If you’re lucky enough to have an experienced teacher to direct you through the intensely spiritual yet seemingly simplistic contours of Australian Indigenous art, the artist’s connection with the earth becomes more palpable with each brush stroke. What was for me, (with my novice eyes) initially just an attractive mash of texture and colour, became a deeply moving experience. I was introduced to this artist’s affection for and bond to their earthly surroundings-their country, their home, their dreaming, their being.

So it is with many other cultures around the world; Native North Americans, Micronesians, Polynesians, the various tribes of Africa and South America to name a few. These peoples may never meet or even here of the existence of each other (internet not withstanding) but all share one thing: an indefatigable connection with mother earth.

So, what’s wrong with me? I love the earth and all things green. I love to breathe the fresh life giving air, to drink the soft clear water and wonder at the beauty of a flower. What happened to my connection? I feel like a computer that is running well but has its modem turned to standby and just can’t get the connection.

Losing that connection is like losing a leg, just as painful and debilitating but we westerners are all on pain killers and can no longer feel the pain of such loss. You all know the painkillers I’m talking about; cars, air-conditioning, telecommunications, alcohol, TV,
air travel.  

When was the last time you let your feet (that is flesh not slippers) come in direct contact with the fresh, organic textures of wet cold dewy grass on a winter’s dawn? Don’t do that you might get cold wet dewy feet!

When and how did we lose this most important and basic of human covenants?

Was it sometime during the industrial revolution (steam motion and printing presses), or perhaps with the general acceptance of Darwin’s evolutionary theories (progress in science and departure from spirit) I want to go back, ne, I need to go back, to find just a little of that lost connection. In 1999, Alaskan Robert Boguck survived 43 days in the Great Sandy Desert alone and on foot, the last 12 days without water. He said he wanted to find himself, his purpose and test his spirituality. That’s pretty drastic though, I might go on a spiritual road trip…. but take my pushy and dog.

“Because we have created our own processed environment of roads, cars, industry, buildings, malls, homes; because we live in a world designed by capitalism, a world of incessant advertising, sales and the desperate, frantic pursuit of material things - a world moulded and defined by television, radio and the chronic bombardment of salesmen; we rarely, if ever, experience an intimate connection with the natural world we are hoping to save.”

Quote By Xander Stone who is a freelance writer, and professional musician, with an M.A. in psychology.