Eco-Dharma gatherings (Aug 13 – Jul 15)

Discussion items: 

Meeting twice a month:  We all agreed to meet twice a month (at least two steering committee members conveyed that weekends are hard for them).

– Second Saturday of each month (3:30 to 5:30 pm in August/Sept and then TBD): We will have our next weekend meeting on second Saturday of the month (Next meeting August 8^th: Venue: Jeff and Rachel’s home in Jamestown: 25 minutes west of North Boulder) to avoid clashing with time commitments of 3 steering committee members.

– Fourth Monday of each month (Starting with focus on Eco-sattva training): Venue to be decided – timing starting 6:15 pm.

Structure of the meetings: We ended up speaking a lot about defining our group’s identity. We realized that we have been talking a lot about “eco” aspect of our group (technical/scientific aspects of what is happening to Earth) and we are now seeking to bring Buddhist teachings, sitting and Earth practices to “ground” our consciousness and actions as a sangha.  In general, everyone present agreed that we needed more structure, more moderated or guided discussion/contemplation  in our meetings with leadership from the steering committee.In the light of that discussion, we came up with this plan (will not apply to ecosattva gatherings, see below).

– Eco (20 minutes presentation by selected speakers) on environmental issues that require us to keep our eyes and heart open.

– Dharma (20 minutes by teachers/peers): We need spiritual practices and perspectives that can impact, inform, transform our activist practices. How can we use Buddhist wisdom in engaging environmental action? Where are the Buddhist teachings that will give me solace? How do I walk the talk as a Buddhist? How do we look at the multiplicity of our eco-crisis and its potential solutions with Buddhist eyes and hearts?  We need to creating a non-judgmental culture for working with “others”. We decided to include  A) Meditation (Total 30 minutes) to stay close to oneness/inter-being:  Everyone agreed to include more sitting time. We agreed to try either 20-30 min at the beginning and 5 min for closing or vice versa.  As a group, everyone wanted at least 20 minutes of meditation at each gathering.  and B) Earth centric practices: Incorporate outdoor component as much as possible to make deeper connection with the Earth and include Earth in our contemplative practices or council (e.g., through an altar or reserving a seat for Earth in our gatherings)

– Sangha that helps us translate and apply oneness to the multiplicity of our problems. To develop sangha, we will work on A) Developing simple and kind culture: Seeking each other’s help to change our materialistic culture. How do we help each other walk the talk and walk the path as laid out by teachers or peers in the “Dharma” component of the meeting.  B) Check-outs : We agreed to hold check-outs instead on check-ins so that check-outs are directed towards a specific topic.  Checkouts could either related to eco-activities or contemplations we have been engaged with, how the meeting affected us, or as noting any unfinished business from the meeting. and C) Snacks/Dinner potluck

Preparation for Saturday Eco-dharma-sangha gatherings: We discussed using our previous list of Eco topics and scheduling the facilitators/speakers six months ahead of time (or so).  The steering committee will decide on the topics/facilitators for the Eco, Dharma and Culture portions of the Sat Eco-Dharma Sangha gatherings and welcomes inputs/suggestions from all members.

Preparation for Ecosattva training: We have started announcing our intention to host Ecosattva gatherings on Monday to different sangha. We need to find a suitable venue based on level of interest. If we have 15 people in the group, the cost will be $30 per person. Recording are available a day after the session. We suggested starting Ecosattva discussion on Sept 28^st (Monday). We will post more details soon.

Issues for next steering group meeting (Introduce our skills, background and interests (Bonnie); Connecting with local activist groups (Sopa: Lakota practices); “Staying positive” by David Mendosa and Heartstead model, as appropriate (Kritee).

Next Meeting Date: August 8, 2015, 2 to 4:30 PM at Jeff and Rachel’s home followed by hike/potluck.

Facilitator and Agenda: Circulated by email

 Janine: Dist. Collec. org. model —> should connect to the mission —> cultivating expanded ecological vision —> DCM more like a skeleton on which flesh could be added

Zhiwa: Heartstead model more of a buddhist form of activism; more quantum theory approach (boundary-less) hawaiian buddhism – 7-8th century china…all mahayana style (DT Suzuki … all zen style comes from it)…inter-dependent origination of the universe…indra’s net Margaret Whitley – systems theorist…we are stuck in newtonian world view of activism (linear thinking). We need to share the unbroken wholeness that has existed all the time

The Heartstead Model elements (also shared as an email):

Keeping it informal (e.g. not choosing a facilitator in a meeting) –  includes vibe monitors helps the facilitator connected to the group

Checking in —> idea is what is being felt in the moment; what’s going on inside (should not take too much time)

Earth stories (something you do not think about too much…what comes in a moment; building community and getting to know each other…right at the beginning of the meeting): These stories include early memories of natural world, wildlife encounters, natural power spots, what solitude in nature brings up for us.

Medicine stories —> share painful stories (group should just listen and contain the story…not try to fix…opportunity to lighten the heart…there can be earth medicine stories). Give voice to animals (bison) or places.

Grief work (group just not hold the story but create warmth for the person…again not try to fix it)…can happen using an email medium…encourage beautiful interactions within the group {sometimes we do not know we need to grieve…the story can change along the way}

Earth Dreams/Dreamwork: rather than psychoanalyzing it internalize the dream as it was yours. Respond by “If that were my dream..”

Affinity groups for sharing actions, insights, visions, books to read, concern over current events, sharing meal, rituals, myths, celerbrations, hikes etc.

David: Heartstead model can lead to intentional community… Zhiwa: it can build eco-resilience…when things fall apart that allows to move into the intentional community. In conscious universe intention can be everything… Kritee: may be for next 6 months we go ahead with the heartstead model D Loy: emphasizing community Emily: we have a tremendously strong community @ Shambala but do not know how to apply it to causes

Next Meeting: March 29 1:30-4:00 PM Imtiaz will send in the emails; Zhiwa will work with HM process for the next meeting BrightHeart will bring some tools for share bears

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Wholehearted engagement from everyone at this meeting and the diversity of viewpoints and the grace with which they were held in the room, especially by Jeff, was much appreciated. There were several calls to hear more about Jeff’s work and also details of the heartstead model from Zhiwa.   We could not take more notes. Overall, the consensus was to allow educational presentations that blend in a lot of time for questions and answers. Some attendees highlighted that they don’t wish our meetings to be “in the head” but rather focus on “heart”, supporting each other’s “grieving” and realizing our own “suffering” and that of other beings that we end up affecting through our actions. There was also genuine discussion on “personal” vs. institutional roles; and urgency of climate change vs. patience needed to change the institutions bottom up!

Heartstead resources: The website for heartstead model that Zhiwa is here (link). Two more post-meeting resources are here: Activism and 20th-Century Science: Think Universe, Act Locally — by Betsy Barnum and Transrevolution: The Twelve Phases of Structural and Cultural Metamorphosis.

Next Meeting Date: Feb 22, 2015, 1:30 to 4 PM at Kritee and Imtiaz’s apartment followed by potluck. Please contact Alice if you can offer any potluck items.

Facilitator and Agenda: Janine and Jeff [with focus on blending Heartsteading with distributive collective model]

The key presenter at Dec 28th meeting was Grant Couch from Citizen Climate Lobby. We started with check-ins and introductions, moved on to presentation and Q and A and then ended with other discussion topics and socialization. Grant presented key issues related to Citizen Climate Lobby’s proposal, the advances made by their team with respect to leverage with legislators, comparison of simplicity of enforcement and monitoring, REMI study, implications of refund of personal vs institutional economics vs signal for renewable energy innovators. We will add a list of resources related to climate pricing soon.

We had held a Bearing Witness practice at Naropa’s Nalanda campus on December 10 and in the light of everyone’s impressions and feelings, had made a few important decisions. We will hold EDS meeting once a month (immediately following the Sunday bearing witness practice at Boulder County courthouse on Pearl Street) on the last Sunday of each month  from 3 to 5 PM at Shambhala Center (Confirmation of venue pending). For those who are inclined to participate, our next bearing witness practice will be at the Boulder County Courthouse on Jan 24th from 2:30 to 3 PM. If you don’t feel inclined to join, no problem! One can choose to attend EDS meeting without attending the bearing witness practice.

Next Meeting Date: Jan 25, 2015, 2:30 to 5 PM at Kritee and Imtiaz’s apartment
Facilitator and Agenda: Jeff Hohensee’s presentation on energy efficiency and personal C footprint

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Proposed Agenda Items:
1. Report from the two Naropa events: (a) Radical Compassion Conference and (b) Sustainability Council’s event
2. Bearing Witness work: Logistics related to next several months of activism
3. Focus for next few EDS meetings: Including Governance issues – Discussion of Distributive Collective organizational structure (Janine)

Radical Compassion Conference at Naropa: Reading poetry could be a nice addition to our EDS meetings, the urgency of the climate situation was emphasized by many of the speakers at the Radical Compassion Symposium, Bernie Glassman and his emphasis on the Bearing Witness practice. Working with the “not knowing” mind. Importantly, bearing witness to all sides of the issue. Real life cases were discussed. We can emphasize that in our own work; Different aspects of “radical” compassion were discussed; “compassion is a radical idea of our time” (Dalai Lama); “active hope” (J Macy)

Sustainability Council Event at Naropa:
Sopa was part of the organizing committee and a facilitator. We discussed in particular the lecture by Jeffery Kiehl at NCAR who combined climate science, human psychology and Buddhist ideas. This discussion further led to the issue of “economics and business” at both personal and social scale as being important to address (and learn about) in the context of addressing the ecological crises (more below).

Jeff, Grant and Sopa agreed to contribute to this study (learning process) with the group in the next few meetings. Also we will try to tie all that with “Buddhist Economics” – which we had previously thought of as an important topic of study. Sopa also brought this idea of a workshop in Naropa on this topic. Jeff would be willing to help with that and other EDS members could get involved. The workshop would further help with more student recruitment at Naropa — as a magnetizing event. Even an idea of a Naropa-EDS (NEDS) counterpart was considered.

Logistics for the ongoing Bearing Witness work in the near future:
Sopa talked about considering both the outdoor and indoor aspect of this practice as the winter season approaches. Jeff stressed the consistency and repetitive aspect of the practice. Grant brought out the issue of visibility. For now, we agreed to 1 weekday (Wed, 5:30pm, Naropa-Nalanda; next meeting on Nov 12) and 1 weekend (Sunday 2pm courthouse at Pearl; first such meeting on Nov 30) gathering and practice per month. Sunday meeting will allow it to become more visible and also allow for other members to participate who cannot do the Wednesday 5:30p schedule.

Jeff to figure out what’s legal to do this in front of the courthouse, Need for a Naropa student rep(s) while Sopa is away in Bhutan, Jeff to write to Sherry about integration; Sopa to look into the use of Shambala facility during the Sunday events, Need signboards for these events (Meadow can help)

Distributive Collective Structure/Five Buddha Families discussion: This discussion was fairly brief b/c of time. We reiterated the EDS engagement to address the components of “support”, “study” and “activism”. We decided to raise this discussion in a greater detail at the next meeting.

Next Meeting Date: December 28
Facilitator and Agenda: TBD

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I. Silent meditation
II. Checkin news
–Several EDS members participated in Boulder Climate March (200-300 people)
–Joanna Macy coming to Boulder soon, will meet with local groups & discuss  new research on ancient plants & animals
–3 members were at  NY Climate March on Sept 21: Kritee:  tremendously energizing, personal hopeful in focus on whole eco-crisis,   not just climate change and David:  very exciting, he & Bikkhu Bodhi talked to NY Religions for the Earth conf.
—  One Earth Sangha series on Mindfulness and Climate Change
— Imtiaz:  political instability in world complicates question of how to arrive at  collective action re climate change
III.  Bearing Witness Practice (led by Grant)
Explained 3 steps of Bearing Witness Practice (Bernie Glassman):
1–Not knowing (don’t know mind)
2–Bearing witness:  feeling our feelings/feeling our pain
3–Loving action:  what action to take
Followed by sharing in Council

III.  Discussion & updates on the action to bear witness to our carbon karma   (Jeff & Kritee)
Goal:  regular weekly sitting group contemplating our carbon karma
Tangible action: Jeff to lead session during Community Day next Tuesday for students at Naropa
Several EDS members will be present and will report back at next meeting
IV. Discussion of Meeting Time Survey results: 5:15 pm on weekday will not work for most members
V. Other issues discussed
–Peter Williams invitation to have an EDS representative speak to his sangha:   David L. speaking there next week, will include information
–EDS website: agreement to be included as tab on K & I website
VI.  Next meeting:Tentative date Nov. 1 at Kritee and Imtiaz home;  Janine and Imtiaz will collaborate on communications

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2:10 Volunteers arrive to help Kritee and Imtiaz set up

by 2:25 All settle in
2:25 – 2:40 Silent meditation
2:40 – 3:10 Check-in beginning with the facilitator and moving clockwise around the circle [2 minutes/person, to be adjusted based on number of attendees]
3:10 – 3:40 Leslie’s presentation – Part I
3:40 – 4:00 Break
4:00 – 4:25 Leslie’s presentation -Part II
4:25 – 4:45 Discussion including update on logistics of meditation near Valmont coal power plant campus
4:45 – 4:55 Next meeting date/facilitator/group process questions
4:55 – 5:00 Closing meditation/dedication

Leslie spoke within the context of “ruthless” compassion that Buddhist leaders have indicated we need to address climate change with fierce urgency. She brought her decade long experience to talk about what can and should be done at the local, state and national levels to address our contributions to climate change. In particular, she discussed what unique contributions the Boulder Buddhist community might make to the effort to address climate change. The discussion included:

The Boulder decarbonization and municipalization effort

The status of Colorado’s efforts to address climate change and strategies for moving forward

National efforts to address climate change and how local efforts can impact them.

Meditation in front of Valmont Coal power plant

The group discussed many issues related to the need of natural gas vs nuclear energy, baseload (flexible vs. inflexible) with respect to municipalization plan, overall potential of renewable energy, NREL reports etc. We could not capture all the discussion (and missed Alice).

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by 2:25 All settle in
2:30 – 2:40 Silent meditation
2:40 – 2:45 Introductions and Warm up Practice
2:45 to 3:30 Main Practice with Belinda
3:30 to 3:50 Break –
3:50 to 4:35 45 minute Group Discussion of Main Practice
4:35- 4:45 Update from Programming Committee re June 21 Presentation, possibly Pot Luck at the Rentons, etc.
4:45 – 5:00 Closing meditation/dedication
5:00 – 5:15 Volunteers assist Belinda with take down

If you want to learn more about Joanna Macy and the Work that Reconnects beforehand check out this video and interview.

We understand from participants of our June 7th meeting that Belinda  led a beautiful and engaging Seven generation practice session that day. We do not have any minutes from that day because it was an experiential afternoon. I gather that it brought out grief in participants as well as hope and courage to do more for our descendants! 

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I. Opening (Kritee): Welcome to new members. Our focus is how to take dharma energy into the climate movement.

II. Silent meditation

III. Check-in: each participant briefly introduced self/current concern/interest in group

— Kritee: Scientist/microbiologist with Environmental Defense Fund, focus on connection between climate change & food production

–Imtiaz: Cimate scientist, addressing eco-crisis/emergency w/BLM, Nature Conservancy, looking at effect of climate change on our region

–Patric: graduate studies in contemplative psychotherapy at Naropa, referred by D Loy, passionate about gray wolves

–Kathy: attended XL Pipeline action today in Denver; shared quote from Bill McKibben: 7% of Americans becoming activists would make a difference

— Diane: retired native Coloradan, 25 years living in Boulder, dedicated gardener, seeking support for climate activism

–Jack: retired rehabilitation psychologist, referred by D. Chernikoff, developing new life in Ft. Collins, influenced by Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, Miriam McGillis

–Don: in group since it started, concern about children not growing up free to explore Nature as he did

— Alice: semi-retired Montessori educator, current concern re situation of pollinators

— Janine: Asst Dean at Naropa, here for educational purposes/wanting to make changes; husband recently participated in White House climate calls re citizens’ questions, Kathy’s question re US exporting fossil fuels was discussed.

III. Short discussion after check-in re: how to wean off fossil fuels

— Kritee: Proposed nation-wide solutions include tax on carbon or cap & trade; Climate Action Network, worldwide umbrella of NGO’s have said that we need to end fossil fuel dependency by 2050 (some say before 2030) to avert catastrophic changes

— Imtiaz: Investment in fracking infrastructure could mean dependence on natural gas for next 30 years;

— Diane’s son involved in wind energy;

— for Boulderites, municipalization is an important issue, passed by public, stuck at city level: proposal to have Leslie Glustrom of Clean Energy Action speak to us

IV. Janine’s Presentation and contemplations based on Kurt Spellmeyer’s “Buddha at the Apocalypse”

The group read and contemplated quotes from teacher Kurt Spellmeyer related the environmental crisis and the theme of connection. It was followed by a group discussion and sharing of individual responses from the contemplation. In discussing the quotes, the group referenced  “What would Buddha do” written by David Loy and “Becoming peace” by Lama Surya Das (sent by Mark). We touched upon the importance of karma, on the relationship between non-dual enlightened mind and duality. One of us focused on a part of the reading Janine distributed which said that “…There [is] no such thing as a permanent self, existing independently of everything else. The self and the world do exist, at least temporarily. The two are inseparable and they arise at the same time.” In my view, perception and experience of non-duality gives us tools to “adapt”, be one with what arises but also have courage to change things because we see the open-endedness of what might arise next.

V. Break (with delicious chai and goodies)

VI. Planning/administrative decisions

A. Rotating Programming Committee to make programming recommendations: Jack, Janine, and Imtiaz for next 2 months –Need to contact possible presenters re topics, day/time/place –Proposals can be shared by email for group responses –Ideas/topics proposed

(1) Peter Williams has offered to address impact of climate change on wildlife, asks if we would present to Thursday night Sangha about our group

(2) Diane: discuss topic of personal energy use; share information about local issues/activities

(3) Imtiaz: keep balance of dharma and science/info components

(4) Fracking, municipalization, IPCC and food security

B. Service Committee: help needed for setup/takedown at meetings (not necessary but members to volunteer as available for each meeting)

C. E-mail list management decisions– No management/moderation needed as of now. We will let things be natural for now. Compilation can make things mechanical.

D. June 7 meeting:

Presenter: Belinda; Facilitator: Kathy; Venue: Sagehouse common room (Please wait for directions from Kathy)

E. June 21 meeting: meeting followed by potluck at Rentons’ home

VII. Closing meditation/dedication of merit (Kritee)

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Five minutes silent meditation followed by discussion on the venue/format for the next meeting where a number of new members might join. Everyone agreed that we can continue to host up to 15 people in our homes/apartments and we will not need a bigger venue at least until after summer. We will always ask everyone to RSVP for all meetings and we will also starting asking for volunteers to help set-up/clean up after the meeting. In spite of upcoming travel schedules and summer time, we decided to not do a doodle poll to finalize the next meeting’s date because we wanted to keep the first and third Saturdays clear/blocked on everyone’s calender. Going back and forth with dates creates confusion.

Next meeting date: May 17 at Imtiaz/Kritee apartment.

May 17 Agenda discussion: We talked about doing a longer presentation on UN’s IPCC report and upcoming COP in Paris in 2015 /food security issues in a changing climate/and a discussion on native plants but in the follow up discussion decided to focus on Janine’s idea of studying Zen teacher Kurt Spellmeyer’s book “Buddha at the Apocalypse” and its implications for our ongoing eco-crisis. Janine also spoke about the need to include all processes (simple or confusing) in the group as part of ourdharma practice.

All attendees agreed that the general check-in allows the group to fulfill its support function. We had some discussion on how many speakers should present at a meeting without the listeners feeling overwhelmed. We seemed to agree that only one presentation should be done at each meeting so that there is adequate time for discussion and sinking in of the contents. Our presentation can be either about “studying the dharma and its connection to the problem/solutions of eco-crisis” or “educating ourselves about various issues (food/oil and gas industry or science etc).

We decided to invite Belinda on 7th or 21st June (And she has accepted the offer to present on June 7th).

The idea of doing a summer potluck was also discussed and should be brought in next meeting.

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I. Silent meditation

II. Checkins of relevance to group
       Kathy: Contemplative Alliance meeting at Naropa: heart/mind connection across traditions
      Mark:  Contemplative Alliance organizing conference with experiential focus
      Robin: Lots of information, speaking out when she can
      Janine: Conference on Higher Ed in Chicago — no mention of CC; art work not accepted at NCAR
      Kritee:  Shanahan Ridge Neighborhood Climate Action Project:  2 talks on wind energy
      Imtiaz:  2 talks, CU (scientists & non-scientists)–how to communicate CC effectively
      Alice:  Saw excellent student poster on Climate Change at Angevine Middle School

III.  IPCC Reports — Imtiaz & Kritee 
       Intro: Summary document of climate change  reports 2013-14 by 7 authors from 70 countries,  represent 100,000 years of research work on (1) climate science, (2) effects of climate changes & how to adapt to them, (3) mitigation
        –Slide presentation:  copies sent to group         
       — IPCC Handout distributed to all present
       –Recommend watching “The Years of Living Dangerously”
       –December 2015 COP meeting in Paris is of crucial importance (possible topic for future meeting: what can we do about COP?)

  IV.  Break

  V. Food Security –Kritee
       Intro:  Initial “food for thought” re long term food security–shifting diet & reducing waste  (Kritee bloggs on this), addressed in Natl Geographic 2 days ago. Notes waste of 50% of our food, energy and water needed to produce different kind of food products and their GHG emissions;  Slide presentation:  PDF already sent to group this week
  
VI. Native Plants/Ethnobotany — Kathy
      Intro:  Why native plants rather than others? Part of local ecosystem, tolerant of climate & drought, no soil amendment required
      Tips on (1) how pure to be about natives, (2) where to get native plants & seeds (3) what & how to plant, (4) books/resources
      Invitation for possible future viewing of her native garden 

VII.  Presentation to Boulder Insight Meditation — Mark 
         Invitation from David C to speak to Tuesday night Sangha about Eco-Dharma on 4/29                    
         –What we’re about, what we are structured for (cf. mission statement– study & support group)
          –Kathy to join re compassion: sharing what she learned at Contemplative Alliance gathering (contemplating things that give us joy in the world, preserving beauty of world we live in)
        — Mark’s thoughts for next Tuesday:  attracting more people to come; practice as source of strength; use term eco-crisis rather than climate change 
         –Reading by Mark:  Joanna Macy’s analysis of how “the Great Turning” can come about, by people working simultaneously in three areas or dimensions that are mutually reinforcing and equally necessary: 1) “holding actions” to slow the damage to Earth and its beings; 2) analysis of structural causes and the creation of alternative institutions and 3) a fundamental shift in worldview, values, and consciousness.

The first dimension includes a great variety of endeavors to defend life on Earth, including campaigns for progressive legislation and regulations, political actions and lawsuits that slow down the destruction of Earth’s life systems, and direct actions such as boycotts, blockades, whistle-blowing, protesting, and civil disobedience. This is the more immediate, short-term work that provides time for the other two dimensions to take hold. The second dimension asks us to deeply understand and demystify the dynamics of the industrial growth society so that we truly know how it works and why it is both seductive and destructive, and then to create alternative structures and practices in all our major cultural establishments, including economics, food and energy systems, government, and education. The third dimension of the Great Turning involves the reality that, in order to take root and survive, the alternative institutions created as part of the SECOND dimension must be sourced in a worldview profoundly different from the one that created the industrial growth society. Such a shift in human consciousness is gradually emerging in the grief that so many of us are feeling for a plundered world, in our new understandings from ecology, physics, ecopsychology, and other fields about what it means to be human on an animate planet, and in our deepening embrace of the mystical traditions of both indigenous and Western peoples.

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I. Silent meditation

II. Continuation of Mark’s presentation of From Me to We by Bob Doppelt

A. Brief recap of discussion from last meeting

B. Discussion of Five Transformational Commitments as presented in the book

Mark’s focus: 3 Poisons (greed, ill will, delusion) and the associated three Remedies (sufficiency, goodwill, universal interdependence) as Buddhist framework, plus 3 Central Life Components
contemplative: inner life, using practice to change from who/what we were
ethical: deeply seeing my relationship to everything/everyone in the world [connection and compassion]
behavioral: specific things to do in one’s life [action]
New handouts: The Third Commitment, The Fourth and Fifth Commitments
III. Break

IV. Conclusions/Q/A/translation of book into action

On remedy of sufficiency
Kritee: What can we do as a group to support each other in [feeling sufficient], simplifying our lives/practicing generosity?
David: sharing ideas from our own practice: what we each do about living more simply; getting rid of extra stuff/recycling/carpooling
Possible topics for future sharing: sufficiency in food, clothing, electronics, etc.
On remedy of inter-dependence [and goodwill]
Janine: how to share what we do as a group [and our goodwill] with the larger society to make a real impact?
[Imtiaz: How do I work with my own stress about my career? — How do we experience and act out our inter-dependence]
V. Discussion of current projects/ideas

A. Opening our group up to more people

Sarah: David C ok with giving us a Tuesday evening in June to start engaging with Boulder Sangha
Larger Space: David M: clubhouse available for meetings at certain times
Structure: presentation to whole group, small groups for discussion
Collectively we decided to open up the groups to our friends by personal invitation
[Kritee to send a “invitation” draft email before next meeting]
B. Janine: investigating possibility of exhibit at NCAR

VII. Planning for next meeting

2:30-5:00 PM Saturday 4/19

Janine facilitating [?]

Proposed Venue: David M’s (Please note change to Imtiaz/Kritee’s home since David will be out of town, fracking discussion in the future)
Possible topics: 1. Kathy re using native plants, [ethno-botany and possibly relationship with well-being of our Bee friends; Kathy could we do this at our place or does the venue of the meeting need to be your house? 2. Imtiaz re IPCC reports [Kritee suggests adding food related warming- food wastage-local connection- see http://www.nrdc.org/food/files/wasted-food-ip.pdf]
Be prepared to share one aspect of our lives re today’s discussion; NEXT Meeting personal: Check-in to be included but optional.
VIII. Silence and dedication

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I. Silent meditation

II. Discussion on group name
There was unanimous agreement on changing our name from Awakened Activism to Eco-Dharma Sangha, with “sangha” symbolizing not only a community of followers of Buddhist teachings, but also the wider sense (via Imtiaz’ comment on the scientific use of the term) of community as all living creatures in an ecosystem.

III. Mark’s presentation of From Me to We by Bob Doppelt: Part 1: see below for “The five transformational commitments”.
IV. Break

V. Mark’s presentation continued, followed by discussion & Q&A
Part II: Handout on “The Five Natural Laws, Commitments, and Sample Practices” ( some of discussion focused on Commitment and Dharma Principles) Q&A session was followed by decision to continue discussion during next meeting

VI. Discussion of current projects/ideas
A. Opening our group up to other people–are we ready?
–progress so far: we have a name & a mission statement, can work w/ existing sanghas to see what they’re doing, make what we’re doing available to other people who would like to join the conversation
–logistics: # of people that can fit in 1 room: small group better for discussion
–possibility of changing format (without changing content) to share more widely: presentation/discussion–small groups?
B. 2 ½ hour time frame proposed to allow for more complete discussion
C. Kathy: talked to NCAR about Janine’s Enso circles. They are excited about having her be part of a juried process to see what artists will exhibit.

VII. Planning for next meeting (continue book discussion + unfinished business)
A. Place: Home of Kritee and Imtiaz, Kritee facilitating
B. Time: 2:30-4:30
C. Possible dates: Sat 3/29/, Sat 4/ 5 (Imtiaz will poll as before)
D. Mark will try to change group name on Google Groups

Shortened version of summary from Mark (complete summary available in our email archives):

The presentation is on the book named “From Me to We”. The author is Bob Doppelt and he is one of the leaders of the Dharma Teachers Climate Collaborative that recently produced the “International Dharma Teachers’ Statement on Climate Change”.

Some topics that I found addressed within this book:
-Universal systems theory, Interdependent human karma and natural law, Compassionate ethics (sila) and the synergies of justice, The real fruits of stewardship and good will, Developing commitments of future destiny and collective leadership

Some opening commentary to set-up the details of the book, derived from my own interpretations of what the book represents to me: We, as a group, and as concerned Buddhist practitioners, have an over-emphasis on what we need to get OTHERS to do, and less understanding that what WE OURSELVES can do, as dharma practitioners, can have MUCH MORE of an impact! By limiting our understanding of the deeper role of daily contemplative practice that includes its ethical and compassionate components, we’re not that much different from everyone else in having the tendencies to be reacting-to and criticizing the world’s problems.One of the main tenets of Engaged Buddhism is stated as, “To transform yourself, you transform the world, and when you transform the world, you transform yourself; they are not two separate things”.

Some statements from the book: “The Dharma offers hope by teaching us that it is possible to overcome the detrimental forces of craving, aversion, and delusion. The Dharma describes a pathway of principles and practices we can follow to minimize climate change and the suffering it causes. The first principle is wisdom. From this point forward in history we must all acknowledge not only the external causes of climate change, but the internal mental drivers as well, and their horrific consequences. To be wise we must also, individually and as a society, adopt the firm intention to do whatever is necessary, no matter what the cost, to reduce the climate crisis to manageable levels, and over time re-stabilize our planet’s climate.

The Dharma principle of ethical conduct is rooted in a compassionate concern for all living beings in the vast web of life. We need to make a firm moral commitment to adopt ways of living that protect the climate and help restore the Earth’s ecosystems and living organisms. In our personal lives, we should recognize the value of contentment and sufficiency and realize that, after a certain modest level, additional consumption, material wealth, and power will not bring happiness.

The Dharma training of mindfulness is the one that makes all of the others possible. By continually enhancing our awareness, we can increasingly think and act constructively. Mindfulness increases awareness of our inherent interdependency with other people and the natural environment, and of values that enhance human dignity rather than subordinate people, animals, and nature, to the craving for more material wealth and power.”

These are the Five Transformational Commitments that define the main five sections of the book “From Me to We”:

1. The first commitment: See the systems you are a part of

2. The second commitment: Be accountable for all the consequences of your actions

3. The third commitment: Abide by society’s most deeply held universal principles of morality and justice

4. The fourth commitment: Acknowledge your trustee obligations and take responsibility for the continuation of all life

5. The fifth commitment: Choose your own destiny

Bob shared a special chart with me (Mark) that represents the categories of both origins and applications that the main themes of his book represent. Copies of this chart were distributed at our meeting, and the correlations and Dharmic elements of our practice were discussed. You can view an online version of this chart at the following Web address: http://tinyurl.com/o5rkhkb. If this book appeals to your interests, it can be purchased online at this Web address. We will continue with Part II. of the presentation of this book, including open discussion and how its message

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I. Statement of Recognition and Mission Statement

Led by Imtiaz in the absence of Kritee, we finalized the “Statement of Recognition” and the “Mission Statement” that she drafted in large part:

A. Statement Of Recognition
We recognize that without swift and fundamental changes in our increasingly consumerist lifestyle, the ongoing planetary eco-crisis and dramatic alteration to the earth’s climate will cause widespread suffering and death for millions of people and many non-human species worldwide.

B. Mission Statement
We are committed to the preservation of a livable planet for our descendants and fellow species by deepening our spiritual practices, strengthening community and sense of inter-connectedness, and studying the personal and institutional root causes of the ongoing eco-crisis to inspire our individual and collective action.

II. David Loy’s presentation on “The Two Icebergs”

Following is a brief summary of the main points:

A. First iceberg: our civilizational crisis
CO2 emissions are only the tip of the more massive ecological crisis. There is the much broader problem of what we’ve done to the biosphere as a whole. The biosphere crisis is a symptom of a civilization that’s gone off in the wrong way: consumerism is incompatible with a sustainable lifestyle. We can’t solve the climate crisis without coming to grips with the broader issues: spiritual values have been lost. Our civilizational crisis shows that we’re in a Buddhist crisis as well.

B. Second iceberg: Buddhist crisis
The tip of this iceberg is the Buddhist response to climate emergency. Buddhism appears less plugged in to ecological issues than to personal issues; Buddhists are not showing up.

“Socially engaged” Buddhism is considered OK, but focuses on service–the apparent Buddhist discomfort with political/social (confrontational) aspects of climate crisis.

At the same time, “mindfulness” has exploded! Looking for peace of mind because we’re suffering=focus on self (self-defeating): often, Buddhist emphasis on peace of mind is so we can cope better with disaster.

What’s below the surface: Differences between Buddhism as an axial age tradition (relationship with the divine/ transcendence/afterlife) vs the current view of waking up and realizing our true nature here and now–coping vs. transformative.

Central tension: ambiguity re nature of awakening. Root problem: sense of separate self. Awakening into the world: sense of compassion and responsibility.

C. Some comments:

Belinda: Current “mindfulness” may be watered down way of coming back to the original teachings (the four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, etc.) whose importance was underlined by Mark.

David L: Suffering is caused by social breakdown, people coming to watered down solutions. His project: reconstructing Buddhism in sense of awakening into the world “Buddhism to me is not what Buddha said, but what he started.”

III. Our Focus: Support and Study Group

We had at least tacit agreement that going forward we will be both a support and study group (action items not clear at this point). We will start each meeting with 10 to 15 minutes of meditation. Then we will serve our support function by two to three minutes of check in on eco-dharma interests and concerns of those members attending the meeting. We will serve our study group function by then having one member give a presentation on a specific study topic. Following the presentation, members will offer their comments and questions, after which the presenter will wrap up the discussion.

IV. Topics for Further Study

A. New name: David M: suggests we need a name other than Awakened Activism (AA?) that reflects our dharma practice. For next time, think about other names and suggest ideas — EcoDharma is one possibility.

B. When and to whom to open the group to new members.

V. Scheduling

Dates for meetings: every other Saturday, 2 hour meetings twice a month (agreed upon through the next two months)

During summer, Mark suggests possible weekday evening (to be discussed later)

VI. Next meeting: March 15 from 2:30 to 4:30 at Robin’s home in Louisville

Facilitator: Robin

Check-in: each person will report on what we’ve been involved with re eco-crisis.

Suggested agenda items:
10 min meditation
20 min check-in
5-10 min break
Presentation/discussion to be led by Mark on book by Bob Doppelt, From Me to We

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I.  Opening:  Meditation & contemplative practice (led by David Loy). David invited us to meditate together on the koan “What to do now?” re our group; focus, not “trying to figure it out” but coming from our core

II. Check-in & sharing after meditation:  each of us shared what came up for us during meditation–no talking stick used (no notes taken, as responses were very spontaneous,heartfelt & energetic,  it seemed intrusive to take notes )

III.  Discussion regarding purpose of group/revised mission statement

–David L:  It’s now or never! 3 possibilities have been discussed up to now:  support, study, activism. Support aspect is already in place & working, now what?

–Ideas/suggestions from group (general agreement on need to focus)

Study:  We need to learn more about (1) ecology  (2) the dharma;   Strength in pooling our individual experiences:  climate scientists, law, academic, educators, nature writer/photographer, memberships.

Reading:  rather than one book, separate articles of interest

— Activism/mission statement:  Possibly replace “climate change” with “eco-crisis”;      Janine & Kathy: propose to meet separately to talk about this in an arts context, getting local artists involved (Janine’s image: “blowing a pure note out into the world”);   Kritee will rework mission statement including today’s input

— Group process: David M: remember to use talking stick!    Kathy:  suggests setting a regular meeting time (ex. 1st/3d Saturdays)  instead of setting date at each meeting–put on agenda for next time

IV.  Next meeting:  Feb 22 or March 3 at Don & Alice’s followed by potluck dinner –Imtiaz will send out survey to determine best date for most    –Facilitator: David M, note-taker: Alice    –Checking-in:  each person will report on what we’ve been involved with re eco-crisis  –David Loy will discuss a talk he will be giving to an Eco-Dharma group later on  in summer, entitled “On Being an Iceberg”: Topic: relationship between eco-crisis and Buddhism, and between Buddhism  and the eco-crisis (our feedback welcome) –Bring questions and ideas for topics to study.

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I.  Opening:  5 minutes of silent meditation

II. Sharing personal experiences, introducing ourselves to Lloyd (2-3 min each, using  talking stick)

Imtiaz:  Climate scientist:  at work, have been updating Climate Change in CO report

Lloyd:  Just returned from U.S. Forest Service conference in Jackson Hole, WY on Environmental Policy/ Environmental/Mgmt, addressing issues of catastrophic wildfires (200-400% increase over next 20 years) and transport of fossil fuels (danger re hauling petroleum, oil industry working to get as much possible out before it’s prohibited).”Climate change is the greatest disruption of the natural environment in human history.”

David M:  Nature photographer, blog re protecting nature, “day job” writing about diabetes. Participation in 3-4 Climate Change groups:  Climate Change Lobby (board member), CC Ministry of UU Church, CO Interfaith Power & Light. Question: had someone interested in joining group, was told it was a closed group (see later discussion of group purpose/mission statement)

Don:  Retired, visual challenges, soon to go to Tucson VA Rehab Center for computer training

Alice:  Montessori educator, various environmental organizations, would like group to move towards action

David L:  Currently teaching course in Masters in Divinity at Naropa; feeling very comfortable with group

Claire:  Recently moved from Lake Tahoe (CA in state of emergency re fires), Sierra Club member: Climate Change team directly involved in Boulder area; local chapter doing program in spring about saving backyard bees

Kritee:  Works with Environmental Defense Fund, 2 ½ months ago went door-to-door “talking about climate”; 4 out of 8 responses positive; 1 person formed group of friends to bring climate change education to schools in Boulder. Wants to get concrete re collective action.

Janine: Assistant Dean for Academic Programming/Accreditation at Naropa; here as concerned citizen wanting to make change

III. Discussion of  Lloyd Burton’s Earth Sila: A Framework for Sangha-based Practice, Inquiry, and Action (led by Lloyd)

A.  Beginnings:

1. “Dharma Dames” (women from Denver Sangha) request for teachings

2.  He and David led Earth Sila workshop at Community Dharma Leaders’ meeting, concluding that an “Environmental Peace Movement” is what’s needed

B. From Dharma perspective, 2 aspects that need to be balanced (cf. Maslow Basic Needs)–can be beneficial in nature as we move forward in a way that takes care of ourselves

1. Samvega:  urgency/anxiety — afflictive mind state (includes 5 Daily Recollections), can lead to sincere inquiry into Dharma

2.  Pasada:  clarity/serene confidence–related to right speech/individual action/how we make our way in the world

C.  Recent developments:

1.  Earth Sila Website — part of IMC –aspects: scientific, economic, cultural

2. Bob Doppelt:  principles for political advocacy

3. Areas of action:  catastrophic wildfires, WUI (Wildlife/Urban Interface), Advocacy Coalition Network

4.  Training ourselves and each other to speak from a Dharma perspective

a.Giving voice/bearing witness:  avoiding “epistemic closure ”  (hanging out only  with people that you agree with)

b. Using our group as “refueling station” for Dharma

D. Q &A

1. How to respond to political leaders who say climate change is a great hoax?LB:  Intent of media/politicians is to not stimulate actions at grassroots level (cf flow of wealth)

2. DL:  how much speaking is going on, connecting to other Buddhist groups in area?

K:  Kritee & Imtiaz have sat w/ several groups in Boulder County: Boulder County is “out in front” re environment–why not reach out to other  sanghas?

3. DL: is now a good time to make a presentation to the Tuesday sangha?

4. Are we a closed group? Or do we need to define our goals so interested people may join, and develop a mission statement?

IV.  Discussion of Dharma Teachers Collaborative Statement

A. A resource for Buddhists concerned about Climate Change

1. Bob Doppelt:  first step is greater awareness–One Earth Sangha (sign up)

2. Working on more specific issues: we’ve come this far, what is the most skillful action that we can take next?

B.  Discussion of mission statement and next steps for group

1. D & L:  Keep mission statement simple (statement of intention)

2. LB: “I am witnessing my views explicitly as to how they have been informed  by my understanding of the Dharma”

3.  Process:  start first draft (Kritee volunteers), circulate it, share ideas

C.  Suggestions re next steps for group

1. David M:  more than mission, is concerned with focus so as not to dissipate our energies

–strategies will come with change; focus on particular part of problem

–what is each one of use already doing and how to get group support for it?

–hope that everyone approaches what we’re going into with equanimity

2. Lloyd:  specialization of labor within the group

–various forms of political action

–Dharma study (ex. Macy book Active Hope)

3.  Claire:  attach to organizations that are already working

V.  Next meeting:  Saturday February 8 2-5 pm

1.  Kritee will send around draft of mission statement before the meeting

2. Imtiaz will facilitate

3.  Suggestion from David L re what is the best thing to do that might make a   difference: “Climate Change is the great Koan of our time. It’s a collective Koan.”  Suggests starting at 2 with a sitting about what’s at our core–2 ½ hour sits.  David starts with a 5 minute talk to conceptualize koan

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I.  Our first meeting since the Awakened Activism retreat

A.  Opening Questions from Kritee to start discussion: How long have we been in the Sangha?Why are we at this meeting–what is our principal environmental concern?

B. Answers

Robin: has been attending Sangha on & off +- 10 years,   Is here to gain knowledge of what the issues are

Bea:  About 10 years, Commitment to getting well informed. Because of Mexican background, concerned with so many places in Latin America covered with garbage;  How to raise consciousness of everyone.

Alice:  About 10 years,   Idea of “awakened activism” very appealing/broadening of Buddhist practice,  inspired by discussions at retreat & idea of organizing group

Don: About 10 years,  Brink of planetary crisis–people are the cause–how to change them?

Tracy: About 10 years, Main concern is water–water gives life

Isabelle: New to Sangha–occasional attendance 4-5 years,  Looking for sangha–we need community/support for enlightenment, Main focus of her activism was justice (women’s rights, etc);  Grief: is there a way to do it that will embrace her grief

Imtiaz: New to Boulder, arrived a month ago, Zen practitioner for 12 years, As a climate scientist, knows that even scientists don’t have the whole picture- they’re not connecting with issues from their hearts,  Climate change is related to every human issue (“winners” & “losers” in climate change world)

Kritee:  New to Boulder, 12 yrs Zen practice, Working with Env. Defense Fund, looking at climate change –has worked in Asia with farmers and connections between agriculture and climate change;  Need to get over individual gloom; Need community — they’re in a new place–to work on problems as a Buddhist, thrilled that IMC is focusing on it

II. Presentation by Imtiaz and Kritee on Climate Change –what does it mean, how does  it affect us and all of life (see separate notes)

III. Closing comments from each of us:  reaction/response to what we have heard

Isabelle:  recommends video called 6%, suggests talking piece and timekeeper so everyone gets to speak

Tracy:  decide on specific steps, choose action steps (ex: pushing renewable energy, especially locally

Imtiaz:  willing to give more information (ex. water)

Don: problem of human ignorance/not knowing; other forces at work; hypnotized by  our language trap; we can go beyond the self-image described by Buddhism

Alice: align with ideas of Paul Hawken & Joanna Macy of wider sense of self & community;  new focus of community dharma leaders in US; Lloyd Burton talks on Earth Sila available to Denver & Boulder sanghas

Bea:  idea of using joy/art/music to bring knowledge to people

Robin:  find out what groups are doing what  communicate globall, do what we can locally biggest impact has to be at policy/political levels

Kritee:  for next time, identify our focus: what are we each doing every day? What would we like to be doing?  possible resources

tasks assigned: Robin: investigate political front; Tracy: water/local connections; Alice:  write up notes & send them around; K & I:  send out possible dates for next meeting within 3 weeks

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