Toward a Participatory Worldview: "The Litany of the Circle
Every part of this earth is sacred, every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy. The rocky crest, the juices of the meadow, the beasts, and all the people--
All belong to the same family.
Teach your children that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth. The water's murmur is the voice of our father's father. We are part of the earth, and the earth is part of us. The air is precious, for all of us share the same breath.
This we know; the earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.
This we know; all things are connected, like the blood which unites one family.
All things are connected. Our God is the same God, whose compassion is equal for all.
For we did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.



attributed to Chief Seattle"