Self implies Other
This short paper will draw on meeting both a member of the biotic community and a local scientist from CADIC research institute. It will then moved toward the meaning of Anatta, and how this buddhist doctrine of how Self is ‘other’, means in the context and role of ‘Ecology’ and ‘Spirituality’ within global biodiversity loss.
Rewild was tracking our way through a foreign landscape, within the southern most reaches of the planet. when we came across this wood pecker silhouetted against this incredible back drop of icy mountains. It jumped around this log for around 2 minutes scratching it’s way to find some food. We have been so used to seeing the woodpeckers in Africa, that this one took us by complete surprise, I couldn't believe how much bigger it was in comparison, and how magical its colouration is.
To bring you some context Rewild is currently living in Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC) which is a research institute that lies at the portal to Antartica. We decided to come and stay here, as we thought it be in the best interest for our company to immerse ourselves within landscape and science that is so unique and pivotable for a our relationship to the living planet. We have been so privileged to sit down over dinner with young passionate scientists and older professors, who are, everyday, researching our oceans, atmosphere, forests, marine and terrestrial biology…etc.
A moment that has stood out prominently is when we spoke to scientist Dr.Adrian Schivini Who is the leading biologist at CADIC, and has written many publications surrounding the state of population, behaviour, etc along the beagle channel. We asked him what he thought was the most important thing for a young scientist to learn, especially having to deal with the obvious threat to global biodiversity loss and climate instability. He paused for some time before he answered. He then began to elaborate that there is a stigma surrounding science, that one must publish as many research papers as we can, whilst publication is important, what is more beneficial for this research, is how may it fit into civil society, how can your data help a politician or other leader to make better educated decisions.
Both Alistair and I agreed with this, we believe that the more that disciplines of all kinds may find a better way to communicate with one another, the more we will be fluid as a community of beings on this finite planet. Potentially in order for us to see better results from politicians, we need to help communicate messages to them more effectively.
From looking at the fungal world beneath our feet, mycelium, how might we learn from their effective communication. Fungal networks beneath the soil, are able to cross the ecosystems, and send messages regarding nutrient/energy levels. This communication helps them become more resilient in the ecosystem. One may also draw on the analogy that they interlock their roots as to brace for other conditions such as howling winds.
Within Science and other disciplines, lets look to nature to see how we may learn from them. We are not separate from the natural world, many answers may be found within simple unpacking of its genius.
Finally I would like to touch on something further, yet it leads into the conversation above . Buddhist practice specifically ‘Anatta’ is something that has caught the interest of Rewild for some time, as we are interested in learning more about the our relationship to the natural world. We are aware that a global mindshift needs to develop, in order for us to overcome this extreme loss of biodiversity — essentially a disconnection from ourselves and how this is linked to the trend of self loathing existing within depression world — wide . Below is a quote we found whilst researching the concepts of Anatta.
The Buddha’s teaching points us away from looking for the self, or trying to understand or improve the self. Instead it suggests that we pay attention to the fear, desire, ambition, and clinging that motivate the building of self identity. Perhaps we feel that we are defective in some way, and that our meditation practice will help us make or find a better self. Can we instead find the particular suffering that is connected with wanting to improve the self? Liberation entails releasing our suffering, not avoiding it, seeking relief from it or compensating for it. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we dwell on our suffering, either; or that suffering never ceases. Indeed, the third Noble Truth reminds us that there is a cessation to suffering.
If you were to go to Africa to photograph the wildlife, you could walk all over the plains looking for the different animals. Or you could sit by the watering hole, where all the animals eventually come. Likewise, practice becomes very simple if we pay attention, carefully and non-reactively, to our suffering, that is, the contractions, restrictions and stresses in our body, mind and heart. For the sake of liberation, what you do and don’t need to know will come to you if you simply watch your suffering and its cessation. You will see the grasping and you will see the possibility of genuine happiness that comes from releasing that grasping. May you know the peace of non-grasping to both self and no-self.
Here in the modern West, this ancient Indian definition of the Self does not have much, if any, meaning. However, we have our own notions of what the self is or what it needs to be. In part these are the legacy of Western ideas of “soul,” and in part they derive from the strong human drive to identify with certain things as defining what this self is. We identify ourselves with our thoughts, feelings, consciousness, volition, personal characteristics, or with a sense of continuity. Held lightly and provisionally, such identifications may be useful. Held tightly, they are self-limiting. If we expend the energy to cling to anything as the definition of the self, we will sooner or later suffer. In order to find a deeply abiding peace, we need to learn to let go of any attachment to or habit of fixating on self-identity.
http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/books-articles/articles/anatta-and-the-four-noble-truths/
The above quote brings us into an idea that we are not ‘individuals’ in and of itself, rather we are connected to something much greater and more complex than us. This interests us particularly, because it helps us beyond our rational independent selves, and builds context of ‘in relation too’, that we are part of this flowing consciousness that binds ‘self’ to the ‘other’.
For us, it has already been an interesting journey linking both ecology and spirituality. We hope to experience more, and share our insights into the global consciousness.
hope and positivity
cheers for now
