Minimalism, Mindfulness and the Moral Imperative of a New Earth Ethic
“The human venture depends absolutely on this quality of awe and reverence and joy in the Earth and all that lives and grows upon the Earth.” ~ Thomas Berry
A number of things have happened over the past week that have me feeling a stronger sense of urgency when it comes to changing the direction of this world.
First, as the dust from the mid-term elections (here in the U.S.) continues to settle and the action-reaction rhetoric from all sides kicks into high gear, the reality of what the agenda will (not) be in the next few years is coming into focus.
Second, I read an outstanding post from Leo Babauta called minimalism vs. the corporation (you should read it too).
Finally, the many messages of William Powers’s amazing book, Twelve by Twelve, has invited me to meditate on the idea that we continue to travel along the slow and steady path of ’eco-cide’ – the inevitable destruction and death of this humble little planet we call Home.
The culmination of all this is simple: The moral imperative to establish and embrace a New Earth Ethic is stronger than ever: An ethic that sets forth a framework by which all human activities should be governed and guided. An ethic whose sole purpose is to restore balance to our existence and create a pathway for sustainable prosperity for all perpetuity. An ethic that allows all beings to rediscover and dwell within the Peace that is in each one of us.
I have said many times that saving the planet is not hard, it’s just inconvenient. Establishing this New Earth Ethic begins with our own Self and spreads from there.
This personal change – I believe – can come about by embracing the four elements of Deep Living and transforming ourselves into ‘eco-beings’ (or ‘wildcrafters’ as William Powers calls it):
- Pursuing a minimalist or simple(r) lifestyle, shedding what is unnecessary and embracing what remains. Remember, Nature is the ultimate minimalist teacher.
- Practicing mindfulness, and in particular mindful consumption, in all that we do each day.
- Shifting your perspective to being One with Nature, not above or apart from it.
- Sharing what you’ve learned with others, especially children
More broadly speaking, the New Earth Ethic will only come about when:
- We challenge the Throwaway Culture of Convenience at every turn
- We stop leaning on the crutch excuse of the Economy Argument when it comes to why we CAN’T take on the challenges of protecting our environment
- We focus on the long-term and not the knee-jerk short-term
- We start turning words into action, answering the call of leadership and becoming catalysts
- We dwell in Love and practice unyielding compassion towards our fellow beings (human or otherwise)
The stakes are so high. The time we have before us to turn the tide is shrinking with each passing moment. History will not be kind when upon reflection, it condemns the shallowness and ineptitude of our inaction.
The Earth – our Mother, our Sustainer, our primary Enabler of Existence – does not care who we are: Our countries, our cultures, our religions, our political leanings, our ideologies…
We are all human. We are all of this Earth. We are all called to be One and in this, realize that the fate of the planet is not separate from that of our own.
Be well,
Bill
You can help be a catalyst by sharing this post with others in your circle via Twitter, Facebook or one of the other social media tools below. Please consider subscribing to The New Pursuit and becoming part of this community of change. While you’re here, you might also enjoy these posts:
- Challenging the Throwaway Culture of Convenience
- Deep Living 101: A Quick-Start Guide to Pursuing Your Own Path
- The ABCs of Mindful Parenting
[image: jasontheaker]
I’m going to have to read Twelve by Twelve now!
Your call to action is really inspiring and I admire you for writing this.
I have to stop writing this comment so I can start perusing your site for more awesomeness immediately!
Hi Jodi // Thanks for swinging by — appreciate it. Spent some time on your blog today too. What a great vibe! I totally respect anyone who’s walking the talk (and then some).
Hope you enjoy Twelve by Twelve. It’s a seriously inspiring read. All about getting back to basics and the Essence of Life. Be well!
I was really struck with Leo’s post too. He really aimed beautifully in the first few lines “It’s a striking out against the corporations that are increasingly in control of our lives. Every aspect of our lives have been pervaded by corporations.” and followed with an excellent closer “The corporation is a hungry beast, and we keep feeding it. Let’s walk away, and let it die from hunger.”
Maybe you know already that I have issues with corporations (sounds funny to put it like that) – I recognise that not all corporations are necessarily bad, or all bad. These things are never black and white, but as Leo says “A corporation is a non-living, non-feeling complex organization whose single goal is earning more profits for its shareholders.” That presents a unique problem when we are hoping and expecting that they will do the right thing by the earth for example. These are facts addressed in the movie ‘The Corporation’ too. It is quite an eye-opener. You’ve probably seen it but if you haven’t, I think you should.
I love your ideas for personal change and your new earth ethic ideas. So long as love and compassion is firm and smart, rather than weak and wishy-washy…the time has passed for mucking around…sometimes you need to be firm to get things done. We definitely need to start focusing on the long term as you mentioned. It seems like we are applying flimsy bandaids to so many problems…we need more than flimsy band-aids.
Kia ora Bill,
Lots of food for thought, and right along with the approach my wife, family, and I are pursuing. Not always easy, especially as we still have to work, pay a mortgage, ect. But we have a plan, and are implementing change every day. I have always felt more at “home” in the mountains than out here, it has been figuring out how to bring them out here so people can see. Particularly the personal change in showing children the way. Kia kaha.
Cheers,
Robb
Hi Majeeda // Leo’s words just hit the mark through and through. I agree with you though — not all corporations are bad. More and more are joining the ranks of the responsible, sustainable kind each day. That said, there is — in my view — just a general trend of consumption that we need to buck. Letting go of the idea that in stuff lies our happiness and that humans are just 24/7/365 consumption machines; rediscovering and embracing that our happiness lies within ourselves and amidst a world that is prosperous for generations to come.
Stay tuned for some upcoming posts. I’ve been doing some reflection on what it is The New Pursuit is trying to convey and I think I need to lighten things up a bit.
Hope all is well with you and yours. Be well!
Kia ora Robb // Ahh, that little thing called a mortgage.
I’m right there with you — making personal changes and (hopefully) helping others along the same path is often complicated by the necessities of our everyday lives. But what you point out is spot on — it’s about having a plan and taking small steps each day to get you there.
I’m optimistic that eventually the critical mass of people taking steps in this direction will come about in a way that will force the systems of today (economic, social, political, etc.) to get in line with where we need to go in order to sustain this shift.
One of the most important keys is showing our kids that there is a better way; raising them in a way that empowers them to be happy as they are with all that the present moment can offer them and give them the tools and know-how to push back the Machine of Consumption at every turn. I love that aspect of being a parent!
Be well!
It is so imperative that we embrace this as a beginning in shifting from an economy based society to a values based society … in whatever way we can. Thanks for writing this .
Hi Deborah // Thanks for stopping by. I couldn’t agree with you more. We all have a roll to play and how we approach each day makes a difference. Leading by example is one of the best ways to be that catalyst for change! Be well!
Dear Bill,
I love this post! So powerful. Thank you for being passionate about something that is so important. I am touched by that. Both my husband and I are feeling the great pull to simplify our lives. I have previously lived an extremely simple life. But for many years now (back in society) I feel I am drowning in things. And my husband and I live a simple life compared to most people, and we are not mad shoppers. We don’t even “do” Christmas because we don’t want to be part of the hype, crazed consumerism, etc. It’s just overwhelming. But it’s more than that.
I want to live in society that is based on values, relationships, interconnectedness with each other and other species…ALL species, a relationship that is living in harmony and balance with “the rest”, one that embraces with compassion its homeless, it’s elders, its children and women, its people of all colors, religions, and sexual preferences, and so on. Thank you for being so outspoken and insightful. I value it.
I love the Thomas Berry quote. He was a great man. I was blessed to have him endorse my book before he died. I told him that I felt he boldly and bravely paved a path for so many to come. He was a profoundly wise soul. I actually cried when he died. He wrote this for me: “”Naked in Eden is an amazing presentation of life in the most rigorous conditions of nature, evoking that sense of wonder needed for maximal appreciation of the planet and the cosmos.” ~ Thomas Berry. It is similar in aspects to his words that you shared: “The human venture depends absolutely on this quality of awe and reverence and joy in the Earth and all that lives and grows upon the Earth.” ~ Thomas Berry.
It is that wonder, awe and resulting reverence and joy that he understood so well. He had a passionate love affair with Nature. I really resonate with him. He also once said something to the effect (and this is not an exact quote) We should put the bible on the self for 25 years and instead read Nature. I LOVE that. Yes,
Thank you for inspiring me Bill, and for caring about the things that really matter.
Hugs,
Robin
PS So glad to see you have really hooked up with my truly remarkable friend and “Wild Brother”, Robb Kloss.
Robin // I’m so thankful to have you stop by and share your thoughts. I appreciate it more than you know! I did not know about your connection to Mr. Berry (I’m still waiting for our library system to pick up Naked in Eden so I can read it). That is amazing. He absolutely was a trailblazer — and his words continue that. I’ll have to dig a bit on that other quote — I love that. In too many cases, dogma and doctrine have twisted the purest presentations of that which is bigger than us. I still think that if more people spent more time outside — doing or being whatever — than the world would truly be a better place. Thanks for reinforcing that! Be well!
(And yes, I have enjoyed connecting with Robb! It’s like a mini-adventure every time I read a post of his.)