As I started a course at Church Divinity School of the Pacific via the internet on the Greening of American Christianity, I was looking at spiritual sources relevant to this issue. One source is the fifth of Tich Nhat Hahn's Zen Buddhist Mindfulness Trainings. That training states: "Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body and my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self transformation and the transformation of society." Obviously, this is a very all encompassing training and one that is point on when it comes to environmental spirituality.
