Justice

Today I listened to the Scottish Justice Minister being interviewed on BBC Radio 4 about the decision to send back to Libya the terrorist guilty of the Pan Am bombing. Regardless of his decision which I know many will disagree with, it was a pleasure to hear a politician actually prepared to stand by his decision, to be prepared to defend it, to talk about principles at a time when many politicians are displaying their lack of them. To hear a politician finally talking about civilised society demonstrating compassion and humanity, instead of acting with equal or greater brutality was heart warming. The reporter unable to break through the statements about acting with compassion went on to challenge the statement that the terrorist was now under sentence of a higher power. Despite the efforts of the reporter to draw out whether he meant God or Allah (aren't they the same God - both abrahamic religions?) or Gaia or some other power, he stuck to his principles simply stating that the man was dying, something that not court or opinion can stop therefore entitled under Scottish Law to release on compassionate grounds. Great to hear, other politicians please take note, we want politicians we feel will stand up for what is right, not for who contributes the most, the biggest profit or headline. Even better to see that despite massive outside pressure, especially from the US (remember the compassionate country that challenges healthcare for all as been a 'social' construct, a country where states retain the death penalty, where people live in tent cities, and don't get federal help in a disaster because they are the wrong colour - the land of the free as long as you contribute to profitability, where international aid is given as long as you agree to trade restrictions, to rules on contraception, and of course that the world has only existed for a few thousand years, etc. The obvious experts on compassion!!) the Scottish stick to their principles - well done!

End of the recession

Apparently the end of the recession is at least five years away, only then will we have returned to the financial situation of early 2008! Just think five years before we are back to a reliance on credit which we can't repay. Five years before the greed of the city institutions is restored. Five years before our elected representatives have stopped worrying about us and gone back to the expenses gravy train. Five years before we stop listening to the people saying it is good to slow down our consumption, good for the planet, good for our health, good for our society.

Wouldn't it be nice to think we could say ENOUGH. We don't want to return to the cycle of boom and bust, endless and pointless celebrity, corporate social irresponsibility, pollution and profligate use of limited resources.

Maybe now is the time to say enough, I don't want to be part of that culture, that society. Maybe it is time to look again at the inconvenient truth, the 11th hour, the teachings of any of the world's great traditions. Time to think about peace, caring, each other rather than corporations and profits. Time to remember that actions have consequences, that maybe the recession can have positive consequences, helping us change for the better. But only if enough of us say ENOUGH. Only if we are engaged, are living for the sake of all beings, human or otherwise, and for the sake of the world we are part of.

Mindfulness in later years

At 4 in the morning, lightning streaking across the sky, thunder crashing, raining as if it was a monsoon and Jess our dog hiding under the bed. Then the phone rings, there is a rescue on, the team have been called out to support a search of Scafell, England's highest mountain. Quickly getting dressed grabbing the rucsac which sits ready to go and down to the base to collect the Land Rover Ambulance, soaking wet before getting much beyond the door.

Then an hours drive to the search area, meet other teams involved, get a briefing and watch the sky brighten as the sun comes out. Two ladies, one in her eighties and the other her 60 yr old daughter, reported missing by the manager of their campsite. The teams deploy in support of the local area team who have been searching all night. A few hours later the message comes through to stand down, they are safe and well and back at their tent!

But the thing is the press are very quick to criticise and yet these ladies were mindful. They had been walking in the area for a few days (along with their three dogs). They were carrying the right equipment so had been mindful of risks. They realised it was getting dark so took the decision to stop and take shelter, mindful of avoiding injury or getting lost trying to get down from the mountain in the dark. They slept in their shelter, along with the dogs until it was light and made their way back, not knowing what had happened in the meantime, that the campsite manager, mindful of two people not returning had taken action.

The rescue teams are made up of people (all unpaid volunteers) who are mindful of others. Mindful of the dangers we all face, that things can go wrong and in practising mindfulness exhibit compassion for the well being of others, that's why as volunteers they turn out in a storm and the dark, to go to the aid of others less fortunate. So the whole episode involved mindfulness practice. The only thing the ladies could perhaps have done was left a route card with someone so the teams knew where to start looking.

But let's not forget that these ladies were also practicing being mindful of nature, that's why they were walking in the area. Mindful of their health, while some over 60's sit at home watching daytime TV these ladies were mindfully working on their fitness, protecting their health. Mindful of each other and others, that's why they stopped, had the right gear etc.

And as for the teams, anyone safe is always a good result!

Urban Nature!

I've just finished leading a week long Urban Retreat. A retreat in which the participants did not retire to some idyllic venue in the countryside but instead developed practices which helped them be mindful as they went about their daily lives at home and work. Although the retreat started with a full day of practice and discussion and ended the same way (what one participant referred to as bookended), the main practice was engaging with the days in between. One really powerful practice which all appreciated was a daily dedication ceremony. In this participants pledged to practice amongst other things developing their awareness, their sense of connectedness, tranquillity, harmony and contentment; dedicating themselves to the practice for the benefit of all beings. What a powerful activity, imaging committing your life everyday, to be for the benefit of others, human and non human, our green and open spaces, nature and the wider environment. Working to create a better place. Not getting depressed when things don't happen in a manner or as quickly as we'd like, instead recognising the beauty that is there, sharing what we have in common, our hopes, fears, pain and joy even the air that we breathe. The other key area, other powerful practice was to have a reminder to be mindful. Have something natural to look at, a flower, plant, view, pet; something to remind you of the beauty all around if only you take the trouble to look.

Little things

I'm taking part in an 'Urban Retreat' this week. Which might sound strange, after all don't we normally go on retreat to somewhere in the countryside - away from urban? But the idea of being on this retreat is to maintain a retreat like practice while getting on with daily life! Putting into our daily routine some of the things we do when on retreat. For me this includes extra meditation, trying to eat together at a table rather than food on the go (or on my knee!). No TV (though I'd already taken this step). Practicing with my partner and friends rather than in isolation.

But I've noticed it is 'little things' that are making a difference. I'm wearing a string around my wrist which constantly reminds me I'm on a retreat, reminds me to stop and think about what I'm doing and why. I'm ringing a friend to see how she is getting on with her Urban Retreat this week (there are thousands on the same retreat, some virtually, reporting in on the internet, others actually, we met at the start and will do so again when the retreat finishes). I start each day with a dedication ceremony, a commitment to getting the most out of the day, to engage with life. I've realised the value of having small reminders to keep practicing, whether it is a timer to say 'you're sitting at the computer for too long' or a small sticker that says 'take a deep breath' it doesn't matter, they are a reminder to press the 'pause' button, realise you're dropping back into a state of rush and do something to reengage with being mindful. Look at the view, hug a partner, have a walk, stroke the dog.

Morning!

I'm in the fortunate position that I sleep underneath a skylight without curtains. When I wake in the morning the first thing I see is the sky, how blue it is, how cloudy or grey it is, no other thoughts just the sky. I can search, go deeper. Be amazed at the depth of the blue or on other days the grey tumbling clouds fighting with each other, the birds soaring, crows squabbling with each other, the sound of pigeons scratching around on the roof tiles, the rhythmic drumming of rain drops on the window. Only then do other thoughts creep in. The contract to be signed today, a brother who is ill, family relationships, more work stuff and it occurs to me that being mindful of the morning sky and specifically that going deeper with the search kept out the other thoughts, the more difficult thoughts, and at first the feeling was great if I'm mindful the other stuff doesn't get in!

But (a) that's not true; and (b) it's missing the point.. The point about mindfulness is that by being aware, in this present moment, the one with the blue sky, birds, raindrops, I can also be aware of all the other stuff going on in my life. Importantly and especially when thinking of Mindfulness in Nature, the awareness of all the 'outside' stuff, birds, grass, laughter of children whatever, helps me to hold all the 'inside' stuff, worries, thoughts and feelings, more gently. By holding them more gently (what breathworks trainers refer to as equanimity) I'm able to respond to them more effectively. Rather than recoiling thinking not again! I can engage more fully. My mindfulness in nature practice helps me with my mindfulness of everyday life practice.

Seeking out the wonderful each day, no matter how small (hence the snail!), recognising the life around me and my connectedness to it, helps me live my own life more effectively.

Mindfulness in Nature and Ecotherapy

Mindfulness in Nature and Ecotherapy are closely linked. I regard the key difference as being one of guidance. Mindfulness in Nature can be undertaken by anyone, anywhere, anytime - yes even in a city at night! It is a matter of being awake to what is going on around you, being aware of yourself and your connection to the bigger world that we are all part of. Ecotherapy can be a way of developing this mindfulness, certainly the ecotherapist would be encouraging you to become mindful in (and of) nature. The ecotherapist shouldn't be using the natural environment as simply a 'bigger office' but should be highlighting the therapeutic effects of engaging with and supporting nature.