I attempted to watch Earthlings as any good new vegan should, hoping to be moved, convicted, freed from my evil meat eating ways, instead...
15 minutes in, I texted my coach and asked "Why is it ok, for a lion to kill and eat a gazelle and I not be able to do the same, consume meat, I am an animal, right?" The lion certainly does not kill this gazelle in a "humane" way, neither does the shark to the sea lion, or the fox to the sheep, or any other meat eating carnivore ANIMAL. Earthlings effected me the total opposite way that it was intended, I continued to watch and the room began to clear, no one could tolerate watching but me. Because I am searching and seeking and trying desperatley to find my passion, the passion that I believe is necessary to live this lifestyle to practice this diet to feel convicted in such a way that it disturbs you to participate in anything, any practice, any wrong doing, any activity that would cause harm to an animal. I desperately need my IT.
I am certain that I continue eating tofurky and the likes because of my competitive nature to not be defeated by a challenge more than that passion that tells me that by not participating in any form or fashion, demonstrated by eating animal flesh or the like, that I'm making a difference. Am I really making a difference? Where is my passion? and can it be found, if it genuinely, sincerely does not reside inside of me?
Two weeks to go...
Dear Ericka,
ReplyDeleteMaybe instead of searching for your passion by watching something as awful as Earthlings, it would make better sense for you to ask yourself what your passions in your current life are.
For me, before even considering veganism, I had a great love of Earth, and I had deep spiritual longing for social justice. I loved animals, and thought them capable of so much more than modern science claimed. I loved art, and I thought true health was only achieved through a really good, clean diet, exercise, and an honest life.
I say this because no matter what your true passion is, being vegan will feed it.
The only challenge is finding what that is, and the only way to find it is by being silent.
So, perhaps it would be helpful to stop, to slow way down, to disconnect from trying to find answers outside, in movies and elsewhere, and spend time alone and quite, asking yourself "What is most important to me, in my life?" Allow the answer to come from you. Allow all other voices to be quiet, and give yourself the honor of listening to your true voice. Allow all the "shoulds" and other authorities to become silent, and listen with respect to that small, quiet voice that can answer this question for you. It requires patience (something I lack in abundance).
I hope this helps and it doesn't sound condescending!
If I'm on top of it, I do meditative contemplation when things like this come up hard, and I'm lost. Perhaps you know how to do this, but for anyone who hasn't ever tried it, contemplation is when you sit quietly someplace relatively relaxing, and you hold a question or thought in your mind, lightly, and allow your mind to let go of the need to answer the question. Eventually, in minutes, hours or years, answers start coming from your heart. At those moments you understand the term ultimate truth. Once you find an ultimate truth for yourself, use that to motivate yourself. If the truth you find is altruistic, it will make this vegan journey much easier.
I feel your pain, and I'm very sorry for how hard it is sometimes, for all of us.
I no longer have serious cravings, but there are times when the problems of the world seem so overwhelming I can hardly go on.
The only other thing I need to mention is about the lion and the gazelle. I don't know how your couch responded, but the answer is two fold. First. The Lion and the Gazelle have their own karma, their own fate, and their own reasons. What happens between them, is their business. They don't get all up in our relationships, do they?
The second part of the answer is much easier.
We have a Choice. The Lion does not. She can hunt and kill, or she can die. You and I have a Choice. Our Choice has become something so monstrous that it threatens to destroy every aspect of human society, and every living ecosystem on the living planet.
I believe in reincarnation, and it seems to me that in the 4 and a half billion years that Earth has existed, humans have returned to this moment of truth time and time again. We are handed an opportunity, to learn and evolve, or to retreat into selfishness (fear), and begin again.
So, somewhere in that cycle is the passion, the truth, that holds our motivation. Are we going to be strong enough, and brave enough to face it?
Veganism is, in truth, a continuing path of facing the places in our hearts that we hold secrete. Veganism is the courage to look with honesty at the parts of our selves that we fear the most, that we hide, that we might even despise, and to embrace ourselves with love despite those things we see. Once we look we are changed forever and we can never unknow.
Blessings and Love, Ericka.
Thanks for coming forward.
Meg
As a performing artist, I find "language" to be extremely helpful in situation such as this.
ReplyDeleteI'm a new pledger, just like you :), but I did not enter the program viewing it as a "Challenge", I went in for the "Experience", and by simply using that word, it changed my whole perspective. Its no longer "Veganism VS Meatism" for 6 weeks ..its simply "Me learning Veganism" for 6 weeks.
I agree with Meg, finding your passion, or better yet connecting Veganism to your passion is the way to go.
To me, I love being creative, and I've always wanted to learn to cook. So this "Experience" is fueling both things, I'm learning to cook, using all these new colorful, and healthy foods, that I may not have heard of 5 weeks ago :)
To me, Veganism is simply another creative outlet for me, that's how I'm approaching.
The fact that its good for my health, for the environment, and for our fellow animals, is an attractive thing as well. I enjoy using my creativity to bring positivity and joy to my listeners and supports (via music)..and now I'm doing the same for the planet and our animal friends through my diet.
That's how this "Experience" has been for me.
I hope this helps :)
Much Love
Mosno
Being vegan is a lifestyle, not a challenge. Focus on your reasons for adopting this lifestyle and be true to yourself. The reality is that some people will remain ignorant to this movement. I appreciate some level of commitment than no commitment at all. Keep educating yourself and you will surprise yourself in the end.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your responses. I practice honesty with myself, I use the word challenge because it is challenging for me to adjust to this LIFESTYLE. It has never been veganism vs meat - it is veganism vs my previous lifestyle that did in fact include meat.
ReplyDeleteI share for insight, assistance and additional perspectives and all of the feedback has helped. I still yes - even thru meditation seek my why and thanks to Erin and Meg and Brenda, my why has evolved into simply wanting the best of everything ONLY to enter my body.
I pride myself of my healthy lifestyle, my athleticism and my ability to be open minded in any and all of the situations presented to me. I'm still standing am I waiting for day 6 weeks and 1 day to have meat? Absolutely not, I am waiting for day 6 week and 1 day to continue my journey!