Order Of Buddhist Contemplatives
Today’s Date: 5 July 2008
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Two dogs I grew up with from the age of six.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Probably the seaside in general. Soft sandy type beaches.
Now? The South Devon coast, where my mum lives.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is and why?
Dogs (domesticated), because of the emotional ties formed during childhood. The attention they give; their dependency on you, i.e. a dog is something to love. Hopefully a dog loves to play, not all do, and is quite naughty from time to time.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
To look at realistically, what can be done to cause the least harm to the environment whilst accepting that life must go on. We live in the times we live in, and they are not wrong. For me living responsibly and sensitively, looking and learning; whist getting on with life without guilt about the consequences of say, driving a car; is enough. Personal responsibility without polemic, I'm glad that people do try to raise our awareness about our impact on the environment and that experts find wise ways to try to find practical solutions, this is essential, and part of the process of waking up to our connectednesss with the universe and, I believe environmental fundamentalism / activism is not the way forward.
For the future, to continue and develop the process of awakening that is already happening, and to recognize that it is already happening, it's not all bad news. Things may not be going at the pace we think they should, but within the conditions of society that we have; what can actually be done?
5. If you could give one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Try not to be greedy, careless within things.
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