How the 7th Generation Principle May Save Our Planet
Whenever I mention the 7thGeneration principle to most people, they think I’m talking about the ecologically friendly laundry detergent company. I’m always surprised that more people don’t know the origin of the term, so I felt it deserved an episode, particularly at this time in our history, where our very future is at stake.
Because if we embrace it, the 7th Generation principle of Native Americans may very well save us: it says, that in every decision, be it personal, governmental or corporate, we must consider how it will affect our descendents seven generations into the future.
Here are the show notes. Full transcript is at the bottom of the page.
SHOW NOTES:
- History of the 7thGeneration Principle
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,
we borrow it from our children.”
- A lesson I learned about ancestors while in Australia
- We are all related
Student: Master, how are we to treat others?
Master: There are no others.
- Here is where we stand today – the bad news on the climate crisis
- How did this happen?
- Greta Thunberg’s message
“You did not act in time… I want you to panic.
I want you to act as if the house was on fire. “
- We’re killing off the animal world
One million species could vanish from the planet.
The earth is experiencing its sixth mass wave of extinction
Mass extinction is considered a bigger problem than terrorism or nuclear events.
Humanity Has Killed 83% of All Wild Mammals and Half of All Plants.
“Earth could take 10 million years for the diversity of species on our planet to recover
from the mass extinction caused by humans.” Newsweek
- Corporations continue to mine the earth for more wealth in spite of the evidence that we’re killing the earth. In fact, Native Americans viewed excessive wealth as a mental illness.
- Most of us have Nature deficit disorder. By the time a child is 7, they can identify 200 corporate logos, but cannot identify the trees growing in their front yard.
- This is the worst crisis the world has ever faced.
- Some good news
Some states have codified the Precautionary Principle, which is a legal version of the 7thGeneration principle
- Countries, cities and corporations who are blazing new trails
- Actions individuals can take
“Let us be the ancestors our descendants will thanks.”Winona Laduke
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For more Native American teachings, read The Wind Is My Mother; The Life and Teachings of A Native American Shaman by Bear Heart and yours truly, Molly Larkin.
Molly Larkin is the co-author of the international best-seller “The Wind Is My Mother; The Life and Teachings of a Native American Shaman” and other books on health. She is passionate about helping people live life to their fullest potential through her classes, healing practice and blog at www.MollyLarkin.com
