"The Vegetarian Soul"

October 1, this day has been observed as World Vegetarian day since 1977. Throughout history, many great philosophers, saints, enlightened beings and spiritual teachers have traditionally advocated a vegetarian diet for spiritual and moral reasons.

There is an expression “You are what you eat”. In countries of the east where vegetarianism has been the diet for thousands of years, people recognize that whatever they eat forms part of their body and also influences their thoughts. Today, science is researching the effect that our own stress harmones have on our body and the damage that long term stress does to our organs. Imagine eating the flesh of animals whose last days or minutes of life on earth were drenched with the harmones released in their state of fear they were in when they were about to be slaughtered. Those who eat meat are ingesting not only the flesh, but all the harmones of stress that are released due to the animals fear as well. Thus, many people brought up in the traditions of the east prefer to live on plant foods, which are more conducive to mental equipoise.

Vegetarianism prepares the ground work for the health of body, mind and soul. There is a creative power or force whether called GOD or any other name, and that we are soul, a part of the Creator. The majority of religions believe that animals to have consciousness or soul, which makes them also a part of GOD. When we look at life through the consciousness of the empowered soul, we begin to live in a gentler manner and start respecting all forms of life. That’s why people who are soul conscious turn to a vegetarian diet. GOD has provided enough food in the form of plants to sustain our lives and it is not necessary to take the life of any of Lord’s creatures for food. GOD has created this beautiful universe, the earth and all creatures. Thus, if we wish to find GOD it is our duty to humbly respect and develop love for all life that exists.

There is an Interesting anecdote from George Bernard Shaw’s life regarding the vegetarian diet. Once when he was very ill, the doctors said that unless he started eating eggs and taking meat soup he would die. As he was a strict vegetarian, he refused to follow the doctor’s order. When the doctors stuck to their point of view and told him they could not guarantee that he would survive the illness, G B Shaw called his secretary and dictated his will. It said, “ I Solemnly declare that it is my last wish that when I am no longer a captive of this physical body, my coffin when carried to the graveyard be accompanied by mourners of the following categories: first: birds, second: sheep, lambs, and cows and other animals of the kind; third: live fish in an aquarium. Each of these mourners should carry a placard bearing the inscription: ‘O Lord, be gracious to our benefactor, G B Shaw who gave his life for saving ours!”

Thus, World Vegetarian Day is a good day to try a vegetarian diet. You might just be surprised at how good it tastes too!!

"Colours of a Butterfly"

Your butterfly has truly emerged.
Bright, beautiful, symmetrical.
Blazing with colour.
Pinks for our love.
Deep reds for our hearts,
Our passions, our lips.
Yellows for our glow, our Light,
Our Spirits, our beautiful Sun.
Blues for our clear skies,
Our peace, our calm, your eyes.
Greens for our earth, our plants,
Our nature that surrounds
Our beautiful little bridge
That you built.
With hearts bonded and melted,
With pure love and sexiness,
With sheer poetry and excitement
Come fly with me.