From the Abbot: October 2019

Welcome to fall and the colorful month of October my very favorite month. This is a busy time with lots to do. One of the events I wish to mention will take place on Monday October 21st at 6 p.m. at the Whitesboro Dunham Library. We will be reviewing a book by Kent Nerburn titled The Wisdom of the Native Americans. That Wisdom is here, contained in the words of the native people. Their words are simple and their voices soft, we have not taken the time to listen. Perhaps now is the time to open our hearts and ears and listen to the words they have to say. The book contains the great speeches of Chief Red Jacket, Chief Joseph and Chief Seattle. Their words live on to this day. I recommend reading this book.
I want to share with you the words of Chief Seattle:

Teach your children
what we have taught our children --
that the earth is our mother.
Whatever befalls the earth
befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.
If men spit upon the ground,
they spit upon themselves.
This we know:
The earth does not belong to us, 
we belong to the earth.
This we know.
All things are connected
like the blood which unites one family.
All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the earth
befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.
We did not weave the web of life.
We are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web,
we do to ourselves.
Chief Seattle