I wonder...

And my mind wanders as I do.

This morning I was giving thought to the saying “the opposite of love is fear” and that led me to thinking about the Ego. One teaching is that any thought or action that is not loving is of the Ego. (And that all loving thoughts and actions are of the Holy Spirit.) And that reminded me of my great-grandmother. When I was very, very young the older generation was still trying to force children (and adults as well) to behave by scaring them with “the Devil” and his residence in Hell. My great-grandmother told me that the Devil always sat on one shoulder and an angel on the other. Both were whispering in my ear at all times and I should only listen to the angel (or “you know who” would get me!). Of course, that worked for a while at making me behave as a good little girl should. Fear of this scary thing called the Devil was further reinforced by my grandmother who scared me with stories about how the Devil was going to try to put the “mark of the beast”, the numbers 666, on my forehead so I would be his at last. I spent a lot of time plotting my escape should he show up. (One plan was to hide under my bed.) It is certainly easier for me to accept Ego vs. Holy Spirit!

I remember when one of my sons was young he asked me why there was this little voice in his head that warned him when he was thinking of doing something wrong that would get him into hot water! (Those were numerous times, I’m sure!) He would never have listened to anyone telling him the Holy Spirit or an angel was speaking to him! I informed him that was his conscience speaking to him. It’s strange how different meanings have been ascribed to the same words. And how quickly we can be turned off by one word, but accept the other.

As I was musing, for some reason I began to think about death and killing. I really admire people who decide to live their lives free from eating animals. However, I wonder how many of them not only do not wish to see animals killed for food, but also refuse to see them killed for other purposes. Do they not wear anything made from animals? I can understand not wearing animal furs. It does seem cruel to raise animals for their skins to adorn our bodies. However, what about native societies in cold northern parts of the world? What if they have no access to modern fibers to keep the frigid weather off their bodies? What about shoes? I suppose the vinyl and plastic shoes now being made in places like China can and do replace the ones made of leather. (Can you imagine all the stinky feet?) Are down comforters and pillows okay for use? Doesn’t the poultry have to be killed in order to use their feathers?

I love one of the Native American tales that says that long ago when Indians would kill a deer, they would place sweet grass in the animal’s mouth for food for its journey to the afterlife. They would offer up prayers of thanksgiving to the Great Spirit for sending them food for their families. Not only did their hunt – whether deer or buffalo, provide them with food, but they used every single part of the animal for some purpose. Hide for clothing and shelters, bones for needles, sinew for thread and ropes, etc. Nothing was wasted. Not true when the white men invaded their hunting grounds. Stories of the white buffalo hunters and their slaughters still make me cry.

Hunters today argue that killing animals for sport is actually good for the animals. They say it keeps down the population. Otherwise, the animals would starve. Well, I wonder what would happen if everyone at once quit eating meat of any kind? Farmers and ranchers could no longer sell their livestock, thus they would have no money to feed them. We would have millions of livestock and poultry starving to death. Right?

Are there any vegetarians in the military? Would they be considered conscientious objectors based on their eating habits alone? Are vegetarians against the death penalty? What about animals for medical research? I agree these animals must be treated as humanely as possible when being housed for such research, but what would be the alternative to using them for some of the critical medical research?

Some cultures believe they cannot kill any living thing – even insects. As much as I would love to be that enlightened, there are boundaries to my beliefs! I used to get so amused at the mother of a dear friend of mine. She is probably the most “enlightened” being I’ve ever known. When she would be forced to kill a fly (nasty, germ bearing creatures!) in her home she would announce with her death blow, “Liberated with love!”

I don’t have any answers for all my questions. I do think of all these issues frequently. I wish I were more diligent in practicing my beliefs. I am against killing of any kind. I hate war. I hate to see people hunt just for the trophies. I hate to hear the stories of how animals are treated by slaughter houses – or medical research labs. I hate what the oil companies have done to our oceans and the wildlife dependent upon them. But I haven’t been able to give up eating meat… or killing bugs… or snakes (well, only one snake)… or driving my gas guzzling car. I hate guns, but if I had one (I don’t) and I felt one of my family was in danger, I feel pretty certain I would kill to protect him. That must be my Ego talking.

I often feel very hypocritical.

I recently read that it is believed that the world -- particularly our young people, is becoming more compassionate and empathetic. Even the Dalai Lama said something similar on the Today Show yesterday. Perhaps this is because we aren't scaring them with the Devil any longer!

Peace and love to all creatures,

Marilyn