After my usual brisk walk in the late evening along Padang Ipoh, I usually spend some time observing pigeons and the tall trees and old buildings surrounding the area.
These pigeons inhabit the hollow parts of the exterior of buildings around the padang (field).
The coexistence of humans and birds in this context enlightens the environment, even though too many of them could disrupt the normal functioning of the urban landscape.
Charles Darwin, the author of the theory of evolution, said that the ability to adapt to the environment determines the survival of a species.
What is amazing is that pigeons, as a universal urban species, have shown resilience in adapting to the urban physical landscape by using inherent intelligent life energies bestowed on them by the mysterious author of creation.
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I feel a sense of wonder over how these creatures contribute to the preservation of the ecosystem.
Reflecting on this, I see quite a number of books in the market for the young on animal and plant species.
The question is, do we teach our kids the contemplative dimension of observing birds, animals, plants and trees?
Contemplation is about observing things as they are, synthesising their relationship to larger dynamics in the ecosystem and reflecting on their potential origins, which have a mysterious dimension.
The mysterious dimension teaches that we are not in control of all things and need humility to learn and appreciate the spiritual dimension of human living.
This would help us to appreciate the diverse nature of our ecosystem and reflect on the importance of respecting diversity in our human relations.
Today, the world is suffering from an environmental crisis because the ecosystem has become a play tool to reap economic profits. The world is struggling to restore what has been lost.
This is due to the ideology of education where science is merely used for economic profits while losing the contemplative wonder of creation and its mysterious dimension that builds adaptability and resilience, as reflected in the behaviour of the pigeons.
It is time that young students are educated in the contemplative view of reality so that the future generations will be ready to assume the responsibility of preserving our environment through wonder and synthesis. – Malaysiakini
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