“Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”
This is the seventh Principle of the Unitarian Universalist Association, adopted along with the rest of the seven Principles in 1985. At first glance, it seems very simple, a product of the environmentalist movement and an acknowledgement of many UU’s commitment to reducing our impact on the ecosystem. Out of the adoption of this Principle grew the Seventh Principle Project (later called the UU Ministry for Earth), which certifies green sanctuaries, promotes Earth Day outreach, and supports other important environmentalist actions. All of this is amazing for a religious organization both in the 1980s and now, when getting many churches to admit to the reality of climate change is a challenge.
On its face, the wording instructs us to “respect” this web of existence, which can mean a variety of things to different people. For me as a Heathen, a huge part of respecting this web of existence is the honoring of the land wights and the multitude of other spirits that make up the natural world around me. Each tree, each little creek, every wide-open field is full of life both mundane and spiritual, and these things demand my respect and my care. I have a deep relationship with the spirit of my garden, I know intimately her dark soil and offer her gifts daily in the summertime. In return, she gives me round ripe fruits and tall plants. We are friends, and I feel she enjoys my presence just as I so appreciate hers.
This aspect of Heathenry – the emphasis on relationship between people and the earth, people and their ancestors, people and the gods – has gradually developed a new understanding of the seventh Principle within me. Of course I respect this interdependent web of life; I am an earth-centered Pagan. I do what I can to help the environment; recycle, walk when I can, eat less meat. But I feel this Principle can also call us to action on a more spiritual plane as well. When I read “the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part,” it’s easy to assume that we are already a part of this cycle, that we dwell within it and operate from that standpoint. However, I argue that this is not the case for many, if not most, people living in a Western society. For most of us, we are born and raised largely unaware of our position in this web of all existence. We don’t realize or acknowledge where our food comes from, where our water has travelled. To truly be a part of this web, of all life – we must step up and take that place.
When you turn on the faucet and clean water pours out of the tap, where has that water come from? What have you done to respect that body of water, what have you given to acknowledge the immense gifts that are being given to you? These are questions I ask myself every day in an attempt to take my place as part of all life. This thing I’m doing or planning on doing – who and what does it effect, and how? Can I do something to mitigate that effect if it is negative? How can I build a relationship between myself and this thing or spirit that provides the very basis for my survival? For me, all of these questions are an attempt to become more a part of this web, instead of an observer that depends on but contributes nothing to existence. Becoming a part of the world around us is an active process that involves really thinking about all aspects of our lives – and it is only once we take this place, develop a reciprocal relationship with all the things that give to us – that we can truly respect this interdependent web of all existence.
photos courtesy of shutterstock
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