Humans in space is a delicate topic. I was hesitant, resistant even, to go see the new critically-acclaimed film, Gravity. My tentativeness was for the potential of a filmmaker to be irresponsible or misguided with my emotions around what I perceived to be a sensitive matter. But, ultimately, I trust the judgment of Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, and conceded to go watch the movie with my sweetheart.
When the first astronauts reached space, they looked back on their home planet with a sense of benevolence and wonder, seeing the delicate features and ecosystem that have evolved in an intelligent way to sustain life. Humans became the way Earth could reflect back upon herself.
Gravity did not disappoint. Playing with archetypes of death, space, life, rebirth, letting go, silence, return, and motherhood, the film elegantly portrays the fragile human condition away from Mother Earth, reminding the audience of our relationship and need for her. Weaving in elements of (admittedly flawed) science and spirituality, we are reminded that we are the Earth. We are the same fragile, interconnected, self-sustaining, intelligent body that needs us just as much as we need her.
[SPOILER ALERT!] When Bullock touches back down on blessed land, she does not walk onto the concrete of a metropolis, but a healthy and clean beach. I doubt that she will go back to working the same long hours in her basement lab office with her gift of rebirth.
Remembering what is sacred about our own experience on this planet reminds us of the force that gently tugs at our bodies, never forgetting us, not letting us go. It is our purpose as living beings not to forget her. Her needs, her nature, her balance, her ecosystem are all reflected in our needs, our nature, our balance, and our inner ecosystems.
In remembering Gaia, we remember ourselves. Thank you, Bullock and Clooney, for taking care to honor Gaia. And thank you, David, for not letting go of me when I just wanted to detach from what I prejudged.
