Daily Life Matters
In spiritual teachings it is pointed out that this moment, right now, is all we have. This can really free us up, but sometimes too much choice can freeze us into inaction. Daily life offers many opportunities to bring sensitivity into the meeting of spirituality and practicality. But it can be difficult to know who to trust, what to do first, or even which paths we can travel.
In this section of our website we are hoping to look into and find solutions to common questions we find on the path of ethics, environmentalism and finance.
We are not experts in these fields but fellow travellers on the path. If you feel we have left something out, or have made a mistake with this information please let us know. We will be happy to update the information here with your help.
Flying and Climate Change
Rob Burbea has written an open letter addressing the complexity of issues that face us all in relation to human created climate change. Exploring the phychological, spiritual and material aspects, and what we can do about it. The letter was written with Dharma teachers and retreat centres in mind, but it is relevant for all of us trying to live consciously and with care for the earth.
Below is an extract from the letter follow the link at the bottom of the extract to read the full letter and get involved in an online discussion of the topic.
Dear Friends,
It's obvious that there is such an abundance and depth of good will in the Dharma world and in those who work in one form or another for the Dharma, and the expression of this goodwill is visible in countless ways large and small. Yet it also seems that in one area in particular - our actual responses to the Global Climate Emergency - we are falling short of what it is possible for us as a community to manifest. And I feel that as a matter of urgency we all need to discuss this issue thoroughly together. My sense is not that we are merely somewhat apathetic, as some might think, but that deep down, we, like most human beings, do care greatly about it, and very much want to address it. Somehow though, that care doesn't always manifest, get communicated, or get felt even, as fully as it could, and indeed, needs to be.
What exactly happens to stop us? It is clear the responses and reactions of the heart and mind here have become very complex. Probably, and understandably, we have all at times felt a sense of impotence, for example, in the face of this looming crisis, draining energy from both our inner and outer responses to it. But many of the unhelpful and confused movements of mind in relation to this issue may not be so obvious. They may be a good deal more hidden from immediate view. Clarity, integrity and real care then can feel hard to find and sustain.
But if the Dharma is to remain really relevant in the world, a beacon of wisdom and compassion for humanity, it seems to me we all need to understand our responses more fully. And we need to be putting out a different message, modelling something different than we are at present. I feel it behoves all of us to inquire more searchingly into all this, to shine the light of awareness and investigation here, and ask some potentially difficult questions, individually and as a Sangha, and to see if a fuller, deeper, more adequate response is possible from us. To see, 'what else is possible for us'? That's what this article is about.
I propose that we need to find a way to overhaul and transform the present system of retreats and Dharma activity to one that contributes significantly less to Climate Change and to the avijja (ignorance) and the mind-sets that contribute to Climate Change, while still ensuring adequate financial viability for both teachers and Centres. And I believe it is actually probable, for a number of reasons, that such a change will more enable students to develop, deepen and thrive as much as possible, in Dharma environments that are potentially more creative, and in Sanghas that provide more possibility for meaningful long-term relationships - between Sangha members and, equally, between Teachers and Students.
I'd be grateful if you would take some time to read and reflect on these critiques, questions and proposals in the article here
Green Energy
About two-thirds of electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels in power stations. This process releases millions of tonnes of CO2 (which is the main gas responsible for climate change) into the atmosphere. In fact, electricity generation accounts for nearly 40% of the total CO2 produced in the UK. The other third of electricity is produced from nuclear power, which has other severe environmental impacts.
The majority of domestic electricity suppliers offer a mix of this so-called ‘brown’ energy produced by coal, natural gas and nuclear sources, with only an average of 5.5% of renewable ‘green’ energy being included in the mix.
However there are some energy companies committed to addressing climate change and reducing the carbon footprint. These companies use energy harnessed from natural sources such as wind, water, solar power and biomass, that don’t pollute the earth’s atmosphere. Green energy companies such as Ecotricity, Good Energy, and Green Energy all offer an alternative to the ‘brown’ energy suppliers.
Although these companies are all ecologically inspired, they differ in both the percentage of renewable energy used, and the ‘shade of greenness’ of the sources. It seems that only Good Energy sources from 100% ‘deep green’ energy, but there are other environmental benefits to the other two. Ecotricity for example, has a pioneering scheme that they term, ‘turning electricity bills into windmills’, where for every £1 spent on the electricity, they’ll spend another £1 building new sources of green electricity. This commitment to building more alternative power stations means that each year the percentage of green energy supplied goes up and that of brown energy goes down.
The company Green Energy only buys and provides electricity from ‘deep green’ and ‘pale green’ energy sources, plus all of their customers automatically become partners and shareholders in the company.
In the UK people are free to choose whom they buy their electricity from.
Switching to green energy takes 5 minutes, as the only thing that needs to be changed is whom you pay your bills to. It is claimed that the price of green energy will not be too different to your current electricity bill, however this depends upon each individual’s situation.
We would like to thank www.electricityinfo.org for information, and recommend a visit to their website for more details.
Ethical Banking
It’s no secret that banks use the money you save with them to lend to others at a higher interest rate, in order to make a profit. Generally the customer has no idea about where their money goes or what it’s being invested in. For example, your money might be lent to companies that carry out tests on animals, manufacture weapons, violate human rights, pollute, etc, and you wouldn’t know a thing about it.
So is it possible to find a bank that manages your money in a socially conscious way? That only lends to individuals, businesses or institutions working in ways that benefit humanity and the environment? That is completely transparent about its investment projects; even proud of them?
Triodos Bank
“Some people think our approach to banking is old-fashioned. We believe it’s the future”.
Triodos Bank was founded in 1980 in The Netherlands, but now has offices in the UK, Belgium and Spain. They only lend to projects that create social and environmental value in fields such as organic food and farming, renewable energy, fair trade, social housing and complementary health care.
By lending to organisations that are sustainable financially, as well as socially and environmentally, they balance a positive impact on society with a healthy financial return.
The Co-operative Bank
“You tell us what you’d like us to do with your money”.
In 1992 the Co-operative Bank launched its ‘ethical policy’-a first among UK high-street banks. It states that the bank will not invest in businesses that operate in areas of concern to their customers. The bank allows its customers to have their say on the issues that matter to them, such as human rights, animal welfare, fair trade and genetic modification.
Thank you to www.wikipedia.org for information.
Opportunities for volunteer and work placements
Unpaid or Voluntary Work
Oxfordshire Befriending Network UK www.oxonbefriending.net
Oxfordshire Befriending Network offer a befriending service to support people living with life threatening and terminal illness and their families. The organisation train volunteers and match them up with people on their waiting list. The commitment is for a year, yet people often stay longer.
Volunteers accompany the person who is ill on their journey and offer social, emotional, practical and spiritual support depending on the needs of the person who is ill and the experiences and capacity of the volunteer. There is no telling how long the person who is unwell will live for, it could be weeks, months or years. Throughout this time volunteers receive ongoing support through regular supervison groups and meetings with the co-ordinators.
Hope Flowers School www.hopeflowersschool.org
The Hope Flowers School in Palestine is an independant, charity school which accomodates volunteers who are willing to seriously contribute to the school and local environment. It is a safe, welcoming place with much beauty and peace in an area of dispute and conflict.
"This is something that I did for 6 months a few years ago and I found it a totally life changing experience." Richard McHale
Hospice Work
Many hospices look for volunteers to help with the meal rounds and other work.
CSV www.csv.org.uk
Room, food and a little 'pocket' money, in return for a 3 month commitment of service work.
Paid Work
Live-in care work UK
There are many agencies in the UK offering work with people with disabilities. We find that the aspect of living-in is very supportive to many of our nomadic lifestyles. Food and Accomodation plus around £500 a week is given in return for 20+ hours a day. You don't need to be trained in nursing or have any experience of care work, most agencies offer a week long training whether you have experience or not. With some agencies you will need to pay for your training.
Add to the list
If you know of any other positive volunteer placements or work you feel should be on our list please let us know. We will love to share it here.
Prison Work
You can be a part of a supportive network reaching out to people in Prisons.
We are offering through SanghaSeva support to you so that you may in turn help support prisoners in their Dharma practice. The two Prisons we are working with are Channings Wood Prison in Denbury, Devon (near Gaia House) or Dartmoor Prison in South Devon, UK.
Please join with us to support the inmates of these prisons by:
Visiting
a prisoner and talking and sharing as an equal about Dharma practice;
Starting a correspondence
with prisoners;
Sending Dharma books, CDs
and tapes;
Helping in the running of
weekly meditation classes at the prisons;
Supporting prisoners after
their release, especially with their integration into the Sangha;
Helping teach meditation classes
to ex-prisoners at a safe house after their release from prison.
If you would like to open this exploration in the ways
mentioned above, or in new ways, please contact either Trevor or Jay;
Trevor Dunkley trevor@tdunkley.fsnet.co.uk
Jay Mason dharmachari@hotmail.com