Nature has held her sway over man and his environment. It is nature that has given birth to, maintained and finally destroys as well as balances the forces to maintain the balance. What is not comprehended fully and cannot be controlled is held in awe and worshiped by Mankind.
Nature provides and sustains mankind by nourishing him with food. The food chain that man has learnt to draw from nature from the abundant plant life. Man has learnt to cultivate land and grow plants, cereals, grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits for his food. He has learnt to use the natural fiber to weave cloth and use the abundant natural resource of wood for building his shelter. The usage of plants is not limited to only this. Plants are useful to man in being able to cure him of ailments including diseases and infections too.
Recognizing the medicinal and curative properties of medicinal plants, man has for generations help the plants in veneration and worshipped them besides studying their properties and growing them. Ancient civilizations and excavation sites like the ones at Iraq have provided clue to the fact that 60,000 years ago men used to cultivate medicinal plants and held them in high esteem.
People who have been into exploring the realms beyond and those who are spiritual seekers are known to use some plants in the course of their practice or worship and these plants contain hallucinogenic properties that helps them transcend their consciousness and project their minds to other realms. Shamnistic practices have also included use of specific plants and portions prepared from them according to prescribed text and methods to achieve certain powers and as aids in their practices.
People believe even today that plants and trees have souls and are a lower form of life as compared to the souls in human bodies. Many cultures have believed certain types of trees to be guardian angels of guiding spirits. Hindu culture holds different types of trees such as peepal, banyan and others as holy and believe that different deities reside under each tree.
Man always holds in reverence the source of nature that provides him with nourishment. Besides he also holds in reverence that part of nature that helps him commune with the creation and enhances his spiritual experiences too. Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment. Therefore this tree is worshiped by Buddhists. Cultures where coconuts are a part of the mainstream nourishment and food are also given anthropomorphic names and identities. Coconut that gives us food, oil, rope, clothing fiber and shell is referred to as Mother Coconut while coca plant is referred to as Mama Coca.
Do not think that only good spirits and gods live in the trees but certain trees are believed to be homes to evil spirits as well as ghosts too. Plants like belladonna as well as some other magical plants are used by sorcerers and those who practice witchcraft for preparing brews and magic portions as well as poisons. The plants which are homes to evil spirits too are worshipped and prayed to.
Plants are always nourishing in every aspect. It is for man to learn to use the one that is beneficial and avoid the one that is not useful to him. The maturity and intelligence of man will determine how well he uses nature for his benefit.
Nature provides and sustains mankind by nourishing him with food. The food chain that man has learnt to draw from nature from the abundant plant life. Man has learnt to cultivate land and grow plants, cereals, grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits for his food. He has learnt to use the natural fiber to weave cloth and use the abundant natural resource of wood for building his shelter. The usage of plants is not limited to only this. Plants are useful to man in being able to cure him of ailments including diseases and infections too.
Recognizing the medicinal and curative properties of medicinal plants, man has for generations help the plants in veneration and worshipped them besides studying their properties and growing them. Ancient civilizations and excavation sites like the ones at Iraq have provided clue to the fact that 60,000 years ago men used to cultivate medicinal plants and held them in high esteem.
People who have been into exploring the realms beyond and those who are spiritual seekers are known to use some plants in the course of their practice or worship and these plants contain hallucinogenic properties that helps them transcend their consciousness and project their minds to other realms. Shamnistic practices have also included use of specific plants and portions prepared from them according to prescribed text and methods to achieve certain powers and as aids in their practices.
People believe even today that plants and trees have souls and are a lower form of life as compared to the souls in human bodies. Many cultures have believed certain types of trees to be guardian angels of guiding spirits. Hindu culture holds different types of trees such as peepal, banyan and others as holy and believe that different deities reside under each tree.
Man always holds in reverence the source of nature that provides him with nourishment. Besides he also holds in reverence that part of nature that helps him commune with the creation and enhances his spiritual experiences too. Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment. Therefore this tree is worshiped by Buddhists. Cultures where coconuts are a part of the mainstream nourishment and food are also given anthropomorphic names and identities. Coconut that gives us food, oil, rope, clothing fiber and shell is referred to as Mother Coconut while coca plant is referred to as Mama Coca.
Do not think that only good spirits and gods live in the trees but certain trees are believed to be homes to evil spirits as well as ghosts too. Plants like belladonna as well as some other magical plants are used by sorcerers and those who practice witchcraft for preparing brews and magic portions as well as poisons. The plants which are homes to evil spirits too are worshipped and prayed to.
Plants are always nourishing in every aspect. It is for man to learn to use the one that is beneficial and avoid the one that is not useful to him. The maturity and intelligence of man will determine how well he uses nature for his benefit.
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The author also often publishes articles about topics like the guitar chairs and the guitar humidifier.
