“I am part of the rainforest protecting myself. I am that part of the rainforest recently emerged into thinking.” — John Seed
Underlying all the symptoms of the environmental crisis is the illusion of separation between humans and the rest of the natural world. As Arne Naess the initiator of the deep ecology movement posits, ecological ideas won’t be enough to save us from our slide into oblivion. What we need instead is an ecological identity, an ecological self.
In the Buddhist and Yoga traditions we are encouraged to realize something often translated as “non-self”. By quieting the mind and looking deeply, we are invited to slowly detach from a habit of grasping at what the thinking mind perceives as a separated and independent individual. Among Deep Ecology processes, we find some key contemplations that can dramatically bring home important dimensions of this insight; notably the “Epic of Evolution” and the “Earth as Peppercorn”. Importantly, research has shown also the importance of continued practice to make these insights part of our world-view; becoming “trait change” rather than just “state change”. Here lies a beautiful complementarity between Deep Ecology and a contemplative path that includes regular meditation practice.
John Seed and Br. Tenzin led this EcoDharma Exploration to explore the teachings and practices that support a re-orientation towards greater intimacy with the web of life; How might we nourish the ecological self and support its maturation? What beneficial speech and action might arise from this reformed identity? What is the role of community in this process and in healing our relations with the wider community, that of all living beings?
