Page 198 - Dark Matter:Women Witnessing Issue #3 - December 2015

way that’s so growth-oriented that it’s completely out of touch with what’s possible. And it’s all driven by

greed, hatred and delusion. Any spiritual practice is about seeing through this and letting it go, aligning

yourself with the laws of nature. One translation of “Dhamma” is nature, or the laws of nature.

LW:

Really? I didn’t know.

AS:

For example, in the Thai language, dhammajati means “natural,” it’s really about aligning yourself with

the laws of nature. And not only how a tree grows or a fish swims, but how the mind works—it’s all the

laws of nature.

LW:

This feels so important.

AS:

These laws permeate reality and we can get to know how they work so we can align ourselves. When

we work against them there is always something there to do with greed, hatred and delusion. The mind

is contracted and unaligned.

LW:

So then, is part of the practice coming to know what the laws are?

AS:

Yes, exactly. It’s about how to cultivate the mind to be in greater alignment, which means letting go of

greed, anger and delusion. I think if people see the connection between deluded mind and climate

change—I see this as a great motivator. If people can see the connection they feel even more

motivated to practice.

LW:

Yes, as you said in the climate action video, you see this as an opportunity.

AS:

There I am very influenced by both Thomas Berry and Joanna Macy. The planet is holding up a big

mirror now, and we need to make an evolutionary leap, to put energy into finding ways to work