Zen Monks to CA Governor Brown: "Don't even THINK about Fracking!"

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Friday February 06, 2015 · 3:09 PM PST

2015/02/06 · 15:09

zen-buddhism

I have a sticker in my office that says "Zen Buddhism: Don't even think about it!" This kind of humorous take often leads to the (false) perception that Buddhism and its more western-palatable "mindfulness" cousin are about disengagement, a sort of blissful denial of reality in which the practitioner's magical skill is to sit there in utter peace and emptiness, able to tune out the world even while the world around is unraveling.

In an open letter to California Governor Brown published yesterday in anticipation of tomorrow's massive March for Real Climate Leadership in Oakland, dozens of leaders and members from the San Francisco Zen Center -- including the central abbesses and well-known figures such as actor Peter Coyote -- dispel the notion of the passive, agreeable monk unfazed by any earthly rumblings below or outside his or her cross-legged self.

February 5, 2015
Dear Governor Brown,

We write to urge you to ban hydraulic fracturing -- fracking -- in California and, more generally, move away from making our state a major producer as well as a consumer of fossil fuels. We celebrate that you have, in your inaugural address, made a renewed commitment to addressing climate change.
We know -- you, and us, and many in California and elsewhere -- that hydraulic fracturing is destructive of so many things. It has a long, deep, devastating impact on many species, as well as human beings. It is a theft the present makes from the future, compromising for the sake of the few who profit in the present, longterm well-being for the many to come. It commits us to continue pursuing fossil fuel and with it climate-change emissions when we know, as you said in your inaugural, we need to take "significant amounts of carbon out of our economy." This should mean not only what we consume here in the state, but what we produce to be consumed anywhere.

That carbon goes into the upper atmosphere, wherever it is burned. Too, fracking devastates water, both in the huge amounts used in the process, and in the lasting contamination of groundwater, a terrible waste in a dry state. We can leave that oil in the soil. And we must. We ask that you sign a bill banning fracking and help turn us away from the age of fossil fuels with its immeasurable and lasting damage to the biosphere. California, with its extraordinary implementation of energy-efficiency standards during your first term as governor, with Assemblywoman Fran Pavley's emissions legislation in 2002 that set nationwide standards under the Obama administration, with the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, has often led the way for the rest of the country. What happens here matters everywhere.

California Zen Leaders Urge Gov. Brown to Ban Fracking

some unthinking thoughts below the orange meditation cushion...

It is, of course, the foundation of any meaningful spiritual practice to gain awareness of your own thoughts and their tendency to jump at the slightest movement and distraction, like puppies in a park. Sitting in silence is one way to observe that inner puppy and learn how to direct it in the most beneficial ways, for your own clarity and peace of mind.

However, once you've reached a place where your mind is calm enough to distinguish between the chatter and what matters, there's nothing more natural, fulfilling, and, in fact, logical, than to be engaged in the world and actively and wholeheartedly seek to fight injustices and sufferings where they exist. To take Jack Kornfield's "After the Ecstasy, the Laundry" term, I look at it in a "After the Enlightenment, the Action" context.

These California Zen Leaders speaking out against the wholesale destruction of this beautiful planet is putting the idea of using the wisdom and mindfulness gained during meditation towards a greater worldly good -- even, or especially, at the risk of coming across adversarial and non monk-like -- into practice.

In fact, meditation itself can be a form of active protest, as it did this morning, when a group of 15 to 20 Buddhists joined more than 150 protesters blockading the California State Office Building in downtown San Francisco to bring awareness of the dangers of fracking to Governor Brown, who has been known to quote the founder of the San Francisco Zen Center, Suzuki Roshi.

A group of 15 to 20 people from the the Buddhist Peace Fellowship are sitting on the steps of the state building meditating, amid banners that read, "Mindful of Fracking Disasters" -- a direct appeal to Brown, who identifies as a Buddhist. Photo courtesy of Brooke Anderson.

Expect to see a lot more Buddhists (as well as all kinds of other people of faith) making their voices heard at tomorrow's March for Real Climate Leadership.

There's really not much to think about here. If you're in the Bay Area, just come out and envision the world we wish to see, together!

Peoples-Climate-Rally-Oakland_07

Here are some march logistics for tomorrow:

March Logistics

We are gathering at 11:30am at Frank Ogawa / Oscar Grant Plaza – 14th and Broadway in downtown Oakland (map). This is right at the 12th St. BART stop, and along major bus and bike lines. There is limited parking nearby (mostly paid garages), so plan accordingly. The day will start with a blessing of the land by local indigenous leaders. At 12 there will be a short welcome and orientation, and the march will step off.
Please wear blue.
If you’d like to volunteer at the march, click here.
MARCH CONTINGENTS

Several people and groups have organized contingents to march with. These groups are self-organized, and are listed below with contact information and gathering places.

Indigenous block – As Native people, we understand that everything is connected and related. We love the spirits of the waters, the air, the soil and all of the relations with whom we share Mother Earth’s biosphere. It is our responsibility to speak up on their behalf when our human relatives harm them. Check out the Facebook event for more details

Animals Against Extinction – We are bringin literally 100’s of masks and costumes (both large and small, for children and adults) to the march — join us and let’s have some fun! Contact Katy Polony at katypolony@gmail.com for more details

Climate & Labor contingent – For years, our labor movement has been silent on fracking, or has actively backed fracking. On February 7th, we say no more, not in our name. We demand a just transition away from extreme energy toward good jobs in community-controlled clean energy. Check out this Facebook event for more details.

Climate Flotilla and boats – Imagine dozens of kayaks, flags flapping with messages of clean water, climate and energy, moving across Lake Merritt as the March for Real Climate Leadership walks along the shore and rallies. Let’s make it happen! This is for folks who have (or can borrow or rent) and transport kayaks, canoes or row boats (no motors please) and are up for being safe and working as a team. Check out the Facebook event or e-mail kayakersforcc@gmail.com for more info.

Cyclists for Clean Air and Renewable Energy – Bikers will meet at 11am under the big Oak tree on 14th st at Frank Ogawa/Oscar Grant Plaza and will stay along 14th St closest to the street. Check out the Facebook event or e-mail bikingtheclimate@gmail.com for more info.

Environmental Seder – Beginning at 11 am: you don’t have to be Jewish to join Rabbi Michael Lerner and Beyt Tikkun Synagogue Without Walls and the interfatih Network of Spiritual Progressives in this Tu B’shvat Seder for the Earth at 11am before the march. Celebrate the earth and its trees – and bring fruit to share if possible. Check out www.beyttikkun.org or e-mail cat@spiritualprogressives.org for more info.

Faith contingent – contact francesaubrey@earthlink.net for more details.

Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Contingent – This group will be marching alongside the Native Americans / First Nations relatives in the Indigenous Bloc. Check out the Facebook event for more info.

Nurses – Wear your red scrubs, bring your family and friends, and join the march. This contingent will be meeting near the fountain in the park. Check out the Facebook event for more info.

Occupella – Join us singing movement songs! We’ll be brining songbooks so anyone can join. Enthusiasm is all we ask!

Parents and Families Contingent – Climate Parents and Parents Against Fossil Fuels will be marching together, along with whoever would like to join. Look for the Climate Parents banner north (past) the BART elevators, on the right side of the steps at City Hall. There will be fun activities for kids throughout the march and at the end. For more information, contact Lisa Hoyos: lisa@climateparents.org. Please mention the march in the subject line of your email.

Shut Diablo Canyon – CodePink Women for Peace joins Shut Diablo Canyon (Diablo Canyon is a nuclear power plant in San Luis Obispo) in calling for an end to environmental racism and support for environmental justice. For more information, contact eastbaycodepink@gmail.com.

If you have another specific group that you’d like to self-organize, e-mail mrclvolunteer@350.org

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