9 Spiritual Ways to be Green

1. If you use candles in your spiritual practice, start using soy candles. Unlike paraffin candles, soy candles do not use petroleum and do not increase the CO2 in the atmosphere. They also last longer than regular candles. 2. Include the Earth in your daily prayers. When you are praying for family, friends, loved ones, and people suffering in other parts of the world, don't forget to include the entire planet as a whole. Our living, breathing planet is in dire need of all our collective prayers. The more we keep the Earth close in our hearts, the more motivated we will feel to take action. 3. Surround your living space with the positive energy of living things. Even if you live in a big city, keep a vase of fresh flowers or houseplants nearby within your living space. Your gratitude of their positive energy will inspire you to give back. 4. When purchasing spiritual learning material, buy them used or digitally. Spirituality is not meant to be expensive or contribute even more to our landfills. Buy spiritual books used, borrow them from the library, or get them from your friends. Download audiobooks and tapes from online stores such as Sounds True or Audible.com. 5. Integrate the healing of the Earth into your regular spiritual practice. If your main focus had usually been helping the homeless or volunteering at charity events, expand your altruism to Earth-friendly events like picking up trash from the ocean or participating in a local nature hike. 6. When attending a spiritual event such as seminars, religious services or meditation sessions, choose public transportation over driving. If you walk or bike, you are worshipping the temple that is your body through exercise. If you use public transportation such as buses or the metro, you are supporting an important public service with your money and service. On top of all that, you are reducing your own carbon footprint. 7. The next time you need to fast, consider an energy fast. No matter what your religious or spiritual belief is, a yearly fast of a bad habit--junk food, smoking, gossip--is good for the soul. The next time you have to fast, consider an energy fast. For a week or a month, try to decrease your use of energy as much as possible, whether it is taking less showers or being more diligent about turning off unused appliances in your home. Decrease your energy consumption and expand your soul. 8. Instantly diminish your Ego with gratitude for nature. Ego and gratitude are mutually exclusive. Fill your soul with reasons for why you should be grateful for all that Earth has given you. It is impossible to feel sorry for yourself or wallow in negativity when you are busy feeling thankful for sunsets, fresh produce, trees, flowers, beautiful lakes, clean air... 9. Have faith. Have faith that we will all pull together and create a green, completely sustainable New Earth for our grandchildren's children. Without this faith as a starting point, all other action steps diminish in power.