How does one cultivate a relationship with the natural world?

I don't think there's one set way to cultivate a relationship with the natural world; nature and humanity are both diverse categories, and each part of those categories reacts to certain things differently. That being said, I think the most important thing is to listen to the natural world. There's very obvious signals that nature gives us when something is flourishing, and also when something is dying, but we often ignore it in favor of our own judgement; we wouldn't ignore the advice of a doctor when it comes to medicine, so why do we ignore nature when it comes to the natural world? Listening to the natural world can help us mend the broken and fading relationship we have, but first we have to recognize that human beings are not the omnipotent gods that we like to image ourselves as; the world does not exist to cater to our needs, and it will not provide if we ignore it.

What general principles should govern the way one lives with respect to nature?

This goes with the previous question, but one of the most important principles to follow is listening to nature; it's vitally important that we listen to the signals nature gives us which is why I'm stressing it again in this question. Without listening and trying to understand nature, there is no way to remedy the loss of respect we have experienced in recent years. Another principle to follow is the idea of reciprocity. This was spoken about often in Braiding Sweetgrass, and I think it's a very important principle to follow when it comes to respecting the natural world; if we live without reciprocity then we are bound to view the world as ours, and ours alone, to do whatever we wish. There's only so much we can take without destroying the natural world beyond recognition, and I think we're very close to this point, so it's extremely important that we view nature's people with reciprocity and gratitude.

How does one put those principles into daily action in a particular place?

The main way we can put these principles into action, no matter the location, is simply by listening to the signs given and voices heard from the natural world. We, as humans, have an urge to view ourselves as apart from, and above, any other lives - this is not the way in which we naturally view the world. The system of capitalism and individual greed has tainted the way we once lived in harmony with the natural world, and it is because of this that we no longer listen to the other peoples of the earth. I find myself simply sitting outside in nature, doing nothing except observing, in order to try and remedy some of the lost connection to the natural world. It's definitely not perfect, but this simple act is something that makes me feel much more connected afterwards, and I am ever the more grateful for it.

What principles should govern the way one lives with respect to other people?

I think that the principles that govern how we respect the natural world and those that govern how we respect other people are extremely similar; if another person is talking, you wouldn't talk over them and trample on their words, so why should it be any different for nature? In both cases it's important that we listen, but there is also an extra layer of empathy and understanding that we need to have when respecting other people. This isn't to say that we shouldn't have these when respecting nature - I would argue that we most definitely should - but we must be more empathetic and understanding to other people; as humans, we share a common language - even though it may have different tones and sounds, it is still the language of the human species - and it is because of this that we can more deeply understand one another. Without this extra layer of empathy and understanding, I fear that the mass destruction we have caused to nature will move onto us as people, more so than it has already.

What is the meaning of “community”?

A common dictionary definition is "a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common", but I think that community is more than this. Communities have to be built, pieces of the whole carefully placed in order to create the entirety, and without that intentional decision, it's hard to create a fully unified community; unless there is a central wish to mutually flourish, communities cannot fully exist - there would be shadows and pieces of the whole. There is a general understanding and empathy that exists within each community that others cannot digest as well - which is partially why I think it's so difficult for us to accept those from outside our communities - and, as a result, that group of people is infinitely more intricately woven together.

How does one contribute to the building of a good community?

As mentioned above, a central part of community building is the intentionality of it and the wish to communally exist in order to mutually flourish. However, this isn't just within our human communities; it's important that we recognize there are communities outside of our own, and that the natural world can also be a part of our communities - I would argue that it must be. Creating a reciprocal relationship with both the natural world and the other peoples inside our communities is a necessary step in building a good and lasting community - this is something that fights against the ways in which our current system works. We have to recognize, as individuals, that giving to others and to the natural world is the most important step in building lasting relationships and flourishing, as a community.