Be Mindful, Be Conscious of Plastic Use
A program, organized by Araceli B. Carodan, was conducted to celebrate Earth Day in Metro Manila, Philippines, on April 22, 2024. Didi Ananda Madhurii opened the program by singing Samgacchadvam, while Didi Shivanii and Dada Shiveshananda graced everyone with their expertise in kaoshiki and tandava, adding a spiritual dimension to the festivities. The performances, including the captivating Earth Dance and the soothing sounds of the crystal bowl, resonated deeply with all participants. The day was filled with enriching activities, from invigorating asanas to guided meditation sessions for beginners. The presence of the Pranic Healing Foundation of the Philippines, along with the Krishna Balaram Ashram ISKCON, further enriched the event, culminating in a collective kirtan that reverberated with positivity and unity. The Training Center of Biodiversity Management Bureau provided a fitting backdrop for this celebration of Earth and humanity’s interconnectedness.
This year’s theme tackled Planet vs Plastics, focusing on raising awareness about the environmental impact of plastic and encouraging individuals to reduce their plastic consumption. Plastic pollution is a significant issue that affects our planet’s ecosystems, wildlife, and overall health. The theme emphasized the importance of being mindful and conscious of the choices we make regarding plastic use, encouraging us to think about the plastic products we use in our daily lives and find ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle them. This can include choosing reusable alternatives to single-use plastics, such as using reusable water bottles, shopping bags, and food containers. Additionally, we can support initiatives and organizations that promote plastic recycling and waste management.
Dada Shambhushivananda was invited to share some words about this.
We are all becoming painfully aware that the fragile web of life is at risk today. The rivers and oceans are polluted with plastics affecting marine life. The species of flora and fauna are declining day by day, too. With the pressure of the increasing population, more and more agricultural lands are erroneously being allocated for human habitats instead of first making existing resources more efficient. The forest cover on the earth is declining due to economic greed. Thus, we are faced with innumerable challenges to protect planet’s eco-systems, wildlife and overall health of its creatures.
I am glad to learn that on the occasion of Earth Day, 2024, the organizers have made it their focus to make the general population aware of the dangers of plastic use. The environmental impact of widespread plastic use is now being recognized by all earth-watchers. It is time to make the ultimate move towards alternatives to plastic use. This is a policy matter, and scientists and businesses are already exploring biodegradable materials as an alternative to plastics.
Numerous planets in our galaxy have been identified which would be capable of supporting organic life, but so far, this earth is the only place in the universe that we know for a fact is inhabited. If we make our planet increasingly uninhabitable by increasing use of toxic chemicals, non-biodegradable plastics and removal of the forest-cover, we shall be leading the society towards an abyss of scarcity, pollution and greater vulnerability to pandemics. Let us instead make a concerted effort to adopt a lifestyle that is good for our body-mind and spirit, and which is conducive to the flourishing of all life forms.
There are three stages to change: First, awareness, which stems from humane research. Second, positive mental attitudes built on a moral foundations. Third, lifestyle changes, which emanate from deep inner spiritual connection with the biosphere. Today, we need a greater awareness of what is good for us as well as for the environment. Also, we need a positive mindset to make conscious choices for the betterment of our own health and for the protection of all life-forms on the planet earth. Finally, we have to generate an uplifting lifestyle so that earth is freed from the polluting influence of impure thoughts and degenerating habits.
Neohumanism is a cosmic ideology that propagates healthy living and simple thinking. It embraces the spiritual world view that is transformative, trans-disciplinary and transcendental. It calls for the recognition of both existential value and utility value of all things and encourages use of value-oriented discrimination in the use of earth’s resources. It calls for use of renewable sources of energy instead of increasing use of fossil fuels.
Neohumanism suggests preparedness to halt the turning of calamities into disasters. The knowledge which sensitizes us to the bio-sphere consciousness is real education. Let the world move away from destruction of the environment through senseless use of military arsenal and instead create a world where problems are resolved through dialogues. World peace is indispensable to fulfill the aspirations of all creatures of this beautiful earth. Let us consider the entire earth as the common patrimony of all creatures on this earth and, not the least, save this planet for future generations.
