Oprah, Lisa Ling and Freegans, Oh My!

This is interesting! I am really impressed with Oprah Winfrey as she is delving into and encouraging involvement with Eckhart Tolle’s new book, “A New Earth”, and now, in today’s program, about Freeganism.

Tolle’s book and the ten week class he and Oprah are offering are about mindfulness and the raising of consciousness. Freeganism, I learned today, is a political stance by people, to not be consumers as much as possible, and to retrieve from our garbage what needn’t be wasted. This is a great hope, and a natural progression, as it seems a just response in so many ways. Lisa Ling did an excellent job of following the story with a positive and willing attitude. I have added a link about Freeganism to the blogroll.

Obviously Oprah is very much entwined/invested in our consumerism, but she was transparent with that and seemed to be truly connecting Freeganism with what she is taking in from Tolle’s book. I admire her willingness to grow/stretch and challenge the very fabric of things that have brought her to this point.

The guest Freegans were quite impressive. They are genuine and seem so grounded and at peace with their choices/lifestyle. I admire their prophetic stance, courage and compassion. This is a great response to many of the questions and concerns I have had about consumerism, waste and our future. People such as this give me hope for our country in a new way. Not in a glamorous throw away/faddish kind of way. In a globally compassionate, wise and brave kind of way. It is encouraging that Oprah facilitated a greater voice for Freegans. I am grateful. I could see intentional communities of Freegans forming in this country to a greater degree even. I will continue to study and meditate on the how and the what of this for me.

I am enrolled in the class at Oprah.com with Tolle too, along with my FSPA companion community. And for the sharing of the non-denominational work on consciousness by Tolle, Oprah is doing a great thing. Really great. Tolle faces relativism head on in the book, and doesn’t falter, by the way. I am looking forward to it, though my internet connection is not so fast, so I will be practicing patience as well. I hope it doesn’t backfire (Trying to have patience/mindfulness/the class and my internet connection, I mean). )

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Here is Lisa Ling’s blog post about the show.

Here is an article about Freeganism.