12 June 2009 — San Ramon

A gown made of old fruit and vegetable sacks… a pair of pants fashioned from rice bags… a wedding dress stitched from used shrink wrap…

These were just some of the “new fashions” modeled at the Recycle Fashion Show put on during darshan one afternoon in Amma’s San Ramon ashram.

In order to help create awareness regarding the importance of recycling, devotees in San Ramon put on a fashion show in which all the clothing was fashioned from potential trash. Other original clothing included a cocktail dress made of plastic cut from household cleaning items and a leisure suit made of discarded coin sacks.

“The point was to promote making fashion-usable items out of otherwise throw-away materials,” said Prechatas, a devotee-model who dawned a leisure suit made of six-pack connector rings. “The materials inspire the fashions.”

Throughout her life, Amma has been promoting environmental awareness and protection, specifically through the spiritual practice of seeing the creation as the Creator. Amma says that when we understand that all is divine, we will never waste or pollute. We will always treat the earth and its objects with awareness, care and concern for society as a whole.

When devotees in engaged in a similar project to create purses, cell-phone cases and even sandals from discarded plastic, Amma said, “Amma is very pleased by these children’s efforts to create wealth from waste. You may think it is only a small gesture, but through this the hearts of individuals blossom. Then others are inspired to follow. This can lead to significant changes in society.”

Amma watched the fashion show as she gave darshan, laughing joyously at the absurdity and fun of some of the creative fashions.

– Tulasi