The Aboriginal people of Australia say the Spirit of All Life dreamed the world into existence, then passed “the secret of dreaming” to humankind.

With a wealth of raw material with which to work, humankind has indeed dreamed into existence much that is beautiful and wonderful and worthy. I think of music, art, the miracles of modern medicine, the joy of global awareness and interconnection made possible by modern technology.

But then I also think of the tragic facts that people die daily for lack of access to medical care and lack of food on a planet overflowing with food. I think of war, terrorism, drug addition. I think of whales that die from bellies full of plastic, birds that die with their feet entangled in the the strings attached to released balloons.

Is this world a beautiful dream or a horrific nightmare? Both, clearly. But humankind has been a less than honorable holder of the secret of dreaming. We can and must do better.