tagged w/ organic living
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"Is it possible to live without spending any cash whatsoever? After becoming disillusioned with consumer society, one man decided to give it a try.
An excerpt:
"I suppose the seeds of my decision to give up money – not just cash but any form of monetary credit – were sown seven years ago, in my final semester of a business and economics degree in Ireland, when I stumbled upon a DVD about Gandhi. He said we should "be the change we want to see in the world". Trouble was, I hadn't the faintest idea what change I wanted to be back then. I spent the next five years managing organic food companies, but by 2007, I realised that even "ethical business" would never be quite enough. The organic food industry, while a massive stepping stone to more ecological living, was rife with some of the same environmental flaws as the conventional system it was trying to usurp – excess plastic packaging, massive food miles, big businesses buying up little ones.
My eureka moment came during an afternoon's philosophising with a mate. We were chatting about global issues such as sweatshops, environmental destruction, factory farms, animal testing labs, wars over resources, when I realised I was looking at the world the wrong way – like a western doctor looks at a patient, focusing on symptoms more than root causes. Instead, I decided to attempt what I awkwardly term 'social homeopathy'."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/09/mark-boyle-money
He became joyful cooking outside even with rain and snow, he used a solar panel to power his cell phone, laptop, shower, lived with a compost toilet and growing organic food.
An other big lesson learned from this way of living beside being free and independent was bonding with others for kindness not for money.
What a beautiful story, what a beautiful person and great example for us all, I admire your experiment which is probably, now, your way of life.
Join Organic:
http://current.com/groups/organicgreen/"Is it possible to live without spending any cash whatsoever? After becoming... more
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"You're standing toe-to-toe with a corporate lawyer who drives a Hummer, hunts for sport, thinks global warming is a hoax, and defines a six-course meal as: beef, pork, veal, lamb, chicken, and fish. How in the name of Gaia do you reach this guy with a green message? You could scream, dig in your heels, mock him, or throw up your hands in surrender. Or you could do what Bruce Lee would do. No, I don't mean a lightning-like crescent kick to the head (although the temptation is nearly overwhelming). Bruce would simply ask Hummer Boy to empty his cup.
Joe Hyams, in his book Zen in the Martial Arts, tells of a lesson he learned when he was a student of the Little Dragon:
'Do you realize you will have to unlearn all you have learned and start over again?' Bruce asked him
'No,' I said.
He smiled and placed his hand lightly on my shoulder. 'Let me tell you a story my sifu told me,' he said. 'It is about a Japanese Zen master who received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. It was obvious to the master from the start of the conversation that the professor was not so much interested in learning about Zen as he was in impressing the master with his opinions and knowledge. The master listened patiently and finally suggested they have tea. The master poured his visitor's cup full and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the cup overflowing until he could no longer restrain himself. 'The cup is overfull, no more will go in.'
'Like this cup,' the master said, 'you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?'
Bruce studied my face. 'You understand the point?'
'Yes,' I said. 'You want me to empty my mind of past knowledge and old habits so that I will be open to new learning.'
'Precisely,' said Bruce. 'And now we are ready to begin your first lesson.'
This does not mean that Bruce prevented me from applying a critical mind to his teaching. In fact, he welcomed discussion, even argument. But when challenged too long on a point, his reply was always, 'At least empty your cup and try.'
So, if you can get Hummer Boy to empty his cup and just listen, that's your chance to calmly and articulately explain why making green choices is both logical and compassionate. And it can't hurt for each of us to empty our own cups every now and then. There's an awful lot out there to be learned.
Oh, One More Thing:
Whenever possible, make sure your cup is filled with organic green tea."
I remember this story from reading a Bruce Lee book.
It is very wise and can be applied in life not just when it comes to switching from conventional to Green and Organic.
Join Philosophy:
http://current.com/groups/philosophy/"You're standing toe-to-toe with a corporate lawyer who drives a Hummer,... more
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Excerpts:
"You may have heard something about "No Impact Man" or you may have heard about the guy who was going to live in New York City without making any environmental impact for a whole year (crazy, right?)."
More:
"Colin Beavan decides to completely eliminate his personal impact on the environment for the next year.
It means eating vegetarian, buying only local food, and turning off the refrigerator. It also means no elevators, no television, no cars, buses, or airplanes, no toxic cleaning products, no electricity, no material consumption, and no garbage.
No problem - at least for Colin - but he and his family live in Manhattan. So when his espresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping wife Michelle and their two-year-old daughter are dragged into the fray, the No Impact Project has an unforeseen impact of its own."
Great example and definitely inspiring.
Join Organic:
http://current.com/groups/organicgreen/Excerpts:
"You may have heard something about "No Impact Man" or you... more
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"The White House has just released a new official video which profiles Michelle Obama’s hugely successful organic vegetable garden. The First Lady talks about the process of creating the victory garden, as well as the importance of shared family meals, making healthy choices, cooking fresh local food, and the need to change how our nation eats..."
Great example for our Nation.
Watch the video.
Join ORGANIC to fight for a better and green World, discuss alternatives, imagining and creating solutions:
http://current.com/groups/organicgreen/"The White House has just released a new official video which profiles Michelle... more
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Besides the aesthetic factor, are some of the other benefits of supporting your local farmers market? The following article will highlight just a few of the many reasons why shopping locally, from flesh-and-blood farmers, is always best.Besides the aesthetic factor, are some of the other benefits of supporting your local... more
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