The Web of Existence

by Phil Ryder

Everything exists as an interconnected web.

The simple statement above might on the face of it seem very easy to explain. We could turn to a science that explains about atoms touching atoms. The air that one person breathes out is inhaled in part by another, when we speak we vibrate the atoms of the air around us until they touch the ear of another, and the water we drink has passed through many other life forms. There are many more examples.

This is a purely physical explanation though; how does it relate to the religious practice of Druidry? We are missing an important element and that is spirit. Here we must enter a realm outside of our physical reality. What do we mean by spirit and how does it relate to the sacredness of nature?

Once again we could try to intellectualise this. Science tells us that 65% of the universe is an energy that we cannot identify, is this spirit? We can look for objective explanations of spirit as found in various academic tomes:

• the vital principle or animating force within living things.
• the nature and essential substance of human souls, through which each is connected to all others, and by the experience of such connection is a primary basis for spiritual belief.
• variously defined as the inmost principle, the divine particle, the vital essence, the inherent actuating element in life.
• the overall energy that runs the universe in a harmonious way.
• a type of energy or radiation, the function of which is to generate essence from existence.
  

Looking at the above definitions it can immediately be seen that there are words that require defining; more clarity is needed before we can even begin to look for spirit. It is a spiral maze that has set many academics on a lifetimes work; it starts at the centre and works outwards towards infinity. It becomes clear that spirit cannot be subjected to objective investigation, although the definitions placed above may give us hints as to how we might look subjectively.

The foundation of all religion is a belief in spirit, a deep feeling that there is a vital principle within us, and that through this we can connect with its source, the divine. It is the egocentric nature of humans to consider that this is special to us, it is our soul, it sets us above the rest of the physical universe, and indeed this is taught by many religions. Through these teachings you no longer need to feel spirit; you are taught objectively that it exists, how it works in this life and on into the next.

Let us consider an alternative view:

That spirit flows through the universe and through all things. It is the divine force that gives all things their identity, their uniqueness. It collects atoms into mountains, sets granite apart from chalk, apes from humans. It gives each human, animal, tree, each grain of sand its own identity, but it also binds each grain of sand into a desert, a group of humans into a tribe, trees into a forest.

Spirit flows through and binds everything; it is a web that sings the song of the universe, each node adding its own note to the symphony.

We could again try to intellectualise this as being the creative force of God and indeed the Roman Catholic catechism ask the question 'Where is God?' and answers with 'God is all around me'.

But why do we need to try and objectively analyse this energy, this force that we feel? Instead why not try to deepen that connection? Connect to the flow, open that part of you that is spirit to feel that flow, watch it flow though the seasons, listen to its song on the wind. This is deity, this gives you life and can take it away, it provides for all your needs.

As you become aware of this flow and its connection with all that exists, your whole perspective changes. As you realise that every action affects the whole of the web, you must sacrifice your ignorance and your ego. You must begin to act with personal responsibility for all your actions, giving thanks, respect and honour to all you encounter. You acknowledge that for you to live then other life must die, and being aware means you cannot waste that sacrifice, you take only what you need and you give back what you can.

Opening yourself to touch, spirit to spirit, you feel the individuality of places: streams, valleys, cities, plants, trees, animals. Each has its own binding spirit and should be acknowledged and given respect. Damaging the environment needlessly and thoughtlessly is no longer an option; instead, you seek to minimise that damage, to tread as lightly on the earth as you can, and again to give back what you are able.