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“It is yourself as perceiver of the world, not the world that you should be attempting to change”
(John Moriarty in Dreamtime, page 248)
In Moriarty’s Universe we regularly present a thought from Irish nature philosopher John Moriarty. The writer, gardener and soul traveller became known for his insights and mystical view of post-modern life. John was born on 2 February 1938 in Moyvane, County Kerry and died on 1 June 2007 at his home at the foot of Mangerton Mountain near Killarney. John Moriarty lived an extraordinary life in nature and left behind a rich body of work that gives us clear insights into the human condition as well as profound insights into the failure of the human species and possible ways out of the impasse in which we are trapped today.
Here at Irlandnews we introduce the life and work of John Moriarty for the first time to a German-speaking audience. You can find the current series on the Irish nature philosopher here: KlicK
John Moriarty´s niece Amanda Carmody* explains the quote: “Mother Earth is suffering, and undeniably it is because of human greed and exploitation. John Moriarty tells us that the root of this problem lies in our perception of the Earth as something that we rule over and dominate. We have become conditioned in a type of cultural narcissism and a sense of entitlement that is detrimental to the overall good of life on the planet. This mindset is so ingrained and conditioned by our culture that we barely recognise that there might be an alternative way of relating to the Earth and to each other.
Amanda Carmody
We have forgotten, and perhaps scoffed, at the Native American Elder called Chief Seattle who pleaded with the European invaders who were tearing up the land of his ancestors in search of their fortunes. He said “The Earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. If men spit upon the Earth, they spit upon themselves”. We in our prevailing attitude have been invaders seeking material advantage, in our behaviour we have been like a virus upon the Earth, we see the Earth as a dead host to feed upon, a resource to be bought and sold and profited from. This must change; it is no longer sustainable.
John Moriarty believed that there is a different way of being on the Earth and he was hopeful that our conditioned and deeply ingrained perspective can change if the willingness is there. . . Not only is this shift in consciousness possible but it is now essential if we are to have a future on Planet Earth, or indeed on any other planet. . .
John Moriarty calls his autobiography Nostos, and it means; a home coming journey, mystically speaking it is a journey back to reconnection in the source of being where we are all connected. He frequently calls this source” Divine Ground” a term that includes the Earth and the Divine. Modern advocates use more neutral terms such as non-duality, Ultimate Reality, Self . . .
The mystical path could therefore be described as opening us to the Divine and removing the veils of everyday perceiving. Meister Eckart, whom John greatly admired, says that “Theologians may quarrel, but the mystics of the world speak the same language” Furthermore he advises, “God is not found in the soul by adding anything but by a process of subtraction.” . . .
This is more than a change of mind; it is a process that we experience and integrate. It is a journey that leads towards a vital, living energy which is the source that connects us with all of creation, there is a necessary letting go and simplification that is inevitable along the way.
Our solutions to the current crises that now confront humanity and the Earth seem inadequate. The prescription is a type of ecological ten commandments of thou shalt nots, an ever-increasing list of guidelines on how we should behave. This is certainly important; however John Moriarty does not see it as a lasting solution. This is a fear-based response and what is required now is a response based on love, integration and deeper connection, with the realization that all life is sacred. Then we will not act out of duty or obligation to a distant cause, we act as we would towards our mother, as we watch her suffer and struggle. From this perspective we can and will do no harm. A changed behaviour will inevitably flow from this change in perception . . .
This seems like a very simple shift and for some perhaps this is so; but for most of us, firmly ingrained in the modern western mindset, surrounded with the noise of industrial progress, within the scurry of the modern rat race, it is a difficult migration, Blinded by a myriad of colour and bright lights we cannot see the divine light; bombarded by a war of sounds we cannot hear or feel the vibration of the creative pulse. Moriarty senses a thirst and a hunger for change, and he fears that if we are to survive then this needs to happen soon, We might start to consider the impact of human dominion as thousands of plants and animal species face extinction each year as a direct result of human behaviour; we might reflect on this line:“Blackbirds’ eggs haven’t had time to adapt to modern mechanical noise, haven’t had time to soundproof themselves against the revving roars and the roaring drone of the chainsaw. . .”
* * *
* Amanda Carmody is a niece of John Moriarty, a daughter of his youngest sister, Phyllis. She spent the first few years of her life living at the Moriarty home place at Leitrim Hill, growing up in relationship with her grandmother Mary and grandfather Jimmy, and with the place itself. her connection with John began on his visits home and deepened in later years when he returned to live at Coolies, on the side of Mangerton mountain, near Killarney. Since his death she has immersed herself in his writing and is currently chairperson of the John Moriarty institute for Ecology and Spirituality.
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Photos: John Moriarty courtesy The John Moriarty Institute; Amanda CArmody: private; Aghadoe Heights Cemetery, Killarney (top): Markus Bäuchle
This story / page is available in:
German
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