Ancient scriptures say we have five sheaths: physical environment, physical body, mind, intuitive sheath or subtle environment, and the Self.

Indian tradition believes in the sanctity of nature. Our rishis perceived the mountains, rivers, Sun, Moon and trees to be sacred. That which is sacred is honoured. Environmental consciousness has been built into our way of life, to become our second nature. But when we start moving away from our nature we begin polluting the environment. Unfortunately, we pollute our rivers and mountains in the name of sacred rituals.

(See also: Spirituality and Ecology , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Spirituality and Ecology: Reverence for Nature Is The Only Way to Save It  

At the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992, environmental issues were hotly debated and an attempt was made to arrive at a blueprint for future conservation efforts. A document, known as Agenda 21, was issued, which provided 27 guiding principles for sustainable development.

Interestingly, several of the 'Rio principles' for environmental conservation were taught and practised in ancient India. The modern holistic approach for ecological balance is reflected in the most ancient of Indian scriptures, the Vedas.

(See also: Hinduism and Ecology , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Hinduism and Ecology: Meeting Ground: Vedas And Rio  

What makes a place sacred? A place where meditation is practised over many years automatically acquires certain powers. The place gets charged with the energy and vibrations from peaceful thoughts. Depending on the intensity of meditators, the sanctity and power of a particular place can thus remain charged, exuding powerful vibrations, for thousands of years.

The Parshvanath Hills is one such place. Twenty-two of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras attained nirvana on this hill, and these enlightened persons were separated by thousands of years.

(See also: Sacred places in India , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sacred places in India: Mystical Powers Of the Ganga  

Buddhism sees humans neither as a special creation of God, nor does it see them as having been given dominion over 'lesser' species. It says that like all sentient beings, humans also wander in the limited, conditioned realm of samsara, the cycle of rebirths.

It believes that man influences the environment not only through his actions but also through the moral and immoral qualities of his actions - karmic effects catch up with people via their environment.

(See also: Buddhism and Ecology , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Buddhism and Ecology: Man & Environment - A Special Bond  

A tree is a beautiful expression of mother earth's creativity. It has shakti . It restores balance in the environment by its positive force. A tree doesn't have a mind of its own, only the cosmic heart of the universe. It responds to human sentiments.

The pipal tree is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists - the Buddha attained nirvana under this tree. In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna said: "I am as strong as the pipal is among trees." Pipal and tulsi play significant roles in Hindu rituals. The neem tree is the favourite of Durga, and it is grown to ward off evil spirits. The Avdhumra tree is believed to be the abode of Lord Dattatreya, so it is never cut down

(See also: Sacred Nature , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sacred Nature: In Praise of Trees - Nature's Gift  

(See also: Sustainable development , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sustainable development: Transform Self to Heal the Earth  

Our love and concern for animals emerge out of two basic postulates of Indian philosophy. One, that like us, every plant and living being is the ansha or part of the one Param Brahma, the Omnipotent One, and two, that born of the one earth mother all of them have equal right on all resources. So they are like our own siblings. All life forms have a symbiotic relationship - we are all linked together and our actions are bound to have an effect on our environment and other living beings.

(See also: Sacred Nature , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sacred Nature: Back to Basics: Nature Talk  

Today, there is a worldwide movement to protect the environment. But this concern has been part of the Indian ethos since ages.

The five basic elements - kshit i (soil), jal (water), panak (fire), gagan (sky or ether) and sameer (air) from which life has emerged - have all been objects of worship, forming an integral part of Indian tradition. The elements are deified, as they are believed to be protectors of jeevan tatva (life). But they can protect and bless us only if we give them due respect.

(See also: Hinduism and Ecology , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Hinduism and Ecology: Kindle the Spirit: Venerate Nature  

Man is no longer to be the measure of all things, the centre of the universe. He has been measured and found to be an undistinguished bit of matter, different in no essential way from bacteria, stones and trees. His goals and purposes, his egocentric notions of past, present and future; his faith in his power to predict and through prediction to control his destiny - all these are called into question, considered irrelevant, or deemed trivial.

(See also: Sacred Nature , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Sacred Nature: Man not Measure Of All Things