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Tips to Create an Eco-Yogic Work Environment
Adopt an element or eco-yogic theme then Develop eco-smart habits
Adopt Your Eco-Yogic Theme
Tip 1: Take a few moments: Reflect and discuss
 Set aside a few moments of your time to create a short and easy statement, or theme, that you can use with each decision. We recommend you try to choose one planetary element, e.g., air. However, your statement might be very general, e.g. "What are the ripple effects of this decision on other beings and the rest of the planet?" The idea is to make studio choices with more awareness, not to feel guilty or to choose green options that are financially unwise. Reflect and discuss openly. Know that the tendency for groups is to create 'to-do' and wish lists. Yet, invite comments without censorship or interpretation.
Tip 2: Facilitate your discussion
If you have a group of five or more, consider setting a meeting and using a trained facilitator, so everyone can be heard. Invite one person at a time to speak. Have someone scribe. After about twenty minutes of discussion, review what has been written. Identify common themes from your discussion. Notice if any recurrent themes, or where there is the most passion. Remember: It is not about how green you look, but having a consistent lens for decisions small to large.
Tip 3: Get clear: Ask questions: Be grounded in green values and dharma
Begin with reading the dharma and values pages. Questions to stimulate conversation might be: What are these pages suggesting? With mimimal effort, what would it look like to "consider" the sustainability of the studio and the planet in all our decisions, small to large? What would it look like if we adopt just one value, and/or planetary element, as a lens for our decisions for the next six months to a year, for example nongreed and water? What does nongreed (nonstealing, truthfulness) mean to us? Remember: One small, conscious adjustment can have significant ripple effects. Together, we create beneficial change.
Implement Your Theme: Develop Eco-Smart Habits
Tip 1: Write a short "think green" statement
Write a one or two sentence statement to remind you of your yearlong, eco-yogic theme.
Tip 2: Keep it simple for ease of daily use
Keep your statement visible by the reception and in the non-public areas, so that each employee can act beneficially. For example, post it by the telephones, computers.
Tip 3: Practice daily with patience and discipline without guilt
For each decision, let your theme be like a mantra to help you be more mindful of the planet and her beings with each decision. Remember that finances and time pressures may often need to be the first consideration, so it is not how often you are able to choose the optimal choice for the planet but that you are consistently considering the planet. In today’s world, we are challenged to stick with positive internationalities. Remember: Beneficial habits take time. Practice patience, not guilt.
Tip 4: If you choose to adopt a planetary element
Some studios will adopt one one planetary gift such as 'air' for making decisions. If you'd like to adopt a planetary element but are unsure which one, review your original discussion notes to see if the items might be grouped by the themes of air, water, soil, trees, or other planetary gifts. See if one generated more discussion or attention than others. Once you've created a statement, stick with it and let go of any expectation of being able to do everything. Create an idea file for next year.
Tip 5: Reach out
Involve your community through press releases, newsletters, partnerships and events.
Have fun! |
