One way to benefit Mother Nature and our beloved Amma, is to try to end any dependence we have on throw-away or limited use products, as far as we are able. These products are sometimes recycled, it is true, but the U.S. recycling system is in a bit of a crisis. As such, it is best to reduce purchases, or consider the life cycle of the items we buy, and think about how they will contribute to the well-being of Mother Nature, in the long term, before buying them. Below are a few points to consider when buying items, to help us shop consciously.

• Do I really need this item? Can I adjust or make do with something simpler or something I already have instead?
Let’s say I’m thinking about buying a room divider, so that people don’t see my bedroom when I have virtual meetings. Not only does this new purchase come with a price tag, it also comes with

1. an item that requires storage space and

2. one more thing in the house that could potentially break and needs to be thrown away!

Another creative solution could be to use a tension rod and a bedsheet to create a curtain or backdrop behind me for meetings - or simply to move to another room that doesn’t necessitate buying a room divider. We can try to think of many such solutions to our purchasing needs and try to improvise whenever possible.

Amma says that we humans have lost the ability to discriminate between necessities and luxuries - that the real air conditioning we should turn on is the AC of the mind, allowing us to adapt to multiple situations peacefully. I do not feel I am very far along this path, but I do think that Amma’s lesson to adapt applies when we are looking to buy something new. Can we adapt with what we already have? If yes, then we can save ourselves the cost and worry that comes with owning one more item, benefit Mother Nature with one less thing to possibly throw away, benefit society by donating some of our money, and build our capacity to adapt to situations cheerfully.

• What additional accessories or care does this item require? Are these requirements eco-friendly?
  
  
Another consideration in deciding to buy something is thinking about what it takes to maintain it. For instance: does the item run on electrical power, or does it use batteries or gas? Electronics that run on batteries invariably generate battery waste which we may or may not be able to recycle depending on where we live and what programs are offered.

A good quality plug-in electronic likely produces less waste than a battery-powered electronic. Consider minor adaptations to items as well. For example, we have a wreath at home that we can light up using batteries. We’ve opted not to use any batteries at all and leave it unlit, saving on battery waste.

Finally, think about whether you have the mental energy to clean the items you buy - will I be able to maintain it, or will I simply throw it away when it gets dirty? Hopefully the former, but it’s wise to think about whether we can care for an item before we add it to our collection.

Case Study

Above is a room divider that I ended up sourcing from Craigslist, as I did not have a serene, empty space to teach yoga classes virtually. The room divider indeed has a hole and some tears in it. I patched the missing pane up with some packing tissue, and nobody on camera will ever see the defects. I feel I have saved this divider from the landfill and it will likely last many, many years to come with a little tender, loving care! At the same time, the divider has helped create an affordable, conducive environment to teach yoga classes to young children, who might otherwise be distracted by my surroundings.

May Amma bless us all in our efforts to spread joy and live gently, with regard for our fellow beings and Nature, taking one step at a time to greater harmony in society and the world!

Diksha, Maryland, USA