Most of us want to live on a happy green planet. But often we act in ways that undermine our opportunity to enjoy life on this planet.
Some say that yoga teaches us to be better observers to notice the effect of our breath. With luck this may translates the planet into the ability to notice things that we didn’t think about before, like the effect of our mood on a friend or of our consumer habits on the planet.
Adi Carter used the power of observation to notice how much trash I was creating—and to create less by being mindful of what I consumed. Inspired by the actions of four fellow AcroYoga teachers, she challenged herself to collect her own trash. For three months, she carried everything with her that I she normally throw away or recycle. Her rubbish would travel with her everywhere she went. It would function as a visual aid to educate people about sustainability issues in a fundraiser for the Cambodian Children’s Fund. Called the Mindfulness Challenge, with proceeds going to help Cambodian children living in extreme poverty in rubbish dumps. She had to think ahead about everything she bought and ate cooking meals the night before, packing them in reusable stainless steel containers.
Apparently the average Brit generates four pounds of rubbish a day. By being mindful, Adi created a fraction of that. In three months, she had less than 10 pounds of rubbish and half of that was junk mail, it fit a large shoulder bag. Adi enthused “The trash tour was a brilliant learning experience. It’s easy for trash to be out sight, out of mind’ once we throw it away. But when we are faced with the aftermath our consumption every day, we can’t help but notice how our actions affect the planet. noticed the effects on myself, too. Buying foods without packaging, like produce and bulk grains, meant that I was eating fresh foods, rich in prana (life force) and nutrients. By planning and cooking my own meals, I felt healthier and happier.”
How can you help?
To get foods minus the packaging.
shop at farmers’ markets (for fresh produce) and stores with bulk bins (for staples like flour, cereal, beans, and grains).
Bring your own plastic and canvas bags.
Call catalog companies and ask to be taken off their mailing lists.
Pay your bills electronically instead of using paper.
Avoid single-use paper products, Substitute hand towels for paper towels, hankies for tissues, cloth napkins for paper.
Carry your own stain- less steel or glass water bottle. Carry your food in stainless steel containers.
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