Killing, as a solution, comes easy to this culture. We
seem to reach for it first.
Is there a problem we haven't tried to solve by wiping it off the
face of the earth? Pesticides, herbicides, war, antibiotics [suicide, homicide,
genocide, euthanasia]-other options considered only if eradication doesn't
work, which it usually doesn't, at least not in the long run.
Priscilla Stuckey, Kissed By A Fox
When I read Priscilla’s book, I
came to a sentence that rocked my soul. “Killing,
as a solution, comes easy to this culture.” As a systems thinker, I’ve been in reflection. Many actions
are shaped by cultural beliefs and myths handled down that we unwittingly
perpetuate. Waking up to this reality startled me. It’s amazing to uncover
systems contributing to a collective anesthetization that defends killing as
solution.
We will never find positive solutions
when aligned with myths and practices that ennoble killing, or unnatural dying
and suffering. Albert Einstein is right: “We can’t solve problems by using the
same mind that created them.” Consider two beliefs
conditioning us in matters of killing, from two people who went beyond
tradition.
Death or Life 1:
· The first people canonized as saints were done so because they
were martyrs. By being a martyr they were proving their faith. To die for one’s
religious beliefs was considered noble.
What does this canonization criteria
mean for aspirants wanting to make a difference? Do we need to be killed, die
unnaturally or suffer? Is this tacit validation for “holy” wars?
·
Saint Hildegard lived a long life, dying of
natural causes. She denounced the practice of self-flagellation
and was a composer, Prioress and holistic practitioner.
Rev. Amy Freedman celebrated her life in saying: “Even
Naturalists can appreciate her mystical insight long before atoms were
discovered, that there is a divine energy animating every person, creature, and
plant.” Does Hildegard’s life inspire you in making a difference?
Death or Life 2:
· One slow dying belief: “animal experiments are vital to the
advancement of medicine and science.”
What does this belief suggest? That
life is expendable? When we believe we are saving life by the taking of life,
what do we lose? Do we lose our integrity and faith in “no harm” solutions?
·
Jane Goodall, Scientist and “Messenger of Peace” thinks
so: "By and large students are taught that it is ethically acceptable to
perpetrate, in the name of science, what from the point of view of the animals
would certainly qualify as torture. By the time [the students] arrive in the
labs they have been programmed to accept the suffering around them."
Jane Goodall named the chimpanzees that she studied. She
upended long-conditioned beliefs about efficacious research. She changed science.
She shines her light for the pathway of “no harm” solutions. Does she motivate
you?
What choices did you make reaching for
wrong solutions? What solutions have you discovered that honor ALL life?
5 comments:
Delighted at your love of animals. To me they are just as lovable as humans even more so really because they are so vulnerable. Your blog is very deep indeed and I shall return to it to understand your thoughts at a more relaxed moment.
If you find the time do visit this other post about my experience with a sparrow. You might like it http://someitemshave.blogspot.in/2010/08/from-birds-to-telepathy.html
The link would have to be copied and pasted in the browser because I do not know how to create active links in comments
We both then are delighted in our mutual love of animals. I loved your blog and your growing relationship with a sparrow. It was delightful to see first that she was near the roof, then the living room and then waking you up if you slept in late.
As I read comments at your blog site, I reflected on the distinction of Western Science to that of Eastern, Hindu and Buddhist perspectives. The latter knowing that the life pulse is in everyone. Therefore the study of science cannot leave out the value of ALL sentient beings if it is to have meaning and ethical contribution.
The sparrow touched me in her wanting to know and communicate with you. You might also enjoy one western author who joined Patanjali in talking about accessing telepathy or non-verbal communication. The book is Kinship with All Life by J. Allen Boone.
Thank-you for dropping by to read my blog. The more of us who get the word out the better connected our world can become.
Thanks for your comments Karla I have made a note of the book and will read it soon as I can find a copy.
Part of my life and education has been in the west and therefore my world view is influenced by both western and Asian attitudes.
Regarding the attitude to kill or be willing to get killed, the former is linked to causing violence. It was stressed by Buddha that it is something that life must learn to avoid as regards all life including all animals. In a sense violence is the opposite of love that life needs to cultivate if it wishes to evolve - as Dhampadda - a Buddhist text said if I recall right, life is just as precious to another as it is to oneself and we have no justification for causing pain or loss of life.
Personally I view insensitivity to violence as a left over over of evolutionary animal (excluding human) past. The first step to become fully human therefore is to get rid of any tendency or tolerance to violence.
Thanks, Ashok
-May good reflections here. What a positive way to view it: Violence is the opposite of Love.
What I might add is that we humans have a history of violence and moving to Love.
When we take stands for a loving, peaceful future, we do contribute to a consciousness conducive to learning and being of a new way. I keep dedicating blogs to this theme. In my current one, I write about when Americans grew tired of violence and what changed.
http://consultingforpassion.blogspot.com/2014/05/all-we-are-saying-this-country-with-its.html.
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