Dear Editor,
To live organically is to be free of a dark, dirty industry that runs our country. It could be argued that organic living is expensive, viciously difficult, or an intense lifestyle to learn. But, permanent change takes time—if we all adapt, we can beat a poisoned system that charges more for what’s natural than it charges for food that tortures our animals and for products that destroy our earth. We can be part of the revolution towards what is right and real, and what could potentially save our planet and inadvertently ourselves. Join the already-progressing battle—rage against the machine—and let us live organically together.
Now, when I say “organic living,” I hear a murmur of questioning interest or, conversely, unimpressed slander—what is and how can I attempt the lifestyle, or why should we bother with it when living artificially can be quite efficient?
Organic living is not solely defined as eating foods that are free of pesticides and chemicals, a popular definition these days; living organically embodies all parts of life, from art to science, and from economy to clothes. It means working and creating without perfected design and sole motive, and instead extends limitations towards creative, natural error and induced improvement. Living organically means pure, open-minded action coupled with natural reality, or what is real in a naturalistic sense. With art, being organic is defined as creating without limits and without a set, rigid path; this allows for the artist to fully express him or herself with freedom and flow. The opposing style halts creativity by standardizing what will be the outcome, and what is and isn’t allowed. Actress Kim Cattrall once noted, “Theatre can’t be done again and again and again and again—it’s organic.” Each part of the process influences the final outcome with any creative art form if done organically, producing a unique final product impossible to recreate. That’s a major component of this lifestyle: individuality. Things are natural, and with nature, there will rarely be two of the same. I believe this leads to a higher appreciation of everything around you. There is a related Buddhist belief regarding respecting nature. It states, in the Buddhist Dhammapada verse, “Sabbe sankhara anicca’ti.” This means ‘All things can change.’ This possibility with nature can lead to fault, but it can also lead to wild, ambitious success (i.e. living organically is not all about being overly-relaxed; it can empower you and still drive you towards your incentives). Though organized, artificial living is celebrated for its efficiency, when it comes to creating, exploring, and understanding the world we, imperfect humans that we are, inhabit, living organically cannot be outdone. It’s natural. It’s real. And it’s safe.
To live organically requires independence of thought; it expects courtesy given to everything around you (let all influence you, and you all); and it hopes one avoids the processed world of consumerism, materialism, and monopolized industry. Head back to nature—I’ll try my best to meet you there. And I’ll bring the Clif bars.
Riley Spellman ‘13
