麻豆社

Good morning. On Monday, I met someone who had crafted bespoke footwear all his life. The shoes he wore everyday were almost fifty years old 鈥� hand-stitched and tanned with organic tree-bark. Such quality and durability comes at a hefty price. But, according to a report this week so does 鈥榝ast fashion鈥� - causing greenhouse gases, pollution and the exploitation of workers.

There is a story in an old Hindu text in which the king of the world is challenged by the personified Earth who tells him: 鈥淚 am like a boat. I carry all living beings and all your land and resources. If you foolishly destroy me, will you not drown?鈥�

Some MPs have called for a charge of one penny on every garment sold to fund a recycling scheme to reduce the 235 million clothes items we send to landfill every year. So, along with other lifestyle issues, we鈥檙e now being asked to consider our relationship with clothing for the sake of the planet.

Fashion isn鈥檛 new and has probably always entailed exploitation and pollution. 鈥淭he human preoccupation is natural,鈥� say the Vedas, 鈥渙ur clothes are an extension of who we think we are; and what we want the world to think about us.鈥� The texts explain how the transcendent soul is first enshrouded by the mind, then by the body. And so, according to the sages, we fall prey to the illusion that we are simply a physical being.

This illusion expand into our worry how to present ourselves to the world - through our outer dress and then through our other possessions, activities and relationships.

The joy of getting new clothes is so attractive and universal that the Bhagavad-gita uses it as a powerful analogy for the process of reincarnation: 鈥淛ust as a person takes off old clothes and puts on a new garment,鈥� it says, 鈥渟o the soul discards the old worn-out body and accepts a new one.鈥�

Trying to break the attachment to looking good and the self-confidence that comes from it isn鈥檛 easy. But perhaps we can adjust our habits and make them less damaging 鈥� and maybe more enjoyable.

There is certainly a delight in wearing an old familiar and well-loved piece of clothing. And, there鈥檚 also a delight in new clothes. The Hindu idea is that the pleasure in receiving something new is enhanced when it is anticipated and deeply appreciated. There鈥檚 even a custom to ask someone you love or admire to wear it first. Whenever we buy new clothes, or any treat, for ourselves, I think it is important to make it feel like a special occasion. Something we鈥檝e purchased with thought and care that we may cherish with gratitude.

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