Chapter III of Rio Plus 20 Document by Cho Tab Khen Zambuling (Alfredo Sfeir-Younis)
III. A New Eco-Morality
Rio Plus 20 must establish the ground for a New Eco Morality. This is to provide some canvas to individual and collective forms of interactions. This will challenge many people. Even the word “morality” may bring them to a stand off. If true for some, then, use another word if needed, but the point must be conveyed: the environment will not be enhanced with the ethics and morals of the market. It is clear also that traditional ways of understanding nature are not very valuable any longer. Given the challenges we are facing today, we all must aim at a new way of understanding nature, natural law, and all living beings. They play a fundamental role in both our material and spiritual transformations. In the past, the emphasis has been on the linkages between the state of nature and our material wealth and betterment.
Today, we must look into the links between state of nature and our processes of spiritual transformation. It is in this sense that I introduce here the idea of a New Eco-Morality.
At the core of this New Eco-Morality is the view that destroying nature not only has material consequences –including global warming and ozone layer depletion—but has immense implications in our spiritual transformation. A New Eco- Morality is founded on several important spiritual laws we must not violate, as the violation of these laws is having grave consequences in the establishment of a better future. Examples of these laws are: a) the Law of Interdependence, b) the Law of Equal Intelligence, c) the Law of Karma, and d) the Law Self-Identity.
Let me only say a few words to illustrate:
The Law of Interdependence, which states that we are completely interdependent of each other as human beings, interdependent of other living beings, and interdependent with nature. The ultimate expression of this law is that we are also indivisible. Only our intellect gives us the impression we are separate and divisible. In fact, this is intimately connected to a life long correlation: between the quality of the external environment and the quality of our inner environment.
The Law of Equal Intelligence, which states that everyone and everything is a depository of equal intelligence. There is not a hierarchy of intelligence in creation and thus, humans are not more intelligent than nature. The genetic code of nature is essential for us to achieve higher levels of human transformation. Thus, subjugating nature, or exploiting nature, constitutes violations of this law.
The Law of Karma, which states that all that exists has causes and conditions and that there is a very intimate connection between causes and effects. This has also been called The Law of Infinite Balances through all the material and spiritual manifestation of life. It is essential to gain positive karma through positive action, thoughts and intentions. It is essential that we approach nature in positive ways.
The Law of Self Identity, which states that there is nothing to be wasted. Everyone and everything has a mission and are part of an Organized Order. Thus, we need to understand that the existence of nature has a free standing value and that those values given by the economic markets should not govern all we do.
In this regard, it is essential to understand the different contributions we are to make in attaining all forms of sustainability: ecological, economic, social, and spiritual sustainability. This principle of Eco-Morality (operating in the non-material) will serve as a navigator in the matrix of social, political and civil actors, in the great reform of organizations, and in the formulation of private and public policy. In particular, it will move the emphasis of whatever we do from just Knowing, Doing, Making and Having to succeed in life to understanding the core of Being and Becoming. This shift in emphasis suggests the need to actively create all the conditions to reach the core of our Being and Becoming, and, thus, of human self-realization.
Communications. In embracing this New Eco-Morality we need to generate a global consensus, using the great power of the media. We must use the power of communication to change the course of humanity. In today’s world there are so many instruments of communication, and the younger generations are constantly linked to one or more of them, at any point in time. The Internet could have a tremendous transformational impact in all societies. Wireless phones and other devices, for example, are now spreading everywhere, and people have ‘real time’ experiences of war, destruction, and other things that are happening in the rest of the world.
Science and Technology. Also, we must address science and technology. We must see that science is relevant and central to the attainment of the great aims of this new Eco-Morality. We all must assist in the transformation of science, in finding peaceful methods of treating our body, mind, psyche, and soul. Violent science must be transformed into no-violence generating science, into peace science.
The Actors. Also, we must now focus on the actors rather than just on processes and outcomes. It is through change in the level of consciousness of the actors that will make human activities advance towards a sustainable civilization. It will be the change in the consciousness of these people that will make sense of instruments that will move towards less destructive means and thus make peace with our environment.
Void of the spirit, humanity will continue to live in a dangerous duality that translates into more diseases and other social and personal problems.
To read the full Rio Plus 20 Document, click HERE.
