Eco-mindfulness - Centrum voor Mindful Leven

What is eco-mindfulness?

Eco-mindfulness in the narrow sense of the word involves mindful awareness practices where you tune your senses into the “felt presence” of your immediate experience while exploring in nature. Setting the intention to be fully present so you can mindfully observe the patterns, symmetry and interconnected design of nature is an excellent way to awaken your senses and feel more alive. Research has proven that eco-mindfulness helps you develop your curiosity, expand your senses and explore your interconnectedness with your living environment.

In addition, eco-mindfulness has another meaning. In the broad sense of the word, it means the conscious and respectful attitude towards nature and the environment. When you practice eco-mindfulness in your life, you will not only start to feel better, but you will also contribute to a better environment. Below you can read some examples.

1° Mindful consumption

Everything we consume in the broad sense of the word – think of food, but also materials, books we read, TV programs we watch … – affect our bodies and minds. Moreover, they have a certain impact on the environment.

Mindful consumption means consciously choosing what we consume. This requires in part knowledge, but also willpower. In the video on the left/above, Thich Nhat Hanh explains what mindful consumption is.

Some examples:

Use cosmetics and personal hygiene products with natural ingredients.
Eat mostly organic and local products. Google for example “short chain in …” (your city or town) and will surely find some initiatives in your neighborhood.
Reuse. For example, buy a refillable water bottle or thermos. Buying second-hand clothes from webshops like Vinted or stores like Think Twice is also a good idea.

2° Mindful energy consumption

Mindful energy consumption means being mindful of the energy you use so that you reduce your impact on the environment. Energy consumption includes for example lighting, heating and transportation, as well as (indirectly) buying certain products. Mindful energy consumption is about making choices that save energy and are sustainable. Some examples:

Double-check that all electrical devices and lights are off when you leave the house. Even devices such as TVs and computers that are still plugged in consume a small amount of energy. We call this slumber consumption. That’s why it’s best to unplug all devices after use.
Has a light bulb burst in your home? Replace it with an LED bulb, which uses a lot less energy than an standard light bulb.
Be mindful of your transportation choices. Whenever possible, take public transportation or a bicycle once in a while, especially if you have to go to a city easily reached by public transportation or nearby.

3° Sustainable self-care and moral awareness

In this article, senior full professor in Buddhist Studies Lily de Silva argues that today’s environmental problems stem from “moral pollution” in humans. Extreme greed and consumerism have led to overexploitation of nature, making environmental pollution a major problem.

What can you do with that information? According to Prof. de Silva, it is crucial that people individually begin to reflect on their lifestyle and work on their moral awareness. Consider this for a moment: what step can you take today toward a (more) simple lifestyle, more in line with your own nature and that around you? Additional questions:

Are you currently doing a job that makes you happy, is ethical, and contributes to a better society?
How can you have (more) attention for self-care, in a sustainable way, and spend more time with your loved ones?
What can you be grateful for? What simple things that you have do you take for granted? Which small things could you enjoy more?