As we get further and further removed from our nature as nature, I’ve always intuitively felt there would be consequences. One of these repercussions has just come to light by Neil Shubin, associate dean of biological science at the University of Chicago in his new book, “The Universe Within: Discovering the Common History of Rocks, Planets and People.” He writes about the two trillion clocks within ourselves that are essentially cellular timepieces that are in synch with the rotating of the earth, the day and night cycles, and the seasons. Because we live on artificial time clocks that are ever-speeding, we contract all sorts of physical and emotional disorders, especially “seasonal affective disorder”‚- 10% of New Hampshire residents suffer this kind of clinical depression. Shubin suggests that mood changes, jet lag, and sleeping disorders are only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, he says, “our susceptibility to different cancers may be an outcome of having our ‘DNA molecular clocks’ often at odds with modern living.”
Literally composed of stardust, as the venerable Carl Sagan revealed, we have within our internal timepieces all of the basic beginnings of our solar system. Out of synch with this primal beginning and the rhythms of nature, we are separated from the very source which birthed us. How can we be healthy?
We know, now, according to the Wall Street Journal that sleep deprivation is costing the U.S. 63.2 billion a year in lost productivity. Remember, bears are bears of activity because they sleep well and long. Do, do, do and then die (sleep).
To be truly sustainable personally and as a species, we need a new/old kind of medicine, the “primal physician.” Because we are born as a small universe, follow your own inner knowing as your own nature Doc. ‚Äì live with the natural cycles. Wake up with the birds. Get out in the sun. Go for a walk in the moonlight. Enjoy the sunset with gratitude. Don’t look at TV until all hours of the night. Find your own time and timing. (Hopefully, Corporate America will get it! People work far more effectively on their own time and in their own place).