David Suzuki, Co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, Thich Nhat Hanh, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, and Suzuki Foundation Chair Jim Hoggan, sat down to discuss mindfulness and climate change.  They explored how to bring about the collective public awakening needed to restore health to the planet.

Suffering is universal, and if we really think about it, we all know what makes us suffer. Often we are stuck to it, and we feel that we have no power—no courage—to cut off from the roots of our suffering.

But we can cultivate the spiritual power to transform our cravings, our anger, our frustration, our suffering and our despair!  We can transform all of our afflictions, because like everything else in the universe, they are impermanent.

When we are able to cut off from suffering, we become free people.  In this freedom, we find happiness.

Q. How can we become aware of, and change, bad habits?

Meditation by Laura Smeaton 
Photo by Tracy Powell
 

For me, bicycling is a mindfulness exercise. 

When I’m bicycling – whether commuting, running errands, training for fitness, or just riding to meet friends --all I’m doing is bicycling.  No chatting on the phone, watching TV/videos in the background, or listening to music… just bicycling. 

My senses are honed and focused --- looking and listening for obstacles to avoid.