Dear Earth, we need each other.

This is me and my Buddhist teacher, Dharmavidya. I was just with him in Spain with my colleague Khema, meeting with Buddhists from all around Europe.

You are particularly beautiful in Sant Iscle de Vallalta, dear Earth. Wandering around the temple are horses and semi-wild black pigs. There is a magnificent fig tree. The gompa is surrounded by glass, and your trees held us as we prayed.

Early one morning, I went alone to the library and my teacher appeared as if by magic. He listened as I told him about losing my temper the night before He told me stories of meetings with his own teachers that are as fresh as the moment they happened, decades later. We laughed a LOT, as we always do. All great teachers have an almost-perpetual twinkle in their eyes that frequently blooms into chuckling.

I came away feeling seen and nourished and loved. All humans need this nourishment. Sometimes this comes from ‘official’ teachers like mine, but mostly they come disguised. The old school friend who offered to come and visit me when I’m in London next week with the rebellion, and bring me a flask of vegan soup. The little girl on the plane who giggled all the way home. My cat Roshi who just entered the room, bowed, and is asking me to scratch his head.

Dear Earth, if we are to be strong enough, courageous enough, to do what we need to do for you, then we must reach out to each other. We must point out the trees in the Waitrose carpark to our husband, and then pause to take in their leaves flushing scarlet. We must express our warm gratitude to other people whenever we can. We must practice receiving (so hard!) as a necessity, and as a gift to the giver.

Humans need each other, darling Earth, especially when we lose our tempers. When we laugh together, we are pouring blessings onto your body.

Love, Satya <3