Being Conscious.
Conscious Living. Let's talk about it.
It doesn't necessarily mean vinyl and veganism. It doesn't require you to meditate everyday, go to yoga, join a commune or be 'so in your heart' that you can't make a healthy decision.
(Conscious living includes good healthy boundaries, for boundaries are the container in which love resides, to quote teacher and mentor Hiro Boga)
Let's get some definition:
CONSCIOUS
adj.
Characterized by or having an awareness of one's environment and one's own existence, sensations, and thoughts. synonym: aware.
adj.
Mentally perceptive or alert; awake.
This has to include being aware of the impact we are having on the world around us - in material, emotional, intellectual and spiritual ways.
So if we are going to live consciously, we need to wake up to who we are and how we are living. There is no prescription, there are things that can support you in doing YOUR work in this direction.
If you can’t be kind to another human, no matter how vegan or vegetarian you are (Hitler, case in point), we have to question the level of consciousness that is being lived. And if not using leather means you own 25 vinyl aka plastic bags… well there is something to think about and I know my feet can’t cope with plastic shoes, so very few pairs of good quality ethical shoes that last are my choice. My sneakers are bio + ethical, bare feet are actually my preference for every reason.
My personal conscious living essentials include eating from ethical sources, and no I am not vegan or vegetarian but I do eat a high veg low meat diet and regularly fast as well - which is an awesome consumption reducer in every way as well as a fantastic health choice. My meat is organic AND ethical from small local producers who care.
(If you have ever grown your own food you will understand even plants love blood and bone.... and that doesn't come from plants).
Are you aware of the real power of essential oils - they are potent medicine that should be treated with great care and respect. Are you also aware of how many plants are required to make those precious oils??
If we want to talk farming, any kind of mono-culture has a huge impact... even if it's lavender. Read here about the environmental impact of essential oils.
I rarely shop. I mend and sew.
I don't do vinyl and have more jars than you can poke a stick at. Yes, I use them.
My purchases are considered and there is always room to grow.
I tend to my inner garden and support others to do the same. Yes, that means I teach Breathwork to help us all live more consciously and look after our planet and each other in more loving and conscious ways.
I also try not to make my life hell being overly fanatical about things...!
Explore. Get curious. Think Twice. Consider.
There might be a perfect choice, but we can make better choices and every 'better' choice counts. In fact every choice counts.
Knowing that is being conscious.
Some more food for thought:
Local Brisbanite Jane Milburn’s website is a great place to get inspired about Slow Fashion and dressing consiously: https://textilebeat.com