“Gaia Experiential Learning Activity”

Module 2: Listening to and Reconnecting with Nature

There is room for much creativity and flexibility with this module. Learning could be as simple and enjoyable as taking a mindful walk through Nature. It could include poem or writing and written personal reflection. It could involve a “close encounter with a tree”, seeing it as more than a log and branches and perceiving its total function with the landscape. It could mean creating a ritual or ceremony in honor of Nature or our-selves, either individually or in a group. It could mean sitting still for a while at the forest edge and practicing observational skills. It could mean taking on the voice of another living creature, say a frog or a river, and telling the group what the world looks like from that perspective. It could mean doing a Feng Shui or Vastu analysis, or setting up an earth altar to the four directions. In all cases, an emphasis on fun and celebration, food and fire as the center of the earth, will help to consummate the experience.

For this assignment I have chosen Module 2: Listening to and Reconnecting with Nature as my activity. As I read through the activity the piece on creating a ritual in honor of Nature immediately caught my attention. I have been a hula dancer for 12 years and one ritual that our Halau ( Hula Halau o Kou Lima Nani e) would always practice is chanting. At the time of Hula competitions, we would travel through the forest in Kaumana and Kalopa in search of the liko lehua and palapalai ferns for our garments. Before entering such a rich and beautiful sacred places in the forest, we would practice the ceremonial chant, E Laka E. In our chant, we would ask Laka, the goddess of Hula for permission to pick the flowers and ferns needed for our adornments.

“E Laka E”

E Laka e Oh goddess Laka

Pupu we'uwe'u, e Laka e Wildwood bouquet, Laka

E Laka I ka leo Laka, queen of the voice

E Laka I ka loa’a Laka, giver of gifts

E Laka I ka wai wai Laka, giver of bounty

E Laka I na mea a pau Laka, giver of all things

Ano ai ke aloha e I greet you with love

To complete my activity I went outside, faced the forest, took a deep breath and began to chant. As I was chanting, I was speaking to all the plants, ferns, animals and insects throughout the forest. It provided a time for my soul to connect with the life of Nature. After the chant was over, I just stood there and listened. Listened for a response, the wind, the animal voices, anything. I just simply closed my eyes and listened. It was very relaxing and soothing.

In conclusion, I felt very fortunate to have this knowledge of chanting. I am proud to continue the practices of the Hawaiian Culture as well as being able to apply if towards this class. Chanting is such a great tool used to communicate, practice rituals and ceremonies and is utilized for language. I was able to make a personal connection to nature from completing this activity. I developed an open mind to the concerns of Nature and the motivation to participate in saving our plant.