Scenerios

How do you respond to acts of cruelty that are accepted and considered normal? Suppose that it was normal and acceptable to kill human babies for food? Now imagine someone coming up to you and talking about how good they taste, and their friends join in the discussion about how much they like broiled baby or grilled infant salad. How do you think you would react? Would you be wrong to feel disgusted? Perhaps you used to eat them but have long chosen to stop. Should you say, "Well, it's their choice to eat babies. They are raised for that purpose." ?

Well, I am usually the one who listens to stuff like the above, except that the food subject is about non-human animals. Although I have been a vegan for some time, I am finding it harder to hear about animals used as food because I don't see them as food, just as most wouldn't consider human babies as food. I have been re-sensitized. I don't see a hamburger; I see an innocent peaceful creature that was hanged upside down and butchered while still conscious. I find nothing appealing about that. I've heard, "You don't know what you're missing." However, I do, and I don't miss it.

Now suppose you feel that it is wrong to torture people, and you mention it to someone. Everyone who likes to torture people will suddenly feel defensive around you and automatically feel you are judgemental. Does that make it true? No. You would suddenly become their mirror. Veganism is not extreme, but I think the opposite is. There is no non-speciesist way to justify why we use animals for every thing - food, entertainment, clothing, etc. The answers I hear revolve around human needs and desires with no consideration for the beings we use.

No behavior is isolated - violence to one is violence to all. I mean, killing is killing. If you can kill a horse, you can kill a human. I know many would disagree, but if you can tell yourself that one life is not significant, then you can say that about another. All you have to do is convince yourself that it is true. Not very long ago, the enslavement of my ancestors was justified the same way. People were convinced that enslaving, torturing, raping, and murdering other people was okay. Unfortunately, this is not just our past, it is our present. We have gotten so used to violence - in the news, in our movies, in our diets, and in our own neighborhoods, that it almost doesn't matter. I have decided to not get desensitized, but it is not an easy task. It is a survival mechanism, but no matter what happens, I am striving to recognize all life as precious.

Attachment

A friend of mine once asked me about avoiding attachment - specifically, attachment to a person. I don't remember exactly how I answered, but I now realize that there is a relationship between attachment and fear. I'm speaking of an unhealthy attachment. I think that an unhealthy attachment to a person is based on the fear of losing them. Of course, it can go deeper than that, and I could go into metaphysics, but I think we cling to what we are afraid to lose. We don't own other people - not our children, not our lovers, not our parents. If we truly love others, then we do not restrict them. True love is unconditional. It remains through arguments, betrayal, and misunderstandings. It lasts even if your love is not reciprocated. Love does not discriminate. It is also not the same as attachment. You can also avoid attachment by being independent. It is difficult not to be attached to someone you greatly depend upon. Sometimes the attachment is more about the feeling you get being around a person more than to the person. You don't want to stop feeling a particular way so you cling to the person. If you remember that nothing is permanent or guaranteed, and that everything changes, you'll know that a relationship can always change. However, if you fear losing it, you can bring your fears to life.

The Inner Teacher

Many of us look to different spiritual teachers to teach us how to live. When I've talked to people about vegetarianism, there are arguments about Jesus eating fish or Buddha eating meat, but to me, that doesn't matter. They both had a message of peace and non-violence, and peace and non-violence is not happening when billions are being raped and murdered. Does it matter whether or not I am talking about I am speaking of humans or non-humans? No, either way, it's not right. I think we need to look at the divine within for answers. Many people can not watch acts of cruelty yet contribute to it every day. If you must turn away from something you consider horrific, something within you says that it is not right. You are hearing the compassion within. It takes courage to listen to your inner wisdom rather than do what everyone else is doing.