[BLS-Special-Events] Mindful Earth Day 2010

Thu Apr 22 16:26:26 PDT 2010

Mindful Earth Day 2010
**
*"When we change our daily lives –-the way we think, speak, and act-– we
change the world.  It is important for us to live in such a way that in
every moment we are deeply there with our true presence, always alive and
nourishing the insight of interbeing."*

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh –*The World We Have*

*“Unless Someone Like You Cares An Awful Lot, Nothing Is Going To Get
Better. It’s Not.”*
Dr. Seuss –*The Lorax*
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Thay, Dear Sangha,

Today, *April 22nd, 2010*, marks the *40th Anniversary of the first
global Earth
Day*, when million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to
demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment and demand environmental
accountability from leaders in Washington, D.C.  The first Earth Day led to
the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the
passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.

Every month Sanghas in the tradition of *Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh* across
the globe gather to recite the *Five Mindfulness Trainings*. The Five
Mindfulness Trainings represent our vision for a global spirituality and
ethic and are the guidelines we use to live our daily lives in mindfulness.
When practice the Five Mindfulness Trainings, we realize the
interconnectedness of it all.

On this *Earth Day*, I would like to invite all friends and members of
our *Community
of Mindful Living* to honor our Earth Mother by taking a moment to become
deeply conscious of our interconnectedness with all that is, cultivate the
insight of interbeing and compassion, look deeply at the footprint that our
patterns of behavior and consumption are leaving on this planet, and take
action to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals in our
world.  Let us use the energy of mindfulness to live a sustainable life and
help create a diverse, clean, and healthy environment for generations to
come.  Let us practice looking deeply to see that we can live happily in the
present moment simply by remembering that we already have more than enough
conditions to be happy.  Let us find ways to practice Right Livelihood so
that we can help reduce the suffering of living beings on this Earth and
ameliorate the process of climate change.  Let us commit (or recommit) to
practice mindful eating, drinking, and consuming in a way that preserves
peace, joy, and well-being in our bodies and consciousness, and in the
collective body and consciousness of our families, societies and the Earth.

Please join me in honoring the Earth Mother with the attached guided
meditation based by Thay's *Offering to the Land Ancestors,* a deep
mindfulness practice offered at Thay's Monasteries across the globe.
Also, below are some ideas from the *Broward Lotus Sangha Deep Ecology
Initiative* that may be of assistance as our mindfulness practice increases
our reverence for life and our desire to take action grows. Our initiative
gives those of us concerned about the environment practical ways to create a
better world. *For links to implement these ideas, please visit
http://www.browardlotussangha.org/links/.*

·         Commit (or recommit) to practice the *Five Mindfulness Trainings*
http://www.browardlotussangha.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/the-five-mindfulness-trainings.pdf

·         Help your children Celebrate Earth Day by reading Dr. Seuss' *The
Lorax* and visit our website to join *The Lorax Project* and help the Lorax
protect the forests and endangered species on our planet,  play
environmentally-friendly games, learn about the environment and help Mother
Earth

·         Calculate the environmental impact your lifestyle generates

·         Educate yourself about the environmental Impact of a
Non-Vegetarian Diet and learn ways to support a Vegetarian or Vegan
Lifestyle

·         Explore new ways to increase recycling, reuse and reduce our waste

·         Plant trees to offset the amount carbon emissions our vehicles and
lifestyles generate

·         Help promote the conservation, preservation, and restoration of
Florida’s native plants and get inspired with ideas on how to garden with
South Florida's native plants, providing food and cover to birds,
butterflies, and other wildlife

·         Learn about Florida-friendly landscaping and certify your home,
school, public or business landscape with *NatureScape Broward*

·         Learn how to create a *National Wildlife Federation Certified
Wildlife Habitat *suitable for all beings in your own backyard

·         Explore and enjoy the outdoors, conserve energy and take action to
protect Mother Earth’s special places and its wildlife

·         Join our Sangha members and other plant-and-animal-loving friends
in our CML for fun and educational field trips, and mindful walks, hikes,
camping and canoe rides:
http://www.meetup.com/Broward-Lotus-Sangha/calendar/

·         Follow Thay’s lead and enjoy as many car-free days as you can with
your family, friends and fellow Sangha members. Help us celebrate World Car
Free Day every September 22nd

·         Join the *Broward Lotus Sangha* in signing *The Earth Charter* to
promote sustainable ways of living, ecological integrity, respect for
diversity, and a culture of peace, economic justice, and universal human
rights

·         Sign the *Earth Peace Treaty,* one Thich Nhat Hanh’s Ecological
Initiatives

·         Sign *The Earth Day 2010 Climate Declaration* to let your
Representatives know that clean energy and a sustainable future are
important to us

·         Join *A Billion Acts of Green* and *Earth Day Network* at
www.EarthDay.net <http://www.earthday.net/>

May all beings be well, happy, peaceful, and free from strife.  May we
continue to develop our understanding and compassion in order to leave
peacefully with people, animals, plants, minerals, and our Earth.

In the Dharma,
Martha

Dr. Martha Martinez
President
Broward Lotus Sangha
P.O. Box 245124
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

COME MEDITATE WITH US!
www.BrowardLotusSangha.org <http://www.browardlotussangha.org/>
http://www.meetup.com/Broward-Lotus-Sangha/calendar/
In the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh

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