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30 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

Sailing with family Children with the Tibetan monks

the kindness of neighbors. Only today, when the fear of in knowing all that needs to shift, and acceptance that
the power of natural disaster came to our doorstep, did my love for the natural world must guide me to do all
people come together in helpful community. I see this I can for the planet. This sense of awareness begins
as a sign of hope: we are truly connected to each other a ripple effect that touches many people in my small
and this earth in ways that are far beyond our individual circle on the earth…but from there it continues to grow.
needs. As the earth calls for our attention, we become Being involved in an active sangha, co-facilitating study
aware of our own insignificance…but together, we can groups, and running my business from an ethically
create solutions and new ways of being that will benefit and environmentally conscious state of mind is what
the survival of all sentient beings, including the future I can do. Engaging “environmental mindfulness” in
of this fragile planet. We are all born with hearts and daily conversation is like a pilot light that I keep on.
minds that are capable of compassion and kindness, and Since we are in a moment in time that no one has ever
the cultivation of compassion is at the heart of our way experienced before, we have the unique opportunity to
forward. In her new book, You Belong, Sebene Selassie shift the course of events that will sustain our planet.
writes of the simple paradox of our intrinsic connection I choose to be open and hopeful, even with the great
to one another: “Although we are not one, we are not sadness of the loss of so many species and landscapes
separate. And although we are not separate, we are not across the planet. With a warm heart, boundless
the same. Human survival depends on understanding gratitude, deep listening, and caring for the anguish
this truth. At the heart of not belonging is what I refer to around us, I can envision a growing movement towards
as ‘the delusion of separation’ – the belief that you are hope, global community and positive, sustainable,
separate from other people, from other beings, and from regenerative solutions. Keeping the urgency of our
nature itself. And it is a delusion. You are not separate. global climate crises in daily conversation is key…
You never were. You never will be.” Finding our way to climate change is here, and is obvious in the devastating
belonging in a state of embodied awareness is a key to and extreme weather events that are occurring around
a compassionate understanding of the suffering of the the world. Realizing that we are in the midst of a pivot
earth and all the living beings who call her home. point on our planet requires a calm and kind mind to
move forward with strength and optimism.
Can you explain how an awareness and practice of
Environmental Mindfulness can be a solution to It is said that there is great benefit to the
global warming? environment if more people were to follow
a vegetarian diet. Just how do we go about
In my sitting practice, I turn my attention to all of my encouraging this among the millions who are not
senses. Feeling myself rooted in the place where I sit, vegetarians, or have no plans to be vegetarians?
I open up to all that I feel…including bewilderment at
the changing climate, sadness at injustice, discomfort It is so vitally important that more of the global