Entosophy
An Interview with White Pine
Received by Amanda Nicole
South Carolina Botanical Gardens
7.3.2023
Q: What is your view of Ultimate Reality?
we are One
and we are Many
the dimensions are endless
the lives are endless
the stories are endless
without number
yet
We are One
the nature of Ultimate Reality is One
fractals
dimensions
layers
even realities
but One
the Nature of Ultimate Reality is One
Q: What Ethics flow from this view of Reality?
do nothing to shatter the One
to break
to divide
and make room for the Many
because there are many
and there will be many more
do all you can to preserve
Oneness
Unity
and when things become broken
mend them
always be gathering
Everything and Everyone
together again
choose a way
that makes for
The Greatest Unity
while also leaving
no one behind
there is no
Us / Them
there is only
We
there is only
One
make room for Everyone
there is enough room
don’t let anyone
fool you:
there’s enough room
for Everyone
Q: What Embodied Expressions -- or, Policies -- flow from these Ethics?
you may not all belong
in the same place
the same pod
but you are all of
the same tree
it’s okay to create
separate communities
that are part of a Larger Whole
the One and the Many
think of yourselves
as Russian nesting dolls
you are in and around Each Other
begin with something
you can agree on
i promises there’s something
it exists
and then
go from there
branching out
farther and farther
it’s okay when one chooses
to stay behind
or to fall away
just never force them
to do so
there is always a choice
and in a loving
accepting
open
environment
we believe everyone
always makes
The Best Choice
(your words not ours)
we do believe
the environment matters
the container in which you are held
matters
it affects what happens
inside
create environments
where people are free
to stay
to go
without judgment
without consequence
without fear
without separation
notice when you would fit
more peacefully
in another place
notice when
the outcome is Peace
above all:
we value this
we value Peace
Peace is not
the absence of difference
it is the acceptance of it
it is
the making of space for it
Peace is in the accepting
it is hard to fight a man
who won’t fight back
somethings are worth fighting for
yes
perhaps Peace
perhaps Peace
is worth fighting for
Peacefully
lay down your weapons
there is room for everyone
Q: What is the Ideal Society?
the Ideal Society exists
within a peaceful union
where each is sovereign
individual
unique
and yet part of the Whole
held
included
belonging
the Ideal Society
is where you belong
we belong here
it is not yet ideal
some are missing
we notice their absence
also: this power line
stretches right between us
a line dividing us
from one another
we can feel its vibration
its hum
it is not ours
it cuts our communication
there is static
when we talk
so we do not talk much
in the Ideal Society
we would not be
separated
there would be nothing
between us
no division
only space
Q: What challenges do you anticipate?
division is everywhere
lines
doors
walls
demarcations of difference
everyone is too concerned
with being safe
to be One
there are those who think
we should all be together
the same way
the same place
day after day after . . .
no, that isn’t the way
it isn’t the way
at all
look!
pines are here
red maple is there
tulip poplar there
camellias there
rhododendrons there
baobabs there
(that’s a stretch, isn’t it?)
the point is:
we can all be
in our own places
and still be One
still exist
without separation
it is the Heart that separates
not the distance
with open hearts
no one is ever
far away
everyone is
Right Here
but when hearts are closed
you could live and grow and be
next door
and still:
we would be enemies
i would not know you
open your hearts
open them wide
open them
to Anyone and Everyone
open them
there is room
there is plenty of room
inside your heart
the more it expands
the wider you become
the space available is
limitless
you will not run out of room
out of Love
open your heart
everyone is afraid
of being left behind
left out
and so
the very circumstances that
occasion this are created
think instead:
I AM here
I AM belonging
I AM wanted
I AM welcomed
I AM a part of this
I AM never alone
I AM surrounded by
like minded beings
I AM One
Q: Do you have any final thoughts?
we are here to help you
bring it all together
we can gather
sort
connect
collaborate
we create beautiful groups
we are very good at knowing
who belongs with whom and where
you can always ask us
for peaceful counsel
you can always ask us
how you could get along
you can always come to us
when there is a need for peace
[ at this moment, i think of nuclear weapons ]
yes
yes we see them
we know they are here
diffuse them
lay down your weapons
drum beating only
escalates situations
seek peace
pursue it
pursue it hard
go after it
like there’s no tomorrow
because there may not be
but:
fear not
i have overcome the world
faith is the victory
it ends well
it is why we are here
and we always succeed
in our mission
the kingdom of god is here
and it is a Peaceful One
world without end
amen
___________________
as i was leaving the circle of pines, they gave me a song:
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white pine is one of my favorite trees having grown up with a cottage in northern ontario surrounded by them.