Message from a reader of my blog on the Fires in Australia and my teaching schedule in Australia.

Hi Christopher,

This is a heart-breaking post. My heart goes out to the people and wildlife who are suffering in Australia. On the news today there were pictures of the worst flooding for fifty years in Venice and also the flooding in the north of England. We do indeed have to wake up to the new reality and it is up to each one of us to engage in ‘wise action’ in terms of our daily life and habits and I cannot see the justification in flying to the other side of the world to hold a retreat. That now seems to me a luxury the world cannot afford.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for your message.

I do not hold to the view that those who engage in service to others in various parts of the world should stop such service.

Aeroplanes and helicopters provide an important service to tackling the fires in a variety of ways.

Some of us tackle the fires of the mind.

Servants of people, animals and the environment cannot turn our back on others and cut ourselves off.

It is not a luxury the world can afford.