collaboration Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

The Book I’m Currently Reading – Photo: L. Weikel

A Wonderful Book

A while ago – oh wow, I just realized it’s been two years! – I read a wonderful book called The Overstory*, a novel by Richard Powers. Reading that story was a gift on many levels. I permitted myself to step back from the responsibilities of the outside world and just read for hours on end. The tale not only opened my eyes to the plight of the American Chestnut (as well as other species of trees) – but also gave me perspective on current attempts to bring that tree back in a more resilient form.

I’m currently reading Finding the Mother Tree – Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest* by Suzanne Simard. This book is not a novel. Rather, it’s the autobiography/memoir of a forestry research scientist whose work was the basis of a good chunk of The Overstory.

I happen to love reading memoirs, probably because I am fascinated by how people become who they are. The tales of our becoming are sacred.

Finding the Mother Tree

A funny thing about this particular book, though. I’ve been holding it by my side of the bed for six months. But I was compelled to read a couple other books first. Finally, though, about a month ago I finally found Finding the Mother Tree to be next in line. I’ve been savoring it ever since.

As is my habit, thought, I’ve only been allowing myself to read it after I go to bed, so I’m still only about halfway through. What’s especially cool is that my sister-in-law, Francine, sent me a text last week recommending this podcast. Imagine my surprise when I realized it was an interview with Suzanne Simard, the author of this book.

I love that this is a story about how our forests and trees are related to each other in ways no White people ever believed they could be (but, I hasten to add, indigenous people have always known they are). I’m also enjoying this book because I’m the same age as the author. I remember the attitudes she describes facing in her profession – they sound sadly familiar.

Collaboration

Ultimately, the author ends up discovering that forests thrive as a result of collaboration between species – not competition. Extrapolating her discoveries to more and more aspects of our world, especially those in which humans are interfering (or just being themselves) could change everything profoundly.

I heartily recommend both the On Being podcas interviewt and the book. Allow yourself to be inspired.

*affiliate link

(T-56)

Magnificent Mycelium

Of course, with a post title like that, you can probably guess that Karl and I went to see the wonderful documentary Fantastic Fungi tonight.

I have to admit, if you’d suggested that I would have an emotional reaction to a film on mushrooms, I’m pretty sure I would’ve been…skeptical, to say the least.

And yet it was just the thing I needed to watch, especially after the week we’ve all had. Besides being fascinating, perhaps even better was that it left me, and I dare say the entire audience, with feelings of hope, inspiration, and awe.

We’re ‘All Bad’

We humans think we’re so great. We stomp around on this planet acting as if we own it, know it, are better than it, and oftentimes, could give a crap about it.

And yet, we are still only scratching the surface of realizing the existence, and understanding the amazingly vast network, of interdependent life that works in concert within and without, keeping everything in balance.

In so many ways, we know so little. And the irony is that perhaps we only need look down in order to discover the solutions we think are impossible. Cooperation and collaboration with other species. What a concept.

Held Over

Some great news: the management of Acme Screening Room in Lambertville, NJ, where we saw Fantastic Fungi, announced tonight that they have arranged for the movie to be shown three more weekends! So if you want to see it, you’re in luck! I would suggest that you purchase your tickets ahead of time, though. Tonight’s show was sold out last month.