Prudence Merton wrote:
Dear fellow ecofem folks:
I have lurked on this list for some time now but have decided to
come out of the closet (so to speak) and request some dialog on a topic more
reflective of our personal life than professional.
I am a graduate student in Adult Ed interested in the process
by which adults develop an environmental ethic. Recently I awoke to the
fact that I was very judgemental of friends and neighbors for what I saw as
unresponsible behavior towards the environment, things like disposing of
paint by pouring it out on the ground and not recycling. As I wondered why
these intelligent, educated and moral people who conducted themselves
ethically in other parts of their lives were not also doing so in their
relationship with their environment, I paused to look at my own behavior and
questioned if I was not doing the same thing. Am I "walking my talk?" Am I
conducting my life in an environmentally ethical manner? I found disparity
between what I believed and my behavior. I am job hunting now and realized
that my criteria for work did not consciously include socially and
environmental responsibility on the part of a potential employer. I saw that
my research on how an environmental ethic is fostered better start with
myself.
I have begun to keep a journal of this process (my personal one that
is), have committed to becoming "ecologically literate" and have decided to
converse with others about how they have undertaken similar journeys. This
listserv and the enviro-ethics listserv I subscribe to are one way to begin
that dialog. So what I would like to know is this:
How did your environmental ethic come into being?
Was there some type of " transformational experience?"
How do you manifest this ethic in your life? both personally,
professionally, publicly and privately?
Where have your experienced "stumbling blocks" in your efforts to
live according to your own personal ethic? and what have you done about that?
This is a very rough first cut at a life project I have just
undertaken and I appreciate any feedback, suggestions and sharing of your
personal experience. Thank you, thank you.
Prudence Merton
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dear ecofem list members and my friends in cc:
I am replying both to the list and to Prudence Merton's Questions about an
adult environmental ethic. I think this would be a very good topic to hear
from lots of folks about.
First of all, it is often difficult at best to maintain consciousness about
the values to which one ascribes in all aspects of life. Here are some of the
ways I find helpful in doing so:
1. Maintain a regular relationship with a Spiritual Director. Check with a
local church minister, priest, rabbi, etc. They can usually refer you to one
who has been trained. I meet with my own spiritual director once every three
weeks for about an hour. Through spiritual direction I learned how important
nature is to my own sense of spirituality. Under her guidance I have been
more conscious of my own sense of how my spirituality affects all of my life.
One important lesson I have learned is to not separate my "spiritual" side.
It is a part of all of me! It is important to find someone trained in
spiritual direction, I believe. Also, like a therapist relationship, it takes
finding the right kind of person that you can relate with. So if the first
one does not seem to work, try another.
2. "No Auto Pilot". This principle has led me into some places I would rather
not have gone, at times; but the lessons I have learned on the journey are
proving very valuable to my consciousness. By no auto pilot I mean to be
conscious of where you are simply reacting rather than consciously responding
to the challenges/situations life gives you. Stopping the auto pilot allows
me to be in charge of my responses out of my current experience, thus
integrating newer changes into my being. Sometimes the old messages are
gumming up the works.
3. Find a center where you can connect with the environment. This place for
me is Kirkridge Retreat and Conference Center in Bangor, PA (on the NJ
border). They offer weekend conferences, many on the topic of environment. In
fact I attended one on ecofeminism in December. It is located in the
Appalachian Mountain Chain on 260 acres of hills and trees.
4. Surround yourself with nature. (Kirkridge is a good spot to do so.)
Connect with the trees, a blade of grass, a stream or river, a bird.
5. Participate in a Council of All Beings. This is a very meaningful
experience of choosing a nonhuman part of nature and speaking first person as
though you were that river, stream, etc. This is presented in a book
"Thinking Like a Mountain" by John Seed {ISBN#086571133x; New Society
Publishers, Philadephia}. It is a very power-filled experience!
6. Realize that every small thing you do is one step that would not be done
if you gave into the discouragement that so many are not doing their part for
the environment.
7. Talk about what you do to others, so others hear of your commitment. Don't
try to commit them. Only let them know of your commitment.
8. Do random acts of kindness. One of my favorite is to pay the toll for
someone behind you in the next car. They don't know you and can't pay you
back.
9. Keep subscribing to this list!
As you see, I could keep going.....remember your deep connection with the
Earth and love Her.
Peace to all of you,
Sally Swart
