Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that to truly respect and appreciate the earth we need to begin to look at our connectedness. We need to move beyond the concept of the "environment". Read his brilliant thoughts below. And then go outside in this beautiful season and feel your inter-connectedness. Walking meditation is a great way to get back in touch with the world around and within us. Try it here.

He writes:

“You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer. In that kind of relationship you have enough love, strength and awakening in order to change your life.

”Fear, separation, hate and anger come from the wrong view that you and the Earth are two separate entities, that the Earth is only the environment. That is a dualistic way of seeing. So to breathe in and be aware of your body and look deeply into it, realise you are the Earth and your consciousness is also the consciousness of the Earth. Not to cut the tree not to pollute the water, that is not enough.”

We need a real awakening, enlightenment, to change our way of thinking and seeing things. When we recognize the virtues, the talent, the beauty of Mother Earth, something is born in us, some kind of connection, love is born. That is the meaning of love, to be at one.

Realize You Are The Earth by Thich Nhat Hanh | Creative By Nature

Beyond Environment: Falling Back in Love with Mother Earth by Thich Nhat Hanh | Ecological Buddhism