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NMGF Home
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Welcome to New Mexico GreenFriends
The goal of this forum overall is to serve as an information resource for Amma's New Mexico children who are interested in keeping in touch with any upcoming NM GreenFriends projects that might be happening - projects that NMGF is participating in as a group or projects you might want to participate in individually - as well as serving as a place where we can share stories, articles, photos, recipes, remedies, and many other fun green things.
"Only through love and compassion is the protection and preservation of Nature possible." - Amma |
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GUIDELINES FOR THE GREENFRIENDS INITIATIVE
Caring for Mother Nature
An Initiative of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math
GreenFriends is Amma's initiative to help us reawaken the awareness of our unity with all of creation and to cultivate an attitude of love and reverence for Mother Nature. All living beings emerge from the same Supreme Consciousness. Mother Nature is the manifestation of that Consciousness. Today we ignore this truth and even destroy that which sustains us. Ancient cultures around the world recognized this great truth and worshipped Nature with gratitude for Her life-giving gifts. The urgent need of today is for a deep change to take place within each one of us. Developing our Love and respect for Mother Nature will bring awareness to our every action. In this way, we can each play a vital role in restoring the harmony between humanity and Nature. This is the spiritual inspiration and vision behind GreenFriends.
Suggested Personal Program for GreenFriends
Inspired by Amma's Teachings
- Grow a Tulasi (Holy Basil) plant or any other plant or tree that you feel to be sacred. Each morning when watering the plant, offer your prayers, love and gratitude to Mother Nature. You can walk around the plant several times as a symbol of love and respect for Mother Nature. The traditional Tulasi ritual can also be followed.
"Nature is nothing but God's visible form, which we can see and experience through our senses. Indeed, by loving and serving Nature, we are worshipping God directly."
- Plant twelve or more trees every year and lovingly care for them. Encourage children to participate as well.
"If we haven't done any selfless act, we should plant a tree or sapling; that would be a truly selfless deed, benefiting others and ourselves."
- Make an inner resolve not to take more than is necessary from Mother Nature, and not to unduly destroy anything in Nature. This can be practiced in your daily lives by simple acts such as, not wasting food, car-pooling, recycling, conserving water, etc.
"Everything in God's creation has a purpose and a benefit…It is wrong to waste due to our lack of care and attention."
- Devote some time each day to connecting inwardly with Mother Nature. This may be through introspective activities in Nature, such as meditating, praying, singing, or silent walks.
"If we find harmony within ourselves, that harmony will benefit Nature and be reflected throughout Creation."
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New Mexico GreenFriends
GreenFriends is an organization established by M.A. Math for the preservation and protection of the environment. This program inspires love for Nature and reinforces the truth that mankind is not different from nature. When we care for Mother Nature, She will also protect us in return.
GreenFriends started in India in November 2001 amongst Amma's youth groups. GreenFriends in India has planted 400,000 saplings, and each year an additional 100,000 more will be planted. Other GreenFriends activities include holding forest retreats, starting groups in schools and initiating campaigns to raise environmental awareness. Many people around the world are becoming actively involved in personal and collective GreenFriends activities.
GreenFriends regularly engages in tree planting, organic gardening, and the stewardship of the earth and all life on this earth. Activities may include community gardens to feed the homeless, Nature retreats and more. Its members also practice meditation in Nature and other methods that help to re-establish the vitally important harmony between Nature and humanity.
There are many, many ways to participate in GreenFriends activities in New Mexico, as a group or individually, from planting trees and shrubs, growing plants for the New Mexico portion of Amma's North American summer tour, to supporting with our labor the many organizations that are already involved in local wilderness stewardship activities, to adopting areas to restore and maintain, to planting a garden (grow your own organic veges and herbs and flowers!), to buying and using eco-friendly products, and so very much more.
If you are interested in learning more about the current United States activities of GreenFriends visit: www.amma.org
If you are interested in learning more about the current worldwide activities of GreenFriends visit: www.amritapuri.org
The current program team for NM GreenFriends is Robin Hilliard, Bharati (Jeanne) Howell, Anne Smith and Susie Waterman (coordinator). If you are interested in participating in any GreenFriends activities happening in New Mexico or if you have any activity suggestions for NMGF please contact the NM GreenFriends coordinator, Susie Waterman, at susanw@plateautel.net, 575-421-4373. Please email Susie if you want to be on the NMGF email list as well. Contact Robin Hilliard (feathernestegg@earthlink.net) for Santa Fe River/Watershed activities, including river clean-up. Contact Bharati (jmhom1@gmail.com) in Albuquerque or Susie regarding seva at the NM GreenFriends table at Amma’s 2011 Albuquerque programs. |
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