“We need a transition to nonviolence, in our minds and in our relationship with the Earth. We need to recognize that we are part of the living Earth, not Her conquerors and masters. We need to make a paradigm shift from eco-apartheid to Earth democracy— living on the Earth as a member of the Earth family.”
Dr. Vandana Shiva (from the Foreword of Surviving Ourselves by Eric Herm)
You are the content of your consciousness; in knowing yourself you will know the Universe.
Krishnamurti
Meditation
separation from the universe is merely an illusion fashioned by our egos. The ultimate reality remains that we are the universe; we are one with all. exclusivity is a product of societal thinking, and has nothing to do with the ultimate nature and course of life. enter the enchanting realm of unity and you will discover the original and eternal nature of creation.
Real Life Application
sit quietly and converse with the wisdom of the universe. Allow the separation created by your ego to disappear and join in the union of all that exists. Become one with the world, the trees, the sky, and the clouds. Allow the miraculousness that surrounds you to enter your entire being and begin to feel the oneness that exists between you and your surroundings. Within this oneness there are no limits. limitations are delusions of the ego. Go into the world and express the freedom of your true nature, demonstrating the limitless power that lives within you which is patiently waiting to be expressed.
The above excerpt is from Richard A. Singer‘s award winning book, Eastern Wisdom for Your Soul.
The Basalt Public Library in Colorado is now lending out seeds to its members. Library members borrow seeds using their library card. They can then grow the plants, and return a portion of the seeds from their harvest!
As Andrew Warner points out in his article: ”It is easy to forget that libraries are in some ways, very radical institutions. It’s true, you have to be quiet, but the idea that everyone should have access to as much information as possible is a beautiful and powerful concept. When one considers that seeds and the DNA they contain are one of the original information storage devices, it’s almost hard to understand why libraries haven’t always included seeds.”
I am Nature
Nature is me
taking walks
through my subconscious
through dreams
taking old man naps
beneath an old oak tree
I planted when just a boy
Wind howls my name
sun scorches my labor
autumn is a comforting transformation
as cold rattles mortal bones
reminding me of the fragility
the temporary nature of seasons
changing colors
evolving others
so we complete the cycle’s circle
and wake
to find ourselves
dreaming the perfect dream
I Am Nature, can be found in Eric Herm’s latest book, Surviving Ourselves
From The Missing Peace:
“Existing on a plant-based diet is a loving choice. It is a decision to refrain from contributing to harm caused to any living being. Imagine a life where caring for one another and sharing food, thoughts and love are the centerpiece of existence; one that involves laying your head on the pillow at night, knowing that today you caused no suffering.”
If you are ready to move boldly into 2013 and still feel yourself processing 2012, don’t fret! Take some time to write down everything you want to let go of and then rip, shred, burn that piece of paper to clear the air and start again. Here are some tips to get you moving and shaking into 2013:
1) Do something every day that makes you feel like anything is possible (i.e., taking a walk, meditating, praying, doing yoga, listening to your favorite song, etc.). Inspire yourself!
2) Look at all the areas of your life (Health, Finances, Relationships, Support Network, Spirituality, etc.) and ask yourself what you are truly wanting this year. Not what others think you should do, but what you are truly wanting.
3) Make a vision board that lists all you want to see happen this year, and if it is something you can’t “see,” list it anyway!
4) Figure who you want to be this year in every area of your life. List all of the values and qualities (i.e., honesty, loyalty, cooperation, trust, etc.) that are important to you in others. Once you have the list, look for those qualities in you. Yes, you’re beautiful too!
5) When you are stressed or frustrated, let go. Remember, life is on your side and most things are out of your control. All you can control is who you are in the world. Be the change!
This year is all up to you. No matter what happens, know that everything is working for you and not against you.
Wishing everyone the best year yet!
Meagan O’Nan, author of Creating Your Heaven on Earth, from her blog entry
Listent to last week’s interview of Eric Herm on WNYC’s “Leonard Lopate Show”
Dreamriver Press and the Organic Consumers Association
invite you to a presentation by Farmer-Author-Activist: Eric Herm
For the launch of his new book:
Eric Herm is a 4th generation farmer from W. Texas. In 2005 he turned his back to conventional farming and started transitioning the entire 6,000 acres family cotton farm to organic.
A strong supporter of the Non-GMO and Label-GMO movement, Eric spoke at rally outside the White House last year, and was a keynote speaker at the “Occupy Monsanto” rally in St. Louis in September
Eric firmly believes we need to rethink not only agriculture, but our methods of education, business, and ultimately our relationship with nature.
Eric Herm is also the author of Son of a Farmer, Child of the Earth: A Path to Agriculture’s Higher Consciousness
Music at the event by Minetta Creek.
Tune in to the Leonard Lopate Show on WNYC on Wednesday, Dec. 5th, at 1:00pm., to listen to a live interview with the author.
Suggested donation at the door. None will be turned away for lack of funds.
Regrettably, animals that are raised for food have very few laws protecting them from abuse, overcrowding, filth, and neglect, not to mention the complete lack of exercise, access to practice their natural instincts, and void of sunshine, dirt and fresh air. The absence of legal rights for farm animals — as opposed to domestic animals is appalling.
Although, the ” Humane Slaughter Act of 1978″ exists, which states that animals in slaughterhouses are required to receive “proper treatment’ and “humane handling’ whatever you believe that to be, this law does not apply to fowl. And sadly, it is rarely, if ever, adhered to in any farm animal or fowl factory farm- because the numbers of animals slaughtered are too great to allow any kind of humane treatment. (USDA)
Laws need to be enacted to either stop the barbaric slaughter process and the factory farm environment, or soon our food won’t be safe to eat nor will it be nutritious enough to swallow. Animal deaths caused by illness and lack of nutrition is commonplace as the numbers can attest — only about 75% of them make to slaughter alive. They are sickly, diseased, weak and shot with hormones, antibiotics and eat food that isn’t fit for a rat. Something has got to change to enable them a better life, as well as a healthier environment for them as well as humans.
To read the complete article by Tina Volpe, visit: Animals as Food
