Guest guest Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 This response answered my query about why if we are vegetarians we would sit on a sheepskin: " Yogi Bhajan answered in this way. 'We have been doing this for centuries. When the deer died a great rishi sat on its skin. When we sit on a skin and vibrate, we liberate, we don't kill.... He explained that the animals are killed in modern days for their meat, and the skins are only a by-product. He told us we have the ability to liberate this soul or take it to its next higher incarnation when we sit and meditate on the skin. " For me, this is a nice answer and I could sit on an already-dead skin if it were helping that soul evolve. But I'm wondering this: In the olden days, it sounds like the sat-upon deer died rather than being slaughtered, and it just made sense, then, to sit upon it. But now, if I go out ot IKEA and buy a sheepskin, am I really doing the same service to the soul of that animal or am I supporting the slaughter-for-profit-market that abounds today? And if I financially support a be-kind-to-the-soon-to-be-slaughtered-animal-slaughterhouse, am I not, in effect, killing? Okay, thank you again for your posts. Sunder Kaur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Dear Sunder Kaur >But now, if I go out ot IKEA and buy a sheepskin, am I really doing >the same service to the soul of that animal or am I supporting the >slaughter-for-profit-market that abounds today? And if I financially >support a be-kind-to-the-soon-to-be-slaughtered-animal-slaughterhouse, >am I not, in effect, killing? I think this depends on who you ask. Perhaps it's worth considering the Siri Guru Granth Sahib if that is an inspiration for you. We are advised us not to engage in empty ritual. " Pilgrimages, fasts, purification and self-discipline are of no use, nor are rituals, religious ceremonies or empty worship. O Nanak, emancipation comes only by loving devotional worship; through duality, people are engrossed in duality. " This teaches us, perhaps, that the answer to this question and many others, is that " it depends. " Are we avoiding the sheep skin out of a sense of wanting to fulfil a set of religious dogmas? Are we doing so because we think we are going to become more pure? We and the sheep are one, and if we act out of love and clarity of mind unclouded by superstious notions and religious affectations, then perhaps there can be no unlawfulness. Even something like eating meat, it is not because " we are not supposed to " or " it is against our religion " those are mere observances. Many have discovered that not eating meat improves their ability to act and to be their best, as such they are more able to love and be effective. That is reason enough. Furhter, it is not without question whether Nanak advocates vegetarianism. He says: " The fools argue about flesh and meat, but they know nothing about meditation and spiritual wisdom. What is called meat, and what is called green vegetables? What leads to sin? It was the habit of the gods to kill the rhinoceros, and make a feast of the burnt offering. Those who renounce meat, and hold their noses when sitting near it, devour men at night. They practice hypocrisy, and make a show before other people, but they do not understand anything about meditation or spiritual wisdom. O Nanak, what can be said to the blind people? They cannot answer, or even understand what is said. They alone are blind, who act blindly. They have no eyes in their hearts. They are produced from the blood of their mothers and fathers, but they do not eat fish or meat. " Ultimately it seems the best solution to this is to act out of love, and with a clear mind about your own causes and effects. Blessings, Gurusha Singh http://gurusha.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 Dear Gurusha Singh, I have received many replies since posting my sheepskin question. I have appreciated all the differing viewpoints. It has been a valuable learning experience. However, none fully resonated with me until yours appeared. I felt a big, " Ahhhhhh " when I read it. This is where my own heart lies. Thank you for taking the time to write. It has given me greater clarity on this issue. Gratefully, Suraj Kaur Newport, Rhode Island Kundalini-Yoga , " Gurusha Singh " <gurusha.singh wrote: > > Dear Sunder Kaur > > >But now, if I go out ot IKEA and buy a sheepskin, am I really doing > >the same service to the soul of that animal or am I supporting the > >slaughter-for-profit-market that abounds today? And if I financially > >support a be-kind-to-the-soon-to-be-slaughtered-animal-slaughterhouse, > >am I not, in effect, killing? > > I think this depends on who you ask. Perhaps it's worth considering > the Siri Guru Granth Sahib if that is an inspiration for you. We are > advised us not to engage in empty ritual. > > " Pilgrimages, fasts, purification and self-discipline are of no use, > nor are rituals, religious ceremonies or empty worship. O Nanak, > emancipation comes only by loving devotional worship; through duality, > people are engrossed in duality. " > > This teaches us, perhaps, that the answer to this question and many > others, is that " it depends. " Are we avoiding the sheep skin out of a > sense of wanting to fulfil a set of religious dogmas? Are we doing so > because we think we are going to become more pure? We and the sheep > are one, and if we act out of love and clarity of mind unclouded by > superstious notions and religious affectations, then perhaps there can > be no unlawfulness. > > Even something like eating meat, it is not because " we are not > supposed to " or " it is against our religion " those are mere > observances. Many have discovered that not eating meat improves their > ability to act and to be their best, as such they are more able to > love and be effective. That is reason enough. Furhter, it is not > without question whether Nanak advocates vegetarianism. He says: > > " The fools argue about flesh and meat, but they know nothing about > meditation and spiritual wisdom. What is called meat, and what is > called green vegetables? What leads to sin? It was the habit of the > gods to kill the rhinoceros, and make a feast of the burnt offering. > Those who renounce meat, and hold their noses when sitting near it, > devour men at night. They practice hypocrisy, and make a show before > other people, but they do not understand anything about meditation or > spiritual wisdom. O Nanak, what can be said to the blind people? They > cannot answer, or even understand what is said. They alone are blind, > who act blindly. They have no eyes in their hearts. They are produced > from the blood of their mothers and fathers, but they do not eat fish > or meat. " > > Ultimately it seems the best solution to this is to act out of love, > and with a clear mind about your own causes and effects. > > Blessings, > Gurusha Singh > http://gurusha.com > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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