FLORENCE, ITALY – International Earth Day is celebrated on April 22, a day to raise awareness of the continual worsening of environmental conditions that seriously endanger life on the planet, not life of the planet.
Words make a difference and resonate in our consciousness, creating different meanings
I am a yoga teacher and according to the philosophical tradition that I have chosen to study and on which I base my personal choices, the whole universe is made up of the same energy. Each of its elements, whether sentient or insentient, is part of the play of this pulsating and divine energy that manifests itself through different forms.
Thinking in terms of me-you, man-Earth, continuing to perceive ourselves as elements separate from the whole, is the product of a limited vision, avidya, a form of ignorance that does not allow us to see the deep and constant connection among everything.
We must become aware that the worsening of environmental conditions is necessarily a worsening of our health. It is not a question of responsibility, ethical choices, right or wrong. It is not a question of becoming good heroes capable of saving the Earth from demons that offend it, because our life is in danger.
Recognizing that there is no difference between us and what is outside of us, between us and the Earth, between us and the whole universe, will lead us to make choices that will necessarily be in line with environmental well-being. Learning to take care of ourselves, to cultivate our thoughts, to support our living in harmony, will be to take care of the planet and ourselves. The truth is, we don’t have to save the planet, we have to save our lives.
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