Reclaiming Our Relationship to Self, Others, and the Earth photo by Lori DeMarr
The promise that technology made some twenty or thirty years ago — that our lives would become easier — is in fact proving to be false. Faster cars and airplanes, more cell phones, faxes, and laptop computers have, in fact, contributed to working more, not less. Many use the cell phone in their cars on the way to or from work, discussing business or making appointments. Commuter airplanes are full of businessmen and women working away on their laptop computers. Those "down" moments when one used to unwind, listen to some music, or read a magazine are giving way more and more to the opportunity to conduct more business. The boundaries of the workplace have spread, and the result can only mean more stress and a deeper hunger to relieve that tension through sublimation and addiction. The consequences of this fast-paced modern technological society are many. Primarily, it creates an addiction for itself. Addiction has become much of the driving force behind the creation of ever more things, the need to produce surplus food products, and the demand to build more and bigger structures. Thus, the earth is being stretched beyond its limits to provide us with raw materials, soil rich enough to cultivate, or land on which to build. In this consumer-driven society, the key question really is, "How much is enough?" EcoRecovery is specifically about attending to the destructive effect that addictive behavior has on both the earth and humans. Elizabeth Roberts, co-editor of the book Earth Prayers, said in a talk on Eco-Immunology, "There is no such thing as personal health." Focusing on the larger perspective, she also asks the very important question, "What does it mean to be healthy in a sick world?" Indeed, if we seek recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, yet fail to address the impact of all our other behaviors, change is limited simply to individual and, more specifically, human needs. Chellis Glendinning states in her book My Name is Chellis and I'm in Recovery From Western Civilization that "[t]he challenge of recovery at this moment can never be reduced to the personal; it is necessarily cultural, historical, and environmental." Twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous have certainly done an excellent job of supporting many addicts in recovery, helping them discover a spiritual source of authority and bringing about a sense of responsibility for one's actions, both past and present. Addiction, however, does not stop at the door of the AA meeting. Many people in recovery from drugs or alcohol often find themselves consuming more coffee, cigarettes, and sugar, or spending more money on nonessential items or more time working in order to afford them. Abstaining from drugs and alcohol only brings to the surface a myriad of other addictive behaviors that continue to perform the crucial task of keeping so many feelings at bay. This overwhelming need to suppress or sublimate many of our feelings is, essentially, rooted in our dysfunctional relationship with nature. While many might see the source of their discomfort to be personal family dysfunction, we forget that our primary relationship is, in fact, to the earth. We come from the earth. Our mothers and fathers came from the earth. The earth is truly our mother. Thus, our greatest dysfunction lies in our relationship to nature — to Mother Earth — and taking the recovery process one giant step further to include all our addictive behaviors, including consumption, provides the greatest good by serving both humanity and the earth. Undertaking a program of EcoRecovery, therefore, entails a complete reevaluation of every aspect of how we live our lives. This can be quite a daunting experience. Like the ripple effect, it is nothing short of a personal revolution that has the capacity to effect change on a multitude of levels. One has for the first time, perhaps, the sense that one is able to participate in and influence change in society in ways that are both personal and planetary. Dealing with such dramatic changes without an effective support system like the 12-step programs provides, however, could leave one feeling quite alone and discouraged. Creating community has always been the best response to sustaining or supporting a cause. In fact, the breakdown of community and the extended family over the past century is very much at the heart of issues concerning relationship and connection. Where there was once a sense of being at least a part of a large family or community, there is now fragmented urban living, which continues to exacerbate any or all of the problems of modern Western life. It is, therefore, imperative for those in EcoRecovery to be a part of a community, especially during the critical early days or months. Communities that help support individuals deal with issues of living with less, such as Voluntary Simplicity, already exist and can be very helpful. However, creating ones that are specific to the needs of this process can be extremely useful. Looking critically at our Western lifestyle and seeing that it does not always sustain us physically, psychologically, and spiritually is, perhaps, the first step toward transformation. Similarly, through the understanding that growth and progress need not imply "biggest," "greatest," or "most expensive," one can discover a more distinctive relationship to oneself, to others, and to the earth. EcoRecovery is, therefore, an approach to healing the alienation that exists between humans and the more-than-human realm. It is a long-overdue remedy for what has come to be known as the human divorce from nature. Lorraine Fish has a master's degree in psychology from Antioch University, Seattle, where she focused her degree on ecopsychology. Today Lorraine teaches, presents workshops, and maintains a private practice as an ecotherapist in Seattle. For information on her work, or to inquire about starting an EcoRecovery support group, she can be reached at (206) 361-0166. |
Addictive behaviors, which have pervaded Western society for as long as there have been reasons to sublimate one's feelings, have been effective in supporting and justifying the damage done to the natural world. The craving for ever-more money, things, or power has negatively influenced the quality of life for both humans and non-humans. While "easier" has, unfortunately, become synonymous with "more expensive," "chic," and "civilized," one must work long hours to be able to afford the accoutrements of modern society. Those that lack the financial wherewithal are left behind in poverty, crime, or homelessness. The social climate that the West has inadvertently created with its ambitious notions of achievement is one of compulsion, obsession, and addiction, and one that takes us further and further away from the natural world.