“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)
“The world tells us that we have to be perfect in every way, and perfection and imperfection can be defined in so many different ways. Discovering who we are helps us to discover what God is and vice versa. Society tells us that we have to be skinny, we have to get married, we have to be a particular religion, we have to be successful, we have to be heterosexual, etc. At some point we realize everything we are not and never give ourselves an opportunity to see all that we are. Someone once told me that it is your ability, not your disability, that matters. There is truth in that, because if we are trying to live up to what everyone else wants us to be, then we find that we are “disabled” in some manner. The term disability is often a figure of speech used to label people who have an impair- ment that may limit their ability to perform daily activities (such as walking, seeing, etc.). Some people even consider peo- ple with disabilities to be “abnormal.” However, we all have abilities and disabilities, so in a sense we are all abnormal. This abnormality or uniqueness is something to be appreciated in ourselves and in others. Are you normal? I’m not.
So, really, why do we continue to expect so much out of ourselves when we know that we can never attain worldly perfection? The idea that we can or even should achieve worldly perfection is a lie, it is a false goal that can only lead an individual to begin to crush the very nature of their own beauty. We are all “imperfect” in a worldly sense. The sooner that society’s requests are deleted from our expectations, the quicker we will find the perfection that is already within us. Living in the moment, and acknowledging the presence of unconditional love is the key to the end of flaws and not feel- ing good enough.”
The above piece is an excerpt from the award winning book Creating Your Heaven on Earth by Meagan O’Nan.
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(This is the latest Prayer Circle for Animals update.
Will and Madeleine Tuttle and I send these out weekly.
If you would like to get updates, just sign up here. )
Good News from the Heartland for animals: I live in Kansas-not the most progressive state in the country, especially when it comes to animal issues. However, a recent art project entitled “The Story of Chickens: A Revolution,” inspired a firestorm of compassion from meat eaters and vegans alike. The artist proposed to display live chickens in a movable cage around town and then kill them as a public event and host a dinner at which they would be eaten. The outrage from around the country and locally was torrential. It came in online postings; letters to the editor; letters to the sponsoring museum, hosting art gallery, and chef; and many newspapers reported on it as well, allowing for emotional online comments to the articles. Karen Davis of United Poultry Concerns, Mary Clouse of Chicken Run Rescue and the Justice for Animals Art Guild, Bruce Friedrich of Farm Sanctuary, and other compassionate leaders contributed greatly.
In addition to the outrage, the city code prohibits both displaying the chickens and killing them in the city limits. A museum board member and I met with the artist. Her primary goal was to awaken people to the fact that they are eating individual animals with personalities and needs of their own-a goal very much like ours. She displayed grace and flexibility as she has altered her project to include no live chickens. She has agreed to allow us to speak about chicken’s rights, display animal positive artwork, and include vegan options at the public meal. To read one of the many articles, click here.
This is more evidence that people are waking up to the needs and rights of animals as well as to the disconnection most of us have experienced between our food and our natural love and compassion for animals. Please keep this ongoing project in your prayers that it may serve to further awaken the hearts of people and save the lives of chickens everywhere.
Thank you for loving, for caring, for being a powerful force of compassion in this world that needs you so much.
May all beings, including all people, be happy and free.
With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy
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Please visit the Prayer Circle for Animals often to see updates and special prayers, and also to join in our “A prayer a day for animals” which features a prayer for a different group of animals each day of the week. It is also a place to send ideas or prayer requests. Please join us so that we may continue to add more people to our ever expanding circle of compassion.
The following story is by author Meagan O’Nan and taken from her January 30th blog entry.
“A couple of years ago, when my book “Creating Your Heaven on Earth” was just published, I was on my way to upstate New York for a book signing and speaking engagement. This was my first book signing to a place where no one knew me…a writer’s dream.
I was flying from Denver to Pittsburgh and from Pittsburgh to Syracuse. I had an early flight to catch on the day of the book signing (which was scheduled for 6:30 that evening). I barely made the 30 minute cut-off to check-in and had to run to my gate. I caught the flight, barely. The flight went smoothly. I was so full of anticipation and excitement that feeling exhausted
was fine by me.
My flight arrived in Pittsburgh on time. I made my way to the “Departure” board to check on the location on my next flight’s gate. When I looked up at the board and found my flight, bright red letters stared back at me and said,“CANCELLED.” My heart dropped. I started to panic on the inside. I almost began sharing a curse word or two out loud when a voice from my heart said, “Meagan, go with the flow.” I listened (mostly because the voice was really loud).
I decided that the madness, frustration, and anger that was in the airport (because numerous flights had been cancelled to New York because of an ice storm) was something that I did not want to be a part of. So, I decided to go with the flow. That meant, being nice to everyone, seeing the best in everyone, being calm and patient, and being willing to possibly not make it to upstate New York for my event that I so wanted to be at. It was a quick shift of mindset, but a shift, nonetheless.
I waited in line at the US Airways counter where my flight was supposed to be departing from. In front of me was a woman screaming in an angry rage at the woman behind the desk. I felt so bad for the US Airways agent…I mean, is she the one that made the weather what it was? After seeing that, I made a special effort to be extra nice to the agent because no one deserves to be treated the way she was being treated.
When I made my way to the counter I told the agent, “Thank you for waiting on me and I promise I won’t scream at you.” She smiled and I could see her take a deep breath. I told her my dilemma. We worked together to find the best solution, but everything was leaving after my event was happening. We looked at each other in disappointment each time we realized that every solution she presented wasn’t going to work. So, I thought, well, I guess I just won’t make it and there must be a good reason for it (keep in mind, I REALLY wanted to be there).
Suddenly, the agent says, “I know!!!” She yelled across the terminal and asked another US Airways agent, “Did that flight leave yet?!” He yelled back, “No!”She quickly printed out a ticket for me and told me I was going to Ithaca (about 60 miles from Syracuse). Arrangements were made for a driver to pick me up in Ithaca by the event coordinator.
I stood for about 30 minutes wondering if I was at the right gate (wondering what in the hell was going on, to be quite honest) when another agent came up to me and asked, “Are you ready to go?” Confused, I said, “To Ithaca, right?”He shook his head yes and asked me to follow him outside. He took out his umbrella and walked me to plane about 20 yards away and said, “You know you are the only one on this flight right?”
Wha-wha-whaaaaaaat?!
Sure enough, I was the only person on the flight. The flight attendant greeted me, let me choose my seat, and as I sat down and buckled up, the pilot spoke over the loud speaker, “Welcome Meagan, we are taking you to Ithaca. Sit back and enjoy the ride.” Huh? Really? I guess there was a break in the clouds or something – kinda like the parting of the Red Sea.
I made it in plenty of time for my event that night. Thank you US Airways for a valuable lesson. It pays off to choose to be nice to others and it certainly makes a difference if you choose to go with the flow with no expectations. Be kind to one another, as Ellen would say. It really is that simple.”
Meagan is the author of Creating Your Heaven on Earth. To find out more, visit her website: www.meaganonan.org
The growth of the vegetarian movement is astonishing. Twenty years ago, the word was virtually unknown, so when it was announced you were vegetarian, the barrage of questions seemed unending… foreign? Not any longer. Strange how much things change in a short 20 years.
Today though, it is so common that in most countries and cities in the U.S. and abroad, you can dine like a king or queen on some of the best vegetarian food available anywhere. Italy is no exception, and with their well known culinary expertise, it’s likely you’ll feel like you have dined and gone to heaven.
Italy is such an amazing country – nearly every place you visit is steeped in history and art – the landscapes display fields of fresh crops, and rows and rows of some of the most spectacular gardens imaginable.
It definitely has it’s mind on growing fresh food in the most unusual places – as is evident in the hillsides and in the unique terrain used. Its as if each piece of land is usable to grow something – anything, regardless of the unusual geography.
Hills are full of fruit trees, and rows and rows of veggies, and lots of grape vines. Yes, Italians love their vino!
Its no wonder that finding a great veggie eatery is so easy in Florence, the city well known as the birthplace of Michelangelo and the home of his ‘David’.
More…. Social Expat
With the number of vegetarians in the world increasing, to the tune of 10 percent per year – due to the realization that lifestyle is more beneficial in sustaining health, longevity and prevention of disease, it comes as no surprise that in most parts of the world, finding a good vegetarian eatery is not as challenging as one might think.
Truth be told, Italians have been partial to vegetables, breads and pasta for centuries, especially in the impoverished areas where meat was not as readily available because of cost or convenience. So you won’t be startled to learn that when I visited Tuscany, and sat at a meal table asking “Sono vegetariana,” I got nods and smiles, and nobody made a face. “Non c’è problema” was the response. (no problem!)
My father and grandmother came over the ‘big drink’ to the U.S. in 1921 in search of a better life – and since money was tight, my family ate a lot of pasta e fagiolio (pasta and beans), and a dish my family called poparelle, made with baked, crusted cornbread (polenta) and sautéed greens which was popular in Abruzzo …and many other vegetarian dishes, including every possible way imaginable to smother and enhance polenta.
Happily this truth remains today – and finding a great meal that has nothing but ‘good fresh stuff’ is easy to find and promises a treat to any palate, after all, the Italians are known for their extraordinary food. Who would turn down a steaming plate of penne pasta smothered in marinara sauce?
The more populated areas seem to be offering more and more ‘exclusive’ vegetarian restaurants, and Tuscany is definitely one of them.
Tuscany – with it’s amazing wineries, world-renowned art museums and rolling hills that lead to beautiful beaches and coves, offers more than a place steeped in history, and beauty. It offers meals exclusively tailored to those of us who refrain from flesh.
It’s most popular vegetarian restaurants are well known and highly established. Finding them should be as easy as asking a hotel concierge or taxi driver, and from the reviews, they are worth seeking.
Read More: Social Expat
Olivier Clerc, author of Invaluable Lessons from a Frog and The Gift of Forgiveness, will be doing a workshop-ritual at the Coyote Institute, next weekend (September 9-11), in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Based on his latest book, The Gift of Forgiveness, the workshop will focus on teaching a powerful ritual that don Miguel Ruiz bestowed on Olivier Clerc in Mexico, back in 1999. To find out more please visit www.coyoteinstitute.us/forgiveness.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6nub_SZg0
Living Your Perfect Life Now.
A Discussion with Richard A. Singer
When: Saturday July 23, 12:00-2:00pm
Where: The Association for Research and Development of New York
241 West 30th Street, 2nd Floor, Buzz in #102, Manhattan, NY
Cost: ARE Members $20, Non-Members $25
For reservations and further information call the ARE Center, tel.212-691-7690
When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head and laugh at the sky.
- Buddha
Do you desire a perfect life? You may not realize it but to obtain this life is quite simple. Based on my study of spiritual figures and philosophies, I truly believe that it comes down to two simple practices:
• Live Now! Live completely in the miraculous energy of the present.
• Help another member of your human family. To help humanity is to truly live.
Join us to explore ideas on how to perfect our lives, as found in my latest book, Now: Embracing the Present Moment, as well as in Eastern Wisdom for Your Soul.
Richard Singer is an award winning author, trained psychotherapist, Asst. Professor of Human and Social Services, and most importantly a seeker of truth. He continuously searches for wisdom to use in his life, as well as helping other human beings in their precious journey. He seeks to impart this knowledge to the world through his writing. Richard states that “My books are not only for reading, they are meant to be lived.”
Richard has been featured in many magazines, on various radio and television shows including BBC News in London. His books have been reviewed by, amongst others, Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, and Martha Stewart’s Body and Soul.
For more information you can visit Richard’s website at www.EmbracingthePresent.com.
