Many of you were moved by the Three Awarenesses of Food, published last September in my Kansas City Wellness Magazine column Meat is Not the Question. I appreciate the positive feedback. I did however receive some criticism from readers concerned about animal rights, disputing my statement about the dilemma of humanity: we must consume the earth's beings to live.
The article reflects as much my own process as it does an invitation for readers to engage their own. In the article I say, “Our lives depend on all the other beings on this planet, animals, plants and minerals.” Many people think of animate beings as divine. It’s a big shift to think of a grain of wheat as divine and even more so to think of limestone as such.
It is from this way of relating to the earth and its inhabitants that I raise the question that I work with daily: “given that I must eat the earth’s beings to live, how do I consume in a way that respects and honors their life and my own?” It’s been 20 year journey that is by no means over. And it is also from this way of relating that I have concluded that the question is far bigger than whether or not to eat meat. It’s a matter of how to live in a way that honors the divine in all beings, animals, plants and minerals.
The Three Awarenesses of Food arises from this journey. I offer them with the hope that more people will set out on their own journey so that “everyone and everything may experience the health and wholeness I seek for myself (from the third awareness.)”
If you are interested in exploring this way of relating to the earth and it inhabitants, please join me and the Heartland Community of Mindful Living for a day long mindfulness retreat Saturday, June 16th at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W 47th St, Kansas City, MO 64112, Classroom C. The flyer contains details and registration information or go to www.mindfulnesskc.org.
The Three Awarenesses of Food
by Bethany Klug
Aware that this food is a gift, the work of many hands past and present and the wisdom and experience of the earth over billions of years, I aspire to eat this food with awareness, so I may deeply touch the miracle of it.
Aware that this food shapes my body substance and the way I relate to myself and the world, I aspire to eat only foods that nourish me in the amounts I need, no more, no less.
Aware that food can be raised in ways that minimize harm to the planet and its inhabitants, I aspire to choose my food carefully so that everyone and everything may experience the health and wholeness I seek for myself.
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