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The Sacred Balance Part 111

Secondary

Description

"How we imagine the world, determines how we live in it." This is the central theme of David Suzuki's The Sacred Balance. This  video illustrates the message with reference to the Bali farmers who plant their crops in "holy water"; the people of the Andes who believe the Earth is alive and that they live among the gods; those Indians who regard the two sides of the Ganges as the scientific and the spiritual and the industrialized world that has forgotten that the real bottom line is the environment.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

In calling for a return to the worldview that was central to ancient peoples, The Sacred Balance Part 111 touches upon a number of topics/issues - the interconnections among all things, sustainable development, the relationship between spirituality and science. Given this eclectic mix, the video has relevance for a variety of subjects/units, some of which are identified below

  • Religion and Philosophy - world view, spirituality
  • Geography - human -environmental interactions, managing change
  • Aboriginal Studies - Aboriginal worldview/perspective, identity
  • Environmental Science - human impact on the environment, environmental challenges

Dr. Suzuki is interested in starting a discussion so the video is best used in the classroom as an introduction to these topics. It may be used in combination with the other two videos in the series to provide a deeper understanding of the Suzuki thesis. 

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Aboriginal Studies 10: Aboriginal Worldviews
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
        • Science 10: Energy Flow in Global Systems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Geography 30: World Patterns of Humankind's Use of the Earth
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 10: Media arts offer unique ways of exploring our identity and sense of belonging.
        • Media Arts 10: Traditions, perspectives, worldviews, and stories can be shared through media arts.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies: The exploration of text and story deepens understanding of one’s identity, others, and the world.
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies:Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed
        • English First Peoples - New Media: The exploration of text and story deepens understanding of one’s identity, others, and the world
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 11: Media arts provide a unique way to represent self, identity, and culture
        • Media Arts 11: Media arts reflect the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history, and society.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies + Writing: Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed.
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies: The exploration of text and story deepens understanding of one’s identity, others, and the world.
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 12: Media arts are an essential element of culture and reveal insights into the human experience
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples 12: The exploration of text and story deepens understanding of one’s identity, others, and the world.
        • English First Persons 12: Oral and other texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed.
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Contemporary Indigenous Studies: The identities, worldviews, and languages of indigenous peoples are renewed, sustained, and transformed through their connection to the land.
        • Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 10
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      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geographic Issues of the 21st Century: Natural Resources
    • Grade 11
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Current Topics in the Sciences 30S: Essential Concepts
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Geography: A Human Perspective - World Resources, Energy, and Environment
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Environment
        • Global Issues
  • New Brunswick
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Advanced Environmental Science 120:Introduction to the human sphere
        • Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Sustainable Development
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian Geography 120: Patterns and Systems in the Human and Natural World
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Indigenous Studies 120: Worldview
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Issues 120:Interdependence
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian Geography 1202: Natural and Human Systems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 3205: Introduction to Environmental Science
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Geography 3200/3202: Ecosystems
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 10: Traditions, perspectives, worldviews, and stories can be shared through media arts.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies: The exploration of text and story deepens understanding of one’s identity, others, and the world.
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies:Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed
        • English First Peoples - New Media: The exploration of text and story deepens understanding of one’s identity, others, and the world
  • Nova Scotia
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    • Grade 10
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      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geography 10: Spaceship Earth
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Mi'Kmaq Studies: Culture
        • Mi’Kmaq: Spituality
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10: Sustainability of Ecosystems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Geography: Planet Earth
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Relationship to the Environment
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
        • Science 10: Energy Flow in Global Systems
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
        • Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.) Dynamics and Change
        • Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
      • Religious Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Religions and Belief Traditions in Daily Life (Open): Commonalities, Concepts, and Contexts
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.): Spacial Organizationties
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ/College Prep.) Community Action
        • The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
        • World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (College Prep.):Changing Societies
        • World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
        • World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Univ. Prep.): Social Change and the Quality of Life
        • World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Univ. Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
      • Philosophy
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Philosophy: Questions and Theories(Univ, Prep.) Supplementry Topics: Philosohy of Science
  • Prince Edward Island
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    • Grade 12
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      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 621A: Introduction to Environmental Science
  • Quebec
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    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Applied Science & Technology:The Living World
        • Environmental Science & Technology: The Living World
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Contemporary World: Environment
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Native Studies 10: Community and Kinship: Aboriginal Perspectives
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Social Studiees 20:World Issues - Environment
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 10: Media arts offer unique ways of exploring our identity and sense of belonging.
        • Media Arts 10: Traditions, perspectives, worldviews, and stories can be shared through media arts.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies: The exploration of text and story deepens understanding of one’s identity, others, and the world.
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies:Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed
        • English First Peoples - New Media: The exploration of text and story deepens understanding of one’s identity, others, and the world
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 11: Media arts provide a unique way to represent self, identity, and culture
        • Media Arts 11: Media arts reflect the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history, and society.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies + Writing: Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed.
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies: The exploration of text and story deepens understanding of one’s identity, others, and the world.
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 12: Media arts are an essential element of culture and reveal insights into the human experience
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples 12: The exploration of text and story deepens understanding of one’s identity, others, and the world.
        • English First Persons 12: Oral and other texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed.
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Contemporary Indigenous Studies: The identities, worldviews, and languages of indigenous peoples are renewed, sustained, and transformed through their connection to the land.
        • Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.

Themes Addressed

Citizenship (1)

  • Sustainable Consumption

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

Indigenous Knowledge (2)

  • Rituals, Spirituality and Worldviews
  • TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Science and Technology (1)

  • Analysing Conventional Science