SELF-DETERMINATION:

~

Self-determination does not mean exercising intellectual mastery
at all times over bodily, earthly processes, though the capacity for
that mastery expands our human possibilities.

Growth means learning the limits of our will. What appears to be
mastery – flying an airplane, for example, is merely cooperation
with natural forces. Human intellect does not master natural
processes; we tap into them, learn them, bring our own aims into
harmony with them.

The world is not a jungle, to be hacked, cleared, or bulldozed.
Human beings are learning not to clear jungles that way either.
The world is us extended over the globe. We can spend our whole
lives discovering the wonderful oneness of creation.

The awareness of this unity expands our human possibility, for
each case is an example of our growing harmony with nature.