A Garden

[H2O Man]

{1} "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
--Jesus; The Beatitudes

In perhaps their most revolutionary song ("Get Up, Stand Up!"), Bob Marley and Peter Tosh told us that we have been lied to. They knew that the message of Jesus wasn’t about some future "heaven," but rather, about a state of mind that defined the way an individual lives his or her life.

The "poor in spirit" that Jesus spoke of, for example, does not mean the spiritually or ethically bankrupt. This saying doesn’t apply to people like Dick Cheney, the Wall Street thieves, or the leaders of the mega-churches.

"Poor in spirit" is both a literal and psychological term. It translates literally into the goodness and the humility that is found far more often among those who know poverty, than in any other group. This is why Gandhi said, "I recognize no God except that God that is to be found in the hearts of the dumb millions." And, of course, by "dumb," he did not mean people who are as stupid as George W. Bush; but rather, those without a voice in their society.

{2} "Whatever liveth on the land, whatsoever groweth out of the earth, and all that is in the rivers and waters flowing through the same, was given jointly to all, and everyone is entitled to his share. From this principle, hospitality flows as from its source. With them it is not a virtue but a strict duty. Hence they are never in search for excuses to avoid giving, but freely supply their neighbor’s wants from the stock prepared for their own use. They give and are hospitable to all, without exception; and will always share with other and often the stranger, even to their last morsel. They rather would lie down themselves on an empty stomach, than have it laid to their charge that they had neglected their duty, by not satisfying the wants of the stranger, the sick or the needy."
--John Heckewelder; Account of the History, Manners, and Customs of the Indian Nations Who Once Inhabited Pennsylvania; 1819; page 85.

Every society has its share of thugs, Gary Nash notes in his 1974 book, "Red, White, and Black: The peoples of early America." Yet during the colonial period, the Euro-Americans "stood in awe of the central Indian traits of hospitality, generosity, bravery, and the spirit of mutual caring. Indians seemed to embody these Christian virtues almost without effort in a corner of the earth where Europeans, attempting to build a society with similar characteristics, were being pulled in the opposite direction by the natural abundance around them – towards individualism, disputatiousness, aggrandizement of wealth, and the exploitation of other humans." (page 318)

This country faces several closely related crises today. In order for the us, as a people, to begin to find solutions to these crises, we need to –as individuals – identify which of the types of cultures described by Nash causes the problems, and which offers the best chance for identifying paths towards resolutions.

{3}"Be a good neighbor. If my garden is ready before yours, we should share mine now, and yours later. Too many people don’t understand the power of sharing. You have to remember that all of the earth is the Creator’s garden, and he shares it with us. That’s why I say that sharing is divine intervention."
--Onondage Chief Paul Waterman; 2002.

When I was young, my family was poor. As a teenager, I was homeless. As an adult, I have experienced periods of being poor. I learned some of the lessons that poverty teaches.

Today, I am okay, and able to tend to my own garden in the relative isolation one enjoys as they grow old. Earlier this week, I attempted to share one of the fruits from my garden, when I suggested that people should consider a Poor People’s Campaign, in the manner that Martin Luther King, Jr., was planning in late ’67 and ’68.

The solutions to the problems facing us will remain hidden from a society that allows, for example, little children to be homeless and/or living with too little to eat, while the robber barons live high on the hog. One of the great difficulties we face is due to the middle class, looking to the rich for all solutions, and living in fear of losing what they have, is blinded to the strength that is found among the poor. This is why I again ask DUers to consider helping to organize at the grass roots level a "tent city" demonstration in Washington, DC, this summer.

[grannie4peace]

1. thank you - what a beautiful post! you moved me to a different place

in my being :)

[H2O Man]

3. Thank you.

This post is due, in part, to the things that I was thinking about when I went on my early morning walk with one of our puppies. There were minnows, tadpoles, and salamanders swimming about in our pond. Naturally, I had Ringo's song playing between my ears.

[havocmom]

2. even as a kid, I saw that Jesus was a gardener. It was about growing nourishment

and sharing it.

Thank you for sharing nourishment, H2O Man. Those who husband the earth and the people are all saviors. The most simple are often the most holy.

[H2O Man]

7. Three Sisters

There are three sisters, who live at Onondaga. They are very nice. Their names are corn, beans, and squash.

Onondaga has a corn-planting ceremony. There is a relationship between corn and community. Perhaps I can use this as a vehicle to illustrate some of what I am saying in the OP. (And I know that you understand, and appreciate that you provided me with an opportunity to make this point for others.)

One class of Americans includes those who want to make a lot of money off of corn. That is the basis of their relationship with it. More, some of them want to make it illegal/impossible for others to have access to any seed corn but what they sell.

Another class includes the smaller corn-planters. They have a close relationship with the corn they plant, and grow. Their family has known that corn for many generations. When it is served on their table, they are thankful for their relationship with this corn.

Another larger class of people know corn primarily from the cans and bags of froozen corn they buy at the store. They have a different view of the can of corn, than the corn-planter has from the corn on his/her plate. But, at the end of the summer, this group is able to buy corn-on-the-cob at roadside stands from the corn-planters. They are able to distinguish it from that stuff in a can.

There are many ways to help change people's perception of what is real, and what is important.

[havocmom]

9. Beautiful illustration of the perception and motivation

So much better to get to the source.

As a kid, I knew Jesus was a gardener. Then I learned of other holy people/masters/teachers. Gardeners all. Nourishment.

As an old woman, I know I don't need Jesus or any other famous mater/teacher. Holy is easy to find if we know where to look. What sustains us is holy. And we can all have a personal relationship with the source.

Fresh food from my own garden tastes best. The warm sun feels best when I work to grow nourishment to share. Closer to the source is more nourishing to more than body.

[Me.]

14. I Am Reminded Of 'The Grapes Of Wrath'

When the Joads moved to California and essentially lived in a tent city, where all understood what had driven them there and how they shared with each other, though they had little themselves

[H2O Man]

31. It is rooted

in American history.

[roguevalley]

11. I loved this and the comments. thank you so much. Lovely pic. I am

keeping it.

[formercia]

4. The Pilgrims

or so it is said, were saved from starvation by a 'local' who fortunately, spoke English, and was able to help them adapt to their new surroundings.

We all have to learn to adapt to our new surroundings.

[H2O Man]

10. Right.

I remember learning about the Wampanoag boy called Squanto when I was young. His real name was Tisquantuam. He helped the Pilgrams.

As you note, we have to change and adopt to today's circumstances. And there are a lot of answers that are staring us in the face, if we take the time to look. And listen.

[FedUpWithIt All]

5. Thank you. That was very beautiful.

:hug:

[H2O Man]

16. Thank you.

I appreciate that you read it, and am glad that you liked it.

[bleever]

6. In California, Arnie has given the OK for the tent city to move

into the state fairgrounds at Cal-Expo. I think this is remarkable in that it is the first time I can remember an elected official in such a high office sanctioning homeless people living on public lands. I wonder if he won't come, as a politician, to regret this, although I think it is wonderful.

The visibility of Sacramento's tent city (including national media coverage) was instrumental in creating this situation. I think Sacramento's example is an indication that what you are suggesting could be a powerful catalyst for focusing the national conversation on wealth and welfare.

[H2O Man]

22. Exactly.

Politicians and other "leaders" are not going to address the issues of poverty out of the goodness of their hearts. It won't happen. There's far too much money to be made off of poverty. And if they were going to do something for wholesome reasons, they would not have waited until this late date.

King was correct then -- just as you are correct now -- in that it will take the pressure of having poor folks with a high profile, in order to force their hand. Right now, poor people are hidden from the public's consciousness in all but the most negative of stereotypes. "Tent cities" can change that.

[Me.]

8. K & R

The least I can do for this

[H2O Man]

23. Thank you.

Much appreciated, as we say in these parts.

[Me.]

28. Welcome

I'm sure

[malaise]

12. Super post

Thanks H2O Man

[H2O Man]

24. Thank you.

We need to be moving forward with grass roots action.

[plum eggplant]

13. Wonderful ideas...I think that it's better to identify oneself as 'broke' rather

than poor, given that poverty extends far beyond mere income.

[H2O Man]

25. Okay.

I see that you were tombstoned, so you may not see this. But "broke" tends to be temporary. Poor is a social class.

[robertpaulsen]

15. Thank you for clarifying Gandhi's meaning of the word "dumb".

I had heard this quote before, but didn't have a clear understanding until you explained the context. By contrast, I don't believe the problem with the poor in spirit in America is that we don't have a voice, it's that the message lacks focus. That's half the problem. The other half is that those in a position to hear the message and do something constructive to change the situation have responses that approximate the parable of the sower in Matthew Chapter 13.

http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew13.htm

There may be thorny politicians, rocky politicians or politicians on the road, to put that parable in a modern American context. But I believe if there is a sustained, committed "tent city" demonstration in Washington DC, our message will find the rich soil.

Off-topic, something about your post made me think of "He who has eyes to see, let him see". Not having read the Bible in a long time, I googled around to find a parable I read many times in childhood in Sunday School. Reading all of Matthew Chapter 13, I was surprised to find not only the mention of Jesus's brothers and sisters, but the names of his four brothers listed: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. Funny what they don't teach you in Sunday School.

[H2O Man]

26. Right.

His brother James was a leader of a more militant group .... not in a violent manner of militancy, but in his political/social/religious viewpoint. Interesting character. When you read about him, you'll know exactly why they didn't teach about him in Sunday school.

[annabanana]

17. Thank you..

for a gentle eddy in a rushing stream.

[H2O Man]

27. That is the job

of Watermen, you know. And thank you.

[rosesaylavee]

18. I like the tent city idea...

but I am not sure how I could swing it - both financially and time taken off from my job... if I still have it by summer. Though DC is only 13 hours away from where I type this...

What are you thinking about dates, location, time span of event, etc. I just read your post from earlier this week and you mention a long term tent city. What do you envision as long term? What would the goal be? Who is our target audience? Congress? the Press? Both probably. I think Obama 'gets it' and this may help him move his agenda along.

[Me.]

21. Good Questions

[H2O Man]

29. Those are good questions.

I do not mind saying that I do not have good answers at this point. I'm in the process of contacting groups and individuals who are much smarter, more experienced, and more capable in these areas. My thoughts are that it should be as long as it takes, but I understand that not only is my concept of "time" different from that of those who are more engaged in the larger society, but that my circumstances are different, too. If it is long-term (and that would mean that it actually happens0, then many people would probably be temporary visitors. Families and individuals who might otherwise be planning a camping trip for summer vacation, so to speak. But where better to camp in the entire country?

[rosesaylavee]

34. Well, I am growing more interested in the idea... or

any idea that will draw more attention to the problem. The fact that a major media reporter could ask the President why he wasn't asking the American People to sacrifice more - indicates to me that much of the media - especially those that remain within the Beltway - have NO IDEA what is happening out here.

9% unemployment here in Illinois and I know that much of those unemployed have slipped off the books as they have either lost what they had or have taken a lower paying job such as I have to stay somewhat afloat. And this has been going on for years... not just since last fall. I think I would like to help Mr. Todd and others wake up to the fact that a lot of us are not living the dream and money for food and shelter are getting scarcer. That may sound more bitter than I really am - I understand that I am one of the lucky ones as I have a home still and a car that runs. I can go to the grocery and buy food every week. I am one of the lucky ones but I think we as a people can do so much better.

[EFerrari]

19. Kick

[ClayZ]

20. A song I once heard:

If you love me

If you realy love me

Plang a rose for me

But if you're going to love me

for a long long time.....

Plant an APPLE TREE!


........... <----------seeds :-)

Great OP


K and R

[H2O Man]

30. Perhaps

there could be a "community garden" there!

[ClayZ]

37. I am OBSESSED with KeyHole Gardens!

Although we have several raised beds, we broke ground today for our first Keyhole Garden.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjcjCCx3BWY

We may qutit making Ocarinas and build Keyhole gardens forever more everywhere! Think I could get a job with the Government building these in poverty stricken places?

We will document the process.

[Fuzz]

32. One day bounty from my garden

[madamesilverspurs]

33. Thanks for this.

It reminded me of one of my favorite stories. I first heard it a few years ago, but don't remember where. Anyway, it's pretty short and it fits in well in this discussion. Here it is:

"A Shaker community in New England had a large vegetable garden. One day they noticed that someone had stolen some of their vegetables, right off the vine. They had a community discussion on how best to deal with the situation. Should they build a higher fence? Perhaps a wall? Should they have a watchman to guard the garden? Their decision was based on the probability that the thief was hungry. Thus, the outcome of their discussion was an uncommon solution: they chose to plant a bigger garden."

[omega minimo]

35. Peace on Earth

"Those who have not found their true wealth, which is the radiant joy of Being and the deep, unshakable peace that comes with it, are beggars, even if they have great material wealth. They are looking outside for scraps of pleasure or fulfillment, for validation, security, or love, while they have a treasure within that not only includes all those things but is infinitely greater than anything the world can offer." --Eckhart Tolle

[snappyturtle]

36. Thank you for sharing "one of your fruits"; good suggestion.

:kick: too late to recommend.

[zeemike]

38. i am too late to R but I can still K

for this important post.
I have said this before but people are poor when they have no land.
For thousands of years this Continent was inhabited by a people that had all the land they needed and did not consider themselves the owners of it. And it sustained them for many generations.
Now it's inhabitants are indeed poor and have no land...if they did they would not be living in tent cities and there cars, and if they lost there jobs they would at least have something to eat and shelter.
I believe we have to take back the land and all those poor people would then have a home and hope for the future and once again become connected to the land and nature.
And I applaud you for your wisdom and caring.

[G_j]

39. thank you

I wish i could still rec this.

[DKRC]

40. I found this too late to recommend

but thank you for posting it.

[acmavm]

41. As always, a fabulous post from one of DU's most distinguished members.

[rhett o rick]

42. Right on man. Here's a kick, I am too late to rec.

I especially liked: "One of the great difficulties we face is due to the middle class, looking to the rich for all solutions, and living in fear of losing what they have, is blinded to the strength that is found among the poor." So true.