Walking at St. Damian - (3) — YouTube from the CEC Library

Walking along this stone road is an invigorating experience. Here we have a plant that I appreciate very much, known as the thuja or cypress, which we planted along the way. It is very fragrant, and walking through this place really re-energizes you. It is important to learn to make use of this energy to vitalize ourselves. Many people already do this, and it is something we should incorporate into our lives.

These trees were preserved with care, all tied so no one would have to cut them down. When the idea of cutting them down came up, I firmly opposed it. We need to develop ways of preserving what already exists, because we were not the ones who created it. Often, when a construction project begins, everything is destroyed without consideration; a tractor is brought in right away. We need to improve our relationship with the environment, preserving the air, the water, the earth, the plants, the animals, and the insects. If we consider ourselves so intelligent, we should demonstrate that intelligence constructively.

I am not waging a crusade against anyone, but, as human beings, we should seek to improve. The idea is to evolve, not to regress. This walk is an opportunity to make use of nature and the knowledge it offers. I want to show you a plant that I consider fantastic: the plane tree. It is a beautiful tree, but it seems to be struggling in this spot. I am going to water it a little.