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An Expression of Gratitude, Together with A Land Acknowledgment 

(Inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer)

 

I invite you to take a deep breath and allow the sound of the bell to centre you and bring you into the here and now – this sacred present moment – the only place where the Divine Presence resides. 

 

Take a moment to just sink into the silence and let it enfold you and hold you. 

 

Let us begin our day (gathering) in the spirit of the Indigenous Peoples who always begin with gratitude. 

Robin Wall Kimmerer, the renown Indigenous botanist and knowledge keeper, often begins her sessions by asking people to think back to the moment this morning when you first put your feet on Mother Earth.

And so, in the spirit of Robin, I ask you to recall that magical moment this morning when you first put your feet on Mother Earth.

And as you do allow the feeling of gratitude to well up within you.  

That Mother Earth was there to support you. 

That you had water – to quench your thirst and refresh you. 

You were greeted by bird song and enriched by the lavish colors of plants and flowers.  

The trees were there to support your every breath.  

What a world!

And in a world of such wonder, beauty and generosity what can we do but sing our gratitude.

 

We also give gratitude to the diverse peoples who have come from far and wide, bearing the gifts and wisdom of their ancestors.  Many of whom had to flee and are grateful to call this land home. 

 

And most especially we give warm greetings and thanks to the Original Peoples on whose homelands we stand today – the Haudenosunee, the Huron Wendat and the Anishnabe First Nations, more recently occupied by the Mississaugas of the Credit.  May they continue to raise our awareness that our wellbeing depends on the wellbeing of Earth and the wellbeing of one another. We are most grateful for their wisdom and knowledge at this critical time in Earth’s history.  And we affirm our commitment for right relations with all Indigenous Peoples built on respect and reciprocity.

 

 

By Kathy Murtha, Retreat Program Manager at the Mary Ward Centre

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