Ahimsa - The Path Is Steeper
"The road is long, that leads us to who knows where ...." are the words of a well-known song.
So it is that when we become Vegan the road may suddenly become steeper. Becoming Vegan can often be just the start of a new spiritual journey and a new set of problems. It is likely that there was a gradual or sudden awareness that other species have rights, just as we do, and, more importantly, that other species have emotions and feel pain and suffer, just as we may do.
As we develop and mature spiritually, the challenges are harder in the moral and ethical arena. It can be a lonely time if we have no support of other like-minded souls. Perhaps suddenly, we realise we are very different from others. There are so many events that have the potential to make us uncomfortable - barbecues, dinners with family or friends - so much of our socialising involves food.
Then there are the events we would rather shun now - rodeos, "Agricultural Shows", promoting and boasting of their expertise in exploiting animals, circuses, zoos, markets selling caged animals ...... it seems that everywhere we look there is cruelty and ignorance.
There are often times of doubt and even regret that we "found out" about Animal Rights and now we find that we have, rather suddenly, become alienated from mainstream society. So why do we continue to strive? Is it only because we have a strong conviction in Animal Rights, or is there something more driving us on?
Most of our learning comes from working through difficult experiences, not from what we are told by others. So soon we may find our "faith" being tested, perhaps in small subtle ways. Our compassion towards others may be put on trial by even our closest friends.
For the neophyte Vegan, this can be a critical time. At this stage, we have the choice to accept the challenges, to continue to strive to learn the subtle lessons of Ahimsa - Dynamic Compassion.
Dynamic Compassion is something we can strive to live - not just a chart on the wall or a philosophical ideal.
When we pass this initial test, we emerge with the understanding that the challenge of Ahimsa is our constant companion, reminding us of our newfound responsibility towards animals and other humans, equally.
