I Urkraftens Tjeneste

201∞ ~ Service to Source Energy

I think we all spend time thinking about how to make the world a better place, and how we can contribute to progress and sustainable, deep-rooted peace. At least, I hope we do. As we are moving into 201∞ (two-thousand-and-eternity if you flip the eight over) I want you to think of this year as setting the root-note for your remaining journey on this Earthship. I want you to reflect on the vibration and health of your relationships. To your friends and family, your community and system, but more importantly, to the Source Energy of Nature.

We come into this world as pure and unique reservoirs of energy, and are slowly channelled into the mainstream. Most of us forget who we are in the process. In meditation, you begin recognising the protective layers you have constructed around your soul-seed from the time of birth. Treading new pathways, and venturing deeper into the inner forests of Self. Opening gates in the fences of perceived identity - until you finally enter the innermost clearing - and reach your hands out to touch the the very first code of your individual Nature.

We are the continuous evolution of light, in an eternal process of multidimensional blossoming - becoming fragrant flowers of ‘being’. Alternating states of earth, wind, water, fire and life-force. Entering 201-and-eternity, I ask again. How is the health of your relationships with your surroundings? How is your soil? What waters and nourishes you? How far are your winds reaching, how is your breath? And most importantly, what is your current Energy-Return-on-Investment (EROI)? Where is your love - your most invaluable asset and life-force, flowing?

When you enter into a dialogue with your own Nature, you become more and more sensitive to her needs. You will first hear her whispers.. And then hear her crying. Feel her pain. She brought me to Himalaya. Not long ago, I was sitting on the highest peaks in the world, looking out over her vast, interlaced landscapes and hydrological systems. I could feel the melting of the age-old glaciers underneath me, forming the white river snakes, running freely through the Himalayan wilderness with the ecstacy and joy of bringing crystal clear water to the beings of the world. Only to me met by a wall of pollution, choking in chemicals, drowning in plastic. I asked Mother Nature where it hurts. She said everywhere.

I closed my eyes. Asked her what I could do to be of service. Imagining washing her feet using the finest of oils, flowers and herbs. Gently massaging her skin with open palms, easing the pain on her edges and ridges. Realising that we are one and the same. Whispering - I will do my best to take care of you. When I take care of Her, I also take care of myself. Let me ease your pain, so that we may heal - together. When we are cleaning pollutants from the earth, oceans, and air - we are also detoxing our bodies, minds and soul - cleaning the very fabric that holds us all together. When we remove the waste products from our inner and outer surroundings, we ease the flow of life-energy - in source, soul, seed, soil, society.

So in 201-and-eternity, let us move together. Let us speak with a united voice, let us share our minds together, and step into a common vision. We are all part of an interconnected, sophisticated system of roots and seeds. Branch out. Humanity is on the verge of great breakthroughs which will spin us faster into ever-brighter futures. Share your visions and ideas with the world, and most importantly - act on them. Engage in the work that reconnects, so that energy can flow freely and we can unravel ever greater energetic potential. Nourish your community so that we can create a deep-rooted culture of thriving and fertile communication between our internal and external ecologies.

For 201-and eternity, I will honour the source seed. I will make a commitment to serve my inner and outer Nature as deeply as I can. As guardian, navigator, gardener, co-creator. Towards eco-logical peacebuilding, resilient communities, decentralisation of power, and circular flow of resources. Let’s flip the eight over and pierce through its’ center with the sword of truth and discernment - to raise the vibration in our ever-evolving relationship to Nature/Source Energy. And with every loving breath, sacred footstep, and passing moment - asking to be of service.

201∞ ~ I Urkraftens Tjeneste

Jeg tror at alle stiller spørsmålet om hvordan gjøre verden til et bedre sted, og hvordan vi best kan bidra til fremskritt og en bærekraftig, dyptgående fred. Jeg håper vi gjør det. Og når vi nå beveger oss inn i året 201∞ (to-tusen-og-uendelig hvis du legger åttetallet ned), vil jeg at du tenker på dette året som året da du sette ned tonen for hvordan du vil at resten av reisen din på Verdensskipet skal resonnere. Jeg vil at du tenker på kvaliteten, vibrasjonen og helsen i forholdene dine. Til venner og familie, fellesskapet og systemene du bidrar til, men viktigst av alt - til Naturens Urkraft.

Vi kommer inn i denne verden som rene og unike kilder av energi, og blir sakte men sikkert kanalisert inn i hovedstrømmen. Mange glemmer hvem vi egentlig er i denne prosessen. Gjennom meditasjon og indre livskunst, åpner vi for å gjenkjenne de beskyttende lagene vi har bygget opp rundt sjelefrøet fra øyeblikket vi trakk vårt første pust. Vi går opp nye stier i sinnet og jobber oss dypere inn i Selvets indre skoger. Vi åpner grinden i rekkene av gjerder som utgjør vår ansette identitet - og trer inn i den innerste lysningen. Her kan vi rekke hånden til henne vi var, til den innerste kilden i vår individuelle Natur.

For hva er vi vel mer - enn en kontinuerlig evolusjon av lys, i en evig prosess av flerdimensjonal blomstring - mot å bli velduftende blomster av ‘væren’. En dans av elementene jord, vind, vann, ild og livskraft. På vei inn i 201-uendelig, spør jeg igjen - hvordan er kvaliteten i ditt forhold til indre og ytre omgivelser? Jorden du er plantet i, vannet og næringen du tar inn? Hvor langt når vindene dine, hvordan er pusten din? Og viktigst av alt - hva er ditt netto energioverskudd? Hvor mye energi får du tilbake fra energien du legger inn av kjærlighet og livskraft?

Når du åpner for en høyere dialog med din egen Natur, blir du i økende grad sensitiv til hennes behov. Først hører du en hvisken.. Så hører du gråten.. Og så kjenner du smerten på din egen kropp. Hun brakte meg til Himalaya, til et øyeblikk hvor jeg befant meg mellom verdens høyeste tinder, skuende utover sammenvevd, langstrakte sletter og hydrologiske systemer. Jeg følte urkraften i bakken under meg, breene som smeltet og dannet de hvite, skummende elvene som bruste nedover dalførene i Himalayas villmark - en uskyldig, krystallklar ekstase med intensjonen om å bringe rent vann til verden. For bli mottatt med en vegg av forurensning, kvalt i kjemikalier, druknet i plast. Jeg spurte Naturen hvor hun har vondt. Hun svarte - overalt.

Jeg lukket øynene. Spurte henne hva jeg kan gjøre for å tjene hennes behov. Så for meg at jeg vasket føttene hennes med de fineste oljer, blomster og urter. Masserte huden hennes med åpne håndflater, lettet trykket i urkraften som suser under landskapet. Følte at vi er ett og samme vesen. Når jeg tar vare på deg, tar jeg også vare på meg selv. Hvisket - la meg lette smerten din så vi kan heles sammen. Når vi begynner arbeidet med å fjerne avfallsstoffer fra naturen, renser vi samtidig vår egen kropp, sinn og sjel - renser materien som holder oss sammen. Når fjerner avfallsstoffer fra våre indre og ytre omgivelser, åpner vi for en elegant strøm av energi. Livsenergi. Urkraft - fra kilde, sjel, frø, jord og samfunn.

Så. I 20-uendelig, la oss bevege oss sammen. La oss begynne å snakke med samme stemme og la oss tre inn i en felles visjon. Vi er alle en del av et sammenhengende, sofistikert system av røtter og grener. Spre deg utover. Menneskeheten danser på kanten av store gjennombrudd som kommer til å spinne oss fortere inn i en lysere fremtid. Del ideene dine med verden - men viktigst av alt - gjennomfør dem. Ta del i arbeidet med å knytte mennesket nærmere naturen, så energien kan flyte fritt og vi kan realisere enda større energetisk potensiale. Inspirere felleskapet og nærings-livet, så vi kan inspirere en dyptgående, levende kultur for hvordan vi kommuniserer med indre og ytre økologi.

I 20-og-uendelig skal jeg ære det første frøet. Jeg skal tjene urkraften i min indre og ytre Natur. Som beskytter, navigatør, landskapsarkitekt og sam-skaper. Mot økologisk fredsbygging, motstandsdyktige fellesskap, desentralisering av makt, og sirkulær flyt av ressurser. La oss legge åttetallet på siden og sette ned sverdet i dets senter - for-enes om å løfte vibrasjonen i vårt evige-utfoldende forhold til Urkraften. Og med hvert kjærlig pust, hellig skritt og flyktig øyeblikk - be om å få tjene.

Photo: Winter in Finland // Juuso Hämäläinen

A Church of Love - The Cathar Prophecy of 1244 CE

The last prophecy of the Cathars was that the Church of Love would grow from our combined cultures, places and lands, like seeds, ignited with love and carried with the winds and water. And don't get confused over the word ‘church’, because it means ‘communion’ - ecclesia in Greek, nothing more. The church represents coming together in community, in a sangha, and sharing the seeds of love, compassion and understanding.

The Church of Love

It has no fabric – only understanding.

It has no membership – save those who know they belong.

It has no rivals – because it is non-competitive.

It has no ambition, because it only seeks to serve.

It knows of no boundaries for nationalisms are unloving.

It is not of itself because it seeks to enrich all groups and religions.

It acknowledges all great teachers of all the ages who have shown the truth of Love.

Those who participate, practise the Truth of Love in all their daily being.

There is no walk of life or nationality that is a barrier.

Those who are, know. It seeks not to teach but to be, and by being, enrich.

It recognises the collectivity of all humanity and that we are all one with the One.

It recognises that the way we are may be the way of those around us because we are that way.

It recognises the whole planet as a Being, of which we are a part.

It recognises that the time has come for the supreme transmutation, the ultimate alchemical act, the conscious change of the ego into a voluntary return to the whole.

It does not proclaim itself with a loud voice but in the subtle realms of loving.

It salutes all those in the past who have blazoned the path but paid the price.

It admits of no hierarchy or structure, for no one is greater than another.

Its members shall know each other by their deeds and being and their eyes and by no other outward sign, save the fraternal embrace.

Each one will dedicate his or her life to the silent loving of their neighbour and environment and the planet, whilst carrying out their daily task, however exalted or humble.

It recognises the supremacy of the great idea which may only be accomplished if the human race practices the supremacy of Love.

It has no rewards to offer, either here or in the hereafter, save that of the ineffable joy of being and loving.

Its members shall seek only to advance the cause of understanding, within whichever church, group or family they happen to be.

They shall do good by stealth and teach only by example.

They shall heal their neighbour, their community and our Planet.

They shall know no fear, and feel no shame and their witness shall prevail over all odds.

It has no secrets, no arcanum, no initiations save that of the true understanding of the power of love and that, if we want it to be so, the world will change but only if we change ourselves first.

ALL THOSE WHO BELONG, BELONG, THAT IS THE CHURCH OF LOVE.

Background

Much has been written and speculated about the Cathars who settled in the Languedoc region in France during the eleventh century; there is no clear evidence where they came from but clues in their belief and practice point to extremely early Christian origins, and in all likelihood they spread from the Byzantine Empire to Bulgaria, and on to the Balkans and Northern Italy. Although they called themselves Christians, the Catholic Church called them Albigenses, or Cathars.

In the Fortress of Montségur, the Cathars maintained a church hierarchy yet rejected any idea of priesthood or the use of church buildings. They believed in reincarnation and refused to eat meat or other animal products; they regarded men and women as equals and had no doctrinal objection to contraception, euthanasia or suicide. It follows that the Catholic Church condemned them as heretics. Following that logic, the infamous Inquisition proceeded to massacre them in their usual zealousness, wiping out every single one of them; the Cathar’s last stronghold was the fortress of Montségur which was entirely pulled down by the victorious royal forces after its capture in 1244."

In 1978 on a visit to Montsegur in the Cathar country of SW France, Colin Bloy had dowsed in a meadow where 300 Perfecti were burned alive in 1244. The dowsing revealed a Latin text which referred to the rebuilding of a church in Andorra in 1986. In March 1985 Colin was prompted to write the proclamation of the Church of Love - he says the words were not his - and this Church was proclaimed in Andorra on Good Friday, 28th March 1986. Colin says: “This was written by my hand, but I would not claim authorship, it was taken down in ten minutes - just like that.."

Featured photo: Värmland | jabe147 — Featured photo: Värmland | jabe147

Værøy Lufthavn - sustainability in the heart of the Lofoten Archipelago

If you have ever danced under the midnight sun with the ravishing mountains of Nordsida in your back, or climbed the steep tracks up to the Hornet peak to see the clouds roll inn over the mainland. If you have stepped off the ferry in June’s summer twilight and heard the call of the local puffin birds, and the sound of the fishing boats beating softly against the pier. Or shared some of your best memories with magical friends hiking across the island, yes - then you have experienced some of Værøy’s greatest moments, and you will always be coming back to harvest new ones.

Here, the nature is wild and the people are open, honest and grounded. On Værøy’s lands, you will retain the feeling of timelessness, as taken out of the age old bonfires and sagas. On Værøy, the human encounters itself in a mythical state, and the nature is so raw and weathered that only the sustainable survives.

The memories from that summer and the roadtrip up in the 1976 turquoise Volkswagen Transporter ‘Vaiana’ lived long in my being. When Johan and Stine had found an ad about a piece of land for sale on the old airport grounds, I immediately knew that I should channel my energy into it, and invested at once. For if not us, who? And if not now, when? I feel that more and more people from our generation are waking up to the reality that we have to start working for the world we are for. And I like the person I become at Værøy - bare, innocent and alive.

Our projects also reflects one of my innermost questions - can nature conservatism and technology meet in innovative interplay? Can deep ecology be carried forward by technological advances? This is what we are here to figure out. By creating a platform with the nordic values of community and co-working at the core, we will have prepared the soil for the blossoming of ideas and creativity. A laboratory for local solutions to global sustainability challenges. In accordance with nature.

With the collaborative mindset, the project also becomes an experiment in conflict resolutions and ecological economics. How can forty completely different people work together to support each other's’ growth? How can we make it work financially? Which heights can we reach? Will the ideas get wings of their own or will they disappear into the frothing waves beating against the rocks in the Northern sea? Will we be able to create local pilot projects and contribute to a thriving economy on the island?

Our first project will be a kitchen, made from an upcycled shipping container. It feels right to start with the kitchen and dining table, which is the heart of any home. The ingredients will come from the island and the ocean, blended with the most important of spices - the people. With an overarching goal of contributing to an authentic culture for how we relate to our inner and outer environment.

My heart burns for taking care of the oceans, and this is where I want to channel my energy. Værøy, in addition to the entire Scandinavian coastline, is facing great challenges with marine pollution, and is lacking the land-based infrastructure for waste management. Every year, local heroes and heroines hit the shores to clean up the most visible damage, and last year over 12,2 tonnes was flown out of the island with helicopters. What if we could create an experience center for receiving and recycling marine waste, run by local youth and other volunteers?

Or what about a second-hand store with home-made Norwegian knits and weave? Værøy-salt, dried seaweed, rose root tincture, driftwood furniture? Arctic gardening! Artist residencies or Aurora Borealis observatory? The ideas are endless, but needs focus, hard work, cooperation and financing to materialize. Will you jump after me, said Jonathan Lionheart to his brother Karl in the Swedish tale about the fantasy world of Nangijala. Do you dare?

Everyone who has contributed to this point has brought their own ideas and perspectives. We are resourceful, more or less professional, and solutions-oriented. With freedom to fail and a common vision of sharing the best of Værøy with the rest of the world. Space to create and give something back to the island and the local community. Because it should feel cosy and warm to work with Værøy Lufthavn. Cosy and fun. Because, as my friend Hanna says, if it is not fun, it is not sustainable. And we will not be able to fly.

Værøy Lufthavn is co-owned and developed through a decentralised, collaborative model. Join the Airport’s facebook-community here - and visit www.lufthavna.org

Saniyya's Song to the Evenstar // Sonias Sang til Julestjernen

In Norway, we have a beautiful fairytale called 'Reisen til Julestjernen/The Journey to the Christmas Star'. In my childhood, we would visit to the National Theatre in Oslo, along with people from all over the country, to see the play..

Princess Sonya, infatuated by the brilliance of the star's sacred light, is led by dark forces to venture into the woods by herself to find it, and disappears from the kingdom. The queen follows into the deep forests to look for her, and vanishes too. The king is devastated and curses the star. The power of his intention makes the star's light go out, and an era of darkness and grief descends upon the land. Without disclosing the ending, it has to do with some courageous women standing up to the oppression of the bad guys - and balance is restored in the queendom..

The star that appears in the northern hemisphere in the winter months is usually referred to as the Christmas Star, as it is believed the star that appeared for the sheperds the night Jesus was born. Another old name for the star is the Evenstar, and in astronomy it is known as the planet of Venus - the star of the Goddess. In the ayurvedic medicine system, the planet of Venus corresponds our energetic heart centre, the anahata chakra.

They say that light carries memory, and that starlight carries memories from the very origin of their creation. In the mythical tale of Lord of the Rings, the precious Evenstar is passed down from Galadriel to her daughter Celebrian, who in turn gives it to her daughter Arwen. Finally, it lands in the hands of Aragorn...

In a modern interpretation, Sonya's story can be said to evolve around the recognition of women as carriers of light and universal memory, and how nurturing- and letting our hearts open to this special starlight can bring both men and women to higher ascension. Uniting both forces in your self - and your relationships, surrendering to light created in the equilibrium of the androgynous scale.

Another beautiful 'coincidence' is the meaning of the name Sonya, derived from the Arabic name Saniyya (سنيّة) which means “brilliant, radiant, splendid”.

The last couple of days, coinciding with Lucia, I have been singing Sonya's Song, and wanted to share it with you. I also translated it to English.. It just.. Feels relevant.

Chords

Sonias Sang til Julestjernen - Norwegian

[Am] [Dm]

Julestjerne,får jeg deg?

[G] [C]

Sa en gang en liten pike,

[Am] [Dm]

ville gi et kongerike

[G] [C]

for å kjenne deg.

[Am] [Dm]

Julestjerne,gå din vei!

[G] [C]

sa en bitter konge siden

[Am] [Dm]

Mørk ble du, og mørk ble tiden,

[G] [C]

må du gjemme deg?

[F] [Em] [Am]

Julestjerne, kom til meg!

[Dm] [D] [G]

Du har voldt oss sorg og smerte.

[Em] [E] [Am]

Se, nå gir jeg deg mitt hjerte,

[C] [G] [C]

la meg tenne deg.

[Am] [Dm]

Julestjerne, bli hos meg.

[G] [C]

Det er godt å se deg skinne.

[Am] [Dm]

Du må aldri mer forsvinne.

[G] [C]

Aldri glemme meg.

Sunia’s Song to the Evenstar - English translation

Evenstar, please come and play,

said a young, enchanted girl-child

I would give up my whole kingdom,

Just to know your ways..

Evenstar, you go away!

Cursed an angry king to heaven

Darkness came and darkness lasted

No more light of day..

Evenstar, come back to me

You have caused despair and sorrow,

I'll love you like there's no tomorrow

Your light will set us free

Evenstar, be mine to hold

Feels so good to see you shining

Always in my soul to worship,

Is your heart of gold...

~ Tavaha Spirit Advent Spiral ~

0/30 ~ Take back the power, make your own traditions.

In Norway, we have a modern custom of ‘advent calendars’, where children unwrap a small gift every day leading up to Christmas Eve. I remember the excitement of waking up in the morning in the dark December days, eager to open a tiny door and find a picture or chocolate behind it. Today, many parents rush the car to the malls to buy their children useless and expensive plastic-wrapped and plastic-made gifts, brought home in plastic bags. Children are slowly forgetting what Advent is really about..

I'm still a child, so this year, I have created a zero plastic tradition of my own, from drawers and corners around my house. The Tavaha Spiral honours gifts of our Earth - crystals, sea shells, stones and other tokens from my journey. The spiral shape represents how life is not linear as we tend to think, but moving in cycles and circles - like the ocean.. As I was laying them out, I realized that they all had a story. If you are tagged, one of the stories will be about you. <3

This is a sacred way of reviving the deep-rooted, ecological message of this season and sharing it with your family. Reconnecting all of us to nature. Taking back the power, making global village traditions from our local land- and seascapes. The waiting time for the return of the Sun Goddess, honouring the light in ourselves and others, our beautiful Nature and how she provides the foundations for life itself.

*Make it a sacred ritual to choose the items together by creating an advent box for your children with all of the memories and have them pick and reflect the 24 pieces themselves.. Tell the story.. Let the child carry the seashell in her pocket that day.. Maybe the best present you can give your family this Season is to be... present?

**For maintaining the momentum of secrecy - make a spiral of golden stars and replace the stars with gifts as the days proceed..

***Just got this idea - maybe the 24th gift could be a seed for the tree you will plant together in spring, when the Sun returns?

Do you have advent traditions in your countries? Read more about Advent in the Nordics here - http://www.norwegiansage.com/fieldnotes/2017/11/25/advent-awaiting-the-return-of-the-sun-goddess

~ Tavaha Journey - Plastic Awareness Month ~

Every minute, 15 tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean. This equals over one million plastic bags. Into the ocean. Every minute. The ocean connects us across continents and environmental challenges. Endangering its health will affect the marine ecologies, its creatures, and ultimately - ourselves.

In order to reach the UN Sustainability Goals, every one of us will have to be on board. In Norway, we have an expression called tavaha, meaning ‘take care of the ocean’. Tavaha has become the ‘aloha’ of the Nordic countries and is now used by a growing generation of environmental guardians.

In the spirit of tavaha, I am declaring this December for ‘Plastic Awareness Month’. Every day until New Year I will share an experience from my own journey towards drastically reducing my plastic footprint, and inspiration for the kind of world I am _for_.

I am blessed to have a fast-growing community around me that also believe in the change. In addition to the tavaha life-hacks, I will share stories from people in my global family that is making a special difference to take care of the ocean.

Follow the quest on Instagram: @norwegiansage

Music: We Are Circling ~ Buffy Sainte Marie, added to the Tavaha Journey playlist. ✌🏼🐳

https://open.spotify.com/…/c2hargreaves/playlist/5cpDdyHzRS…

1/31 ~ Taking care of the oceans starts at home.

Wherever you are in the world, the first thing you can do to contribute to cleaner oceans is to switch out something that you (hopefully) use every single day: your toothbrush.

Over 99% of the toothbrushes the world uses today are plastic. They are made of a combination of plastic (made from crude oil) and rubber for the hand piece, nylon for the bristles, and a mix of plastic and cardboard for the packaging. Currently none of these items are biodegradable. And if they are burnt, they release a combination of toxic- and greenhouse gases. The manufactoring of the nylon for the bristles not only creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide, but it’s an energy and water intensive process that results in runoff.

Worse, the plastic brushes end up in our oceans and are washed up on our beaches or consumed by marine life.When beach cleaning in Norway, we often find old toothbrushes from faraway places.

I found bamboo toothbrushes at Karma Coffee Nepal, and today I'm getting 10 more to give away to friends and family. Later this month I will also teach you how to make your own microplastic-freee toothpaste. Share the love! <3

Track: Simple Things by Ziggy Alberts! https://open.spotify.com/track/6fMDuFibA8ZvlTorpIICQM…

2/31 ~ When we take care of the oceans, we take care of ourselves.

The oceans cover 71 percent of the Earth's surface and contain 97 percent of the Earth's water. The water sustains life on Earth, and helps connects lands, seas, and atmosphere into an integrated system. The hydrologic cycle describes the pilgrimage of water as water molecules make their way from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere, and back again. The oceans are vital for balancing the Earth's temperature, transporting fresh water and nutrients through the rivers and currents, containing information about our health and channeling energy exchanges.

In Eastern medicine, you learn the same principles for taking care of the body. Water makes it possible for all of the other elements in our system to function correctly and is the first place to check when your body is chronically out of balance. If the water in our system is polluted or acidic, it will have an impact on our minds and bodies. If the e-motions of the ocean are out of balance, the Earth will be feel it, and so will we.

NASA on the Importance of the Ocean in the Water Cycle - https://science.nasa.gov/…/ocean-earth-sy…/ocean-water-cycle

Track: Rain CloZee Remix - Wildlife https://open.spotify.com/track/7ktGCQdyLc8h08prrbEX3C

3/31 ~ Revolution in the Wasteland

Plastic bags have become the iconic symbol for waste. In Norway, December is the month of the plastic bag. Before Christmas Eve, we have used our credit card 1,5 million times total, spending over 660 billion USD. With this comes excessive, mindless use of plastic bags. Despite recycling schemes and high-tech waste management, we have a long way to go.

Figures show that only 1% of all plastic bags are recycled, with most heading for landfill, or worse, our oceans. They get into soil and water and slowly release toxic chemicals. The decomposition takes over 500 years. And - they come with a financial cost. In the UK, they spend over 10 million pounds every year to clean up littered plastic bags, and I won’t even begin on the cost of animal care for India’s cows or the ocean’s sea creatures. Over 200,000 animals die every year from choking on plastic waste.

When using plastic bags unconsciously, you are also endorsing the demand for crude oil. Over 100 million barrels of oil are needed to make the world’s plastic bags each year. And the average usage of a plastic bag is just 20 minutes.

Many countries have already banned plastic bags, and set up in-store recycling systems. Last year, the Nepali government announced a nationwide ban on the use, sale, distribution, import and export of plastic bags. Countries such as Bangladesh, Rwanda, China, Taiwan, Macedonia and most recently Kenya are also taking a stand. Bans, partial bans, and fees have been enacted by some local jurisdictions in North America, Australia, and Myanmar. Maybe it's time for the Norwegian government to follow.. Or are we just too comfortable?

While governments and scientists are working on solutions, we can do our part by creating our own Wasteland Revolution, replacing plastic bags with reusable bags like this one from Nordic Ocean Watch, marked #tavaha - the Nordic expression for taking care of the ocean.

Track: Warrior - Xavier Rudd https://open.spotify.com/track/4lVomjTNzAElQwH92T7Qa8

The world phasing out plastic bags - https://en.wikipedia.org/…/Phase-out_of_lightweight_plastic…

4/31 ~ Inter-generational Environmental Councils

Sometimes, creating a wave of plastic awareness just takes one small drop of eco-intention. Do what you can with what you have! Generally, I find that people really want to make a difference, but need inspiration and pragmatic solutions adapted to their day-to-day spaces. Look at the areas of your own life. Where can you start asking questions? Is it in your household, your local neighborhood, your workplace?

Establish an inter-generational Environmental Council. Make a list of the areas where you use the most plastic. Find out how you organise your waste. Where does the plastic travel? The waste? And the water? You could even be surprised to find that you can save money by creating green solutions. Breakthroughs in innovation and technology are bringing us closer to answers.

Today, we established an Environmental Council in my own workplace, and our first decision was to create a policy for the use of disposable plastic and establishing a compost!

I can already foresee an app for large-scale opinion polls where all employees/students/family members will have a democratic say in the environmental value-base of the community.

Check out Ducky.eco for instance, where your colleagues can compete in teams to achieve specific environmental goals in the workplace, functioning as both an educational and strategic communication tool.

Today's photo is an example of the beauty in upcycling. These are tiles/coasters from Precious Plastic Community, an initiative producing open source machines, tools and infrastructures to fight plastic pollution from the bottom up. Support/buy them here -https://bazar.preciousplastic.com/…/481659-handmade-coaster…

Track: Home again - Michael Kawanuka https://open.spotify.com/track/46EuzanXhKwIc7755wLAvS…

5/31 ~ No plastic touches my lips..

We spend too much money and energy on beauty products from one-time plastic containers, filled with chemicals and toxins. I want to start making my own, tavaha-style, and have invested in this wooden container from Karma Coffee Nepal, handmade by a women's collective. It has coconut oil, beeswax and shea butter for the base, and coffee grounds for gentle exfoliation.

When this is empty, I make refill it with Mother Earth’s blessings and add argan/rose-oil from travels in Morocco, as well as drops of vitamin-e.. Essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, or fresh lime juice and manuca honey could be great too. Can't wait..

Did you know that common ingredients in commercial lip balms are whale vomit (ambergris, a wax-like material that is created in the intestines and digestive system of sperm whale), sheep sweat (lanolin) and cochineal beetles (red dye). Didn't think so. Ew.

Track: Ahuahueya - Herbert Quinteroshttps://open.spotify.com/track/7f4hNLtAXeD4r7cZwW3mV5?si=NMkz76Mk

6/31 ~ Toxicity Warning

Poltmetaxyl%@&?. Be aware of anything with complex names. These are 5 of the 67 (!) microplastics in our everyday hygienic products. Look for them on the ingredients list and stay clear!

A single cleansing product can contain as many as 360,000 microbeads. The tiny microplastic beads - found in face and body scrubs, cleansers, creams and some toothpastes - are too small to be captured through existing wastewater treatment processes, and wash straight into the ocean where they harm fish and other sea life and become part of the food cycle.

Scientists fear that chemicals in plastics and also chemicals which attach themselves to plastic in the natural environment could cause poisoning, infertility and genetic disruption in marine life, and potentially in humans if ingested in high quantities.

"The presence of microplastic in foodstuffs could potentially increase direct exposure of plastic-associated chemicals to humans and may present an attributable risk to human health," says a recent report from UN Environment.

The best way to counter this is to eat seafood from clean sources (if you eat 🐟), reduce your plastic waste to avoid the waste from ending up in the ocean, and stay clear of products that contain microplastics. Natural, biodegradable alternatives include jojoba beads, apricot kernels, ground nutshells and salt!

7/31 ~ Stop Sucking

Can we all agree that plastic straws are totally unnecessary? If you really need to suck your liquids, alternatives to plastic straws are copper and bamboo.

Because of this - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4wH878t78bw

8/31~ Show me your waste, and I will tell you who you are..

...as an individual, family, community, nation.

Not all plastic is bad plastic, but the global problem of plastic pollution is rooted in the lack of waste management infrastructure for recycling and upcycling the waste. In a community’s relative connecion to nature. If the plastic ends up on the ground and there are no systems to take care of it, it will end up in the rivers and oceans.

I am currently living in the Himalayas, its glaciers and rivers home to over 40% of the world’s fresh water. Currently, the waters and animals of Nepal’s major cities are choking in plastic, due to the lack of waste management centres and people’s lack of awareness of their plastic footprint and its consequences.

Sometimes, the largest impact can come from a small group of people organized around a clear goal. I am proud be on the advisory board of the Clean City Cooperative in Chitwan, a social enterprise in the making by my friend Taylor Smythe! This is a movement with the goal of empowering one local community to embrace waste management in a conscious, connected way.

Their long-term vision is to help every community in Nepal build and operate its’ own waste management center, the waste footprint by 90% and providing an economic vehicle for Nepalese people, while protecting nature and the biodiversity.

Read more about the Clean City Cooperative and support the initiative here -https://www.gofundme.com/cleancitycooperative

9/31 ~ Starting the conversation by sharing the challenges

Today I am writing for Mahi Yoga Essentials, and will be online in the Himalayan sun for most of the day. Sit down with a digital cup of tea and talk about plastic with me? What are your greatest challenges when it comes to reducing your plastic footprints? Which plastic-wrapped products can you not do without? What are the obstacles to a zero waste attitude in your daily lifestyle? Can we share and find the solutions together? Please comment with your challenges and personal victories towards a sustainable life..

My challenges:

Lack of zero waste wholesale across Norway and Nepal
Still using makeup, need to find a 100% conscious brand
Remembering to tune in to nature in the urban plastic wasteland
Sourcing natural ingredients for painting and film development
Frustration when being pushed marketing freebies wrapped in one time plastic, and when thinking about why the Norwegian government still haven't banned single-use plastic and plastic bags.
Would like to switch to Fairphone, but they need to work on their camera optics.
Not being able to recycle/compost with ease when travelling.

10/31 ~ Make thy food thy medicine

Plastic is not edible. Keep it out of the kitchen and away from your vegetables. Plastic particles seeps into your ingredients along with other chemical preservatives and toxins.. Today’s organic harvest from Farmers Mart Kathmandu, brought home in their reusable cloth bags.. There are so many things you can do to make your household more natural.. Mornings and body feel better this way. When you start your tavaha journey, you will be taking care of our planet, body, mind and soul at the same time.

11/31 ~ Love your beach? Love your vagina.

Around 30 different types of waste tied to sanitary protection ends up on our beaches and shorelines. On average, one woman will use more than 11,000 disposable sanitary products in a lifetime. Every year, over 45 billion feminine hygiene products are disposed of globally. Ocean Conservancy volunteers collected 27,938 used tampons and applicators on our world’s beaches on a single day (International Coastal Cleanup, 2013).

So let's advocate the awesomeness of plastic free moon cycles! Sharing the wisdom will also contribute to transforming the conversation around periods, reconnecting with our feminine nature, and continuing to break the menstrual taboo. So here's a list of the benefits of the resuable menstrual cup. <3

- Eco-friendly, a simple way to dramatically reduce the monthly waste.
- Save money - they can be used for up to 10 years.
- They bring you closer to your own cycle.
- Cups require much less frequent changing than pads and tampons.
- You can tailor it to suit your your body.
- Takes up very little space, perfect for nomadic beings.
- Make it easy to track how your fluid is being expelled and understanding your cycle.
- Most brands come in recyclable paper packaging.

12/31 - Support local craftswomanship!

In order to reduce our plastic footprint, we need to stop buying commercialized crap and start investing in durable, quality products - with meaning. I was so happy to see my sister Sara Fosstvedt post this creation yesterday!! This is the peace table - being held up by three united forces. Inspired by a 'Seed Dinner' in Lofoten, Norway - gathered around a similar table, talking about how to achieve the sustainability goals, stop the global arms trade and create lasting peace. Seed Dinners are dinners where we consciously or unconsciously plant a seed of intention to work together around a common goal.Oliver Ganslandt var playing 'Indigo' and we were watching the sun set over the town of Henningsvær.

"The symbol in the wood work is the native American symbol of the all seing Eye of a Medicine Man/woman. The outer lines of the symbol represents the four corners of the Universe- North, South, East and West. The centre circle represents the Eye and the spiritual vision. Which is universal peace. The triangles pointing up is the symbol of men and the once pointing down is women. They represent people of all colors as we are all dependent on each other."

There are so many talented craftsmen- and women out there, shaping hopes and dreams out of nature's products with innocent hands. This year, I also got a hold of a beautiful knife made by Sydney Woodwardof Over Grow The System. Have a look - http://overgrowthesystem.org/product/hand-forged-knife-2/

14/31 ~ Bring your own cup/jar

This is Ramesh, owner of Lemon Tree Bakery in Kathmandu. When I run out of @timwendelboe coffee, I come here in the mornings on my way to work, and we talk about everything from politics the puranas.. Ramesh loved the idea of zero plastic december and is committed to replacing unnecessary plastic wrapping with nepali paper!! He will also give a discount to anyone that brings their own jar, so we don’t have to waste one time cups and lids! And he keeps special coconut milk for meee. Small victories..

15/31 ~ #Tavaha - sharing the wave

Tavaha is the Nordic expression for taking care of the ocean: ta vare på havet. It is also referred to as the 'nordic aloha'. Tavaha encompasses unity, understanding and solidarity across borders, generations and cultures. The ocean is what connects the world. It has always taken care of us and we cannot live without it.

The expression has now become the ‘aloha’ of the Nordic countries and is used by an ever-building wave of action-oriented environmentalists. It has become a powerful transformation word, an expression that promotes the understanding that we cannot use the ocean without also contributing to its health.

When we give our voice to the ocean, we are participating in creating a new culture of how we engage with our blue planet. Ideally, everyone should spend most of their day in nature, reconnecting to our environment. After all, why stay inside, when all hope is out(side)? If you use the hashtag #tavaha when you are out cleaning your beaches or engaging in conversations on social media you help building our movement towards cleaner oceans, a clean conscience - and a clean consciousness!

16/31 ~ Make the ocean your compass

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Your compass of values, of rhythms, of equilibrium. Spending more time by, in or on the ocean also re-connects you to the oceans inside you. By helping clean the ocean and its beaches, you are cleaning your inner shores. There is no difference between the distances.

1. Being in the ocean can teach your body to expand on so many levels - if you let it
2. Knowing the patterns of the weather will teach you to respect and predict the play of the elements.
3. We have become addicted to technology - I can recommend reading ‘The Lost Art of Finding Your Way’.
4. The sail plan we are on is not sustainable. Our current relationship to the ocean is destroying our ability to live on this Earth.
5. We are in it together - on the sea you have to pull your weight and participate. The time to act is always now.
6. On the sea, you will have to travel light and only harvest what is necessary.
7. Learning to flow with her waves, her cycles, her tides will create more balance in your life.
8. You body is also like a ship, push down the centreboard/bandhas, learn to navigate, and feel the wind fill your sails.
9. Letting go of your boundaries will allow you to feel a closeness to other people. Think drop vs. source.
10. Mni Wiconi/Water is Life. In the end - Water/Ocean/Nature rules all. And she does not like suffocating in plastic.

Sat Chit Ananda - सच्चिदानन- द

When you enter into a sacred relationship with Nature and decide to begin the process of rewilding and re-connecting your body and mind, She will open up Her realms of unlimited wisdom and immediate understanding.. Share Her teachings of the cycles, sustainability and energy elegance. The power of love. This is the path of Yoga, this is the way of the Dao, this is the roadmap of Science. The sages and seers of the East have known about these nature-al technologies for thousands of years, and the dawn is just rising upon the east-west integration. By going deeper into the layers of Self, we can explore the Nature of pure creation - and contribute to the bodhisattvic expansion of our multi-faceted intelligence/imagination. सच्चिदानन- द..

Advent in the North ~ Awaiting the Return of the Sun God/dess

The word 'advent' derives from latin 'adventus', meaning arrival, or approach. In the Christian tradition this is the period of the great waiting - for the arrival of the holy Son into the world. Long before the time of Jesus however, communities world wide spent the period before Winter Solstice (this year on December 21st) honouring the coming of the light.

In the Arctic territories, stretching over the four countries Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, the sun in winter does not even reach the horizon. In Northern mythology, the Sun was seen as a goddess riding the heavenly skies, disappearing in the dark months, and returning with new life in the spring. For the Sami, the indigenous people of the Nordic countries, her name is Beaivi. She is the mother of fertility, raindeer and of plants. And since the early Neolithic age, nomadic tribes across the northern hemisphere have also paid tribute to the female raindeer, the 'life giving mother', as she was the leader of the herds upon which they depended for survival.

Advent for me has become a time for bridging the ancient and modern traditions with the simple message of seeing the light in darkness. Awareness of humanity’s deep, inner connections with the rhythms of the natural world. Honouring the potential of the seeds of light we have collected in the summer months. As autumn gives way to winter, and the quiet deepens and settles over the villages, we move into a time of silent warmth. This is also a time for moving our attention inwards, for reflection, and for honouring and kindling the light, flames and sparks inside each and every one of us.

In Norway, where I grew up, this would be the day for lighting the first of four candles, counting down the days to the arrival of the Light. Gathering friends around a fire, maybe even make a Sacred Spiral with pine branches or dry leaves, an anthroposophic advent tradition honouring the four kingdoms of the world, and the four virtues of peace, faith, hope and charity.

Tonight, in Nepal, I am placing four candles in the centre of the crystal mandala, and singing first verse of the beautiful tune that goes with the tradition, which I now call the ‘Boddhisattva Advent Song’:

Tenn lys!
Et lys skal brenne for denne lille jord.
Den blanke himmelstjerne, der vi og alle bor.
Må alle dele håpet så gode ting kan skje.
Må jord og himmel møtes. Et lys er tent for det.

//

Light the candle!
One candle will burn, for this small earth.
For this beaming star of the sky that we call our home.
May all beings share the hope that good things can come about.
May earth and heaven meet. For this, one light is lit.

✡

I also love this poem by Rudolf Steiner, honouring the natural elements:

“The first light of Advent is the light of stones.
Stones that live in crystals, seashells, and bones.

The second light of Advent is the light of plants.
Roots, stem, leaf, flower and fruit by whom we live and grow.

The third light of Advent is the light of beasts.
Animals of farm, field, forest, air and sea.
All await the birth in greatest and in least.

The fourth light of Advent is the light of humankind.
The light of love, the light of thought, to give and to understand.”