In order for one to live in harmony with nature one must first understand what is natural.

There is a common misconception that since humans are a part of nature, everything that humans create is also natural.
This idea implies that absolutely everything that exists in the physical realm is natural and thus makes the word “natural” meaningless.

The modern definition of natural is “existing in or derived from nature; not made or caused by humankind”.
By looking at the etymology of the word natural we can trace its origins to the Latin word natura, which translates to birth.

The birth of the universe created everything.
The things that humans have tampered with and altered are no longer in their natural state.

Let’s explore an example of how tampering with nature can negatively affect humanity.

Corn.

When the average person thinks of corn they imagine a rather large yellow plant with hundreds of juicy grains.

Corn is a plant and grows from the earth.
This is enough information for most to think that corn is natural and healthy.

In reality, corn is the result of extensive selective breeding and more recently genetic modification.

Corn originates from teosinte which some used to chew for its sweet flavor.
It was practically inedible.

Nowadays, corn is grown in vast quantities and its primary use case is fattening cattle.
Corn is also converted into high-fructose corn syrup to be used as a sweetener.

Unnatural food affects more than just our health and the health of our farm animals.
Monocropping degrades the soil by reducing the availability of certain nutrients and minerals.

Nature is perfect.
One cannot improve perfection.

As divine beings we possess free will.
However, it is of utmost importance that we use it carefully.

We are currently at a fork in the road.
Failure to restore harmony with nature will lead to our own destruction.