There are some people who believe that The Buddha was against eating meat. Others believe he would allow it as long as the animal wasn't purposely killed just for that person's consumption. It seems as thought it is a widely debated aspect of Buddhism.
I, myself, do eat meat. It's never really been an issue to me. I've been on farms, I've raised hogs myself. I've seen the individual personality that each animal possesses. I can assure you, no livestock animal is a mindless hunk of meat. In terms of non-violence, though I can see where some people would shy away from eating meat.
In recent years, many farm-related animal abuse cases have been brought to light. When you are trying to live your life by not doing harm finding out your morning omelet can from a farm where they keep chickens in cages next to rotting corpses can be a real turn-off. It's hard to get that to mesh with non-violence.
We'd all like to think our meat and animal products come from some farm where it's always sunny and the grass is the greenest, most nutritious thing ever. Sadly, the reality is that we can't be sure that what we eat comes from a farm that treats the animals with kindness and respect. While these animals may be bred for food, the do deserve a good quality of life while they are alive and a quick and as painless as possible death.
Now on to what brought this blog on today. I read an article this morning about activist who make covert tapes to expose farms for cruelty. As hard as these videos are to watch I believe they are a very important tool. Not only do they bring animal abusers to justice, they make the public aware of the horrors that can happen while bringing them their New York Strip Steak. There are several places trying to pass legislation that actually makes it illegal to covertly tape animal abuse.
Let me get this straight, we want to waste time and money, in an already bloated legal system, to criminalize the good guys?
Some people are saying that some of the things on the tapes, while shocking, are little more than typical farm practice. I cannot think of one single farm where it is common practice to burn baby chicks and break off their heads and I've been involved in farming since I was knee high. I understand that they are probably trying to keep from having farmers vilified because not all farmers abuse animals. We need farms. They make much more than food.
So when you are trying to walk a path of non-violence how do you reconcile the fact that your food may very well be brought to you by abuse?
Here's the article if you'd like to read it. New York Times
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Angry Girl
Monday, April 8, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Moving!
Ok, guys, bear with me! We are moving and when the dust settles I will be able to post more!
Thanks!
Angry Girl
Thanks!
Angry Girl
Monday, March 18, 2013
What Does Community Mean and Social Media Activism
Today's blog is all about community.
As Buddhist we are taught the importance of the Sangha or community. It can help strengthen our practice to be with like minded people. We can do service with our sangha. Basically, the group benefits the individual and vice versa. What I want to discuss, though, is the community we live in.
Years ago community meant something sacred. Today, I'm not sure it still does. My Great Grandfather lost half of his arm one year. He ran a farm and was in the hospital for a while, as you can imagine. When it was time to harvest the people of that small, rural, community came together and helped bring in the crops. There are pictures of it in our family albums. People milling about on the farm, long tables filled with food, smiles, worn out faces, all these things mean community to me.
If my neighbors need help, I do my best to help. This winter I often shoveled my driveway as well as my neighbor's. They are older ladies with declining health and they genuinely appreciate it. I do it with expecting anything in return and it makes me feel great to help. In a world where gratification has to be instant and we are all about what WE want and what WE do can help US, community has quickly lost it's meaning.
People often wonder what happened to our moral structure and want to place the blame everywhere they can. Truth is, we have become more concerned with things than we are our neighbors. We are more concerned about how much money we have and what it can buy us to look around and say "Hello," to our neighbors. How many people do you know that live on your street? I'm guilty of this as well. Ate the very least we should know the people who live on either side of us. Take a minute, step away from your tech and go say hi to the neighbors.
In a disaster scenario the people you will be relying on, in many, many cases, is your neighbors. They are the ones who will stumble out of the wreckage of their own homes and come save you from the wreckage of yours. The one s who will be with you as you dig out what memories you can. The ones who will be there when the Red Cross is busy wading through red tape. The ones who will help you when the insurance companies refuse. The ones who won't make you jump through hoops, but will slap on a mask, grab a tool, and ask, "Where do you need me."
There is no better an example of this being true than Staten Island. Like most of use who don't live near the East Coast, I watched the news in horror as Sandy battered the cities along the seaboard. Then, while on twitter over the course of the weeks that followed, I saw something alarming. The people of Staten Island seemed to be completely on their own.
Theo Rossi, yea the guy from Sons of Anarchy, is a pretty active guy on Twitter. His parents live in Staten Island, which is where he grew up, and he was visiting when the storm hit. He was vocal about what was going on in his hometown. People were missing, people were homeless with, very literally, just the clothes on their backs, damage was everywhere, and the people stepping up were people of the community, not of any nationally recognized organization. I watched as they let people know here they could charge their cell phones, where they had set up hubs to help everyone.
Most of all, I wanted to help.
I sent a box of clothes, I passed on the info about where to send it. Then I felt like there was nothing more I could really do, except retweet every bit of information I could and share it on any social media I had. To my surprise, it did actually help people. I was so excited, so happy to be helping any small way that I could.
I was watching an interview the other day where I was introduced to the term "Slacktivist". This term is what many say about people who retweet, repost, and otherwise share information about causes. I will proudly wear that term, if that's what you want to label me, because I know my slacktivism helps. I know my blog has lead people to Staten Strong where they can donate or buys shirts. I know, without doubt, my blog has helped. It's part of why I try to keep the awareness going strong. Without people to keep reminding others that there is still help needed people will forget and just move on.
For those of us who aren't living the situation it is easy not to remember that much of Staten Island is still in huge disrepair or that there are civil wars happening in other countries or that there are animals in need of homes or that there are children in need of an education. The only way to keep it in the forefront is to get the word out there.
The way I see it, the story would live long without the bard to tell it.
I think it's time we bring back the meaning of community that was held before. Get out, say hi to people, make friends out of neighbors, rake leaves, shovel drives, carry groceries in for people, just do whatever you possibly can to be helpful. Kindness is kindness in small or large doses, it's the same.
I want to leave you guys with a few videos of the aftermath in Staten Island. Keep spreading the word about the amazing group at Staten Strong. Help them help their neighbors.
You can donate or buy gear at: www.statenstrong.com
You can follow them on Twitter @StatenStrong
You can follow the one of the biggest hearts around on Twitter @TheoRossi
To see how you can help turn news into action on Twitter follow @RYOTNews
To follow a kind soul out to save the planet follow @iansomerhalder
You can visit Ian's charity here ISF
Lets take the time to grow the hearts of our communities, making life less about I and more about Us.
Angry Girl
As Buddhist we are taught the importance of the Sangha or community. It can help strengthen our practice to be with like minded people. We can do service with our sangha. Basically, the group benefits the individual and vice versa. What I want to discuss, though, is the community we live in.
Years ago community meant something sacred. Today, I'm not sure it still does. My Great Grandfather lost half of his arm one year. He ran a farm and was in the hospital for a while, as you can imagine. When it was time to harvest the people of that small, rural, community came together and helped bring in the crops. There are pictures of it in our family albums. People milling about on the farm, long tables filled with food, smiles, worn out faces, all these things mean community to me.
If my neighbors need help, I do my best to help. This winter I often shoveled my driveway as well as my neighbor's. They are older ladies with declining health and they genuinely appreciate it. I do it with expecting anything in return and it makes me feel great to help. In a world where gratification has to be instant and we are all about what WE want and what WE do can help US, community has quickly lost it's meaning.
People often wonder what happened to our moral structure and want to place the blame everywhere they can. Truth is, we have become more concerned with things than we are our neighbors. We are more concerned about how much money we have and what it can buy us to look around and say "Hello," to our neighbors. How many people do you know that live on your street? I'm guilty of this as well. Ate the very least we should know the people who live on either side of us. Take a minute, step away from your tech and go say hi to the neighbors.
In a disaster scenario the people you will be relying on, in many, many cases, is your neighbors. They are the ones who will stumble out of the wreckage of their own homes and come save you from the wreckage of yours. The one s who will be with you as you dig out what memories you can. The ones who will be there when the Red Cross is busy wading through red tape. The ones who will help you when the insurance companies refuse. The ones who won't make you jump through hoops, but will slap on a mask, grab a tool, and ask, "Where do you need me."
There is no better an example of this being true than Staten Island. Like most of use who don't live near the East Coast, I watched the news in horror as Sandy battered the cities along the seaboard. Then, while on twitter over the course of the weeks that followed, I saw something alarming. The people of Staten Island seemed to be completely on their own.
Theo Rossi, yea the guy from Sons of Anarchy, is a pretty active guy on Twitter. His parents live in Staten Island, which is where he grew up, and he was visiting when the storm hit. He was vocal about what was going on in his hometown. People were missing, people were homeless with, very literally, just the clothes on their backs, damage was everywhere, and the people stepping up were people of the community, not of any nationally recognized organization. I watched as they let people know here they could charge their cell phones, where they had set up hubs to help everyone.
Most of all, I wanted to help.
I sent a box of clothes, I passed on the info about where to send it. Then I felt like there was nothing more I could really do, except retweet every bit of information I could and share it on any social media I had. To my surprise, it did actually help people. I was so excited, so happy to be helping any small way that I could.
I was watching an interview the other day where I was introduced to the term "Slacktivist". This term is what many say about people who retweet, repost, and otherwise share information about causes. I will proudly wear that term, if that's what you want to label me, because I know my slacktivism helps. I know my blog has lead people to Staten Strong where they can donate or buys shirts. I know, without doubt, my blog has helped. It's part of why I try to keep the awareness going strong. Without people to keep reminding others that there is still help needed people will forget and just move on.
For those of us who aren't living the situation it is easy not to remember that much of Staten Island is still in huge disrepair or that there are civil wars happening in other countries or that there are animals in need of homes or that there are children in need of an education. The only way to keep it in the forefront is to get the word out there.
The way I see it, the story would live long without the bard to tell it.
I think it's time we bring back the meaning of community that was held before. Get out, say hi to people, make friends out of neighbors, rake leaves, shovel drives, carry groceries in for people, just do whatever you possibly can to be helpful. Kindness is kindness in small or large doses, it's the same.
I want to leave you guys with a few videos of the aftermath in Staten Island. Keep spreading the word about the amazing group at Staten Strong. Help them help their neighbors.
You can donate or buy gear at: www.statenstrong.com
You can follow them on Twitter @StatenStrong
You can follow the one of the biggest hearts around on Twitter @TheoRossi
To see how you can help turn news into action on Twitter follow @RYOTNews
To follow a kind soul out to save the planet follow @iansomerhalder
You can visit Ian's charity here ISF
Lets take the time to grow the hearts of our communities, making life less about I and more about Us.
Angry Girl
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Trying Not To Judge
In a lot of the talks I've listened to there is a pretty central theme about negativity; try not to do it. For me, judging others falls into the negativity pile. It's hard to be compassionate and show loving-kindness when you are judging someone.
Now, I'm not saying I never judge anyone, I'd have to go all Doby the House Elf and punish myself for spewing such bull. Judging is human nature and , just like all the other things Buddhism encourages you to go against the stream with, it's hard not to judge people.
We do it all the time. It doesn't have to be a huge thing for it to be judgmental. Going through walmart I judge a LOT, even though I try really hard not to. I know that there could be a million reasons why people dress the way they do. They could be sick. They could be poor (I know I've been there). They could just be secure enough not to give a damn. Still, I find my mind wandering and judging.
When you are actively trying not to be so negative the by product is that you realize how judgmental you really are and how judgmental and negative the people around you are. In one way it's really helpful to realize just how often you are walking around with bitchy thoughts in your head or saying bitchy things. If you are aware you can try more to stop yourself in your tracks. On the other, you can't control the people around you. If your friends and family want to be Negative Nancy's they are going to be that way. You either have to learn to deal with it or move on.
Here's a challenge for you, the next time you go to the store or just out in public in general keep track of every judgey thought you have. I bet you are shocked by the amount of negative cataloging of people you really do.
The upside to trying not to judge and be negative, as you do it less and less you actually feel better. You're happier. You actually become more optimistic about everything. It's definitely a nice change!
Later this week I will be doing a blog with all the resources I've found on child meditation and discussing how it's going with my son. If anyone has any specific things they would like me to touch on feel free to ask in the comments. I am by no means an expert, but I am more than happy to share what I've found with everyone. After all, this is my community.
I've also been thinking of changing blog platforms so that I can customize my blog more.Don't worry, BellaKarma over at Stix on the Beach let me know that I can set this one to show the new URL. Also, I will share it here if I do move. I'd just like it to reflect my personality a bit more.
I'm so happy that I have seen so many hits! Keep coming back because I am glad you're here!
Angry Girl
Now, I'm not saying I never judge anyone, I'd have to go all Doby the House Elf and punish myself for spewing such bull. Judging is human nature and , just like all the other things Buddhism encourages you to go against the stream with, it's hard not to judge people.
We do it all the time. It doesn't have to be a huge thing for it to be judgmental. Going through walmart I judge a LOT, even though I try really hard not to. I know that there could be a million reasons why people dress the way they do. They could be sick. They could be poor (I know I've been there). They could just be secure enough not to give a damn. Still, I find my mind wandering and judging.
When you are actively trying not to be so negative the by product is that you realize how judgmental you really are and how judgmental and negative the people around you are. In one way it's really helpful to realize just how often you are walking around with bitchy thoughts in your head or saying bitchy things. If you are aware you can try more to stop yourself in your tracks. On the other, you can't control the people around you. If your friends and family want to be Negative Nancy's they are going to be that way. You either have to learn to deal with it or move on.
Here's a challenge for you, the next time you go to the store or just out in public in general keep track of every judgey thought you have. I bet you are shocked by the amount of negative cataloging of people you really do.
The upside to trying not to judge and be negative, as you do it less and less you actually feel better. You're happier. You actually become more optimistic about everything. It's definitely a nice change!
Later this week I will be doing a blog with all the resources I've found on child meditation and discussing how it's going with my son. If anyone has any specific things they would like me to touch on feel free to ask in the comments. I am by no means an expert, but I am more than happy to share what I've found with everyone. After all, this is my community.
I've also been thinking of changing blog platforms so that I can customize my blog more.Don't worry, BellaKarma over at Stix on the Beach let me know that I can set this one to show the new URL. Also, I will share it here if I do move. I'd just like it to reflect my personality a bit more.
I'm so happy that I have seen so many hits! Keep coming back because I am glad you're here!
Angry Girl
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Keeping the Ball Rolling: Staten Island Five Months Later
We're what seems like a long way from October, 2012. We've made it through Christmas, New Years, and Valentine's day, surviving some of the most hectic times of the year. The kids are back to school and we've all fallen back into out normal routine.
Since Sandy struck the East Coast, leaving many homeless or in homes without power for weeks, we've had several shootings and a snow storm or two. Still, everyday I think of Staten Island from my home in Ohio. It got to the point that my four year old would ask me, anytime I started getting rid of stuff, "Are you sending that to New York."
I think it's time for those of us who don't live on Staten Island, and have no friends or family to tell us, remind us, that recovery is still very much ongoing, to have a refresher. There may no longer be walls of debris in front of all the house, but there are still many houses renovating and dealing with the aftermath of the flooding and there are homes being demolished.
This week on HBO's Girls, there was a session of Staten Island bashing. I get that being funny sometimes crosses lines and I also understand that this was shot months ago. However, the show could have used this as a way to raise awareness by running PSA's or commercials for charities. The absolute least the could have done was run a list of places to which you can donate to the still recovering people of Staten Island. In the aftermath of the show there has been a lot of talk of Staten Island, which is great, but lets make it talk with meaning.
Today, as I was reading an article about the TV show, I also remembered another article I read recently. It had pictures of the devastation and it's a great reminder of why we still need to help. The article is located here.
We need to remember that this is a community that, despite it all, has pulled together and helped each other. A community whose response to being forgotten was to take matters into its own hands and make a charity to help each other. Staten Strong has done so much and can only stand to help so much more. To donate, go to www.statenstrong.com they have shirts, hoodies, hats, or you can just donate money. There are no hoops, the help goes directly to people at street level. And once all this has settled, imagine all the good work Staten Strong can continue to do in other avenues.
My blog has become just as much known for my support of Staten Staten strong and their efforts as it has as a blog about my journey into Buddhism, but I see the connection. Some of the main principals in Buddhism are compassion and loving-kindness. You find me a group that represents those two things more than the people over at Staten Strong and I'll buy you a pizza from Denino's, it might take me a while to get there, but you get my point.
So, please, continue to keep Staten Island in your thoughts, lets make them the Unforgettable Borough instead of the forgotten one.
Angry Girl
Since Sandy struck the East Coast, leaving many homeless or in homes without power for weeks, we've had several shootings and a snow storm or two. Still, everyday I think of Staten Island from my home in Ohio. It got to the point that my four year old would ask me, anytime I started getting rid of stuff, "Are you sending that to New York."
I think it's time for those of us who don't live on Staten Island, and have no friends or family to tell us, remind us, that recovery is still very much ongoing, to have a refresher. There may no longer be walls of debris in front of all the house, but there are still many houses renovating and dealing with the aftermath of the flooding and there are homes being demolished.
This week on HBO's Girls, there was a session of Staten Island bashing. I get that being funny sometimes crosses lines and I also understand that this was shot months ago. However, the show could have used this as a way to raise awareness by running PSA's or commercials for charities. The absolute least the could have done was run a list of places to which you can donate to the still recovering people of Staten Island. In the aftermath of the show there has been a lot of talk of Staten Island, which is great, but lets make it talk with meaning.
Today, as I was reading an article about the TV show, I also remembered another article I read recently. It had pictures of the devastation and it's a great reminder of why we still need to help. The article is located here.
We need to remember that this is a community that, despite it all, has pulled together and helped each other. A community whose response to being forgotten was to take matters into its own hands and make a charity to help each other. Staten Strong has done so much and can only stand to help so much more. To donate, go to www.statenstrong.com they have shirts, hoodies, hats, or you can just donate money. There are no hoops, the help goes directly to people at street level. And once all this has settled, imagine all the good work Staten Strong can continue to do in other avenues.
My blog has become just as much known for my support of Staten Staten strong and their efforts as it has as a blog about my journey into Buddhism, but I see the connection. Some of the main principals in Buddhism are compassion and loving-kindness. You find me a group that represents those two things more than the people over at Staten Strong and I'll buy you a pizza from Denino's, it might take me a while to get there, but you get my point.
So, please, continue to keep Staten Island in your thoughts, lets make them the Unforgettable Borough instead of the forgotten one.
Angry Girl
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Mommy, look! I'm Meditating too!
My oldest son, who is 9, has been really curious about my meditation practice lately. It's really awesome and I love that he has so many questions. I try to answer them as best I can. He like to tell his friends that his mom is Buddhist and then try to explain it. I think that's adorable. The other day, he asked me to teach him to meditate.
I was taken aback at first because nine seems awfully young for that. Then I remember that this is the boy who found his faith in God through Veggie Tales on Netflix. He is a pretty amazing kid.
So I started doing some research. It seems that there are many benefits to teaching children simple meditation. It can help then learn to focus better and be kinder. In today's society, where children are eating each other alive, learning a little kindness is a good thing. In the study they gave the child a stone to place on the belly so they could focus on their breathing. It showed that it actually changed the brain. Changing the brain is a huge effing deal. Meditation could really be the revolution we all need.
After reading about all the benefits I think I am going to teach my son meditation, if I can. I am only a noob myself, but I think, with all the positives, it is really worth a shot. My nine year old has severe adhd and other learning issues, if teaching him something that is so simple, that I love, and that I do daily can really help him, I am all for it. If this does actually help promote kindness and focus in children then perhaps we should be teaching it everywhere.
I'll start teaching him tomorrow and I'll keep everyone updated on my experiment with it. It really is an exciting prospect not just because of the benefits, but also because I get to spend time doing something I really believe in with my son. As I am not at all a person who has faith in God I can't really share that with him. I've always been of the mind that he should get to choose his own faith. So, when he began showing interest in God, I let him run with it. It sucked that I couldn't really be of more guidance to him in it, but I was happy for him that he found something that helped him be at ease. Now, I get to share with him what keeps me focused and on the right path.
Here is a great article on it, short and sweet, but gets the point across: http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Neuroscientist+touts+benefits+meditation+kids/6158952/story.html
I'll update you guys in a week or so. Maybe we can start a revolution!
Angry Girl
So I started doing some research. It seems that there are many benefits to teaching children simple meditation. It can help then learn to focus better and be kinder. In today's society, where children are eating each other alive, learning a little kindness is a good thing. In the study they gave the child a stone to place on the belly so they could focus on their breathing. It showed that it actually changed the brain. Changing the brain is a huge effing deal. Meditation could really be the revolution we all need.
After reading about all the benefits I think I am going to teach my son meditation, if I can. I am only a noob myself, but I think, with all the positives, it is really worth a shot. My nine year old has severe adhd and other learning issues, if teaching him something that is so simple, that I love, and that I do daily can really help him, I am all for it. If this does actually help promote kindness and focus in children then perhaps we should be teaching it everywhere.
I'll start teaching him tomorrow and I'll keep everyone updated on my experiment with it. It really is an exciting prospect not just because of the benefits, but also because I get to spend time doing something I really believe in with my son. As I am not at all a person who has faith in God I can't really share that with him. I've always been of the mind that he should get to choose his own faith. So, when he began showing interest in God, I let him run with it. It sucked that I couldn't really be of more guidance to him in it, but I was happy for him that he found something that helped him be at ease. Now, I get to share with him what keeps me focused and on the right path.
Here is a great article on it, short and sweet, but gets the point across: http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Neuroscientist+touts+benefits+meditation+kids/6158952/story.html
I'll update you guys in a week or so. Maybe we can start a revolution!
Angry Girl
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The End of The Tunnel
The last two days have been pretty emotional for me. I'm not going to share the catalyst, because that's for me, but I do want to share some things with you guys.
Most of my adult life I was lost in the dense for of fear, uncertainty, anger, a lot of negative emotions. There were times I was convinced I would never make it through. I thought I was lost forever like some poor girl in Goblin King's Labyrinth. Cancer, the bad health of a loved one, death, so much death. They tell you all things heal with time, I'm still not sure about that, but you can get passed all things with time.
Life has been trying to tell me lately that I am on the right path, and I don't just mean Buddhism. Every doubt I've had something has popped up to say, "Hey, you're doing it right. You've got this. It's ok." It's time for me to start listening.
When I started this blog I did it to pay it forward. An extremely random person, in an even more random way, had completely changed things for me and I wanted to let the universe know I appreciated it, so I wrote my first blog. It's been almost six months since that first blog and that girl writing that first blog is nearly unrecognizable to me.
Yesterday, for some reason, it was like it all hit me. I finally made it out of the long dark tunnel and into all the warm light I could ever want. I've been through the fire, the ice, up the mountain and down again, down into the deepest depths, and I'm still here. I'm still whole. I finally found myself again.
Don't ever give up. I don't care how hard things are, how beat down you feel, never give up.
Angry Girl
Most of my adult life I was lost in the dense for of fear, uncertainty, anger, a lot of negative emotions. There were times I was convinced I would never make it through. I thought I was lost forever like some poor girl in Goblin King's Labyrinth. Cancer, the bad health of a loved one, death, so much death. They tell you all things heal with time, I'm still not sure about that, but you can get passed all things with time.
Life has been trying to tell me lately that I am on the right path, and I don't just mean Buddhism. Every doubt I've had something has popped up to say, "Hey, you're doing it right. You've got this. It's ok." It's time for me to start listening.
When I started this blog I did it to pay it forward. An extremely random person, in an even more random way, had completely changed things for me and I wanted to let the universe know I appreciated it, so I wrote my first blog. It's been almost six months since that first blog and that girl writing that first blog is nearly unrecognizable to me.
Yesterday, for some reason, it was like it all hit me. I finally made it out of the long dark tunnel and into all the warm light I could ever want. I've been through the fire, the ice, up the mountain and down again, down into the deepest depths, and I'm still here. I'm still whole. I finally found myself again.
Don't ever give up. I don't care how hard things are, how beat down you feel, never give up.
Angry Girl
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