I’ve been thinking of how to reconcile my Christian faith, with the view on the natural elements that are founded in Chinese Medicine and Shamanism, to be able to incorporate them as a way to create a balance and a theme for the classes and practices to be offered at Telluselle Living Center. Yesterday, I found the answer, as I bought an old book at a church sale from 1941, with translations of Saint Francis of Assisi’s original texts – the very Saint Francis whom the city San Francisco was named after. While I just started reading, I found the first written down poem from 1225 that fits exactly. I cite it here:

The Canticle of the Sun

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessings. To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all your creatures; especially Brother Sun, who is the day, and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, and bears a likeness to You, most High One.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night; and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation. Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no living man can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks, and serve Him with great humility.

Amen.

So, through this poem we learn to honor God through the elements of His creation, but not to worship them single handedly.

We’re all part of One.