Inspired by Amma and videos of the various Amritaculture initiatives, I have been taking a closer look at all that Nature has to offer. Living in an urban environment, I see a lot of buildings. No matter how great the design or innovative the materials, they are no match for Mother Nature. The more I looked, the more amazed I was to see just how unique all of her creations are. And not only are her creations beautiful to look at, they all serve a purpose...whether we understand them or not.

One day, I started looking at leaves on the various trees and shrubs I pass on my regular walks. I started to realize how many different shapes and designs there were on these leaves. In a short distance, I counted 27 different types of leaves! Leaves are responsible for cleaning the air of carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. They are only second to oceans as a source of oxygen. We owe our very breath to them!

Besides leaves, I spotted birds and animals that I had never seen before. The Heron in the photo was standing perfectly still at the end of a raging waterfall from a small dam. I hope with Amma’s grace and enough sadhana (spiritual practice), I can learn to be this still in the face of anything life throws at me.

Speaking of being alive, we owe part of our existence to another tiny creature, the honey bee. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimates that 80% of crops making up the world’s food supply are pollinated by wild bees and other wildlife.