Allowing Environmental and Individual Wellness

We were asked to write an article regarding the benefits of using composting toilets by the Russian River Times.  Below is what we wrote and submitted:

Statistics show that the average American uses 7,665 gallons of water annually… just to flush away human waste, both liquid and solid. So, how does that relate to you who are reading this article?

For the three California Counties of Marin, Mendocino, and Sonoma, it equates to 5,942,282,437 (that’s “B” as in billion) gallons of water used to flush feces every year. This number is a staggering number especially when considering what the water is used for!

Imagine, if every household converted to a compost toilet, there would be this equivalent amount of water available for agriculture, fisheries, domestic, commercial, and recreational uses.

And water is only the tip of the iceberg when viewing wasted resources! Consider that after each flush, there is a complex infrastructure supporting this archaic practice of flushing this black water sludge.

This infrastructure requires huge amounts of additional resources; energy, labor, facility (which includes transport and processing) and money… to achieve potable water, which we had in the first place!! Doesn’t this seem to be a needless waste of resources and energy?

Processing this waste places additional burdens on the tax system which is already overburdened. Both the waste treatment infrastructure and tax system are failing and deteriorating.

So, what is a logical solution?

One solution lies in decentralizing this massive and overburdened system. How? By simply recognizing that you have a choice on how YOU will participate in it. We believe a simple and profound answer (which coincidently is going “full circle”) is the waterless, urine separating, compost toilet. Replacing flush toilets with self-contained, waterless, compost toilets will reduce the burden on these facilities by about 20-25%.

This “modern” technological advancement simply replicates the earliest form of human disposal. By that we mean, urine is separated from the solids. When this simple process is honored, a natural assimilation and breakdown occurs. Urine is a normally sterile, mineral laden liquid, normally void of any bacteria, and is nourishing for plants and vegetables. Feces, on the other hand, can contain toxins which must be neutralized. By separating the two we create an environment which is most conducive to allowing the most efficient reprocessing of the minerals and nutrients in those components.

Another subtle, and most important component of decentralization, is that YOU, through small daily actions, maintain control of your environment and resources… whether that is water or tax dollars. We, as a community, a society, and a nation, need to recognize the power of our individual and collective actions. We are currently living our failure to do so.

Are you ready for a change? If so, consider this simple, private, profound, yet basic act, and how you will consummate it.

Current municipal and county regulations restrict the use of compost toilets. These regulations do not support environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. We, in the sustainable community, view this as intrusive in how we choose to live our lives.

Currently, government officials (some elected, some not) dictate what is “legal” to have in our houses. We MUST recognize that elected officials are only there at our behest… that we have the inherent power to remove them if they do not follow our collective wishes.

Much like the Russian River, which is a collective of streams and tributaries, to form a mighty force; we are the same. Without loosing our individuality and uniqueness, we can combine our energies to invoke a common and environmentally sustainable outcome for ourselves, and our community. Consider the energy you possess and the power that resides in it. And further consider how this collective force can create results.

We invite you to consider these ideas and then actualize your beliefs… and ultimately to vote with your “non-flush”.

If you would like more information on self-contained, waterless, composting toilets, please visit our website at http://www.allowsolutions.com

Blessings,                                                                  Fair Winds,

Gerard Cote’                                                              Cassaundra James

As mentioned in the “Allowing” posting, we believe that all physical, community, and environmental imbalances are a net result of spiritual imbalances within individuals and communities.

We believe that when an individual and/or community achieves spiritual balance, there will be a shift from negative and imbalanced thoughts and behaviors, to an ALLOWING of a positive and healthy mindset…thus resulting in actions which promote individual, environmental and community well-being.

However, we also understand that gathering good information in which to make appropriate CHOICES, takes time, energy, and discernment.  Thus, this blog will include topics and discussions in both the spiritual/emotional arena, and the physical ways you can promote wellness on an individual, community, and environmental basis.

We are continually researching and searching for individuals and companies who are creating SOLUTIONS by “thinking outside the box”; being pro-active and creative in their search for ANSWERS WHICH WORK…not just following the current “status quo”.  As we find individuals, companies, and products who are providing new and innovative solutions which promote individual, community, and environmental balance and wellness, and maintain a spirit of SERVICE, we will discuss them in this forum.

If you come across a product, business, or individual who meets this criteria, please let us know about them, so they may be highlighted in this forum.

The first thing that comes to mind is that ANYTHING affecting us individually is evidenced in our community, and/or our environment…. and this is exhibited as the result of choices we have made.  We are that potent.  When we make poor choices…. as in not guided by our higher self (spirit), imbalances can manifest.  This choice discussion is couched in a larger framework…. in our foundational trilogy…. that is spirit, mind, body…. and actually is in the spirit-mind arena… as the body is only the result of this energetic relationship. Generally, physical, emotional, environmental and community imbalances are a result of spiritual imbalances.

Our goal is to live balanced lives, and promote environmental, community, and individual wellness.  We have developed a mantra that is captured in the following simple alliteration…. Asking, Allowing, and Agreeing…. we call this the 3 A’s.  We are dedicated to providing guidance and assisting individuals define the 3 A’s, thus enabling anyone to achieve balance in their life.

When individuals achieve balance within themselves, they in turn help others discover this path…. and eventually whole communities can be affected.  One way to see balance is to look at how individuals view and treat the environment, and those around them.

The current state of individual and world choices reflects a lack of spiritual input…. on all levels…. and thus balance.   We, as potent energy beings, have a profound effect on each other and our environment.  Knowing our spiritual heritage and power allows us to create better choices; and thus, better consequences.

As facilitators, we are committed to educating ourselves, and then ALLOWING our spirit-mind relationship to create balance in our lives…. understanding that our bodies, our communities, and our environment, are both the evidence and reward of our personal choices.

We encourage you to join us in the adventure of educating yourself in how to become balanced where you – yes YOU – can have a positive impact on yourself, your family, friends, and community…and ultimately our beautiful planet…. all by simply Asking, Allowing, and Agreeing….

Blessings,

Gerard Cote’, CVO

Fair Winds,

Cassaundra James, CBO

http://www.AllowSolutions.com