Environmental Mindfulness

From the moment we open our eyes in the morning, to the quiet time we have (hopefully) just before bed;
we consume, consume and consume.

There is this quality we have, besides intelligence, no other animal or plant have;
GREED

It's not about going back to the stone-ages, to go around hugging trees or treat stray cats better than our fellow humans;
But rather, the excessive consumerism that is ever so conveniently projected in our lives these days;
confusing us the difference between a Need and a Want.

It's all about being Environmentally Mindful...

Mindful when we next go to the shopping mall/supermarket;
Mindful when we use the next straw or plastic stirrer;
Mindful when we celebrate festive occassions (from catering to decorations);

that we are just one of the 6.6 billion humans living on Earth right now.
that all the plants and animals can 'live happily ever after' without us BUT not vice versa
that we have just been walking upright 200,000 years ago (earth is 4.5 billion years old)

We are practically 'guest' on this planet;
but look at what we have done to it despite being only present 0.13% of the time since the formation of earth...

I think we should all Pause and Comtemplate...

Comments

Brandon Chia said…

Strong words! :)

31 January 2009 at 21:15

Joe Lim said…

some inspirations i had where at some forest retreat at tasik chini...

1 February 2009 at 14:26

Truths and Lies

A friend sent me this clip on McCruelty.com recently.... I'm sure this is just the tip of an ice-berg; behind the colours and gleamours of shopping malls and excessive consumerism of the modern human society lies all these "dirty laundry" kept away from the public eye. Another example i can think of is the BIG LIE where we are being programmed that we can just go about our daily lives concentrating on the "Consumption bit" and ignore the Extraction, Production, Distribution that came before that and Disposal that comes after that....It's time we wake up from Truths like "Perceived Obsolescence" and "Planned Obsolescence" McCruelty: I'm Hatin' It--Learn More.

A Trilogy...a Full Circle?

In 3 days time, it's the lunar new year I came back a year ago where it started, it shall end... I was born a Chinese Buddhist, or what some may call a mahayana Buddhist. As i turned into an adult, i started exploring into earlier versions when it was still in India and Sri Lanka; or what some may call theravada Buddhism. And I've found solace in it as it kind of suits my fiery, impatient and egoistic character. Lately, i chance upon words of wisdom while watching; of all things, the latest rendition of a famous martial arts soap opera by Jin Yong, "Demi-Gods_and_Semi-Devils". I am going back to Crystal Jade Restaurants this evening to serve food; that's where i started off when i came back from india a year ago; the impending CNY double pay of course was a motivating factor, but i have other reasons for doing this... I also met a very promising young dude whilst serving behind the counter at Buddhist Library; i was over-zealous to say the least in tr

it’s Too Late to be a Pessimist

Looking Inward instead of Outward and Walking the Talk… (my post japan trip report) 40 fantastic participants from 14 countries, 14 fabulous days with 3 well fed meals a day, 3 motherly guides, government officials, university professors, at least a dozen hardworking staff from the Japan Foundation and countless behind the scene people who cleaned our bathrooms, made our beds, serve us breakfast and coffee, drove us to our destinations and made our stay in Japan memorable; many thoughts were churned out during this period. I decided on this title as many of us during this trip saw, learnt, observed and tried to be more mindful of our actions; from refusing plastic bags given out at the am/pm 24-7 convenience shops to putting the “Do not disturb” tab on our doors the next morning NOT because we are anti-social but because we dun want the chambermaids to change our towels and bedsheets daily. There were occasions when I was at the Shinonome Elementary School and Chubo Landfill Site in To

the ART of reBIRTH

Search This Blog