September 26, 2009

Netti Garner

Walking to bird's song affords chance to hear the divine

I love sleeping outside — the touch of an evening breeze as I settle under the covers, the deepening shadows, the emergence of the first star, the anticipation of sunrise.

My two dogs join me in the outdoor sleeping adventure — Uma, the 18-month-old Bernese Mountain dog, and Sophie, the 6-year-old border collie-Lab-Airedale-chow. Sophie sleeps on point at the corner of the deck that faces the road, while Uma flops down in whatever place is permitted by Sophie that night.

Early this spring, I resumed my practice of sleeping under the stars, choosing “warm” nights and the heat-generation of Uma as she laid her 100 pounds next to me. While I’d prefer the snuggled warmth of my husband to keep the early morning chill from seeping into my sleeping bag, Uma’s more likely to still be there in the morning. Dogged dedication — what a practice.

During a warm June, I switched out of my sleeping bag to the more natural feel of sheet and covers. Most nights will find me under the canopy of the deck as darkness descends. In the past, drifting off under starry skies and waking to morning sunrise over Bear Mountain had been my reward; but weeks of overcast days have led to a new appreciation, a deepening awareness of bird songs. Yes, the bird songs were there before, but now the cloudy skies have drawn me to a deeper awareness of the morning calls, to really hear the cacophony arising early in the woods.

In early summer, the birds start calling before sunrise, waking me about 4:30 a.m. I lay under my covers, tuning my ears to the variety of songs and repetitions and the silences that come, and then a return to boisterous “good mornings” to the world. Oh, to know the identification of those bird calls. What a blessing our forbears had in knowing these details of everyday life. This closeness to the natural world is, for me, the truest form of spirituality.

From the birth of our universe nearly 14 billion years ago, the transfiguration of the elements would become hydrogen and oxygen, adding to the multitude of events that would enable the birth of our dear green planet Earth and become our home with its glorious diversity of flora and fauna. In this natural world, a world that in every moment invites us to remember our connection to the great web of life, we see our spiritual nature mirrored in the gentle breeze, the harsh sun, the refreshing drizzle, the flit of a hummingbird, the fresh new shoot of basil as it bursts forth from planted seed.

And yes, the birdsong that arises each morning as I awaken into a new day, a new opportunity to hear the call of the divine. What is my purpose for today? Where will I recognize my place to give? What is mine to receive with gratitude and humility?

Oh birds, keeping singing to me and I will strive to awaken more fully with each morning’s song.

Netti Garner, D. Min, MSN, RN, was raised in a United Church of Christ in Ohio. She is involved with Creation Spirituality, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Unity faith communities when she is not out listening to the birds This column is coordinated by Lane Interfaith Alliance to offer inspiration, share personal spiritual experiences and bring a deeper understanding of individual faith perspectives with the intention of blessing our community and world. For information, visit www.laneinterfaithalliance.org or call 344-5693.