From the Huffington Post:
Buddhist teacher, co-author of 'Awakening Joy'
As a Buddhist teacher I've been interested in finding true happiness
through directly opening to suffering. A major interest and focus of my
teaching has been awakening the natural joy that is within us. But two years ago after reading Bill McKibben's brilliant, sobering book, Eaarth,
I had to face the harsh realities of climate change. My optimism was
shaken as I came to terms with the fact that the future looks pretty
bleak.
Although the current picture can seem pretty depressing, it's also
been heartening to see that more and more people are starting to become
aware of the dangers connected with the most crucial issue facing us
today. As a wise friend of mine says, "We're in a race between ignorance
and consciousness."
This past June fifty senior teachers met at an International
Vipassana Teachers Conference at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in
Woodacre, Calif., where I teach. On the agenda was Climate Change:
specifically the role Buddhism might play and the responsibility of
those who share the teachings.
As the teachers attending energetically discussed the issue, across
the floor was a scroll of 2000+ names of meditation students who had
signed a request for teachings and guidance on wise response to Climate
Change. Leading the discussion was Bob Doppelt, a longtime practitioner
who coordinates the National Partnership for Climate Solutions,
a non-partisan group of organizations that has worked with the White
House to encourage and support their efforts in dealing with Climate
Change.
Bob's very moving and provocative presentation was based on a book he wrote From Me to We
which outlines five principles needed to shift the consciousness of the
population in a meaningful response to the imminent danger. How would
we respond to this challenge?
As a result of that gathering this week, October 1-7, Buddhists
around the U.S. and abroad are participating in the first annual Earth
Care Week. Communities are gathering to share teachings and participate
in activities exploring climate change as ground for our awakening. The
website One Earth Sangha
has been established to be a repository for these teachings and
exchange of ideas with regard to the Dharma and Climate Change. You can
get a sense of some activities planned for this week here.
Perhaps you'll be motivated to organize something in your own
community. You don't have to be a Buddhist; your care and support of the
Earth is enough.