Live Simply

Live simply, that others may simply live.  When I first saw this injunction I realized that it embodied the basic truth that everything is connected.  This understanding can be a powerful force for bringing about change both inwardly and outwardly as well as locally and globally.  Personally it motivates me to thoughtfully consider my choices with respect to the impact on others and indeed our Mother the earth.  This is not easy since most people reading this will have evolved in a culture that they were told was God's gift to mankind, to do with what they wanted.  Even though we now know in our hearts this is wrong, nevertheless  the process towards equality, freedom and justice, ideals we have always held to be valid, is not easy.  Again, the difficulty is not related to governments or corporations changing their ways.  It is the challenge of awakening millions of people from their slumber.  

As I've mentioned before I am greatly encouraged by changes taking place already.  There is a greater awareness by many especially younger people of the importance of cooperation instead of competing for ones self-interest.  More people understand the concept of ecosystem and the connectedness of all life on the planet particularly within the environmental/conservation movement. Sustainability has become a word used more and more frequently in every context most significantly with regard to the question of life itself.  Yet the challenges of implementation are complex, mainly because it now involves over 7 billion humans who's lives are becoming more and more intertwined.

It is not logical to imagine that it would be better if we all lived off the "grid", but it is reasonable to imagine that our amazing technology if applied appropriately  can be helpful. It is also reasonable to imagine that we can become more conscious of our "carbon footprint" and make changes to our habitual patterns.  As an example:  When I was young everyone had a clothesline and they  used it.  Today they are seldom seen in many neighborhoods.  Dryers consume lots of energy whether gas or electric.  Granted that dryers are convenient but hanging clothes to dry does not reduce ones standard of living. It does involve a little more time but if our lives are so rushed that we can't do basic chores then probably there are bigger issues that need to be worked out. As you can see we once again have come to the place where the world we want depends on each of us changing to be in harmony with a world that is just and sustainable.  In Sanskrit the word "prama" refers to a dynamic balance that is seen readily in the natural world but is just as relevant at every level of human existence.