This is really interesting. I've never thought about it. 3 of my 4 kids are rock collectors for sure. Of course the little ones are mostly picking up pieces of gravel from the road and finding beauty everywhere. When I used to do sweat lodges, we always asked the stone people before bringing them into the lodge. I found in collecting those that they called out to be used for this purpose. Of course they were returned. I think intention is really critical here. I think walking lightly can encompass interaction. Of course hoarding and mining are different, but I think we are part of the earth and that its ok for us to interact with various animals and stones and plants. It can certainly very quickly devolve into this crazy western drive to need to possess, though. Interesting topic, mama. Ima think more on it.