Chapter 5: What If Its Too Late? Pages 134 to 143 (Subtitle The End of Life As We Know It to No Death and No End to Death)
The teaching “I don’t know” begins this section (Judo recently posted a thread on this) and reminded me of my life in the ecological sciences. I know less today than when I began my journey. However, science allows us to make predictions about what may be so we can choose one course over another. From my view, striving to understand, adapt and change is wisdom. We as a species have been successful because of our ability to learn and adapt. We must continue to adapt.
David provides a very poignant statement when he says “Preparing for ones own individual death has always been an important part of the Buddhist path but anticipating the death of our species is something more than a collective version of the same thing.”
I have difficulty comprehending why environmental issues, that are critical to our well being and survival (and that of so many more species), are often ignored (albeit that is changing to some degree). They often seem to be an afterthought on cable news or when politicians speak. It seldom is an issue of discussion at local community gatherings. I know I avoid discussions about environmental issues or the extinction of species, not wanting to be the harbinger of bad news unless I am asked…. seldom am I asked. David shared Thich Nhat Hanh's comment “We are like sleepwalkers, not knowing what we are doing or where we are headed….” So, is it ignorance or avoidance that plagues our species? In my view both are central to where we are.
David also shares a statement from George Marshal “we do not accept climate change because we wish to avoid the anxiety it generates and the deep changes it requires.” I get that. It is hard to think about and for many it is not a priority when your focus is where your next meal and shelter will come from.
David points out that both Thich Nhat Hanh and Joanna Macy agree about the seriousness of the ecological crisis but that it can encourage us to “wake up” and inform our response. He states, “opening up to the repressed grief and despair that so often paralyzes us, whereupon they can transform into compassionate action.” This is something I hope for. Let us all awaken.
At the end of this Chapter Wendell Berry is quoted “We don’t have the right to ask whether we will succeed. We must just do the right thing.” That which is right for all those who come after us.
Are environmental issues topics in your life with friends and family?
Are we (as a species) awakening to what challenges are here and the many more to come?
Doshin
st
The teaching “I don’t know” begins this section (Judo recently posted a thread on this) and reminded me of my life in the ecological sciences. I know less today than when I began my journey. However, science allows us to make predictions about what may be so we can choose one course over another. From my view, striving to understand, adapt and change is wisdom. We as a species have been successful because of our ability to learn and adapt. We must continue to adapt.
David provides a very poignant statement when he says “Preparing for ones own individual death has always been an important part of the Buddhist path but anticipating the death of our species is something more than a collective version of the same thing.”
I have difficulty comprehending why environmental issues, that are critical to our well being and survival (and that of so many more species), are often ignored (albeit that is changing to some degree). They often seem to be an afterthought on cable news or when politicians speak. It seldom is an issue of discussion at local community gatherings. I know I avoid discussions about environmental issues or the extinction of species, not wanting to be the harbinger of bad news unless I am asked…. seldom am I asked. David shared Thich Nhat Hanh's comment “We are like sleepwalkers, not knowing what we are doing or where we are headed….” So, is it ignorance or avoidance that plagues our species? In my view both are central to where we are.
David also shares a statement from George Marshal “we do not accept climate change because we wish to avoid the anxiety it generates and the deep changes it requires.” I get that. It is hard to think about and for many it is not a priority when your focus is where your next meal and shelter will come from.
David points out that both Thich Nhat Hanh and Joanna Macy agree about the seriousness of the ecological crisis but that it can encourage us to “wake up” and inform our response. He states, “opening up to the repressed grief and despair that so often paralyzes us, whereupon they can transform into compassionate action.” This is something I hope for. Let us all awaken.
At the end of this Chapter Wendell Berry is quoted “We don’t have the right to ask whether we will succeed. We must just do the right thing.” That which is right for all those who come after us.
Are environmental issues topics in your life with friends and family?
Are we (as a species) awakening to what challenges are here and the many more to come?
Doshin
st
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