Yoga, Linking with the Divine
"There is no possibility of ones becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much, or does not sleep enough." Bhagavad-gita 6.16
The Irony and the Ecstasy
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| The Hare Krishna maha-mantra, in Devanagari. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
At age 19 I became a Hindu monk and chanted Hare Krishna on average 3,456 times daily for 33 years, or about 41,627,520 times.
The Vedas say that if anyone even unknowingly chants the Holy Name of God - such as Krishna or Rama - they are spiritually benefitted. If you take the name Chris Nelson and parse it like so - chrishne lson - you will notice that the chrisne part is the same as krishna.
I met both of these nonstandard Krishna emissaries while living in the material world. Later I would chant Hare Krishna to the point of ecstasy, and beyond...
Veg Seattle! Why Veg: Animals
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| English: Painting of the Trial of Bill Burns, the first prosecution under the 1822 Martin's Act for cruelty to animals, after he was found beating his donkey. It is the first known prosecution for animal cruelty in the world. The prosecution was brought by Richard Martin, MP for Galway, also known as Humanity Dick, and the case became memorable because he brought the donkey into court. The painting was made at the time of the trial. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Choosing Compassion Over Killing
The more we learn about cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and, in fact, all of the animals we confine and kill for food, the more we realize they are not that different from us. Certainly, they are no less worthy of our concern than the cats and dogs we live with and give our affection.
Most importantly, these "food" animals feel pain just as much and just as intensely as do dogs and cats. Sadly though, they are treated horrifically by the industries that turn them into nuggets, fillets, or hot dogs. When we eat meat, eggs, and dairy, we are responsible for animal abuse. In order for us to have their flesh, milk, and eggs, farmed animals are denied nearly everything that is natural to them and are almost always abused in ways that would revolt us were we forced to participate. Each one of us has a choice: Do we want to support cruelty, or do we want to support kindness and compassion?
What is exciting is that each one of us has the ability to say no to animal cruelty every time we eat. The next time you sit down to a meal, please choose to eat compassionately. Please choose the vegetarian option.
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