The ecology of the Earth is a finely woven web of life, held together by wholeness. It is the most physical representation of wholeness at work. Wholeness is essential to biological life, for it defines the relationships of mutual support that ensure that life on this planet can continue.
The ecology of the Earth is a great teacher for our self-realisation, for it is our life support system, to which we are bound. If our physical body teaches us the wisdom of authentic living on a personal level through its state of health, the Earth—as our collective physical body—teaches us the wisdom of authentic living on a collective level through its ecological health. The ecological health of the Earth is a measure of our collective willingness to live authentically and to honour the wholeness that is the essence of our being.
So delicate and precious is the Earth, with the possibility that species can go extinct and be lost forever, and the possibility that ecological chain reactions can be set off that affect the continued existence of the whole, that the very balance of life is held in our hands. The Earth teaches us about the sacred responsibility of living, and to find our true self out of necessity, because by honouring wholeness in our self, we can start to honour the wholeness that keeps us all alive.
I see a future in which people are able to enjoy blue skies, pure waters, and the comfort, support, and revitalisation of trees; where the diverse range of species in all their beauty brings us joy and amazement as we participate in the collective glory of life. I see a future where new ways of manufacturing give us non-toxic, non-polluting products that enable us all on this Earth to live more healthily. I see a future where we remain connected to natural life in our places of living and work, and learn from nature about the power of wholeness and how to remain fully alive. That future rests in our hands, in the authentic choices we make through mindfulness, and in our heartfelt desire for life to continue for us and for a thousand generations after us.
Green Living
Green living, or living ecologically, comes naturally when we embrace our true self, since authentic living is based on honouring the wholeness of life. At the centre of our being we experience the interconnectedness of all things, and awaken to our greater identity that is defined by these connections—our ecological and spiritual self. Self-realisation is the journey back to wholeness. It is a journey back because our essential nature is already wholeness: it is just that through the trappings of reactive, ego-based living, we have become dissociated from our true nature.
Green living is not about environmentalism. It is not a fashionable practice to lift guilt from our shoulders. It is not something that requires a degree in ecology. It is an aspect of self-development. It is about developing mindfulness to live with respect and integrity within the whole that we are a part of. It is about staying present to our greater self, and experiencing and honouring our connectedness with all things.
While green living comes naturally on our path of self-realisation and mindful living, there are three key ecological principles that I teach to serve as guidance. Organising our personal lives and our social and economic systems to honour and express these ecological principles is crucial.
- All living things are interconnected as a whole, and as wholes within wholes, with relationships of interdependence. There is a web of connectivity and interdependence between all living things, from microbes to plants and animals, to the inorganic environment that gives life to organisms. This web is a natural community, also called an ecosystem. For example, waste from one species supports or feeds another species, so that there is no overall waste or loss of sustainability within the whole.
- The quality of this web of ecological relationships determines the ability of the whole ecosystem to survive and become self-realised. When we honour the interconnectedness of life, and help to strengthen the ecology of the natural systems that we are embedded in, by practising sustainable living and ecological restoration, we can ensure the survival of ourselves and the ecosystems that sustain us.
- Diversity increases the resilience of ecosystems and our potential for self-realisation. The biodiversity of organisms and their habitats increases the unique characteristics of and contributions to the whole. Each species and habitat has a unique role to play in its ecosystem, and a unique response to change. With greater diversity, an ecosystem can respond in more ways to change and therefore increase the possibility for maintaining the integrity, stability, and resilience of the whole. Greater diversity can also increase the number of ways in which life can be expressed and identified with, which then increases the opportunities for self-realisation within the whole.
Can you find a way of honouring these three principles today?
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Agreed. Political obstacles abound, though. And resolute ignorance.