Something's not quite right. One can sense it and see it. Things are falling apart, and nobody knows where the center is. It's not just about climate change, geographically. It's about "climate change" in man's inner environment too. There is a chaos of emotion and understanding. Instead of manifesting human values, there is a stark rebuttal of the higher nature of man. Love which is the root of existence is in peril.
Can something be done? Especially by lay people?
Yes it can. Because we -- the lay people -- are after all the majority kind of people in the world. And we can begin right away.
1) We can start with a very practical thing. We can say ''no'' to plastic. Look around and see how plastic invades your spaces. Phase it out. Find alternatives to plastic. There are plenty... if only you are ready to accommodate a little inconvenience in your life -- for the sake of the planet. It is the excessive ease and comfort of modern day life, facilitated by ubiquitous technology that is eating into the soul of life. Welcome a little inconvenience. Begin with small steps. But begin. Your one step in the right direction can be a step to halting the crisis the world faces today.
2) Think about it. How dull the world would be without its different terrains, colors, cultures, languages, and ways of being. Why is travel so seductive and appealing? It is, because one travels to a "new" place with different landscapes, customs, apparels, beliefs and lifestyles. That is the whole charm of travel, isn't it? Imagine if there were only one kind of people in the world, one uniform way of dressing and only one cuisine! The Creator cannot be faulted, can He? He is infinitely smarter than all of us put together. If there is diversity, it is to His plan, in the grand tapestry of life. To not honor this design is to try put a spoke in the divine wheel. So, celebrate diversity and the differences. They are only skin deep and there, only to make your world more interesting. Respect ''the other'' -- in every walk of life. Honor the Almighty's plan. That is the real worship.
3) There is only one heart -- a universal heart -- and it beats in every living being. When you hurt another, without realizing it you have bruised and hurt your own heart and soul. This happens on subliminal levels which you cannot see. But it happens. Also, every harm doled out ricochets back to you, in some way. Be wary of desserts rolled out by time. Conversely the good done by you will come back to you manifold. Be patient. It will. The laws of the universe are inexorable and infallible. Every act, good or bad, is the seed for your own future. So very simply, don't harm anybody. Do as much good you can. That will cram your life with the goodness of grace that really matters.
4) If you are blessed to have extra, be more blessed and share. You must have given earlier, so you have plenty now. Keep that rolling and more will come your way. Surplus wealth hoarded is a waste. It serves no purpose. Circulate it and channel it into good works. There are millions of deprived people in the world. Help even one or two and become richer in spirit and soul satisfaction. Sharing opens doors to greater bounties -- both inner and outer. Realize that in giving, the biggest beneficiary is you yourself.
5) Everything in this world is made up of the five elements -- including us. It follows that we are ultimately the stuff of nature. If we mess with nature, we mess with ourselves. As simple as that. We have to respect and honor the natural environment because it is our source and sustenance. Technology is great, but - it does not breathe. We do. Never let us forget this. In our own small way, whatever we can do to preserve and sustain our natural environment, we must do. (Plant at least one tree in your lifetime).
6) There is a "new culture" of meanness prevalent today. It is rampant online and is leaching into every aspect of life. People are lashing out at each other with gratuitous hostility. Consider the bile spewed in the "Comments" section online... what a sad and telling commentary on our times. Whatever happened to sensitivity and kindness? Let's re-learn, if we have forgotten. The world needs it today, more than ever. Online and offline, let's be just a little more sensitive to the feelings of others. Let's stop being so acrimonious all the time. Such a colossal waste of energy! Aggression is draining. Let's use that energy for something conducive to our well-being and peace of mind. If each one endeavous to be a little more peaceful, in their environment, the whole world will become a more peaceful place.
7) And -- the most important -- Love. Not the word, but love in action and feeling. Love is the answer to all the problems of the world. And why not? Isn't love sweet? Doesn't it exhilarate you in your heart and soul? Then, why scrimp? Go and share love broadly, especially with those who have a lack of it in their lives. There are countless ways to do this. You can share love even in your meditation. Love is a strong positive energy and you can beam that out as pink light to whomsoever you want -- even your enemies. You will be surprised by the dramatic results this will produce. Those hostile towards you will change their stance and you will wonder at the power of love and the miracles of transformation it can bring about. Do miracles exist? With love they do. They abound. Go, be witness to a miracle everyday. Simply love. Love more, love in wider circles and without boundaries.
Let's try. Bit by bit the picture will change. We owe it to our world and we owe it to ourselves.