The Shaolin Monks lived in China many centuries ago. They adopted what others would call a harsh lifestyle. They rose before dawn, meditated and trained their bodies in the most rigourous and extreme martial art system ever designed. They had few possessions, maintained a vegetarian diet and wasted none of their natural resources. It would be daunting to live exactly like a Shaolin Monk today, but some of their ethics can be applied to today's living.
Re-use Rain Water
When it rains, have empty buckets ready for use to water plants. Watch the water bill decrease.
Use Less Plastic
Install or buy a pitcher with a water filter and drink the water in reusable canteens. Prepare lunches in reusable boxes that can be easily washed. Use any plastic bags available for garbage disposal.
Use Less Paper
Send memos, photos and documents online. Bring your re-usable shopping bags everywhere.
Reduce Power
The Shaolin Monks rose with the dawn and used candles for light but not for all hours of the night. Their example can be easily adapted for today's lifestyle. When not using appliances, unplug them. Walk or use a bike more. Watch less television, go to bed earlier and rise earlier.
Use the computer only when absolutely necessary; reduce time endlessly trolling on it. Use the hair dryer less and air dry more, it is healthier for the hair. When working on the computer at home, turn off distractions like the television.
Compost
Where available, get a compost bin. There are several inexpensive and easy-to- manage ones. This will take care of all compostable, leftover food scraps. If composting is not an option, give the compostable food scraps to a neighbor or local community garden that can make use of them.
De-Cluttering the Home and Workplace
Set a kitchen timer for thirty minutes and clear up a small area. Do this daily and slowly the clutter will disappear. Get into the habit of reserving ten minutes at the end of the work-day to clear off the work-desk daily.
Live With Less
Donate and/or give away clothing and household items that has not been used within the past year. Create a classic, "Basic Ten Essential Wardrobe" that will be appropriate for all social occasions and stay away from "trendy" clothing.
Keep the "spending" appetite at bay by first examing if the items(s) wanted are really necessary. Wait three days before buying something. Keep the economy going by buying food and clothing for people and families in need.
Shaolin Living with less means truly living with "more."
Cindy Ming - Lao Shir (Venerated Teacher, Mandarin Chinese) Cynthia Ming was born in the Bronx, New York in 1955. She has been studying and teaching ...
