Ecology and Ali ibn Abi Talib

I meditated yesterday on the Nahj al Balaagha  ( نهج البلاغة ‎ )  and it reminded me of a very appropriate sermon on our "strategy" of living on the earth:

This world is a place for which destruction is ordained and for its inhabitants departure from here is destined.

It is sweet and green. It hastens towards its seeker and attaches to the heart of the viewer.

So depart from here with the best of provision available with you and do not ask herein more than what is enough and do not demand from it more than subsistence.

 I find it interesting, and I think of it both as a military metaphor and just good advice to be ready to leave, and do not ask for too much, and be satisfied with enough to maintain life.

These are concepts rather alien to us.

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