Developing a Mindful Culture of Water Use
What does a mindful culture of water use mean? It means appreciating its qualities, mindful use, and ecological sanitation. Water is a universal good, needed by all living beings in common. Because life is interdependent, to bear others’ benefit in mind is actually mutually beneficial.
- Appreciating its qualities:
- Mindful use: Mindful use of water means: not using too much water, not wasting it, and not polluting it unnecessarily. This holds for personal, agricultural or industrial use. It should include, for example, use of solar, water or wind driven pumps for irrigation or industry where feasible. It also means sustainable use, caring for the environment from which it comes and to which it returns.
- Ecological sanitation: Ensuring proper and sustainable treatment of waste water so that downstream users, fish, wildlife and the environment do not suffer. The health costs to human beings and environment of no or poor sanitation are very high. By adopting toxicological standards, effective monitoring, and making information public, it is possible to reduce biological and chemical pollution. The key activities are to prevent pollution altogether, or to treat it at the source. Because those who benefit and those who lose through local practices may differ, laws and regulations are vital to safeguarding the greater public interest.
Lake of Pristine Nectar, A Water Prayer
Water is cool, sweet, clear, pure, light, soft, clarifying and freeing. Water nourishes, heals, is fresh, soothing, and brings forth abundant harvests. Water succors all of life.
Pure water carries the blessings of peace, gentleness, grace, pristine cleanliness, devotion and dignity. May we always be pure in our hearts, always be generous with one another, always be mindful of our environment and how we use water in our communities, so that we ensure that we always sustain what sustains us.
Water is beautiful, clear and full of light, like a crystal, bringing us joy. May we too also be beautiful, clear, full of light and joy.
May all beings enjoy pure water!