WHOLE EARTH MANDALA
Whole Earth Mandala: Creating a Circle of Unity & Harmony came from a ‘yoga & the environment’ participatory discussion with Rani Sheilagh (yogarani) to empower, to inform and to increase awareness as a call to action!
“The way we live; our relationship with ourselves, with each other and with our environment is woven together in the beautiful web of life, with each and every part simultaneously nourishing and supporting the nature of our very existence. We are interdependent. This is Life, this is Yoga...” -Rani
Rani’s ‘Whole Earth Mandala’ gives a conceptual context in which to explore and identify your personal role, and the actions you want to take, in contributing to our shared livelihood on this amazing planet.
“In yoga asana practice we awaken sensitivity (ahimsa) to the internal and external dynamic, it seems only natural that as we awaken that dynamic it is not only within our bodies & ourselves but also within the world we live in and our relationship to it.” - Rani
Using Whole Earth Mandala as a conceptual tool, 6 aspects (or relationships) are highlighted: You & the Earth, Population, Food, Water, Waste, Energy.
Each of these aspects are intertwined, of equal importance and of equal significance.
The aspect of ‘You & The Earth’ is by its very definition and its nomenclature part of you and is integral in creating unity and harmony, as are all of the other aspects.
It is likely, however, that you may resonate more strongly with some aspects over others. If so, this might be a good indication of where you might want to focus your energies and actions to begin with.
WHOLE EARTH MANDALA, The Visual Inspiration & Reference.
The simple visual shown below illustrates Rani’s Whole Earth Mandala tm conceptualisation and is intended to aid in empowering creative thinking about your individual and our collective relationship with the planet.
EXPLORATIONS OF EACH ASPECT & RELATIONSHIP
You/Earth
We are completely dependent on our planet for our basic survival. Its vast natural resources are the basis for our food, water, shelter, medicines, energy sources and the very air we breathe.
What is your relationship with the planet, do you consider the earth in your lifestyle choices?
Population
The issue of over-population is what I call “The Elephant in the corner, ” it is the topic that often goes un-mentioned and is not discussed, but human population is growing. There will soon be 7 Billion people on the planet and by 2045 population growth is expected to reach 9 Billion. Can the planet take the strain?
RESOURCES:
Article: National Geographic, Jan 2011, 7 Billion Population ngm.nationalgeographic.com
Consider your relationship with and thoughts on population?
Food
Food, our vital life sustaining human fuel, is more than part of our daily life, it is one of the most intimate things we do.
Where does your food come from? What is it made from or how is it created/grown?
Do you understand the significance of:
- Local Food versus Organic Food
- Food Miles
- GM Food (Genetically Modified)
- Processed Food
Are you aware of or have you considered what the ‘Optimum Diet’ is for the planet and for you?
SOME FOOD SOLUTIONS:
• Eat a rounded diet - more vegetables, fruit, and grains and less meat/fish.
• Look for meat/fish that is produced in the least harmful way—grass fed, organic, antibiotic- and hormone-free.
• Buy from small, local sources whenever you can.
• Buy organic whenever you can.
RESOURCES:
Film: The Future of Food www.thefutureoffood.com
Film: Black Gold www.blackgoldmovie.com
Water
Water, we can not live without it, however until it becomes a problem it is often taken for granted.
Do you know where the source of your drinking water from?
And what systems are used to deliver that water to you?
Consider the many ways you use water in your daily life?
Drinking, Washing, Watering, Grey Water Use, etc.,
Are you aware of what is happening to the natural water spaces around you?
Oceans, Lakes, Rivers.
Consider the larger impacts these spaces have on our environment and on our quality of life.
Waste
Everything we use in life, everything we consume must go somewhere. There is no “away.”
Consider what do you use?
Where does it comes from?
Where does it goes?
Did you know that the earth can not un-sythensize plastic or oil, it never goes away.
A word on Recycling: The current mainstream means for recycling is not a solution, the majority of recycled goods end up in landfill. This is ‘Downcycling’ or a decrease of the benefit a product has on the earth . A better solution would be to use plastic, for example as a building material such as, as part of home insulation. This idea is referred to ‘Upcycling’ or an increase of the material benefits to the earth from a specific product.
Other popular terms that are used to explain this idea, as well as in many topics of eco-discussion are downstream thinking and upstream thinking.
‘Downstream Thinking’ refers to trying to make something bad into something good.
‘Upstream Thinking’ refers to not creating the problem in the first place is a better approach. For example creating biodegrade products for use.
RESOURCES:
Online: The Story of Stuff www.storyofstuff.com
Energy
Energy, the backbone of our modern day living. Light, heat, transport and travel, media, technology, communications, manufacturing and production...the list goes on and on.
Consider your energy use in daily life? And throughout the year? In your home, At work, At leisure, in transit and travel.
Consider and examine energy sources:
Oil, Gas and Electricity; our current trinity of energy dependence.
How can we increase overall energy efficiency?
What about alternative energy sources? Are they all good for the planet?
Bio-fuels, Solar (Sun), Wind (Wind Movement), Nuclear, Geo Thermal (Heat from the Earth), Hydro (Moving Water), Wave Technology, Fuel Cells (Chemical Energy into Electricity/ much like batteries), and so on.
What is the best energy combination or energy mix for our current world lifestyle?
RESOURCES:
DVD: Robert Newman, comedian. The History of Oil www.robnewman.com
EDUCATE & EMPOWER YOURSELF. TAKE RESPOSIBILTY & TAKE ACTION!
The links and resources noted above, and listed below, are merely a few initial pointers or points of inspiration and information.
I have found some educational, others inspiring and some a even little depressing and alarming.
However, I hope that they will spark your curiosity and yearning to educate and inform yourself.
Do be warned, many environmental information is sadly problem-based and seem to take a scare mongering approach. This can be frightening and overwhelming. Do not let this discourage you or cause you to freeze!
Keep your focus on solutions, empower yourself and your community. Initiate actions, open discussion, increase awareness and continue with the positive actions you are already taking!
V
Everything counts and has an impact in our circle of unity and by promoting the Whole Earth Mandala you become part of a movement; an active solution-based movement towards manifesting our sustainable existence with unity and harmony.
RESOURCES LIST (as noted above):
• Article: National Geographic, Jan 2011, 7 Billion Population ngm.nationalgeographic.com
• Film: The Future of Food www.thefutureoffood.com
• Film: Black Gold www.blackgoldmovie.com
• Online: The Story of Stuff www.storyofstuff.com
• DVD: Robert Newman, comedian. The History of Oil www.robnewman.com
SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & INSPIRATION:
• Online: Reality Sandwich www.realitysandwich.com
• Online: The Ecologist www.theecologist.org
• Online Blog: EarthCapita earthcapita.wordpress.com
• Online resource/DVD: What the Bleep Do We Know? www.whatthebleep.com
• DVD/Film: What about me? by 1 Giant Leap
• DVD/Film: The Economics of Happiness www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org
• DVD/Film: Rivers & Tides
• DVD/Film: Avatar
• DVD/Film: David Attenborough’s Planet Earth Series
• DVD/Film: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
• Book: The Giving Tree written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein
• Book/Poem: Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
• Book: Be Here Now by Ram Dass
• Book: Oh The Paces You’ll Go written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss
• Festival: Burning Man burningman.com
• Yogarani Juicy Lifestyle Tip: Take Walks in Nature
• Yogarani Juicy Lifestyle Tip: Listen to Music
• Yogarani Juicy Lifestyle Tip: Dance & Sing
• Yogarani Juicy Lifestyle Tip: Skip
• Yogarani Juicy Lifestyle Tip: Laugh
• Yogarani Juicy Lifestyle Tip: Give hugs
Namaste, with blessings & gratitude,
Rani
© Copyright 2011. All rights reserved
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