Cognitive Dissonance at its Greatest: A Country of Pet Lovers and Meat Eaters

First thing, the most kind and intelligent people in my life purchase/consume animal products that have foreboding origins. And bottom line, a person’s choice of food, in my opinion, does not determine whether that person is a loving and compassion soul... it does, however, bring up a psychological and ethical paradox.[*][*][*]

 

American’s love their pets.

 
Last year alone, we spent over 14 billion dollars on pet services (not including vet care). There has been no time in history that has seen such a wide and growing variety of products and services for pets and pet parents.[*] 
 
 
American’s also love their meat (and cheese)….no other county in the world consumes more meat then America.[*]
 
With these statistics, I have to admit I am a bit confused by the logic of consuming/purchasing animal products (ex. meat, dairy, clothing) but still professing our beliefs against animal cruelty.
 
Is it that people are still truly in the dark when it comes to the origin and process of how their food got to their plate?
 
True, some Americans do choose to stop eating meat and/or dairy (or choose more humane origins such as local farmers) when they learn the extent that animals suffer for its production. However, an overwhelming majority do not. Recent research has illustrated that people keep eating meat by simply dampening their moral consideration of animals when sitting at the dinner table.[*]
 
Research explains that when there is a conflict between people's preferred way of thinking and their preferred way of acting, it is their thoughts and moral standards that people abandon first -- rather than changing their behavior.[*]
 
People may even employ the following when faced with their role as a consumer in the reality of the horrific conditions of industrialized meat/dairy:  

Denial - "Animals are treated fine.” “Animals don’t suffer.” “Human’s are superior.”

 

Minimization - "That's only the non-freerange animals."

 

Passive aggression- A general negative feeling towards people who don’t eat meat or eat locally farm raised meat.

 

Isolation - "The animals are nowhere near me and have nothing to do with me." “There is nothing I can do about it.”

 

Repression - Any guilt arising from having an active role in animal cruelty is avoided..

 

Humor - Making a joke out of the issue to avoid their own feelings about it.

  
This may be surprising to some, but animals raised for food in the US, in large part, are excluded from legal protection against cruelty.[*]
 
Specifically, 28 states have enacted laws that create a legal realm whereby certain acts, no matter how cruel, are deem ‘accepted’,‘common’, ‘customary’, and ‘normal’ farming practices. Of those states that do have anticruelty statues, they exclude poultry which represents approximate 95% of the 7 billion farm animals slaughtered annually.[*]
 

(I’m not going to drone on and on regarding what happens to these animals. I’ve seen it and I don’t care to rehash it. If you are truly curious then I suggest watching Earthlings or, the rated PG version, Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home)

 

So how do we go from abandoning our underlying principles of animal cruelty to changing our behavior? Could the answer be in an encompassing grasp on how much power the consumer has over this dilemma?  
 
With each meal, with each dollar – we truly cast our vote each and every day on whether we support animal cruelty or if we have enough balls and wherewithal to stand up against it.

“We patronize animals for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far beneath ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man.

In a world older and more complex than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth."

 

-Harry Beston 1888~1968

 

For those of you who are too afraid to witness how these animals come into this world, live, reproduce and die...just remember that they have to live through this violence each and every day, every minute and every second – and each of us has an active role in its progression (or cessation).  
 
Even more disturbing, in my opinion, is this cruelty is caused not because Americans are starving, naked, or without other means of enriching their lives, but rather - we simple enjoy a cheap double bacon cheeseburger or we like the feel of leather. Suffering caused for nothing more than fulfillment of sensual desire.
 
I understand, no one wants to see, experience or confront this violence…  watching an educational documentary on how animals are treated today in agriculture (such as "Earthlings") is hard to watch, but would be even harder to live.
 
To be honest, I never thought that I'd be the victim of such an impact. To the point that it would have such an immense influence on my health and spirituality.
 
For me, I SEVERELY underestimated how devastating the knowledge a movie like this imparts. I felt so mentally and emotionally exhausted after but also I felt an incredible sense of empowerment.
 
It lends an energy and purpose that tends to light a fire and push a person to be an integral part of ending the suffering.
 
On behalf of the billions and billions of animals who are suffering today, right this second...may your voice and actions be lent to them.
 
 

"Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal."

 

Ecclesiastes 3:19-20

 
 
… how is it that humanity has become so inhumane?
 
There is no NEED for this type of cruelty in today's society.
 
Everyone wants a better world, but few actually place the effort into modifying their behavior to BE the change to make that type of world. Be that change.
 
 

"You have just dined, and however scrupulously the slaughterhouse is concealed in the graceful distance of miles, there is complicity."

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Moth to the Flame - Blinded by the Light

This space has been shaped and transformed by each reader that has touched my life.

In the last 6 years writing and researching, I have yet to clarify the title, Blinded by the Light.

So with that, here is a restricted piece of me, shared and exposed to you.

The Light

The parable of the Moth

 

It is not yet fully understood why moths are attracted to artificial light sources, but there is no denying that moths will float and cluster to a light source without delay once it is presented to them.

 

As a caterpillar, a moth will spend the majority its life devouring it’s sustaining source of life - foliage and leaves.

 

Considered an invasive insect, the caterpillar will eventually shed it’s skin for the last time revealing it’s chrysalis. While inside, the body will break down into imaginal cells which will re-place themselves back into a new shape.

 

When the moth is ready to emerge, the body will work at pulling itself through a small hole, each early attempt will result in failure – progressing ever so slowly, basically unperceivable.

 

Yet, in this delicate state -  if the moth is assisted in any way, you will find the moth to be so badly deformed that it cannot fly and will eventually die shortly after.

 

As we see, this struggle shapes the moth – giving form to the body, forcing the fluid into the wings.

 

It has been theorized that, in fact, moths are not attracted to the artificial light itself. Rather, the moths (like all sighted creatures) see a ‘Mach band’ which is the region surrounding a bright light source that appears darker than the surrounding environment with the aspiration of seeking refuge from predators of the night.

 
Oblivious and unaware to their actual reality, the moth is distracted and disoriented by the artificial light. Feeling secure and protected, the moth seeks sanctuary in the illusion of darkness cast by the brightly lit false light.
 

The Lesson

 

Excerpt from Biocentrism (written by Dr. Robert Lanza, the Chief Scientific Officer at Advanced Cell Technology):

“While I was sitting one night with a poet friend watching a great opera performed in a tent under arc lights, the poet took my arm and pointed silently. Far up, blundering out of the night, a huge Cecropia moth swept past from light to light over the posturings of the actors. ‘He doesn’t know,’ my friend whispered excitedly. ‘He’s passing through an alien universe brightly lit but invisible to him. He’s in another play; he doesn’t see us. He doesn’t know. Maybe it’s happening right now to us.”

 

Are we similar to the huge Cecropia moth? Blundering on in the darkness, oblivious to the Light within us and emanating from all things around us?  

 

Like the caterpillar, we are each profoundly blessed with a transformation onto this plane of existence. We struggle, strive – thrive and become stronger through our experience of life. And like the moth, all the while, artificial light beckons us during our journey – promising false security.

 

The genuine Light is within you, within us.

 

We all return to each other in the end…or rather, what our human comprehension recognizes as the end. Your true Home, my true Home.

We carry a piece of our Home within us – I urge you to recognize and honor the Oneness with everyone and everything you experience today.

 

Blinded by the Light - by Amanda Kulick

 

I traded my Home for wings,

I traded my security to fly.

Now I blunder in the in the darkness.

 

Blinded by the light,

all that I witness outside is false.

For the true illuminating Light is within.

 

No need to pursue Truth,

with fragile wings and courageous flight.

The rhythm of my heart bursts with It.

 

Each pulse comforting me:

I left Home,  

but Home never left me.

 

 

 

 

The Virgin Mary's Birth: A Metaphor for the Conscious Mother

Mary’s virgin birth of Jesus Christ can be regarded as an incredibly meaningful and powerful metaphor.

And although 83% of Americans state that they do, in deed, believe that Mary was in fact an actual virgin during the birth of her first son - I am not here to confirm or deny the merit to this claim.[*]

Although scientists have observed virgin conceptions (known as parthenogenesis) occurring in nature, it has never been observed as occurring in humans, except in unique births as mentioned in various religious (not just Christian) documents.[*] 

A Metaphor

Jesus, himself, preferred to teach his message using a form of metaphor called parables and the virgin birth may be on of the most powerful and universal metaphors to exist.[*][*]

Many current and past scholars have regarded the Virgin Birth is a metaphor for a woman’s process (Mary’s in this case) into motherhood and a spiritual life.

The events that occur within the soul of a woman cause a shift during birth - A birth of compassion; when you begin to live out of compassion rather than from selfish motivation.

“The emotional labor pains of becoming a mother are far greater than the physicals pangs of birth; these are the growing surges of your heart as it pushes out selfishness and fear and makes room for sacrifice and love. It is a private and silent birth of the soul, but it is no less holy then the event of childbirth, perhaps it is even more sacred.” – Joy Kusek LCCE

Although I can not speak for any other person other than myself, motherhood has transformed all that I am.

Motherhood is an extraordinarily profound gift which I think our society tends to forget and, in some cases, undermine.

The Virgin birth does not refer to the biological condition of Mary, but to events that occur within the soul that every mother holds the potential in experiencing. With this insight, we must do our best to honor every mother.

This renewal of the self which occurs in a woman during the passage from woman to mother is enshrouded in obscurity and wonder.  A woman is born again with discernment existing in the soul that experiences the Divine in a unique way – through her child, through her heart and as an instrument of Love and compassion.

I encourage every mother to do their best never to lose sight of what a magnificent influence they have.

Veganism: The Next Step in Moral Evolution

Before becoming vegan myself, there was an idea already in my head of some airy-fairy, mid-twenty new-ager who spoke of horror stories of undercover footage of how factory farm animals were treated or, better yet, someone throwing buckets of blood on people who bought fur coats…all in hopes of converting the uneducated meat-eating masses.

At the beginning, I did NOT decide to stop eating meat/dairy because of the humane aspect. In fact, my main reason was for the health benefits (check out The China Study to begin learning more). Although, I was (at least I thought I was) aware of the humane characteristic of the lifestyle –I never planned on shunning a Coach purse made of leather or bother finding out if the cosmetics I was buying was tested on animals or not.

Sure, I felt that the ethics a ‘lifestyle-vegan’ stood for was great and all, but I never thought of ever actually choosing to become one.  

That’s the thing – no one ever thinks they are going to become vegan. You simply do not choose change like that. 

About 8 months into my journey in eliminating meat and dairy, I found I had enough courage to begin to bear witness with my eyes and my ears to what we make approximately 72 billion animals (each year) bear witness to with their bodies and souls.

I purchased Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home and it was incredibly honest and incredibly powerful. (If you are wondering, this is NOT one of those documentaries that goes undercover and tries to shock-change people, you can learn more about it here)

Visual images are very powerful to humans. It’s very challenging to grab a rubber erase or a bottle of white out and simply scrap the emotion and reactions felt when witnessing a particularly moving visual scene. I think we all can easily re-call the smoke billowing out from the twin towers from 9/11 or those graphic pictures we where shown in high school history books of bodies piled up during the Holocaust.

People use many reasons to avoid addressing particular humane issues when it comes to the food they eat. People simply have “enough on their plate” as it is and challenging the deepest aspects of a person’s upbringing and education is enormously daunting. Not to mention that we are all pretty much neatly removed from observing any horrors of the meat, dairy and egg industry – just look at all those happy cow commercials, right?

Meat-eating, dairy-loving people truly believe themselves to be kind and compassionate to animals; they love their dog and cats, they give money to the local animal shelter and they even brake for a family of Canadian geese crossing a semi-busy street.

What is the underlying catalyst among those animal-friendly people who become vegan and those who do not?

I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a mother now (there are a tremendous amount of changes I’ve made since being a parent and I’m not sure if this can be attributed to motherhood or not), but the images and knowledge I now have pertaining to the unethical treatment (particularly of dairy cows - and their calves) has damaged me and when I recall the information I feel as sick as I did when I first learn of it.

In a strange turn of events, the one thing I thought I would never be able cease (dairy) is one of the main factors that has solidified me becoming vegan.

Dairy. is. no. longer. appetizing. to. me.

(…not to mention there are great alternatives available).

True, dairy cows aren’t raised solely for the purpose for slaughter…instead, to put it in perspective, their devastating existence is drawn out a few years longer. One dairy cow will give birth to approximately 3-6 calves all whom are immediately taken from her. The female cow will be administered  hormones and a constant stream of antibiotics. The substantially unnatural demand of lactation will deplete calcium from her own bones – the bottom-line: that she will generate enough milk to fill as many half-pint containers for school children to drink each day as possible.

When she finally finds herself free from this “life”, her body will produce 2,000 quarter-pounders to a fast food franchise that will serve 7 billion low-cost happy-meals a year. 

****

I was asked last week by a colleague at work, if I truly believe the future of our diet as a community will not consist of consuming meat and/or dairy products.

I took a minute to consider the question and answer him honestly. The answer that surfaced did not surprised me, however the rationale did.

The answer is no, simply because compassion and reverence for Life is the goal of our human evolution.

Embracing veganism is not a moderate resolution. Instead, it is a dramatic, courageous, positive change the world is destined to experience. 

It takes courage to witness the suffering and cruelty that is being done on our watch. A part of you breaks. From that space, reverence and authenticity emerges.

The feedback I got when I asked my friends how they viewed people who choose not to eat meat/dairy was indifferent.

‘It’s everyone’s choice to eat what they want.’

‘As long as ‘they’ aren’t pushing their beliefs on me, then it’s fine.’

However, one simply does not choose to become vegan so it is impossible to try and ‘convert’ someone.

Becoming vegan is definitely isolating at times and (as with anything challenging within ourselves) it’s easy and more comfortable to focus on judging others – but that’s not what I choose to do.  I hope the people around me don’t think I am judging them or hoping to ‘convert’ them – because I truly understand veganism not to be a choice.

You see, I recognize that the only way to eliminate pain and suffering (by both animal and human) is very simple. Create Love and compassion in this world. This is our contribution and gift back to God (or whatever you choose to call it – the Source, the Divine, Buddha, etc). This Gift is not just a vegan’s gift but every and every one of us - to every creature (human and non-human) and with this we have the power to evolve our human race.

 The quotes provided throughout this post were taken from the book: Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust

7 Steps To Bliss

Through my teen years to my mid-twenties, I had ‘managed’ depression and anxiety in many defective ways: drugs, promiscuity, self-inflicted injury, alcohol, prescription medication, avoidance. None of these were long-lasting or beneficial.

And then there was a period in my life where my perception of the world and my purpose in it shifted. I began recognizing myself in others and appreciating myself for who I truly am (who we all are): each of us unique and with a divine purpose - who is happy, sometimes.

Come ‘on – we aren’t ALWAYS happy. My goal in this post is not to act like if you do any of the following things in your life you will be a happy person - In fact, ‘happy’ is a loaded word.  

Am I a much ‘happier’ person now that I incorporate the following list into my life – sure. But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel sad or angry or overwhelmed at times.

I think the key is actually feeling the uncomfortable emotion at that time – which is the opposite of what we automatically think or what may be acceptable. I mean, who wants to feel sad? Who wants to feel pissed off?

But the thing is, if you stuff it – then you will eventually feel it and its going to more drawn out and gritty then if you would have just dealt with it all at that time.

However, I digress…let’s just agree that feeling sad or angry isn’t ‘right or wrong’ anymore then being happy or peaceful.

The following has helped me find joy within myself and I hope it does the same for you.

Step 1    Take Care of Yourself

I mean really take care of yourself. This may be of the most influential step listed.

Some Most of us were never taught nor had a role model in our lives that provided a decent example on how to take care of our bodies. And an occasional gym and health class in high school doesn’t quite lend a knowledgeable foundation to use throughout a lifetime.

Luckily, all a person needs to the willingness to learn and to love themselves - if you are reading this, then there is a good chance you are at least doing one of these two.

Obviously, nutrition directly effects your physical, mental (focus) and emotional energy. Start by being more aware of what you eat. Watch a documentary (Food Inc and Forks Over Knives is excellent).

Foods that possess clinical evidence to combat depression are foods with omega-3 fatty acids (think salmon and tuna) and folic acid (such as spinach and avocado). [*][*][*][*][*][*]

If there was a superstar in your arsenal of self care then it would most definitely be exercise.

Chemically speaking, getting physical has been repeatedly supported by science to be as effective as antidepressants – with no side effects (well, maybe a smaller waistline and higher self esteem). [*][*][*][*][*][*][*][*]

Here is a really good read with more information on how to start taking care of yourself: What it means to really take care of yourself.

Step 2    Drop the Comparisons

You might not now it yet – but I’m going to let you in on something...

Comparing yourself to others is poisonous.

Social comparisons and over thinking situations is simply a (bad) habit – it’s not something that we were instinctually born to do. Which is a good thing – it means we can learn to stop.

If you find yourself stewing over an event, rehashing something someone has done/said to you or simply being critical of another – stop.

‘Well, it’s not that easy’

Yes. Yes - it is. Stop right now and do something else. 

What someone else is doing is their business (unless it is hurting someone obviously); mind your own business because it’s bad for your health.

If you are hell bent on comparing yourself to someone, then compare yourself to an earlier version of yourself. 

Step 3   Do Something Creative or New

Becoming aware of your emotions seems easy, yet as we grow up get really good at two things that hinder our ability to do this (1) denial (2) denial.

If you are wondering exactly how to become better aware of what you are truly feeling then incorporating something creative in your life is hands down the most effective way to ‘tune in’ - simply draw, dance, sing, or listen/play music.

When you are being creative, you automatically become more aware of your emotions not to mention it is an amazing way to release/vent/express any negative emotions simmering inside.

If you aren’t that creative (or even if you are) then go somewhere or do something new.

Go to the museum. Start reading a new book. Go for a bike ride. Take a class. Volunteer.

When we do something new you are altering the levels of dopamine in the brain which is intrinsically link to depression/enjoyment. [*]

Step 4    EXPRESS Gratitude

Talk about beating a dead horse – we hear over and over again how important it is to be grateful in our lives.

Sure, people generically say they are grateful for the wonderful things in their life (kids, house, friends, family, job, etc.) but exactly how do they express it?

What action results from your gratefulness?

This is the key that isn’t mentioned – probably because people generally don’t want to have to exert any extra effort into the things in their life. (Another reason why step 1 is so crucial-where else are you going to get the extra energy needs to be expressing gratitude all day?)

Try this first step – tell someone how grateful you are to have them in your life…and then tell them again the next day.

Smile at someone that you appreciate.

Say thank you and make sure you look at the person when saying it.

Pause and give some of your time to think about a few reasons associated with why you are grateful for something.

When we give time and effort to appreciate the things in our life those things and people increase in value in our lives.

Step 5    Continually Forgive Yourself

No one can beat you up better then you.

The kicker – you’re really good at and you may not even be aware that you are doing it.

There are many things in my life that I look back and think – wow, I would never do those things today. However, all of those ‘mistakes’ have contributed in helping me becoming the person I am today.

Before you are able to forgive anyone in your life, you must be willing to cut yourself a break.

At some point in your life, you’ll come to realize that you did the best you could given the conditions of your life at that time. Once we realize that about ourselves – you understand that it applies to everyone else and forgiveness of others becomes easier.

Step 6   Practice a Spiritual Life

There is something to be said about what happens when we recognize that life is bigger than us.

Not only does science substantiated the claim that spirituality diminishes depression, but the way you experience life is transformed when you consider that we’re all in this together. [*][*][*][*]

Live your faith.

Practice it.

What have you done in the past 24 hours that expresses your most deeply held beliefs?

Step 7    Love VS Fear

Love and fear are ultimately the most powerful and basic forms of human emotion.

Both of these emotions hold the potential to inspire extreme behavior (dying for another/killing another). But it seems that fear tends to paralyze rather than empower.

This step isn’t as easy as simply deciding one day to live from a fear-based outlook to one that is based on love. It takes a shift in perspective and may take practice and patience.

For me, I recognize that every breath that is taken in this life is a precious gift bestowed to us for one purpose and that is to love each other the best we can.

Do not focus on what is not your purpose. Obstacles in life cannot be controlled.

In fact, the challenges in your life are not by accident.

What this world has been trying to tell you this whole time is… “I love you and everything will be alright.” (and don’t we all need to hear this)

Once we hear this message - more importantly, once you experience it – it’s effortless to come from a place of love and share that with the world.