‘Human animal among animals’
What does it mean to live not above, but alongside other beings? On 6 May, writer and gardener Mariken Heitman was a guest at the Protestant Theological University, at the invitation of the Soil project. In her lecture The Mystery of the Garden, she took those present through the genesis of her latest book, The Ant Caravan. A book rooted in personal experiences - such as an encounter with a hare and her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis - that grew into a profound reflection on interconnectedness between humans and non-humans. Heitman has long been in conversation with the Soil project team about a new language for our relationship with the soil. This evening gave new words to that quest.
Nothing exists without another
According to Heitman, the garden is the perfect location to deepen a new perspective on soil. Here, in the most direct way, the influences of humans and other creatures such as hares, hedgehogs, cauliflowers, earth fleas, pumpkins and microbes converge. They do so in a way that makes it clear that none of the creatures inhabiting and cultivating the garden is above another. They need each other to make the garden what it is. The garden reveals that different beings depend on each other: without humans breeding cabbage seeds, cauliflower would never have been created, and cauliflower seeds would probably never germinate outside a garden. At the same time, we feed on cauliflower, and in this way we also depend on this plant. No one and nothing exists without another.
Crowning creation: a fallacy
From a theological perspective, the coherence of all things is of course an interesting picture. ‘At one time we were considered the crown of creation,’ Heitman notes, and indeed that is how we in theology have long been used to seeing humanity's place in the world. But she continues: ‘Those times are over as far as I am concerned. And thankfully so: it was a great misconception. Human animal among animals: that's much truer.’ There is, of course, an interesting theological discussion to be had on that, which is therefore the basis for Heitman's collaboration with the Soil project. After the lecture, the audience participated in this conversation led by PThU researcher Joyce Rondaij.
Suffering and responsibility
During the audience discussion, themes of suffering, accepting it (or not) and seeing big and small suffering were discussed. Think of of a hedgehog cub dying in relation to suffering caused by big events, such as war. In what ways are you affected by your own suffering, and to what extent can or will you accept it? How do you pay attention to the suffering of another, and how does literature reflect that? The theme of ‘influence on your environment’ was also discussed in detail. To what extent can or do we as humans create distance between ourselves and what we call nature? How do we see our connection to nature, and where does it run into limits? Is it useful to anthropomorphise non-human beings in order to strengthen our connection with them? Or is that unproductive, because then you are not acknowledging them from their individuality?
From correspondence to soil language: collaboration continues
The meeting between Heitman and the Soil project will have a sequel. Together with researcher Joyce Rondaij, Heitman will conduct an exchange of letters in the near future about a new language for soil. A language that is not only scientific or literary, but also spiritual and practical, rooted in theological reflection as well as daily dealings with earth, plants and pain. In this way, through the word, the project hopes to contribute to a more careful way of life: one in which we regard the soil not as a possession, but as an ally.
