ONLINE EcoSattva Training – Series 3: An Online Course for Aspiring EcoSattvas In the backdrop of a pandemic and state actors actively hostile to science, ecological breakdown looms. The potential for overwhelm is real. While we take steps to demand racial justice, protect voting rights, or defend ecosystems, we can also invest in our inner …
Category: climate change
Some bhikkhuni news from around the world
Sri Lanka Bhikkhuni Kusuma passes away 28 August 2021 The internationally acclaimed Buddhist monastic, scholar, and vocal advocate for full female monastic ordination Venerable Dr. Bhikkhuni Kusuma Devendra died of Covid complications late on Saturday in Sri Lanka. She was 92 years old. photo from Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women Some personal reflections on meeting Bhikkhuni …
Continuing compassion
[Forest and wildlife officer Lachlan Clarke checks a koala for injuries - photo courtesy of the Guardian] In my last newsletter and last post here, I've been exploring compassion as a resource to navigate all the various global challenges happening right now. Just today there was a moving photo essay about all the efforts that …
Compassion for all beings affected by the Australian bushfires
Season's greetings from Waipu, New Zealand I'm unexpectedly having to spend more time here in New Zealand, after my nine-day retreat outside of Sydney over New Year was just cancelled due to the bushfires in Australia. The Blue Mountains has been a kind of second home to me, so I've been staying in contact with …
Continue reading Compassion for all beings affected by the Australian bushfires
Readers suggestions for taking action in relation to climate change
Many thanks to all the people who sent in suggestions in response to my last newsletter. Below are a few highlights, and I plan to keep updating this from time to time. Bike path, Auckland, New Zealand Speaking of New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand is on the 'right side of history' as …
Continue reading Readers suggestions for taking action in relation to climate change
Retreat as rebellion
Resisting the tyranny of productivity Over the last few months, I've been having conversations with students - and with myself! - about what feels to be the increasingly relentless busyness of our lives. People often say to me that they don't have time to meditate every day, and they certainly don't have time to go …
August 2015 full moon – International Bhikkhuni Day
This month, in honour of International Bhikkhuni Day on 12 September, instead of writing my own reflections I'd like to share part of an article by two bhikkunis (fully-ordained nuns), Ayya Santacitta and Ayya Santussika, who are also climate-change activists. I've had the good fortune to meet Ayya Santacitta a few times, both when I …
Continue reading August 2015 full moon – International Bhikkhuni Day
Jill Shepherd: insight meditation 