"Leave no trace" is an element of the Privileged Environment that has made its way into popular culture. Decades ago, it was commonplace for people to be driving down the highway and just throw their trash out the car window. Now, there are laws and social mores around littering and a widespread code of outdoor ethics that bears this name. In our Practice, "leave no trace" points to the principles of paying attention in each moment, coupled with realizing that we never know when we will die. We want to live in such a way that we are cleaning up karma, not leaving more behind. Some physical forms this takes are plumping our cushion and wiping down our mat after meditating, wiping down the countertop in the kitchen after cooking, and neatly folding the towel after drying our hands. We leave a place clean and inviting for whomever may come behind us.
At the Monastery, we have been paying closer-than-ever attention to the items we purchase, throw away, and recycle. For example, we have a little blue wading pool that sits on the east lawn of the Monastery, positioned between Sangha Oak and the Big Pine (for those who know the Monastery trees by name). Fresh water is kept here so the deer, squirrels, etc., always have a cool, clean source of drinking water. We have a small strainer to remove twigs, leaves, and other debris from the pool several times a day. This wonderful little tool was getting along in years and had developed several large holes in the netting. Instead of throwing it away or recycling it and buying a new one, the guidance was to first see if it were possible to mend it. Turns out, it was. The holes in the net were sewn up and, functionally speaking, it is as good as new.
This very small example provided a new, joyful experience for me of "leaving no trace.” It was a joy to attend so closely to this humble object that serves us and the animals so well. I listened for inspiration about its repair and experienced deep pleasure from saving something from ending up in a landfill. (I never would have thought to use a sewing machine for patching a net -- but Life did -- and it worked!)
We often describe the Privileged Environment as the structure of Practice that assists us to be Here. Not to "accomplish" anything, but to BE the unconditional love of Presence. During this time of alarming signs of climate change, it seems there is truly no time like the present to practice leaving no trace. Not from a place of panic or fear, but from humility and love -- for the Love.
Gassho,
Rebecca