Chaos. It's a strong word to use. But these days it really feels like our world is descending into chaos and there is little hope of changing it for the better.
Start with the threat of climate change, which is already unavoidable and does and will continue to affect every living thing. Much of it is caused by our excessive use of fossil fuels, which we continue to extract from the Earth in ever riskier ways.
Add violence and injustice done to people who stand up for their democratic rights, whether that be the right for political representation or the right to civic liberties.
Top that with our disconnection from the food we eat and the processes that go into growing and preparing it.
No wonder many of us feel uneasy, angry, overwhelmed and powerless.
Do you recognise that feeling?
I recognise it in myself and in many of my friends. For me, my daily practice of building relationships with the Earth and her inhabitants is very encouraging. So I came up with the idea of building a resource of spiritual practices for people who need some balm for the soul.
The four Pathways
In this crazy world, we all need ways to strengthen our souls. We need practices and new habits that will nourish us and give us the courage to go and out there and act on what we believe in.
![[image]](/images/attachment/fourpathways2.jpg)
Four Pathways through a chaotic world: Love, Sorrow, Transformation, and Service. Image by Edward Farrow.
I see four Pathways through the chaos: Love, Sorrow, Transformation and Service.
1. The Pathway of Love
In order to survive and even thrive in this uncertain world, we need to strengthen our ties to the people – be they plant, animal or human – that we love. Investing time and energy in the things we are passionate about feeds our souls and makes them resilient. The Pathway of Love is our most important task and our greatest resource.
2. The Pathway of Sorrow
Loving something inevitably brings us to sorrow. So much of what we love is vulnerable and under threat. We feel sorrow for the forests that die, for the extinction of our animal kin, for injustices done to people all around us. Love often hurts.
But our society doesn't give us much opportunity to express or honour our grief for the world. We will need to create a new Pathway of Sorrow, with practices that give us space to express our heavy emotions. The feelings we can express weigh on us less heavily, so we can stand up straight in the face of uncertainty.
3. The Pathway of Transformation
Love and sorrow naturally lead us to the realisation that we are not alone. We are an inextricable part of the natural world. The separation we have imposed upon ourselves as a culture is an illusion.
On the Pathway of Transformation, we need to find rituals and practices that will help us remember who we truly are. Because realising that we are part of the greater whole and can draw upon all its resources of love and creativity makes us so much stronger.
4. The Pathway of Service
From this realisation, we can confidently step out into the world and dedicate ourselves to its service. Whatever it is that we feel deeply called to do is a gift that is sorely needed in the world.
We can't wait much longer. We all need to step onto the Pathway of Service, to give what we carry inside us and to create community around the things we most care about.
Building the Pathways together
These are the needs I see. And I know that many people around the world are already thinking and writing and practising along these lines.
I have started to add some practices to the Pathways already. But I could really do with your help.
Do you know of any practices, teachings, books, or other resources that will help people along any of these Pathways? If so, please share them.
Write your suggestions in the comment box below, in the comment boxes of each of the Steps on the Four Pathways, or send them in an e-mail to pathways [at] westacre [dot] org [dot] uk.
If the practice is your own, please make that clear so you can be properly credited. If you suggest a resource from another writer, group or tradition, please acknowledge your source with a book title, article reference, or web link.
And finally, if you think this is a good idea, let your friends know about it. The more people we get building the Pathways together, the richer and more useful they will become.
I look forward to meeting you on one of the Pathways.