A Zen meal verse begins, “72 labors brought us this food…”
Myriad beings in myriad realms serve life by enabling us to
have food nourishment. Worms and insects of all sorts, bacteria, fungi and
other beings, enable plants to convert sunlight, water, minerals and other
“inanimates” into fruits, vegetables, grains, tubers and leaves, all of which
give their life so we can eat and feed other animals whose products we use.
There are myriad farmers nurturing these and providing them to us, along with
truckers, grocers and others. There are producers of tractors, myriad
implements, irrigators, trucks and other technologies which are used to farm,
as well as those who mine and process the metal and hydrocarbon energy sources
which these depend on. Our practice is to acknowledge and appreciate all of
these as our each bite, chew and swallow practice which makes possible life and
activity.
Failing to appreciate this interdependent interbeing that we
are, believing self-centered judging and ideologies, we separate from our life and
hinder this that we are, causing suffering and harm. The question in our
practice life is, how to skillfully and appropriately take care of problems
when they arise?
Living in California means facing the ongoing drought and
doing our part in the water we use, adjusting the use of toilets and shower,
and many other things.
Recently I was sent this interesting op-ed which begins:
“The worst thing about California’s
drought is the suffering it has caused ordinary people. In many places,
drinking wells have dried up. The crisis is so severe that the state has
restricted water use.
The second-worst thing about the
drought is how farmers are bearing most of the blame. We hear one figure over
and over: Agriculture consumes 80% of California’s water.
That statistic makes farmers like me
look like gluttons—and it suggests that if we were to reduce our reliance on
water just a little, then our state’s predicament would vanish like a puddle on
a hot day.
Except that it’s not true. Farmers
don’t use 80% of California’s water…”
The farmer's perspective was
different from my own - it showed another world and taught me. The information and suggestions of the article can and should shed further light on our circumstances, ongoing plans and actions, as well as enhance our appreciation for the practice of all beings. Though the article included the author's anger and particular political positions, hopefully those will not hinder joint
efforts by all Californians for skillful action.
For the full article see:
