Sharon Abreu
An environmentalist friend of mine whose religion is Christian Science recently sent me a 2010 article from the Christian Science Sentinel. The article is about author John Merritt (called “The Green Baptist” by Christianity Today) and his book Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet. Merritt is quoted as saying, “How can you be a Christian and not care about the environment?”
This question excited me. And, not surprisingly, it brought me back to the Network of Spiritual Progressives, which I joined in 2003 when it first sprang from Tikkun as the “Tikkun Community”. So much of our work since 2003, and so much of Rabbi Lerner’s work over decades, has addressed the question of why so many people seem to vote against their own best interests, which includes voting for candidates who promote natural resource extraction over environmental protection, progressive energy policies, and the health and well-being of the voters who put those politicians in office.
I’ve been encouraged over the last few years to see more Christians speaking out in favor of environmental protection, acknowledging the reality of climate change and the likelihood that human activity is intensifying global warming. I appreciate groups like Restoring Eden and Christians for the Mountains, who understand that the rights of nature and of people are inseparable.
The book that for me best articulates the vision for a world of love, kindness, compassion, and generosity, supporting human health and well-being and a healthy environment along with a healthy economy, continues to be Rabbi Michael Lerner’s book The Left Hand of God (2006).
When I first read the book in 2006, I was more excited than I had ever been while reading a book. I kept saying “Yes! Yes! Yes!” out loud. Being a singer and songwriter, I was inspired to see if I could communicate the spirit of the Left Hand of God book in a 4-minute song. My hope was to encapsulate the full scope of the book’s vision so that people hearing the song would understand what the book was about and be inspired to read it. My intention was also for the music to help bring about the emotional state I felt while reading the book and imagining the world I wanted to help bring about.
I was thrilled that Rabbi Lerner liked the song and wanted people to be able to hear it on the Tikkun and NSP websites. So here is the Left Hand of God song, which I hope fills you with joy and inspiration!
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Sharon Abreu's Song for "The Left Hand of God"
Loved your song.
Thanks, Bruce! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! If you’d like to hear more songs, I’ve got a bunch online at http://www.irthlingz.com. Wishing you all the best!
what a beautiful song enchantingly performed!!
Thank you so much, Shira! My heart is full!!
So-o-o-o beautiful. Heart-opening words and sound. Thank you Sharon.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the song, Susan! It’s thrilling when a song achieves what you hope, and heart-opening is a big goal of mine.
What a warm and uplifting song! And nobody sings any better than Sharon Abreu. I highly recommend a visit to her web site for lots more: http://www.sharmuse.com.
Thanks so much, Ray! There’s actually a more up-to-date website, that has this song and others: http://www.irthlingz.com
Me too. I want to sit there with you and the billions of others who share these sentiments. A wise and lovely song, beautifully sung, Shar. You are a gift to this planet. Blessings, Antoinette
Many thanks, Antoinette, for such kind words! There is ample room, for you, me and everyone who wants to sit, rest, heal, get inspired, and act from that place.
Not long after I started doing environmental education, I realized there was a spiritual crisis going on. So many people clearly felt disconnected from the Earth’s systems that support our health and our very lives.
Rabbi Lerner’s book “The Left Hand of God” speaks to this with eloquence and compassion. He makes the point that the political “left” needs to feel comfortable speaking to people’s spiritual needs. We act on our values all the time, but we tend to speak in terms of issues and policy, which doesn’t draw people in when they’re dealing with the daily challenges of putting food on the table and coping with the lack of compassion in our money-driven society. His concept of a “New Bottom Line” is exactly what is needed – a triple bottom line enhanced by compassion, generosity, love and kindness.
Lovely song Sharon.
Flowing melody, touching and meaningful lyrics, and beautifully sung – Well done Sharon!