A Buddhist Response to Climate Change Using essential Buddhist teachings we can examine the suffering that is being caused by climate change. We feel for the beauty and life-enriching presence of animals, forests, oceans and our many different human relationships and, as we focus on gratitude, we gain a capacity for understanding our grief, sorrow and shock at the prospect of their demise. Understanding the causes of climate change and the interdependence of living systems, we can move into engaged action. When we see the importance of generating skillful effort to deal with climate change we can focus on specific and constructive actions and be the change we want to see in the world.

The practice of cultivating mudita (empathetic joy) helps us share in the happiness and well-being of others. It counteracts envy, jealousy and the tendency to compare self to others. This moves us away from resentment and feelings of scarcity towards gratitude and generosity.

Short guided meditation on forgiveness, gratitude and some chanting to end the day

Developing compassion requires us to learn to face pain rather than run from it. Gratitude practice helps us to see that we are connected to every thing- Good and bad. In the end we're grateful even for our pain, which turns out to be the gateway to a deeper love.

Listening to the unique but common struggles of others; Ajahn Sucitto on a 40 year retreat; some personal history of how Ajahn came to meditation and his early struggles; thank you to all participants; coming from a place of gratitude; being firm with all the reasons that we throw up not to practice; take a little time every day to sit and breathe; it's as important as eating or bathing every day; the citta goes one way - it does not go down, it goes up. “Thank you for your determination and your company and your honesty in the practice. May you all progress and develop and may your cittas rise to happiness and peace.”

In the context of the teachings of the Four Noble Truths and of generosity, gratitude and Dependent Origination, and our previous practices. We explore the nature of craving, greed and grasping and how to practice to explore and transform these qualities.