That in turn comes from whether and how they embody, both operationally and symbolically, a profound relationship with the rest of Creation and a role of value in our universe. Our surroundings act as perfect mirrors to our beliefs and values. And it is not only what they reflect but what they don't reflect which communicates to us our community chi, which creates resonance in our hearts, and which nurtures our personal and community health and energy. Those gaps and silences, those darknesses where nothing is reflected when something should be reflected, are possibly the most essential aspects of community chi to be dealt with if we are to create wholeness in our lives and society. Let's look at death for example.
Death is an essential part of the cycles of life.
It is the gateway between the material and energetic planes of existence. It is the compost out of which richer life evolves. It is the place where we often most deeply feel the bonds of connection with people and things that suddenly are no longer a part of our material world. And in a culture of growth and materialism where newness and youth are worshipped, it is feared, fought against, denied in all possible ways, and dealt with in frightening superficiality when it inevitably occurs. Only when we acknowledge its wonder and value can we begin to see how we have shunned it in every aspects of our surroundings as well as our lives and culture.