~ Reflections on Responding to Climate Disruption ~
Over the past month, I have been very aware of climate disruption. This isn’t surprising because it’s been in the news a lot. In early September, Hurricane Dorian pummeled the Bahamas as a category 5 hurricane, causing at least 53 deaths and leaving 70,000 people homeless. Then on September 20, about 4 million people participated in ongoing climate strikes in almost 100 different countries around the world. Only two days later, the World Meteorological Organization released a major report confirming the unprecedented scale and magnitude of the crisis. And finally on September 23, youth activist Greta Thunberg made headlines at a UN Summit on the topic by making an extremely powerful speech. Watch it here if you haven’t seen it.
As it becomes clearer that the climate crisis is an unprecedented threat to human health and wellbeing, as well as to the survival of countless other species, the need for action becomes increasingly obvious. Yet when I look at how I and others respond, I still notice patterns of thinking that aren’t very helpful, including:
Although psychologically understandable, these responses reveal an unwillingness to accept the truth of what’s happening. It’s as if there is a deep reluctance to face reality. And as long as there is avoidance, the actions that we take – individually and collectively – aren’t likely to measure up.
So how can we be with the painful reality of the climate crisis and respond to it? Drawing on the wisdom of Buddhist teachings, here are ten ways that I find helpful:
1. Being present to what’s happening, as best we can: By trying to take in the situation and its devastating impacts on real, living, breathing beings, we can wake up to what’s happening, as well as to the need for change. As Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh says “The bells of mindfulness are calling out to us, trying to wake us up, reminding us to look deeply at our impact on the planet….If we awaken to our true situation, there will be a change in our collective consciousness”. This isn’t easy and it can evoke strong and painful emotions, but being present is the first step in making an authentic response.
2. Honoring our pain for the world: When we have the courage to experience and acknowledge our emotional pain and suffering about the crisis, a deep sense of compassion naturally arises. This is because if we did not care so much, we would not experience such heartbreak and distress. Joanna Macy, Buddhist scholar and environmental activist, wisely observes “The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe.”
3. The genuine heart of sadness: As our hearts break open, everything becomes more poignant and more precious. Tibetan teacher Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche called this “The genuine heart of sadness.” He goes on “this experience of sadness is unconditioned. It occurs because your heart is completely exposed. There is no skin or tissue covering it; it is pure, raw meat. Even if a tiny mosquito lands on it, you feel so touched. Your experience is raw and tender and so personal.”
4. Equanimity: As we get more accustomed to experiencing the genuine heart of sadness, it gets easier to hold everything - the grief and the love, the sorrow and the joy, the pain and the beauty. An inner strength develops and equanimity follows. This type of equanimity is not detached, aloof or cool. Rather it is engaged, humble and very, very loving. It is about standing in the middle of everything with deep and abiding compassion.
5. Understanding: With equanimity, it becomes possible to examine and understand the causes of the climate crisis. Going beyond blame, shame and guilt, we can inquire into its roots. When we do this, we can see its basis in cultural values, including the belief that human beings are separate from, and superior to, the earth and all other species. And looking even more deeply, we can see its origins in human greed, hatred, and ignorance.
6. Accepting what is: With this understanding, acceptance becomes easier. We can stop resisting what’s happening, and we can stop telling ourselves how life should be, or how we want it to be. We are ready to work with what is, just as it is, even though we don’t like it. With acceptance, we are willing to try to make a difference, without any guarantee of achieving anything.
7. Practicing forgiveness: Forgiveness follows acceptance. We can forgive ourselves for our part in the crisis and we can forgive others for theirs. This is not about excusing or justifying what’s happening but it is about letting go of judgment, anger and resentment. With forgiveness, we can acknowledge and feel the harm, and move forward to do something about it.
8. Skillful action: Wise choices and skillful action arise because we can see the effects of unwise choices and unskillful actions. When we discern what actions we can take and follow through on them, there’s a sense of congruence – that our actions are more aligned with our love for the world. And this feels good. Whether we make lifestyle changes such as taking the bus instead of driving, composting food waste, reducing air travel, and eating a more plant-based diet, or whether we take action with others by participating in climate strikes, joining an environmental group, engaging in the political process, skillful actions can make us feel more whole and authentic as human beings.
9. Living in uncertainty: Even though things look bad, no-one knows what will actually happen. Prediction is not certainty and uncertainty offers opportunity as well as danger. If we believe that uncertainty means danger then we will be fearful, but if we believe it means possibilities then we will be excited. The invitation is to see both the danger and the possibilities. By living in uncertainty, we can steer a middle course between pessimism and optimism.
10. Being patient and persevering: With patience and perseverance, we can work to resolve the climate crisis, without expecting to see the fruits of our efforts anytime soon. The task before us is massive. It’s not only about trying to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and adapt to a very different world, it’s also about changing the underlying cultural beliefs that have caused it. This may not be a task we can complete in our lifetimes, but with patience and perseverance it is a task we can dedicate our lives to.
These ten ways of being with the climate crisis and responding to it have helped me enormously. Based on Buddhist teachings, they enable me to keep going, despite all the bad news.
Buddhist teachings suggest so many ways of working with the climate crisis and this reflection has only scratched the surface. Even though the Buddha offered his teachings in a very different time and place, he knew a lot about responding to life’s inevitable pain and suffering. And we can rely on his wisdom today.
To end, I’d like to share this quote from the Buddha “As a mother would protect her only child with her life…cultivate a boundless love towards all beings”. So in these troubled times, may we cultivate a boundless love and use it to inform our responses to the climate crisis.
As it becomes clearer that the climate crisis is an unprecedented threat to human health and wellbeing, as well as to the survival of countless other species, the need for action becomes increasingly obvious. Yet when I look at how I and others respond, I still notice patterns of thinking that aren’t very helpful, including:
- Overwhelm – “I can’t take this in. It’s too much to bear.”
- Resignation – “There’s nothing I can do.”
- Distraction – “I don’t want to pay attention because I’m too busy doing something else right now.”
- Denial – “It won’t affect me” or “It can’t really be as bad as they say.”
- Naïve optimism – “Everything will be OK. Someone or something will fix it or we’ll manage to adapt.”
Although psychologically understandable, these responses reveal an unwillingness to accept the truth of what’s happening. It’s as if there is a deep reluctance to face reality. And as long as there is avoidance, the actions that we take – individually and collectively – aren’t likely to measure up.
So how can we be with the painful reality of the climate crisis and respond to it? Drawing on the wisdom of Buddhist teachings, here are ten ways that I find helpful:
1. Being present to what’s happening, as best we can: By trying to take in the situation and its devastating impacts on real, living, breathing beings, we can wake up to what’s happening, as well as to the need for change. As Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh says “The bells of mindfulness are calling out to us, trying to wake us up, reminding us to look deeply at our impact on the planet….If we awaken to our true situation, there will be a change in our collective consciousness”. This isn’t easy and it can evoke strong and painful emotions, but being present is the first step in making an authentic response.
2. Honoring our pain for the world: When we have the courage to experience and acknowledge our emotional pain and suffering about the crisis, a deep sense of compassion naturally arises. This is because if we did not care so much, we would not experience such heartbreak and distress. Joanna Macy, Buddhist scholar and environmental activist, wisely observes “The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe.”
3. The genuine heart of sadness: As our hearts break open, everything becomes more poignant and more precious. Tibetan teacher Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche called this “The genuine heart of sadness.” He goes on “this experience of sadness is unconditioned. It occurs because your heart is completely exposed. There is no skin or tissue covering it; it is pure, raw meat. Even if a tiny mosquito lands on it, you feel so touched. Your experience is raw and tender and so personal.”
4. Equanimity: As we get more accustomed to experiencing the genuine heart of sadness, it gets easier to hold everything - the grief and the love, the sorrow and the joy, the pain and the beauty. An inner strength develops and equanimity follows. This type of equanimity is not detached, aloof or cool. Rather it is engaged, humble and very, very loving. It is about standing in the middle of everything with deep and abiding compassion.
5. Understanding: With equanimity, it becomes possible to examine and understand the causes of the climate crisis. Going beyond blame, shame and guilt, we can inquire into its roots. When we do this, we can see its basis in cultural values, including the belief that human beings are separate from, and superior to, the earth and all other species. And looking even more deeply, we can see its origins in human greed, hatred, and ignorance.
6. Accepting what is: With this understanding, acceptance becomes easier. We can stop resisting what’s happening, and we can stop telling ourselves how life should be, or how we want it to be. We are ready to work with what is, just as it is, even though we don’t like it. With acceptance, we are willing to try to make a difference, without any guarantee of achieving anything.
7. Practicing forgiveness: Forgiveness follows acceptance. We can forgive ourselves for our part in the crisis and we can forgive others for theirs. This is not about excusing or justifying what’s happening but it is about letting go of judgment, anger and resentment. With forgiveness, we can acknowledge and feel the harm, and move forward to do something about it.
8. Skillful action: Wise choices and skillful action arise because we can see the effects of unwise choices and unskillful actions. When we discern what actions we can take and follow through on them, there’s a sense of congruence – that our actions are more aligned with our love for the world. And this feels good. Whether we make lifestyle changes such as taking the bus instead of driving, composting food waste, reducing air travel, and eating a more plant-based diet, or whether we take action with others by participating in climate strikes, joining an environmental group, engaging in the political process, skillful actions can make us feel more whole and authentic as human beings.
9. Living in uncertainty: Even though things look bad, no-one knows what will actually happen. Prediction is not certainty and uncertainty offers opportunity as well as danger. If we believe that uncertainty means danger then we will be fearful, but if we believe it means possibilities then we will be excited. The invitation is to see both the danger and the possibilities. By living in uncertainty, we can steer a middle course between pessimism and optimism.
10. Being patient and persevering: With patience and perseverance, we can work to resolve the climate crisis, without expecting to see the fruits of our efforts anytime soon. The task before us is massive. It’s not only about trying to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and adapt to a very different world, it’s also about changing the underlying cultural beliefs that have caused it. This may not be a task we can complete in our lifetimes, but with patience and perseverance it is a task we can dedicate our lives to.
These ten ways of being with the climate crisis and responding to it have helped me enormously. Based on Buddhist teachings, they enable me to keep going, despite all the bad news.
Buddhist teachings suggest so many ways of working with the climate crisis and this reflection has only scratched the surface. Even though the Buddha offered his teachings in a very different time and place, he knew a lot about responding to life’s inevitable pain and suffering. And we can rely on his wisdom today.
To end, I’d like to share this quote from the Buddha “As a mother would protect her only child with her life…cultivate a boundless love towards all beings”. So in these troubled times, may we cultivate a boundless love and use it to inform our responses to the climate crisis.