Sustainability is living yoga

The Ashram puts yogic ideals into practice with environmental sustainability projects.

Replacing a couple hundred incandescent light bulbs may seem like a rather literal way of working with Light at the Ashram, but it does have a place. It is another step toward the goal of reducing the environmental footprint of our community to…what? Zero? Is this possible?

Over the last decade the Ashram has been gradually implementing environmental sustainability initiatives. This has involved standard energy efficiency upgrades ranging from light bulbs and caulking in all buildings to new windows in Beach Prayer Room and Radha House, as well as the re-insulation of the Guest Lodge and Radha House.

Last year, with the help of donations to our sustainability fund, we completed the first major building using a “green” approach from the ground up – incorporating heat pumps and solar hot water, bamboo flooring, wastewater heat recovery and more. The Barn is now a residence for 25 people and a classroom space that runs on 60% less energy and emits 10 tonnes fewer greenhouse gases per year than a conventional building of the same size. This was our pilot project, bringing together all that we’ve been learning. With this experience, we are now entering upon a program of major upgrades for all our buildings. The next project is the Divine Mother Temple, which will be based on solar electric and solar heating technology.What we are embarking on is intriguing in its scope. The Ashram Society is a charity that is responsible for what amounts to a small rural village of a dozen buildings on 115 acres of land complete with forests, large gardens, orchards and pastures. The Ashram’s spiritual base and self-contained character offers a full-spectrum socio-economic opportunity to study, implement and assess how to change the ways we live and work.

Of course, more is needed than a “greening” of buildings. We are moving toward a reduction in energy intake of all kinds, including buying more of our food locally, changing our menus and finding ways to grow more of our own foods. In the process, we are beginning to see that we could give back more than we consume (a very yogic ideal!) We know this means more than exploring the edges of current technology. It means extending our concepts of responsibility. We want to find a fuller definition of what constitutes a sustainable community and how it can function. It is, in the true sense, living yoga.

To do all this we need help. One part is the intellectual help to define, prioritize and select options. Just as important are fundraising and the involvement of karma yogis to make it all happen, turning ideas and ideals into actions. Each of us has a way to give.

Your support and your help would be most welcome.

By Swami Sivananda

Related posts:

1. Growing lighter through sustainability initiatives
2. Expressing Gratitude – The Circle of Sustainability
3. Sustainability – A Learning Climate
4. Getting grounded in a sustainable way
5. Giving back is a circle