Buddhist priest starts activism project in Malvern

Satya Robyn is saying a prayer to the earth every day on the steps on Belle Vue Island, opposite the Post Office.

She then spends 10 minutes sitting on the steps in silence.

Satya is also saying a prayer online every morning at 8am.

She previously carried out a year of hour-long daily meditations in the same spot, so is used to being outside in the blazing sunshine, pouring rain or snow.

Satya reading a poem in Great Malvern (Image: Satya Robyn)

“I am very aware of the worsening effects of climate change,” she said. “We are noticing more severe weather disruption in the UK with deadly heatwaves over the summer, and things are set to get much worse.

“Our carbon emmissions are still rising, not falling. When people are informed, they are more likely to take action such as voting differently, speaking to their MP or making personal lifestyle changes, and this is my small way of keeping the earth in our minds and hearts.” 

Satya runs the Bright Earth Buddhist temple in Malvern with her spouse Kaspa, but will include prayers from different spiritual traditions in her readings, including poems about the environment.

Satya said some people have reacted negatively to her latest project.

“When I post online, I usually get a few comments from people who mock what I'm doing, or who say I should be doing something more practical instead,” she said.

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“I understand that - we definitely need people to do practical things as well as this kind of activism - the temple collects for our local food bank, for example.

“I also wonder if people sometimes feel judged by this kind of action, as if I’m implying that they are the problem, and that they should be giving up their car or eating a vegan diet.

“If people are inspired to make personal changes to their lifestyles then that's great, but the more important changes need to come from our government and big corporations such as oil and gas companies. System change is more important than personal change.”

Satya said she is delighted that some people have already joined her, while others have sent comments of support.

Satya would love people to join her either in the mornings on Zoom or later on in Great Malvern. You can find out what time she'll be in Malvern at www.satyarobyn.com/earthprayer.