**Using nature as a way to cultivate Relationship** Why nature? ****UNDER CONSTRUCTION**** Our ancestors relied upon the land itself for survival. They cherished the land and gave gratitude because they realized that they were dependent on the land. From realizing this dependence, they lived in a manner that cared for the land, and in a manner that did not deplete it. They realized that if they did deplete the land's resource, they would not survive at all. So that is why they held respect and reverence for the land. If they mistreated the land, they would also suffer. These insights about the relationship with the land did not come overnight to them. Actually, it was realized over many hundreds of generations. In fact, the land, in a way, required for them to have these recognitions. "They" is referring to the San Bushman of the Kalahari, the oldest civilization of the planet. These people live in the desert, and it was the desert itself which required of them to cultivate a Culture of Connection. Without this Culture of Connection, they would not have survived the harsh environment of the desert. This way of life was protected from outside influences, from Western and other ways of living, for over 300,000 years by the very desert itself. --- The Culture of Connection - go out, observer, listen. - find a story - bring the story back and share it Connection is re-inforced through the telling of stories.