Cleanliness

We have recently fallen into a culture of disregard for personal and environmental hygiene in the U.S.. Heroin Chic, fostered by the Calvin Klein brand in the 1990s, has morphed into Fallen-Out-of-Bed-Whore, visible on any urban street. Unkempt hair, ripped denim and neglect of using soap have become acceptable fashion statements in certain circles. An influx of uneducated illegal immigrants from societies with poor public hygiene standards has complicated the situation. It is no coincidence that most large cities are plagued with bed bugs and rising asthma attacks among young children. Diseases like tuberculosis, once nearly eradicated in the U.S., are on the rise.

Cleanliness is next to godliness. This old adage was a drumbeat of my childhood in the 1950s. Combating the diseases of crowded urban ghettos of pre-WWII America was part of the post-war boom of American society. Polio, tuberculosis and influenza were approached with science and massive public health initiatives with amazing results. The leap in longevity of the Great-Depression generation, as compared to their parents, is evidence of the successes of these initiatives.

For the would-be environmentalist, being green begins at home. Vinegar, baking soda and citrus cleaners yield the same or better results than toxic and expensive concoctions of major petrochemical companies. The key to a clean and healthy environment is regular maintenance. A thorough cleaning of an average city apartment should take no more than 90 minutes per week. That 90 minutes can prevent skin problems, digestive problems, sleep problems, respiratory problems and costly replacement of furnishings. It could be the most profitable hour and a half of the week.

Most monastic traditions incorporate some routine form of cleanliness into their disciplines. This is partly due to the educational focus of monastic communities. Education breeds observation which in turn breeds experimentation which in turn yields discovery. The pre-scientific monasteries in Europe were often the hospitals and mortuaries during plague times. Asian disciplines merge cleanliness with the concept of emptiness, purity and the routine work of practice. 

As a nurse and a humanist, I know that the first step to creating a healing environment is keeping that environment meticulously clean as part of a daily practice. Esho funi (man environment one) is an ancient Buddhist concept that I have applied to my personal and healing practices. The process of maintaining personal cleanliness and environmental cleanliness, which includes lack of needless clutter and/or possessions, requires organization and consciousness. It is a cornerstone of my humanist practice.