions: for example, the word Puhpowee means "the power to make mushrooms burst out of the soil overnight", and the word wiikwegamaa means "to become a bay", all of which fully demonstrate the vitality of the word. Perspectives to understand the position and attitude of the world.

■The world operates in a "gift economy"

Aboriginal people collect according to the principle of "sacred collection". They only take what is given, make good use of it, be grateful and repay the feedback, and establish a special relationship, responsibility and obligation with the resources of all things. They regard everything that comes from the land as a gift, not a "commodity". Through constant changes and exchanges, they keep the world alive.

In this book, Kimmel shows the connections between a variety of creatures, including asters and witch hazel, strawberries and pumpkins, salamanders, algae and sweetgrass, leading us to listen to the voices of all things. There are countless words in the book that are moving and radiate spiritual brilliance:

"In our legend, cogongrass is the first plant to grow on the land. Its fragrant aroma reminds people of things that have been forgotten but not noticed. The purpose of holding a ceremony is to "find a way to remember." . The shape of thatch herb is slightly curly and wavy, long and soft, just like the hair of Mother Earth. Weaving herbs is a way to express our love for Mother Earth, letting her know that we care about her appearance and happiness, and to express our gratitude for all that she has given us. "

"Strawberries inspired my world view, that is, the gifts given by God are right at my feet. Gifts have nothing to do with personal actions. They come and go freely, and they come to you and me unknowingly. Gifts are not a reward, you You can’t earn it, you don’t even deserve it, but it just shows up. The only thing you have to do is keep your eyes open, stay present, and be in that humbling moment when the gift happens.”

"The grass belongs to the mother of the earth. We pick and weave it respectfully and use it to take care of our people. The gift we give to the land in return is to take good care of these grass. The grass is always in a dynamic state, and with each passing day The act of exchange with respect becomes richer in meaning. The essence of gifts is to constantly change and increase in value. Such a "gift economy" creates a set of relationships that must be circulated in a reciprocal model. Just imagine how rich we will become when the world becomes a continuously flowing gift! "

"When camping in the mountains in the summer, we would spill the first cup of coffee brewed in the morning on the ground to pay tribute to the mountain gods and pray to the earth. Watch the brown liquid drain into the broken brown humus between the rock cracks , like returning to its essence, becoming one with the soil. Even if we are confused about this ritual, I find that the land still drinks everything up, as if everything is right. Even if you feel lost, the earth is still I understand you. I think this is the power of ritual! It makes things visible to the naked eye invisible, and combines the ordinary and the sacred into one."

Kimmel's writing demonstrates a broad and inclusive ecological awareness, fully elucidating the deep-rooted interdependence between humans and the world's creation. She always reminds: Only by listening to the language of all things can we understand the generosity of the earth and learn to properly repay the gifts we have.

※This book has a specially recorded audio file for "immersive reading and listening experience". As long as you scan the QR code on the waist of the book or the cover of the book with your mobile phone, you can enter the moving chapter of the book that is full of spiritual reflection and poetry. It will help you in your busy life. Life brings moments of peace and relaxation.