I would like to say what brought me here to this point in life as an activist.
I was waiting in Grafton Street (in Dublin) on the 10th of October 2019 for my girlfriend to pick me up when a lively crowd came marching by chanting about the Environment.
Straightaway I joined the march and the rest is history. My girlfriend found me a couple of hours later and helped me make my glorious XR blue flag for the second day marching.
It has always been important to my own well-being to actively help when I see help is needed. Deep-seated feelings from a childhood of seeing people being bullied at school and finding the courage to stand up for them in their time of need. The realisation afterward of forging respect, trust, and friendships.
Earth is my friend, I have played in the soil, I have eaten food that has grown from it, I have walked and slept on it, drank from its water, and had my first kiss and surely will have my last kiss upon on it. Every time I breathe in the air or sing and hear the notes I feel connected to it. I have held my children when they were babies and had them gaze at the stars and promised them that I would fight for their future.
Jed and other rebels on the way to O’Connell bridge
As a young Entrepreneur, my mission was to help the Earth somehow to recover from the scars of Human behavior upon this Planet, which for some strange, selfish reason, we call ‘ours’, as if we own it.
As the Project Director of my renewable energy company at the time, I attended a meeting about climate change Earth Summit ‘ET 2001’. I managed to prove that the British Government didn’t have their facts straight on climate issues after I asked a few questions to test their knowledge about which energy sectors were mostly endangering our air quality at that present time. Their figures were out of date and so they were concentrating most efforts on the wrong sector, as the population had exploded and Industry had shifted.
One example of the ‘Bully’ is: Thermal energy projects were being blocked by the British Government and no one had the voice or money to fight them.
I am now a singer-songwriter in Ireland and hope to get the message across within my writing and singing, but alas, currently face the fact that the Irish Government has a say in what may and may not be heard on the radio stations. So I have a new battle against ‘censorship’ against the freedom of expression and speech.
‘How The Day Can Change’ written during Lockdown 2020 which without being too obvious for the censors is trying to portray the struggle we have ahead of us/
May we long keep up the good fight against the Environmental and Censorship Bullies upon this Planet.
XR Buddhist Kaspa has written a response to the IPPC report on his temple’s website:
On Monday morning I sat and watched the beginning of the live-streamed press conference from the IPCC. I listened to a couple of speakers and then I couldn’t listen any more. I stood up and decided to get on with the day’s work. I went into the bedroom to change into my painting clothes, collapsed onto the bed and sobbed.
I’ve been to two Rebellions. The first time I went as a steward, and didn’t know anyone. Stewarding was my way of dipping my toe into the world of activism. I was present, but most of my job involved telling tourists which way Buckingham Palace was, rather than bringing down the systems of power and finance which perpetuate the climate and ecological emergency.
The second time I came as part of XR Buddhists. I crossed the threshold of arrest. I helped to organise a mass meditation in Trafalgar Square. Working with others, I helped publicise what we were doing on social media. But the moments that stuck with me from that Rebellion weren’t the big semi-planned ones, they were the spontaneous ones.
One morning towards the end of the Rebellion we were meeting for a check-in in Parliament Square. I was still processing my arrest and night in the cells. This Rebellion had happened with London fairly empty (due to COVID 19) and I worried we hadn’t reached as many people as we might have. Sometimes in the middle of actions, I can feel fretful about whether anything is changing. All of that was swirling in me as I met with a few other XR Buddhists that morning.
Parliament Square was almost empty, there were a few people around for the Faith Vigil. And up two trees there were a couple of brave protestors who had been there for days. Police officers stood around at the base of the trees. It was an attempt to isolate the protestors in the trees, to make it harder for people to communicate with them and to send things up to them. And so we chose to sit among the trees, among the indifferent police. It felt a bit awkward going and sitting among the police. Even though I know there is no reason I can’t meditate under the tree, I was still very conscious of the police presence. We sat there, and connected with the trees, with the ground, with the activists above us who had spent the night on their own, in front of the Houses of Parliament.
After sitting for a while, Joe suggested we could call up to the occupied hammocks and offer some words from Joanna Macy. One of the protestors looked out over her hammock and said she would like that. So we mic checked this quote up to her:
“This is a dark time, filled with suffering and uncertainty. Like living cells in a larger body, it is natural that we feel the trauma of our world. So don’t be afraid of the anguish you feel, or the anger or fear, because these responses arise from the depth of your caring and the truth of your interconnectedness with all beings.”Joanna Macy
It was a beautiful moment. She told us we had made her cry. It was a moment of connection with someone we could barely see, but a way of recognising the pain and hope that we felt. I wished I could have given her a hug, or some hot food and a good coffee. But we did what we could.
To come to a Rebellion is to grapple with the hopes, the grief, the anger, and the attachments we have to change. It isn’t always easy. But it offers an opportunity to connect with others in big and small ways. That can be powerful.
Humanity has reached a crisis point, and the actions we take this year and in the coming years are critical.
The words of one of my late, beloved Dharma teacher’s Rob Burbea, sum up why I became involved with XR Buddhists, and the purpose of the actions we carry out together:
a movement of prayer….to stand in alignment with a deep truth no matter what the outcome…. A desire to be present at a time in history that feels extremely pivotal, and to be there, to bear witness to humanity at a crossroads. Opening to the pain of what is going on in the world in all its confusion and complexity, in a celebration of human togetherness
Abbie is a member of XR Buddhists and XR Brighton Meditators
Shantigarbha leads a mudra (gesture) meditation outside the Bank
The traffic roared in front of us, punctuated by periods of blissful quiet when the crossing lights turned red.
We were meditating in a line on the pavement outside the oldest purpose-built Barclays Bank on Fleet Street, in the heart of London. There were moments of concentration followed by distraction and confusion about the number and direction of different sounds.
Feelings ebbed and flowed: relief to be out on the streets again, doing something to bear witness publicly to the Climate and Ecological Emergency. Moments of deep peace. Curiosity about the police officers chatting to a rebel in front of us. They seemed friendly. Wanting to be safe, and at the same time, wanting to be heard for my urgent concern for impacts on the welfare of current and future beings.
In my occasional climate activism sometimes I sit quietly. Sometimes I make a noise, drumming with a Samba inspired band. It’s been interesting observing the feelings that arise in these two very different approaches of resistance. With quietly sitting in the ‘wrong place’, anxiousness arises for me from the feeling of vulnerability but this is calmed by holding the reasons for protest in my heart, the suffering of others and the faint hope that change will come.
With samba drumming the same reasons drive me, although anxiousness here is less about vulnerability rather than will I keep time and do I know the tunes! It’s hard to keep up with the youngsters but the energy from the music and the friendly tribal connection and common goal to reduce suffering fuel me.
It was even more interesting to be asked to drum, albeit slowly, with the XR Buddhists. We gathered at the start of the day at South bank and watched Ben Okri’s amazing grass art (‘Can’t you hear the future weeping?’) get floated on the Thames. Then we came together in a grounding practise with an exercise to focus why we were here, a huge friendly Krishna from Montreal joined us for a while and kindly shared food from his pedal trike with us.
We, about 15 of us, set off in single file, a very slow silent procession all dressed in black each bearing banners about Barclays Bank along much of Fleet Street. I was at the back beating the drum slow and loud. The sound really reverberated between the lovely old buildings and many came out of shops, offices, pubs etc. to see the strange procession, some stared blankly, some smirked, some smiled approvingly, some shouted ‘get a job’, or ‘save the Whales’ etc. I had figured there may be some distractions so quietly chanted in my head to help keep time. I chose to use the mantra “Oṃ Āḥ Hūṃ Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hūṃ” striking the drum good and hard on Ompartly because the length suited the timing but also because it had personal significance for me. I could say a lot about the mantra but roughly it’s about bringing body speech and mind to the guru Padma who brought Buddhism to Tibet. The Vajra word means thunderbolt but also compassion. I imagined my beater striking down on the drum like a thunderbolt, it certainly felt that loud. I hope that some could sense the compassion that brought us there that day.
We spread out and sat meditating quietly with our banners both in and outside of Barclays Fleet Street branch. The police showed lots of interest but eventually let us be. I imagined it must be uncomfortable for the bank staff, needing a job, bills to pay, kids to feed, but with us there highlighting their employers relentless support of ecocide. Many public took leaflets and chatted with our outreach folk, some hurried past annoyed. I feel uneasy annoying folk, but then see the increasing reports of climate breakdown. The suffering that brings is here now and long endured in the global South and much more of it ahead so I will quietly, non violently but sometimes loudly keep challenging this broken system.
We met in the space outside the Tate Museum. After introducing ourselves we had a short grounding meditation and then walked to the top of Fleet Street. There we donned placards with motives depicting how Barclays Bank’s investments cause ecocide. We proceeded down Fleet Street to a slow drum march which was very moving.
On arrival outside the first Barclays Bank to be opened in the UK 3 rebels sat inside and 6 on the street outside. One rebel lead us with a mudra meditation and we sat for half an hour with one person doing outreach.
After the action we continued our March to a quiet park near the Thames and did a short Regen exercise.
I would definitely take part in this type of demonstration again
Living in a time of ecological and social crisis I am aware of the need to be an active part of a movement seeking to change lifestyles and the economy to being sustainable and life affirming. For me Extinction Rebellion is the international movement that can support these changes.
Rebellions are a planned series of actions with a particular focus or aim. There is something for everyone: marches, speeches by activists and writers, arty actions as well as more confrontative actions like blocking roads and occupying buildings. And police of course, and press folk with cameras and questions. XR Buddhists often engage with walking or sitting meditation in the midst of it all. There’s also an active ‘well-being’ presence providing emotional support and training and giving information to new rebels. Plans of course change as the rebellion unfolds – things don’t necessarily (hardly ever) go to plan – just like real life.
What is planned for the next Rebellion?
The next XR rebellion is planned to start in London on Monday 23rd August and run for two weeks at least. The focus is on challenging the Government’s support for the fossil fuel industry and the financial system which supports fossil fuel extraction and use.
In the lead up there is a ‘Kill the Bill’ march on the 21st protesting against the Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (which BTW won’t be law by August), and trainings for people new to XR on the 22nd (which are then available throughout). But the XR proper rebellion starts on Monday 23rd. The focus will be on disrupting the financial districts in London which are supporting the fossil fuel economy, probably with road blocks, occupations of buildings and marches. More ‘high-impact’ actions are planned for the 2nd week.
I can’t come for the whole two weeks though..
Not a problem! Whatever time you have available during this time will be valuable. Many rebels will be doing only one week or a day or two when they can, and others will be taking part in the ‘digital rebellion’ which can be done from home.
Members of XR Faith Bridge including XR Buddhists outside 10 Downing St
What’s it like to be part of it?
It’s exhilarating and tiring, moving and sometimes scary. But always there’s an experience of being part of a community with vitality, meaning and purpose. Sometimes planned actions don’t work out and it’s frustrating and disappointing. It can be physically uncomfortable and maybe you won’t get to shower as often as you’d like. But it’s powerfully uplifting to be taking action in a community which also cares deeply about our precious and imperilled planet. It’s probably the most effective cure for hopelessness about the climate crisis available.
What will XR Buddhists be doing?
All our actions are rooted in our commitment to peace and compassion; they are strictly non-violent; this is also a founding principle of XR as a whole.
Whenever possible before an action we gather as a group in a quiet place to connect with ourselves and each other, and to reflect on why we are taking this particular action.
What about arrests: is this compulsory?
Absolutely not! Arrests get a lot of air time but only a small proportion of rebels actually get arrested: others cannot do so or choose not to because of their particular life circumstances. For every person arrested there are about 20 other rebels doing non-arrestable actions, providing their particular skills in a wide variety of ways, such as well-being support, doing non-arrestable actions, offering their skills as artists or cooks or tech support. Whatever your particular area of skill and passion there is a place for you.
I can’t actually come to London this time. Is there anything I can do?
Absolutely!
Before: Come to our meetings and contribute your ideas and get involved in planning and offering your skills – such as art, writing or experience with tech etc.
During: help XRB with ‘back office’ support posting pics on our website, take part in XR’s ‘Digital Rebellion’ specially designed for folk to do from home, post supportive messages on XRB chat and join our protest meditations by meditating at home at the same times.
After: Come to the review meetings, share your experience and offer support.
This would be my first rebellion. Is there anything I need to do to get prepared?
Yes. XR’s Non Violent Direct Action training. (NVDA) is an essential training for all rebels. This training introduces Extinction Rebellion’s tactics of nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience, with discussion of the rationale, logistics and do’s and don’ts of XR actions. Then there is ‘Know your Rights’ training which provides essential information on your rights at protests, your rights when talking to the police, and your rights if you do get arrested. See link to XR trainings below.
It was Sunday lunchtime. The heat was blazing. I was sitting with half a dozen XR Buddhists in meditation on Smeatons Pier.
Down on the beach below Rob Hopkins (author of ‘From What is to What if’) was giving a talk about imagination and longing. There was a crowd of rebels listening attentively. XR flags occasionally lifted up and flapped in the light breeze.
I was travelling light and hadn’t bought a meditation cushion or bench. For a while I simply sat cross legged on the hard concrete. Then my back started to ache. I tried taking off my shoes and using them as a cushion. That didn’t help my back at all and my bare feet pressed up against the rough surface of the pier. Then I thought ‘Is my head burning?’, glancing down at the time on my phone and wondering how far through the meditation time we were.
Despite all of this physical discomfort, this was one of the most peaceful and settled experiences throughout my weekend. Despite how few people were looking up at this row of XR Buddhists, or walking by us on the pier, for me this was one of the most significant actions.
There was something very powerful about finding some of what Suzuki Roshi called Big Mind in the middle of, on the one hand, a noisy crowded weekend of protests, and on the other a keen awareness of the suffering that the climate crisis has caused and will continue to cause.
That weekend I had witnessed the prayers and intention setting of the opening ceremony, marched with a thousand others through the streets of St. Ives, waved off the march through Falmouth and spent a decent chunk of time wandering around in the heat with a group of rebels looking for the best place to stage a theatrical action that didn’t happen. I sang with the song-holders, chatted with other rebels and kept an eye on social media and the news for photos and stories of all the actions that I missed, from Ocean Rebellion’s dawn mermaid action to Surfers Against Sewage’s paddle out for the planet. I found time for hanging out with friends on the beach, for sitting in the park with the dogs, and for more than one ice-cream. I watched Satya cover herself with a sheet and become a corpse for the XR Doctors’ action.
Extinction rebellion march in protest at business and government ‘greenwashing’ polices, G7 summit, Falmouth, Cornwall, UK
I spent the following week at home noticing guilt, shame and powerlessness washing around inside me. Had any of this made any difference, I wondered? Had I done as much as others? It’s easy for me to feel responsible for the whole of the climate crisis. Of course that’s not true, but I wonder what purpose that belief serves?
I have heard a distinction made between useful suffering and useless suffering. Useful suffering is the unavoidable suffering that is grist to the mill for practice and leads to fellow-feeling and compassion. This is birth, sickness, old-age, death etc. Useless suffering is the creation of a mind trying to avoid ‘useful’ suffering. It is unhelpful beliefs about ourselves and the world: this shouldn’t happen to me; I’m this sort of person, or that sort of person; or – like me in Cornwall – it’s my job to fix it all.
It is helpful to think of two kinds of suffering, but in my experience both types of suffering (suffering in the world and in our minds) are inevitable and both, if approached in the right way, can be a pointer towards love. We all suffer with birth, sickness etc. and we all create belief systems that don’t serve us.
If we can notice this in a loving way, with some kindness and spaciousness, we discover something about the human condition. Feeling tender towards our body/mind and their troubles, we begin to feel tender towards the body/mind of others.
This kind of attention brings wisdom. When I get curious about this habit of taking responsibility for all, I discover a couple of things. This habit has good intentions but mistaken beliefs: if I do a good job of being the responsible one I won’t get into trouble. Maybe that was true at one time, but it isn’t true now. I also discover that it keeps me away from paying closer attention to the real harm that I cause (through my carbon footprint etc.). In this role this habit again has good intentions but a mistaken belief: I’ll keep Kaspa safe by keeping him away from these truths, otherwise he will be overwhelmed by shame and guilt. Ironically it serves this purpose by using one dose of shame and guilt to avoid a different one.
As I maintain a loving attitude through this investigation, the habits reveal these truths to me, and they begin to relax and let go. In the light of loving kindness and wisdom the delusion begins to dissolve.
As these habits loosen their grip, really useful questions appear: are there ways in which my actions cause harm? Are there things I can change in response to seeing that? And where is the best place to put my energy, being the kind of person I am, in the crisis we are all facing?
The weekend following the Cornwall actions I co-led a mindful walk on the hills and took part in two XR Buddhist events: a debrief for the G7 actions and a mantra chanting session. Through spending time in those spaces I was reminded again that it is Buddhist practice alongside activism that is the most meaningful to me, and the place where I can best make a contribution.
I am reminded again of that moment on the pier, when I experienced a deep sense of peace and a knowing both that this was a significant action and that regardless of the impact there is always something to take refuge in: Buddha, the Pure Land, Nirvana, emptiness. The love and wisdom we find there is unconditional: we are welcome there, and it does not depend on anything in the world for its existence.
In actions like this I am given a glimpse of the completion of the Bodhisattva vow (to save all beings) and of the Bodhichitta (the heart of awakening). Often we think of activism and practice as separate: we act, and then we return to practice to digest the action, and then we act again and then we return to practice and so on.
When our hearts are awakened we naturally make an appropriate response to whatever we find. In the Buddha wisdom, compassion and action arise spontaneously, together and without selfish calculation. Usually our activism and our Buddhist practice support one another. Ultimately they become the same thing.
Often the form of XR Buddhists’ actions reflect this understanding, as we meditate in the road, or in a bank, or whilst winding our way through a busy protest in walking meditation.
Recalling that useful question: where is the best place to put my energy? I find the answer here. I am called to create the conditions for this kind of activism and for this kind of practice: where a deep care for the earth and Buddhist practice and taking action come together.
As to the effectiveness of our actions? On the one hand we are encouraged to let go of results, and I bring to mind how profound and meaningful these actions are in the moment of acting and trust that that is enough, and on the other hand I look back over the past three years since the foundation of Extinction Rebellion and see how far the national conversation on the climate crisis has moved and I am given some hope.
Kaspa Thompson is currently co-coordinator of XR Buddhists. He is a Buddhist teacher at Bright Earth Buddhist Temple, and a psychotherapist.
