There is a surprising thing each one of us can do, which will have a positive impact on the environment. At first glance, it may appear to be a selfish method, and it would seem that this method has nothing to with saving the Earth. However, if we examine closely, we will see that this method can have profound implications for ourselves as well as for all living beings.
The method is to cultivate your spirituality.
Spiritual growth of the individual can have many positive impacts on the planet. As we use spiritual practices like meditation, our material desires tend to decrease. As our desires decrease, so does our consumption. The lesser our consumption, the lesser we use the Earth’s resources, which will have a positive impact on our environmental footprint. Exploitation and usage of material resources are intricately tied to the usage of energy, so as our material footprint shrinks, so does our carbon footprint.
We acquire material possessions either to get sensory pleasure, or to get a sense of security. Spiritual development automatically leads to a sense of security, since we get more connected with the Inner Self, which is Complete in itself. The more spiritually evolved one becomes, the lesser one’s desires become, and more the sense of Security.
As we advance spiritually, it becomes easier to subdue the Ego. It is ultimately the Ego, which forces us to acquire more and more. The Ego constantly compares itself with other Egos. The Ego uses benchmarks like salary, manufacturer of car, size of residence, or bank balance to either feel demeaned, or to feel superior. As the hold of the Ego relaxes, it comes easier for us to come out of the Rat Race, as it is not a race the Spirit is really interested in running.
The more we evolve spiritually, the greater we tend to recognize the oneness of all Life. We are able to identify the same Spirit, animating all living beings. This in turn, means that there is a lesser chance of our harming the flora and fauna, which are responsible for keeping the Earth in balance.
As we become spiritually awake, we realize that this is not the only body that the Spirit has occupied. This realization has two implications. One is that it is we ourselves who will have to suffer the consequences of a degraded planet, in our future lives. It is not anybody elsy who will suffer, but we ourselves will experience all the phenomena that environmental degradation are leading to, including polluted air, decreasing water resources, and weather systems thrown out of whack.
Secondly, we will realize that we have many lives to experience life on the Earth. So, why do we want to accumulate as much as we can, as if it were the end of the World ? We are already the richest generation living on planet Earth by a wide margin. Why then do we need more, as if there is no tomorrow.
It is perhaps not a coincidence that spiritually evolved people, are also environmentally sensitive. Thus, if all of us were to delve deeper into our spirituality, the more we would start caring for the planet. It is not surprising that Pope Francis has emerged as one of the strongest voices in favour of protecting the Earth. So have spiritual leaders from all denominations.
While we may be already reducing our consumption, using natural products, or working to conserve the Environment, it is spirituality which provides the raison d’etre for all these actions. Spirituality provides the logic as well as direction, for our actions to save the Earth. It provides an overall framework, in which we can place our actions, and evaluate which of our actions are in consonance with our spiritual values. Since all Life is ultimately one, we will see that our spiritual goals will segue into our environmental goals.
