“I was trained in the natural sciences early on and thought they had all the answers to managing the land and that cultural answers to how we manage the land, that had been rooted in communities for centuries, were probably imperfect. Now, after spending time in many western communities, I see that a natural science that complements traditional land based knowledge is what we need. It is not one way of knowing the land or the other; it is how we bring [ways of knowing] together.”

via Gary Paul Nabhan
Ecologist, ethnobotanist, writer
Speaking on the importance of community in yielding benefits from sound land ethics; from the short film “Conservation around the Green Fire – Agriculture, Food, and Community“

This quote speaks not only toward community resilience but also toward progress in many seemingly unrelated fields. In external landscapes (connections with neighbors, ecological relationships existing in one’s yard) or internal landscapes (how we see the world and ourselves, our spiritual values), it is of great value to understand: “It is not one way of knowing the land or the other; it is how we bring [ways of knowing] together.”

On a Mysterious Note
The Study of Life can bring about perceptions of objects and singular entities separate from one another, but so much of life and our experience is essentially about the relationships amongst individual entities. It is a divine paradox, expressed in one way by the mystical saying One Love. On that note, I share the quote:

“In love the paradox occurs that two beings become one and yet remain two.” – Erich Fromm

In that light, I propose that what Gary Nabhan spoke of in the original quote is not only suggesting the need to be more holistic in our ways of knowing; the original quote is also suggesting the need for true love – Loving One & All.

The crown of this paradox is how the One Thing religions speak of is both the utmost singular thing – The ALL – and simultaniously the most ultimate culmination of relationships that have ever been or ever will be – ALL.

“While All is in THE ALL, it is equally true that THE
ALL is in ALL. To him who truly understands this
truth hath come great knowledge.” -The Kybalion.

In Breath may one find peace amongst the ‘you’ and ‘me’, and may one see One. Gratitude.