the backyard project is about the greatest innovation anyone of us can make- ourselves and our perception. the root of the environmental crisis rests in every human being and our relationship with this planet- our home. how can we cultivate sustainable living on the large scale from the ground up, if so few individuals actually take the time to connect with the earth? sustainable living starts with the belief that the earth deserves our respect, care, and love.

the backyard project is a method that combines the principles of mindfulness along with a commitment to take at least 5 minutes to be outside and experience the earth. what results is an entirely unique experience for each individual who attempts this reflection, and prompts them to express their sensory experiences and insights through creative means- to create a story of their own. the art that results from these experiences has the potential to move people to reflect on their own relationships with the planet.  

this project harnesses the simple yet powerful idea of individual agency, and how people can be ripples that create a wave. in order to live sustainably with the earth, we must grow our roots together.

my submission includes my own artwork and story produced by applying these principles. see my full story here:  https://sansat.exposure.co/the-backyard-project?source=share-sansat

mind-body practices such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, and qigong, have been proven through many major health studies to not only effectively reduce stress symptoms in participants, but to lower their anxiety and depression incidents as well.

if the industrial world begins educating students in public schools in mind-body tools in age appropriate ways beginning with kindergarten, and continuing through high school, we could eliminate a significant portion of the 70 to 85% of illness caused by stress.

this could mean future annual savings exceeding one trillion dollars each year, year after year, after year.

the cost of eliminating world starvation is a tiny fraction of that figure. also, much developing world suffering is caused by no access to clean water according to visionary inventor dean kamen who has invented an effective water filter to enable villagers in remote areas to clean polluted water using his solar powered mechanism. also, in many cases, fresh water exists in the earth below people dying from lack of water, if only they had the resources to drill water wells.

by those in the industrial world being educated in mind-body tools to manage stress through the implementation of low cost public education classes incorporated into primary and secondary schools throughout the industrial world, thereby avoiding a substantial percentage of health issues requiring increasingly expensive health resources, humanity could free up resources that would drwarf the funds needed to substantially reduce starvation and suffering in the developing world.