Hello Friends!
after a year of living tech-free with the exception of electricity, i have finally given in and now have internet at my jungle home "Casa Verde"...this is actually amazing and one little piece of technology that i adore. SO i can begin blogging!
Let me start with Gratitude to Gaia. For those of you unfamiliar with this term...it was coined by James Lovelock an independent earth scientist from England.
The Gaia hypothesis, first put forth in the mid-1960s, and published in book form in 1975, explores the idea that the life of earth functions as a single organism which actually defines and maintains conditions necessary for its survival. Disclaiming the conventional belief that living matter reacts passively in the face of threats to its existence, Lovelock argues that the earth's living matter - air, ocean, and land surfaces - forms a complex system which has the capacity to keep our planet a fit place for life. Lovelock's predictions have already begun to hold true and Gaia (the name of the ancient Greek Goddess of the Earth) has dramatically altered the way scientists view evolution and the environment. Gaia is "the body/mind"...we are just wee cells, some cancerous, some healthy. (which are you?)
In this supreme attitude of gratitude to OUR MOTHER, I launch this blog and encourage your responses and ideas for a new heaven on earth. I in turn will give you mine.
Spread the word
The Sanskrit word ahimsa and it’s meaning was perhaps first publicized to the modern world at large by Gandhi, during his historic non-violent protest movement in India against the English in 1944.
It has been long forgotten in the public’s mind over the last 60 plus years as global attention deficit disorder has infected the masses. It’s not on TV, who remembers, who cares?
It is time to boldly resurrect it.
For every reason.
Modern Yoga students who have studied Patangali’s Yoga Sutras and the eightfold path know ahimsa is the first premise of yogic philosophy. Without it, yoga-union cannot be realized.
Ahimsa means non-harming. Anyone who has attended a church, mosque or temple also has been exposed to this basic and seemingly universal agreement towards living peacefully on our planet.“Thou shall not kill” is a commandment in all world religions. Murder is punishable by law everywhere. We get this.
Yet “ahimsa” goes so much deeper and is a far subtler idea. “Non-harming” addresses our personal approach to life, our thoughts, the way we speak, eat, work, play, consume, buy, the whole shebang.
We all know that killing your neighbor is bad, but not everyone grasps the same concept when it comes to cows, chickens, pigs or fish (or even an ants). Thankfully there is always room for improvement, greater awareness and refinement on the path towards oneness and planetary healing.
Practicing ahisma promises to bring us to a greater sense of personal peace, and the more, (literally) the merrier! As my understanding grows, I resonate with the marriage of ahimsa and my life long commitment to our environment. Do not harm.
I used to be “green” because I loved nature and considered myself an environmentalist. All well and good, however, arguable by those with different agendas and ideas (like my dear father employed by Exxon)
But ahimsa is un-arguable; we all intrinsically “get this”.
Through ahimsa, I only use one light at a time, unplug devices not in use, line dry my clothes, walk or bike whenever possible, get off all junk mail lists, recycle everything possible, consider the source of anything I buy, refuse packaging and plastic bags, take 2 minute cool showers with non chemical soap and shampoo, make my own tooth paste and plant based cleaning supplies, eat raw and vegan…. a deep green ahimsic approach to life and conservationalism.
Ahimsa deepens my relationship and stewardship of Gaia.
The concept of Ahimsa supports and nourishes our efforts to take excellent care of ourselves, each other, and our world. Once this idea is firmly planted in our hearts and minds, we no longer have the luxury to argue for or justify our less than deep green lifestyles.
I find it encouraging to learn that “right wingers” such as Christian Groups are now promoting “creation care” and that the Pope has installed solar panels for the Vatican…. we are “getting it”. Do not harm~ AHIMSA.
Our Global Community NEEDS to evolve. I can not force change. However, I can visualize it, live my life as an example, boldly share my ideas with everyone I meet and take the “bottom up” approach. We can create the tipping point of recognition, understanding, commitment, therefore action, healing and repair.
Time to get busy. Spread the word!
Spread the word
The Sanskrit word ahimsa and it’s meaning was perhaps first publicized to the modern world at large by Gandhi, during his historic non-violent protest movement in India against the English in 1944.
It has been long forgotten in the public’s mind over the last 60 plus years as global attention deficit disorder has infected the masses. It’s not on TV, who remembers, who cares?
It is time to boldly resurrect it.
For every reason.
Modern Yoga students who have studied Patangali’s Yoga Sutras and the eightfold path know ahimsa is the first premise of yogic philosophy. Without it, yoga-union cannot be realized.
Ahimsa means non-harming. Anyone who has attended a church, mosque or temple also has been exposed to this basic and seemingly universal agreement towards living peacefully on our planet.“Thou shall not kill” is a commandment in all world religions. Murder is punishable by law everywhere. We get this.
Yet “ahimsa” goes so much deeper and is a far subtler idea. “Non-harming” addresses our personal approach to life, our thoughts, the way we speak, eat, work, play, consume, buy, the whole shebang.
We all know that killing your neighbor is bad, but not everyone grasps the same concept when it comes to cows, chickens, pigs or fish (or even an ants). Thankfully there is always room for improvement, greater awareness and refinement on the path towards oneness and planetary healing.
Practicing ahisma promises to bring us to a greater sense of personal peace, and the more, (literally) the merrier! As my understanding grows, I resonate with the marriage of ahimsa and my life long commitment to our environment. Do not harm.
I used to be “green” because I loved nature and considered myself an environmentalist. All well and good, however, arguable by those with different agendas and ideas (like my dear father employed by Exxon)
But ahimsa is un-arguable; we all intrinsically “get this”.
Through ahimsa, I only use one light at a time, unplug devices not in use, line dry my clothes, walk or bike whenever possible, get off all junk mail lists, recycle everything possible, consider the source of anything I buy, refuse packaging and plastic bags, take 2 minute cool showers with non chemical soap and shampoo, make my own tooth paste and plant based cleaning supplies, eat raw and vegan…. a deep green ahimsic approach to life and conservationalism.
Ahimsa deepens my relationship and stewardship of Gaia.
The concept of Ahimsa supports and nourishes our efforts to take excellent care of ourselves, each other, and our world. Once this idea is firmly planted in our hearts and minds, we no longer have the luxury to argue for or justify our less than deep green lifestyles.
I find it encouraging to learn that “right wingers” such as Christian Groups are now promoting “creation care” and that the Pope has installed solar panels for the Vatican…. we are “getting it”. Do not harm~ AHIMSA.
Our Global Community NEEDS to evolve. I can not force change. However, I can visualize it, live my life as an example, boldly share my ideas with everyone I meet and take the “bottom up” approach. We can create the tipping point of recognition, understanding, commitment, therefore action, healing and repair.
Time to get busy. Spread the word!
"Look deep into Nature, you will understand everything" ~Einstein"
1 comment:
I second ALL of your e-motions, my fellow 1st. world drop-out!
Thanks for the in-spirations!!!!
Chameleon
Post a Comment