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We must cultivate trust in all things; this is a practical spiritual step. Consider the elements revered in Hinduism: trees, lakes, rain, and holy sand. These four are held in equal sanctity. A lake does not hoard water for itself. It holds water for all; anyone may come to drink, to wash, to attain purity. The lake never refuses, saying, "You cannot drink from me." Even if you throw dust or stones into it, the lake does not protest. It is humble and exists for everyone. Therefore, it is known as holy, and we must not pollute it. A tree does not love only the person who planted and waters it, nor is it hostile to an enemy who chips at its bark. Imagine a beautiful cherry tree. Children might throw stones to knock down fruit. Does the tree throw the stone back? No. Instead, it gives its fruits for you to eat. How many birds nest in its branches? How many creatures find shelter among its roots or in its shade? How many people rest under its cool canopy? When we walked through the bush today in the heat, we gathered and spoke in any patch of shade we found. The tree stands for us without expectation, giving oxygen—the very source of our life—and shelter to all. It endures heat, cold, storms, and rain. O man, before you cut or chip at a tree, think. An American Indian once said, "When the last tree is cut down and the last fish dies, you will realize you cannot eat your dollars." Therefore, protect vegetation. Vegetation has life. We may not feel it, but they are alive; they have their language and feeling. An instrument was developed that shows a plant "screams" when you approach it with a knife. It is not like a security sensor. When you bring it nice water, a happy vibration emanates from it—the plant is happy. Why are we facing climate changes? Because we humans did not respect vegetation and destroyed it and other creatures. To protect this is spirituality. God is in this; God is beautiful in this. O God, beautiful. In the mountains, in the forest, in the river, in the ocean, O God, beautiful. For us to protect the environment, especially now, is a great prayer. It is a significant act we can perform. Now, everyone carries a bottle of water. I have traveled in the Western world for 38 years. When I first came, no one carried these mineral water bottles. They were only in five-star restaurants, served in glass bottles. I initially thought it was wine. There were no plastic bottles 38 years ago. Everyone drank from the tap. You could drink from rivers and lakes, and it was good. Now, you cannot even drink from your own tap. If you dig a well, you must test the water in a laboratory. Everyone runs with a water bottle. If we continue to destroy the environment, the day is not far when we will need individual oxygen masks. I am very happy that the people of Australia are very aware of this. I spoke today with your Premier, Mike Raine. He is a great person with great ideas. Three years ago when we met, he said, "Swāmījī, I am going to plant three million trees around Adelaide." I told him, "Three million is not enough; make it double." Today he told me, "Really, Swāmījī, I followed your words and planted six million." I said, "Well, I am making advertising propaganda for you, saying you are making 11 million and they are still missing. Is that okay?" That can also be. He is not doing this only for himself but for all, for other creatures too. If he can do this, why can we not do it with our being? We can also do it. This is a spiritual act, a spiritual sādhanā, a spiritual practice to be aware of our surroundings. If someone collects a plastic bag from the street and puts it in the dustbin, we can do it too. Father David and I were driving together, talking about the environment. He said, "Yes, Swāmījī, it's funny. We automatically get a plastic bag and carry it with us." I looked out the car window and saw 30 people crossing the road; 10 had a plastic bag in hand. When we go to the supermarket, we buy things and say, "Do you have a plastic bag, please?" It became like our mantra, a daily prayer. "Have you a plastic bag, please?" Can we not say, "Have you some bag, please?" That's it. It is not easy to say no to plastic. Where you are sitting, there is also some plastic. My airplane has plastic. My car has a lot of plastic. We cannot avoid it; we have become dependent. The difference is that some plastic is durable and some is not. That which is not durable, like certain items, can be recycled. Five years ago, I began saying in Australia and Sydney, "Say no to plastic." After two years, one district in Sydney gave every household a cotton bag printed with "Say no to plastic." Now I hear they are going to ban plastics here. Also, people throw away batteries; that is very dangerous. We had a conference at the United Nations in New York about climate, and someone told me we live in a "throw away, use and throw" society. But throw away where? We are throwing it on our planet. This purification, this purity, is the spirituality that will clean our hearts, clean our thoughts, clean our antaḥkaraṇa (inner instrument), and help our fellow people. As one said, if you cannot give your children a better home, at least give them soap, clean and nice, as you got it. There are millions with no access to clean water. Why did this question of clean water arise? Who is polluting the water? For me, this is practical spiritual development. To make garbage and dirt is easy, but to clean it again is hard. Another practical spiritual step is recognizing God is everywhere. So, the trees, then the rain. Rain falls for all—not only for humans, but for plants, animals, everything. When it rains, there is no duality; it does not rain only on the nice, clean garden and not on another. No duality. The third is the holy saint. It is said, "O Mother, if you give birth to a child, then give a spiritual devotee of God, a holy saint, or a giver, not a beggar—one who has a heart so big, giving to everyone." And the hero, who is not afraid to do anything, with a pure heart, helping all. That mother, her body is like a diamond mine from which a diamond emerges—an object of adoration. We all know, for example, Holy Mother Mary. Why do we call her Holy Mother? Because she gave birth to Jesus. Every mother is holy, but that mother is special who gives birth to a holy person, who gives wisdom to everyone freely, without expectation, without making differences, who preaches for all and is accessible to all. It does not matter if you are Hindu, Christian, Muslim, or Jew. There is access for everyone to that person without differences. There was a great Sufi saint in Turkey, in Konya. His name was Mevlana. He developed a devotional dance, I think called whirling. They dance like this, and for one hour they do not get dizzy or fall down in devotion. He said, "Come to me as you are. Do not hesitate if you are a sinner or a good person, if you are black or white, if you are a Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian. Come to me as you are." That is called the heart of a saint, like a mother. She will embrace her child, offer her lap. It does not matter if the child is good, naughty, or ill; for a mother, it is her child. That kind of love is real love. That is called "God is love and love is God." Recording location: Australia, Adelaide, Australian tour