When the entire universe is sacred: An intergenerational dialogue on environmental and climate protection
People from diverse traditions and backgrounds came together in Cologne for an evening dedicated to the connection between religion and environmental protection. Drawing on insights from Sikhi, it became clear: environmental protection begins in the heart. Those who perceive the universe as sacred act mindfully – everywhere, not only in places of worship. Sustainability arises through awareness, personal responsibility, and love for humanity, animals, and nature. Each of us can embody change – regardless of politics or trends. Credits: Rat der Sikhi
An Intergenerational Evening on the Protection of Mother Earth
Something special took place in Cologne on October 28, 2025: an intergenerational evening that brought together people from different religious traditions to speak about a topic that concerns us all – how can we protect Mother Earth? That this is not a theoretical question but an existential one becomes clear when looking at three simple facts:
Each person in the EU produces about 130 kilograms of food waste per year (Eurostat, Food waste statistics in the EU, 2023). Every minute, more than one truckload of plastic waste ends up in the oceans – about 14 million tons every year (International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, Marine Plastic Pollution – Issues Brief, 2024). The achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda has drifted far out of reach (United Nations, The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024).
Wisdom that creates aha-moments
The inspiring evening was held under the motto “From Morality to Politics”. It was organized by An-Nusrat NRW e.V. in cooperation with the Federal Agency for Civic Education and demonstrated how we – together and across religions – can take responsibility for our planet. The atmosphere of the gathering was filled with love, respect, and openness. In the opening panel discussion, insights from the spiritual and wisdom-based holistic way of life of Sikhi were shared. The participants, who were familiar with Gur Nanak, Bhagat Kabir and Sehikh Farid, expressed their admiration and appreciation for these enlightened ones and the timeless wisdom revealed to them which has been preserved in Gurbani.
The insights from Sikhi shared by Khushwant Singh touched the hearts of the participants – among them pupils, university students, mothers and fathers as well as retirees. As the evening progressed, the discussion shifted away from external and technical aspects and turned inward – toward the true source of environmental destruction: our inner pollution caused by egoism, insatiability, and unconscious everyday behavior. The participants experienced several moments of realization (aha-moments). One of them was the realization: if we view the entire universe as sacred, then we behave reverently not only in places of worship but everywhere on this wonderful planet – our Mother Earth.
ਭਰੀਐ ਹਥੁ ਪੈਰੁ ਤਨੁ ਦੇਹ ॥ ਪਾਣੀ ਧੋਤੈ ਉਤਰਸੁ ਖੇਹ ॥ ਮੂਤ ਪਲੀਤੀ ਕਪੜੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਦੇ ਸਾਬੂਣੁ ਲਈਐ ਓਹੁ ਧੋਇ ॥ ਭਰੀਐ ਮਤਿ ਪਾਪਾ ਕੈ ਸੰਗਿ ॥ ਓਹੁ ਧੋਪੈ ਨਾਵੈ ਕੈ ਰੰਗਿ ॥ ਪੁੰਨੀ ਪਾਪੀ ਆਖਣੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਣਾ ਲਿਖਿ ਲੈ ਜਾਹੁ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਬੀਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਖਾਹੁ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੀ ਆਵਹੁ ਜਾਹੁ ॥੨੦॥ GGS, 4, M.1
Participants showed honest self-reflection and shared their personal aha-moments. A young mother reported: “We wanted to buy a new tablet for our child, even though the old one still works fine. Now I realize even more clearly how stuck we are in unconscious routines. We don't actually need a new tablet.” A teenager said: “Today I was holding a plastic bag in my hand that was blown away by the wind. I didn't pay much attention to it. But now I realize that I wasn't being mindful - and that on my way to an event on environmental protection. From now on, I want to live my life more consciously.” A student said: "Actually, Mr. Singh's words touched my heart. But because he doesn't belong to my religion, I wanted to push them away. Now I realize that it was my ego. It's the content that matters, not the origin.“ Another participant emphasized: ”As long as we don't succeed in fundamentally changing our education system, including the curricula, it will be very difficult to achieve the necessary changes on a broad scale."
The power of self-transformation and the fourfold purity
As the evening unfolded, it became increasingly clear: environmental protection is not something abstract – and certainly not just a moral duty or the sole responsibility of politics. Environmental protection is an act of devotion. It reflects the recognition of our role as spiritual guests in the diaspora of life on Earth.
The starting point for the further discussions was the insight: environmental protection begins within ourselves. It is about keeping our soul, our body, our living space, and our immediate surroundings pure. This fourfold purity forms a solid foundation for a holistic and ethical life. Building on that, everyone can contribute within their own sphere – whether in the community, in politics, in education, or in developing value-based curricula.
In two workshops, the participants developed concrete ways to take action in their own lives. One central realization crystallized: when we truly decide to change ourselves, no one can stop us. Behavioral change begins with the cultivation of the heart, with conscious living, and with the courage to go against mainstream opinions and prevailing trends. This requires personal responsibility. From love for one’s own well-being – as well as that of fellow beings, animals, and nature – arises sustainable environmental and climate protection. No one needs to wait for politics or others to change the framework conditions. We can begin NOW, in our own lives. What does it take? The courage to step out of our comfort zone.
Small steps, great impact
Building on the insights gained, the groups became practical. The participants resolved to:
separate waste properly
waste less food
buy seasonal and regional products
live healthier and prefer organic food
consume more consciously and buy only what is needed for a dignified life
use less water
use solar energy, for example through balcony solar systems
walk, use a bike, scooter, or public transport to get to work whenever possible
choose an electric car when buying a new vehicle
It became evident: we are not powerless consumers. We can, if we make the effort, decide more consciously which products to buy – and which to reject for ethical reasons.
Living differently today than yesterday: Existential questions that move us all
During the shared dinner, lovingly prepared by volunteers, the conversations became more personal. Especially the younger participants asked Khushwant Singh intimate questions: How can one overcome inner emptiness that arises sometimes? How can one live consciously in a capitalist society that is becoming increasingly materialistic and superficial – especially through so-called social media? How can one live a sovereign life beyond fleeting trends and group pressure?
The questions revealed what many young people long for: love, community, depth, meaning, and a way of life that is more than consumption, indulgence, or the rush of constant distraction. To continue reflecting on these questions beyond the evening, participants and organizers asked for articles on the decolonialization of the mind, WisdomTalk podcasts, and publications on these topics to be shared, in order to keep the process of reflection alive.
A beginning that calls for continuation
The evening inspired those present to plan further opportunities for exchange and to continue interreligious cooperation. Gurlal Singh and Khushwant Singh warmly invited the organizers and participants to host a similar event next year in the Rhine-Main region.
Gratitude
The evening was organized by An-Nusrat NRW e.V. in cooperation with the Federal Agency for Civic Education, hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Since 2023, the association has been active in environmental education and is recognized as an educational partner of the Federal Agency for Civic Education. Its members are engaged on a voluntary basis and also in local politics for a livable and sustainable future.
Heartfelt thanks go to the organizers and the entire team who made this meaningful exchange possible – especially to Zeeshan Mahmood and Noman Malik. Evenings like this show that when different traditions and generations come together in love and openness, they create spaces where genuine heart connection and transformation can arise – not through grand speeches, but through the shared decision to live differently today than yesterday.
