The Art of Peaceful Sustenance
by Mia Mona Muriel Amore', O.M.
(summarized from the book "The Earth is the Classroom, Life is the Course, Here is the Handbook".)
(summarized from the book "The Earth is the Classroom, Life is the Course, Here is the Handbook".)
What is the art of Peaceful sustenance? It is the practice of sustaining one’s body in an entirely Peaceful manner. Sustaining the body without any form of violence or other non-Peaceful action is not as easy as one might first surmise. It is not the simple choice of being a vegetarian or even a vegan. While these measures are much more Peaceful than those which include the ingestion of meats and the energies of violence, fear, and death, they are still not necessarily Peaceful. In its true form, Peaceful sustenance does no harm to any living being. This includes not only animals of one sort or another, but also recognizes that plants are living beings, too.
For those who choose to live Life in a state of Peace, sustaining the body through Peaceful measures is imperative. It is exceedingly difficult for one to rise above the overwhelming energies and behavioral patterns that come from ingesting the flesh of a being that is saturated with fear, anger, hate, trauma, violence, separation, helplessness, and the expectation of death. Are these the energies we would intentionally bring into our bodies if we aspire to become a being of Peace and elevate our consciousness?
When we abstain from eating the flesh of an animal, we avoid the violence and trauma of that animal’s death and the energies of fear - and perhaps hatred, anger, and helplessness as well. We bear no guilt or karmic repercussion for causing the death of that living being or the poor treatment of it while it lived. Yet, when we consume a dish of thick, creamy yogurt, a glass of milk, or a seemingly innocent ice cream cone, we may unknowingly be party to the death of the calf whose mother produced the very milk from which that yogurt or ice cream was made. When we partake of a beautiful, fresh platter of salad greens, we eat the flesh of the plant whose Life may well have been traumatically ended by a machine or uncaring hands to become our salad. Is there a difference in any of these scenarios? No. They are all part of a cycle of Life and death, eaten and being eaten in some measure. They are a part of the cycle of violence, yet sustaining the body does not have to be a violent act. Sustenance can be Peacefully achieved.
We usually associate Peaceful sustenance as the absence of the taking of a Life that results in the form of animal flesh that is consumed as meat. But, this is not the only way that sustaining the body through ingestion of foods is violent. In order for one to enjoy dairy products, a cow, goat, or other lactating mammal must be milked. In order for milk to be produced, the female mammal must first be pregnant. The cycle of lactation is only a few months for cows and goats; therefore, they must be routinely impregnated (usually artificially) in order to maintain a steady supply of milk for the dairy farmer and consumer. When the mother gives birth, she cannot nurse her baby as this decreases the amount of milk available to be “harvested” and sold as a “dairy product”. What happens to the baby? If the baby is a female, she may be bottle fed with formula until she is weaned. Then she is usually kept to await her turn as a dairy cow. If the baby is a male, it is usually left to die or it is sent off to be crated for several months (to restrict its movement) until it is butchered as veal. Once the dairy cow succumbs to the effects of nutritional deficiencies (often severe and debilitating) brought about through continual pregnancy and lactation, she is sent to the slaughterhouse to serve as beef. This cycle of trauma and violence is far longer in process than the usual shot to the head of cattle or hogs, the blades for the poultry, or the nets or hooks of the fishermen. In many ways, it is far less Peaceful.
If we use eggs in our foods, do we look at the conditions under which those eggs were laid? What was Life like for the hen from whose body the eggs came? Did she have a “free range” to roam? Or was she kept in a cage and fed drugs to increase her laying capacities? These are considerations to ponder upon when choosing to sustain the body in a Peaceful manner.
What about the plate full of vegetables? This is not necessarily a Peaceful option either. We have long since been aware that plants are empathetic beings. Our schools and scientists have many times hooked electrodes up to various plants to record the “brain” activity that occurs when brine shrimp are dropped into a pot of boiling water – or some other such “experiment in the name of science”. We have even discovered that plants can learn and make music (sing). By our own “scientific conclusions”, plants have thoughts, are aware of and interact with their surroundings and other beings of Life, and are traumatized by the death of those beings. How many times have we witnessed a houseplant die when its caretaker projects hatred toward it? How many times have we enjoyed the continual flowering of plants whose caretakers shower them with Love and affection? Yet, in these situations, we think of houseplants differently from the plants on our plates. We would not eat our houseplants, but we usually give not a thought to the carrot or lettuce on our plates. All plants are beings of Life with a consciousness, capable of Love and thought, and no less “alive” than the cow, pig, chicken, turkey, or fish that some find unsuitable to consume for the sake of living Peacefully.
The situation does present a dilemma to those who truly wish to live Life in a Peaceful manner causing harm to no other living being. What does one do to sustain his or her body without harming another? We practice the art of Peaceful sustenance. This art is not necessarily easy to follow at first. For most, it will require serious attention to what and how they eat and drink.
To begin with, if we are to cause no harm, we must only accept what is given Freely. We accept and do not take. This means we accept ripe fruits and seeds (which includes nuts, grains, and legumes). If we recall our biology lessons, fruits are those parts of plants that contain the seeds. With this in mind, we can enjoy many different varieties of fruits and not only those commonly referred to as “fruits”, such as apples, oranges, peaches, pears, grapes, and so on. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squashes, and many other garden “vegetables” are actually fruits. When they are Freely given, we may accept them Peacefully as our means of sustenance. This means that when they are ripe and the plant is ready to let them go, we may accept them without causing harm to the plant.
When we consider root crops, such as carrots, garlic, onions, etc., they may be eaten, but only under the proper protocol, as is the case with a number of other vegetables. We must first wait until the plant has fulfilled its Life naturally. That is to say that after the growing season is over – and we have not helped it end by cutting off the water supply to the plants – and after the green, above-ground portion of the plant is dead, we may dig up the remnants of the plant for consumption. In short, we must wait until the green top of the carrot is dead – by nature’s course – before we dig up the carrot to eat. The same is true of all root crops.
Potatoes are not true root crops. Potatoes are tubers that grow from the roots of the potato plant. While the rule for root crops generally applies to potatoes and other tubers, there are exceptions that one may employ if one approaches the plants with right attitude. With the proper attitude, one may “harvest” the tubers without damaging the plant, including the root system. However, the utmost in care must be exercised in this form of extraction. In the end, it may be better to wait until the plant has expired from natural causes.
When we speak of right attitude, we speak of remembering one’s place in the scope of Life and respecting each plant as the being of Life that it is. A human being is no better than a plant being. In fact, there are many who feel that plants are far superior to human beings in their ability to live Peacefully and empathetically. They can be true inspirations in acceptance, tolerance, Love, giving, and asking nothing in return. They give to us Freely that all who partake of the gifts they offer may sustain their bodies Peacefully.
When we speak of right attitude, we also speak of reverence, respect, and gratitude, especially for those who can help to Heal or even save a Life. Just as we would have this attitude for another human being who Heals or saves lives, so should we have it for those plants who can Heal and save lives. With most of these “medicinal” plants, they must give a part of their bodies in order to Heal or to save our bodies. It is this selfless act of giving that brings their true nobility and generosity to Light. For this, we should treat these plants with great reverence, respect, and gratitude.
The aloe vera plant, for instance, is one of our greatest Healers. Aloe is essentially a “cure-all” for many, many maladies that afflict human and non-human creatures alike. Its abilities include being anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. It is Healing to the skin, the linings of the body, and nearly every organ and function of the body. The list of ways that the aloe plant can assist the body in Healing (which can result in saving the Life of the body) goes on and on. Yet, to accomplish these amazing feats of Healing, the aloe must sacrifice its “flesh and blood” for us. It must give of its own body that ours may be Healed. What greater sacrifice could one ask of another being of Life? What great respect and gratitude would we feel if this being of Healing were human? This is a true representation and inspiration of Oneness shared.
There are many “medicinal” plants, such as the aloe vera, who give of themselves for our Healing. Some give of their leaves (including some that are thought of as “greens”), their bark, their roots, their flowers, and so on. No matter what is given, it comes from their bodies for the benefit of ours. But, how do we receive this nurturing and sustenance from these great beings of Love? Do we even acknowledge them as active partners in our Healing processes? Or are they simply “expendable supplies” such as bandages and tape?
Most “medicinal” plants are grown in farms, harvested in bulk, processed, bottled, and sent to stores to await our arrival to purchase and consume them. Are they given the proper attitudes? Likely not. We must keep in mind that we are not only consuming the “flesh and blood” of these plants, but also their energies. As most are aware, biological maladies begin in the etheric bodies, therefore making them energy first before they are biological. When we ingest “medicinal” plants to address these maladies, we are absorbing a part of the plant’s energies. If the plant is “harvested” without right attitude and process, then these energies cannot be conveyed. They are lost – unless one has the ability to recall and connect with them. Commercially harvested “medicinals” are the closest many people will ever come to “real medicine”. But, in our consumption of them, we receive only a fraction of the true Healing potential that the plant originally had and shared.
When given the opportunity, we should strive to grow our own “medicinal” plants or obtain them from a known source who co-exists in right relationship with them. The proper attitude to maintain and exercise when working with “medicinals”, as has been spoken, is that of reverence, respect, and gratitude. In “harvesting” a portion – always only a portion – of these plants, meditation and prayer are of paramount importance. When we ask for the help of these gentle beings, they will give to us far more than a simple leaf or two, section of bark or root, or flower. They will imbue their biological gifts with the Healing power of their energies. This is where the true Healing power comes from. It is not necessary, appropriate, or beneficial to kill a “medicinal” plant to get its “medicine”. The “medicinal” garden should be a place of prayer, meditation, and acceptance. Until it is, we will not know the true Healing power that is available to us. When we put aside our “human nature” and become part of nature itself, nature becomes one of our most powerful allies in sustaining and maintaining our highest potential and levels of good health and ever rising consciousness.
These concepts of right attitude toward “medicinals” also apply to what is commonly called the spice world. In Truth, nearly all spices have some form of medicinal application. Consequently, our “spice garden” should be part of our “medicinal garden” and interacted with accordingly. With the exception of salt (which is a vital mineral and should be from the sea or other natural and unprocessed source), spices that make our foods taste better are those which we are in need of medicinally to bring Balance to our bodies.
As is readily seen, the art of Peaceful sustenance is truly an art form and not to be taken lightly if one is dedicated to living according to the Laws of Peace and at higher levels of consciousness. One must think about everything one consumes. Where did it come from? How did it come to be a “food”? What was the journey from the field to the plate? Was this “food” grown organically causing no harm to any other? Is it a “true food” and not a genetically engineered food-like creation of mankind that perhaps contains animal DNA or chemicals?
One must also be grateful to every being involved in that journey, especially to the one from whose body the “food” has originated.
In considering the nature of our sustenance, we must also give thought to the things we drink. Of course, the most natural thing that we could drink is water. It is what our bodies are made of. It must be replenished throughout each day or our bodily functions will shut down. Death of the biological body occurs rapidly without water. But, where does our water come from? Does the water we drink (and bathe in) come to us in a Peaceful manner? Sadly, most of it does not.
In her provisions for sustaining Life, Mother Earth has given us many ways to gain access to water. She has given us springs, creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, rain, hail, and snow. Were it not for the hand of man, these sources would still serve us well in providing the water for our sustenance. However, as humans have evolved, so too have their ways of pollution. Most of our surface sources of water, including precipitation, are contaminated with a myriad of toxic materials and microbes. The water is no longer safe to consume as it comes from the Earth in these Peaceful measures, nor are these delivery systems adequate to serve the populations dependent on water for Life.
In our society, we find our water piped from various sources to holding tanks where they are infused with chemicals before they are piped again to our homes. Is this truly “water”? It is not. Our “water” has become a chemical cocktail of unseen materials that are toxic to our bodies and threatening to our very existence, not to mention our consciousness. Some consider it to be fortunate to be able to drill a well and tap a clean water supply. However, these supplies of water are rarely clean, having been contaminated from the far-reaching hand of mankind again. In Truth, drilling into our Earth Mother for water is not Peaceful either. The most Peaceful water we can obtain that is still somewhat clean and usable is that from glacier melt or a Free-flowing artesian spring. These springs are few and far between, but can be found and utilized. As a safety measure against chemical and microbial contamination, we can filter this water and find ourselves at least close to the original state of the water our bodies were meant to ingest. Glacier melt water is nearly impossible to obtain, and may well be contaminated as the rest of our surface water is.
If we are to take our quest for Peaceful living – and the art of Peaceful sustenance – full circle and Complete the cycle that we have long forgotten as human beings, we must also consider what is done with our foods and waters when we are done with them. Every species, except humans, gives back what it accepts from the Earth. What do humans do with the food and water they ingest when they are done with it? For the most part, it is sent off to a wastewater management program that “treats” it with chemicals to make it “safe”. Eventually, it is released back to the Earth with its chemical companions. Is this giving back what we have used? Is this Peaceful? Is this even responsible? There are Peaceful ways of addressing our “wastes” that do give them back to the Earth to be naturally and Peacefully released back into the circle of Life again. Unfortunately, most do not employ these measures.
The entire process of Peaceful living, particularly the art of Peaceful sustenance, may seem overwhelming and unattainable for many. In Truth, it may well be for some. What is important to keep in mind is that one must do what one can do and never lose sight of the choice to live in a state of Peace. We may not have access to artesian spring water. We may not be able to find out if the yogurt we consume has come from Peaceful dairy farms who live Harmoniously and respectfully with their cows or goats. We may never know about the journey that our strawberries took from the field to our table. We may not have any other option but to utilize the wastewater methods that our homes and cities provide.
What we can do is follow the processes of Peace as closely as we can and always strive to take our actions closer to true Peaceful living and sustenance of our bodies. One of the most important things we can do is maintain the right attitude and establish the right relationship with our food and our water. This is a core element of the art of Peaceful sustenance. One can take the time before consuming food or drink to acknowledge its source. One can express his or her gratitude for the gift of Support that the food or drink is – to the plants, to the bees and other pollinators without whose help the fruits would not grow, to each and every being who participated in the journey from field to table, including the Earth, the Sun, and the Creator. One can establish a connection with the foods on his or her plate and the water in the glass. Through that connection, one may give thanks directly, as well as ask for Forgiveness for the hurt or harm that may have be inflicted upon the being from whose body the food has come. Water has consciousness. We can connect with it. We can acknowledge its invaluable place in our bodies. We can express our gratitude for the sharing of it. We can ask for Forgiveness for the hurt or harm that may have been put upon it in the delivery to the glass on the table. Even if we are not the perpetrators of the hurt or harm, we can still acknowledge it and ask for Forgiveness for it on behalf of our species. This simple act can provide the atmosphere for immediate Healing for the plants and the water, which in turn helps to re-establish the intended energies that were meant to be shared.
It may all sound like a very challenging process. In Truth, Peaceful sustenance does not have to be difficult. It is not difficult to say a prayer or meditate for a few moments before we drink or eat. All it takes is thought and time. Do we have the time to be human beings as a part of nature? Perhaps it takes a little adjusting to the new look at what is on our plates. To consume fruits and seeds offers great variety and all the nutritional Support necessary to ensure optimum health. Fruits and seeds may be consumed raw or cooked in a multitude of delicious combinations. We are only limited by the conditioning of our minds. The more we open our minds to this way of Peaceful sustenance, the more we let go of the energies that are contrary to Peace. We Harmonize with nature, and in so doing, we allow nature to Harmonize with us. We are not outside of nature. It is a part of us, as we are a part of it. This is right relationship. This is the art of Peaceful Sustenance. It is the true path of Life. Can our minds embrace it?
Can our minds imagine a world of perpetually yielding fruit and nut orchards and fields of grains and legumes? Can we imagine pathways lined with berries and edible flowers waiting to offer their fruits of Life to those who would enjoy them? Can we imagine a world with tranquil gardens filled with Healing plants and places to meditate, pray, and give thanks to these plants for their assistance in living Life, as well as to our Creator for having brought us together in Life to share the gifts of Peace, Love, and Joy?
Perhaps if we can imagine, we can realize that such a world would be world with no hunger. Perhaps in such a world with right attitudes, respect, reverence, gratitude, Love, and Joy, we could share sustenance - and Life - in Peace. The art of Peaceful sustenance is a part of the art of Peaceful living. Imagine the art of this Peaceful evolution, and put aside the limitations of the mind. Peace will sustain us – Peace and only Peace. Peace is Love. Love is Peace. It will prevail, for this is one of the great Truths of the Universe. It is Life. It is what sustains us.
For those who choose to live Life in a state of Peace, sustaining the body through Peaceful measures is imperative. It is exceedingly difficult for one to rise above the overwhelming energies and behavioral patterns that come from ingesting the flesh of a being that is saturated with fear, anger, hate, trauma, violence, separation, helplessness, and the expectation of death. Are these the energies we would intentionally bring into our bodies if we aspire to become a being of Peace and elevate our consciousness?
When we abstain from eating the flesh of an animal, we avoid the violence and trauma of that animal’s death and the energies of fear - and perhaps hatred, anger, and helplessness as well. We bear no guilt or karmic repercussion for causing the death of that living being or the poor treatment of it while it lived. Yet, when we consume a dish of thick, creamy yogurt, a glass of milk, or a seemingly innocent ice cream cone, we may unknowingly be party to the death of the calf whose mother produced the very milk from which that yogurt or ice cream was made. When we partake of a beautiful, fresh platter of salad greens, we eat the flesh of the plant whose Life may well have been traumatically ended by a machine or uncaring hands to become our salad. Is there a difference in any of these scenarios? No. They are all part of a cycle of Life and death, eaten and being eaten in some measure. They are a part of the cycle of violence, yet sustaining the body does not have to be a violent act. Sustenance can be Peacefully achieved.
We usually associate Peaceful sustenance as the absence of the taking of a Life that results in the form of animal flesh that is consumed as meat. But, this is not the only way that sustaining the body through ingestion of foods is violent. In order for one to enjoy dairy products, a cow, goat, or other lactating mammal must be milked. In order for milk to be produced, the female mammal must first be pregnant. The cycle of lactation is only a few months for cows and goats; therefore, they must be routinely impregnated (usually artificially) in order to maintain a steady supply of milk for the dairy farmer and consumer. When the mother gives birth, she cannot nurse her baby as this decreases the amount of milk available to be “harvested” and sold as a “dairy product”. What happens to the baby? If the baby is a female, she may be bottle fed with formula until she is weaned. Then she is usually kept to await her turn as a dairy cow. If the baby is a male, it is usually left to die or it is sent off to be crated for several months (to restrict its movement) until it is butchered as veal. Once the dairy cow succumbs to the effects of nutritional deficiencies (often severe and debilitating) brought about through continual pregnancy and lactation, she is sent to the slaughterhouse to serve as beef. This cycle of trauma and violence is far longer in process than the usual shot to the head of cattle or hogs, the blades for the poultry, or the nets or hooks of the fishermen. In many ways, it is far less Peaceful.
If we use eggs in our foods, do we look at the conditions under which those eggs were laid? What was Life like for the hen from whose body the eggs came? Did she have a “free range” to roam? Or was she kept in a cage and fed drugs to increase her laying capacities? These are considerations to ponder upon when choosing to sustain the body in a Peaceful manner.
What about the plate full of vegetables? This is not necessarily a Peaceful option either. We have long since been aware that plants are empathetic beings. Our schools and scientists have many times hooked electrodes up to various plants to record the “brain” activity that occurs when brine shrimp are dropped into a pot of boiling water – or some other such “experiment in the name of science”. We have even discovered that plants can learn and make music (sing). By our own “scientific conclusions”, plants have thoughts, are aware of and interact with their surroundings and other beings of Life, and are traumatized by the death of those beings. How many times have we witnessed a houseplant die when its caretaker projects hatred toward it? How many times have we enjoyed the continual flowering of plants whose caretakers shower them with Love and affection? Yet, in these situations, we think of houseplants differently from the plants on our plates. We would not eat our houseplants, but we usually give not a thought to the carrot or lettuce on our plates. All plants are beings of Life with a consciousness, capable of Love and thought, and no less “alive” than the cow, pig, chicken, turkey, or fish that some find unsuitable to consume for the sake of living Peacefully.
The situation does present a dilemma to those who truly wish to live Life in a Peaceful manner causing harm to no other living being. What does one do to sustain his or her body without harming another? We practice the art of Peaceful sustenance. This art is not necessarily easy to follow at first. For most, it will require serious attention to what and how they eat and drink.
To begin with, if we are to cause no harm, we must only accept what is given Freely. We accept and do not take. This means we accept ripe fruits and seeds (which includes nuts, grains, and legumes). If we recall our biology lessons, fruits are those parts of plants that contain the seeds. With this in mind, we can enjoy many different varieties of fruits and not only those commonly referred to as “fruits”, such as apples, oranges, peaches, pears, grapes, and so on. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squashes, and many other garden “vegetables” are actually fruits. When they are Freely given, we may accept them Peacefully as our means of sustenance. This means that when they are ripe and the plant is ready to let them go, we may accept them without causing harm to the plant.
When we consider root crops, such as carrots, garlic, onions, etc., they may be eaten, but only under the proper protocol, as is the case with a number of other vegetables. We must first wait until the plant has fulfilled its Life naturally. That is to say that after the growing season is over – and we have not helped it end by cutting off the water supply to the plants – and after the green, above-ground portion of the plant is dead, we may dig up the remnants of the plant for consumption. In short, we must wait until the green top of the carrot is dead – by nature’s course – before we dig up the carrot to eat. The same is true of all root crops.
Potatoes are not true root crops. Potatoes are tubers that grow from the roots of the potato plant. While the rule for root crops generally applies to potatoes and other tubers, there are exceptions that one may employ if one approaches the plants with right attitude. With the proper attitude, one may “harvest” the tubers without damaging the plant, including the root system. However, the utmost in care must be exercised in this form of extraction. In the end, it may be better to wait until the plant has expired from natural causes.
When we speak of right attitude, we speak of remembering one’s place in the scope of Life and respecting each plant as the being of Life that it is. A human being is no better than a plant being. In fact, there are many who feel that plants are far superior to human beings in their ability to live Peacefully and empathetically. They can be true inspirations in acceptance, tolerance, Love, giving, and asking nothing in return. They give to us Freely that all who partake of the gifts they offer may sustain their bodies Peacefully.
When we speak of right attitude, we also speak of reverence, respect, and gratitude, especially for those who can help to Heal or even save a Life. Just as we would have this attitude for another human being who Heals or saves lives, so should we have it for those plants who can Heal and save lives. With most of these “medicinal” plants, they must give a part of their bodies in order to Heal or to save our bodies. It is this selfless act of giving that brings their true nobility and generosity to Light. For this, we should treat these plants with great reverence, respect, and gratitude.
The aloe vera plant, for instance, is one of our greatest Healers. Aloe is essentially a “cure-all” for many, many maladies that afflict human and non-human creatures alike. Its abilities include being anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. It is Healing to the skin, the linings of the body, and nearly every organ and function of the body. The list of ways that the aloe plant can assist the body in Healing (which can result in saving the Life of the body) goes on and on. Yet, to accomplish these amazing feats of Healing, the aloe must sacrifice its “flesh and blood” for us. It must give of its own body that ours may be Healed. What greater sacrifice could one ask of another being of Life? What great respect and gratitude would we feel if this being of Healing were human? This is a true representation and inspiration of Oneness shared.
There are many “medicinal” plants, such as the aloe vera, who give of themselves for our Healing. Some give of their leaves (including some that are thought of as “greens”), their bark, their roots, their flowers, and so on. No matter what is given, it comes from their bodies for the benefit of ours. But, how do we receive this nurturing and sustenance from these great beings of Love? Do we even acknowledge them as active partners in our Healing processes? Or are they simply “expendable supplies” such as bandages and tape?
Most “medicinal” plants are grown in farms, harvested in bulk, processed, bottled, and sent to stores to await our arrival to purchase and consume them. Are they given the proper attitudes? Likely not. We must keep in mind that we are not only consuming the “flesh and blood” of these plants, but also their energies. As most are aware, biological maladies begin in the etheric bodies, therefore making them energy first before they are biological. When we ingest “medicinal” plants to address these maladies, we are absorbing a part of the plant’s energies. If the plant is “harvested” without right attitude and process, then these energies cannot be conveyed. They are lost – unless one has the ability to recall and connect with them. Commercially harvested “medicinals” are the closest many people will ever come to “real medicine”. But, in our consumption of them, we receive only a fraction of the true Healing potential that the plant originally had and shared.
When given the opportunity, we should strive to grow our own “medicinal” plants or obtain them from a known source who co-exists in right relationship with them. The proper attitude to maintain and exercise when working with “medicinals”, as has been spoken, is that of reverence, respect, and gratitude. In “harvesting” a portion – always only a portion – of these plants, meditation and prayer are of paramount importance. When we ask for the help of these gentle beings, they will give to us far more than a simple leaf or two, section of bark or root, or flower. They will imbue their biological gifts with the Healing power of their energies. This is where the true Healing power comes from. It is not necessary, appropriate, or beneficial to kill a “medicinal” plant to get its “medicine”. The “medicinal” garden should be a place of prayer, meditation, and acceptance. Until it is, we will not know the true Healing power that is available to us. When we put aside our “human nature” and become part of nature itself, nature becomes one of our most powerful allies in sustaining and maintaining our highest potential and levels of good health and ever rising consciousness.
These concepts of right attitude toward “medicinals” also apply to what is commonly called the spice world. In Truth, nearly all spices have some form of medicinal application. Consequently, our “spice garden” should be part of our “medicinal garden” and interacted with accordingly. With the exception of salt (which is a vital mineral and should be from the sea or other natural and unprocessed source), spices that make our foods taste better are those which we are in need of medicinally to bring Balance to our bodies.
As is readily seen, the art of Peaceful sustenance is truly an art form and not to be taken lightly if one is dedicated to living according to the Laws of Peace and at higher levels of consciousness. One must think about everything one consumes. Where did it come from? How did it come to be a “food”? What was the journey from the field to the plate? Was this “food” grown organically causing no harm to any other? Is it a “true food” and not a genetically engineered food-like creation of mankind that perhaps contains animal DNA or chemicals?
One must also be grateful to every being involved in that journey, especially to the one from whose body the “food” has originated.
In considering the nature of our sustenance, we must also give thought to the things we drink. Of course, the most natural thing that we could drink is water. It is what our bodies are made of. It must be replenished throughout each day or our bodily functions will shut down. Death of the biological body occurs rapidly without water. But, where does our water come from? Does the water we drink (and bathe in) come to us in a Peaceful manner? Sadly, most of it does not.
In her provisions for sustaining Life, Mother Earth has given us many ways to gain access to water. She has given us springs, creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, rain, hail, and snow. Were it not for the hand of man, these sources would still serve us well in providing the water for our sustenance. However, as humans have evolved, so too have their ways of pollution. Most of our surface sources of water, including precipitation, are contaminated with a myriad of toxic materials and microbes. The water is no longer safe to consume as it comes from the Earth in these Peaceful measures, nor are these delivery systems adequate to serve the populations dependent on water for Life.
In our society, we find our water piped from various sources to holding tanks where they are infused with chemicals before they are piped again to our homes. Is this truly “water”? It is not. Our “water” has become a chemical cocktail of unseen materials that are toxic to our bodies and threatening to our very existence, not to mention our consciousness. Some consider it to be fortunate to be able to drill a well and tap a clean water supply. However, these supplies of water are rarely clean, having been contaminated from the far-reaching hand of mankind again. In Truth, drilling into our Earth Mother for water is not Peaceful either. The most Peaceful water we can obtain that is still somewhat clean and usable is that from glacier melt or a Free-flowing artesian spring. These springs are few and far between, but can be found and utilized. As a safety measure against chemical and microbial contamination, we can filter this water and find ourselves at least close to the original state of the water our bodies were meant to ingest. Glacier melt water is nearly impossible to obtain, and may well be contaminated as the rest of our surface water is.
If we are to take our quest for Peaceful living – and the art of Peaceful sustenance – full circle and Complete the cycle that we have long forgotten as human beings, we must also consider what is done with our foods and waters when we are done with them. Every species, except humans, gives back what it accepts from the Earth. What do humans do with the food and water they ingest when they are done with it? For the most part, it is sent off to a wastewater management program that “treats” it with chemicals to make it “safe”. Eventually, it is released back to the Earth with its chemical companions. Is this giving back what we have used? Is this Peaceful? Is this even responsible? There are Peaceful ways of addressing our “wastes” that do give them back to the Earth to be naturally and Peacefully released back into the circle of Life again. Unfortunately, most do not employ these measures.
The entire process of Peaceful living, particularly the art of Peaceful sustenance, may seem overwhelming and unattainable for many. In Truth, it may well be for some. What is important to keep in mind is that one must do what one can do and never lose sight of the choice to live in a state of Peace. We may not have access to artesian spring water. We may not be able to find out if the yogurt we consume has come from Peaceful dairy farms who live Harmoniously and respectfully with their cows or goats. We may never know about the journey that our strawberries took from the field to our table. We may not have any other option but to utilize the wastewater methods that our homes and cities provide.
What we can do is follow the processes of Peace as closely as we can and always strive to take our actions closer to true Peaceful living and sustenance of our bodies. One of the most important things we can do is maintain the right attitude and establish the right relationship with our food and our water. This is a core element of the art of Peaceful sustenance. One can take the time before consuming food or drink to acknowledge its source. One can express his or her gratitude for the gift of Support that the food or drink is – to the plants, to the bees and other pollinators without whose help the fruits would not grow, to each and every being who participated in the journey from field to table, including the Earth, the Sun, and the Creator. One can establish a connection with the foods on his or her plate and the water in the glass. Through that connection, one may give thanks directly, as well as ask for Forgiveness for the hurt or harm that may have be inflicted upon the being from whose body the food has come. Water has consciousness. We can connect with it. We can acknowledge its invaluable place in our bodies. We can express our gratitude for the sharing of it. We can ask for Forgiveness for the hurt or harm that may have been put upon it in the delivery to the glass on the table. Even if we are not the perpetrators of the hurt or harm, we can still acknowledge it and ask for Forgiveness for it on behalf of our species. This simple act can provide the atmosphere for immediate Healing for the plants and the water, which in turn helps to re-establish the intended energies that were meant to be shared.
It may all sound like a very challenging process. In Truth, Peaceful sustenance does not have to be difficult. It is not difficult to say a prayer or meditate for a few moments before we drink or eat. All it takes is thought and time. Do we have the time to be human beings as a part of nature? Perhaps it takes a little adjusting to the new look at what is on our plates. To consume fruits and seeds offers great variety and all the nutritional Support necessary to ensure optimum health. Fruits and seeds may be consumed raw or cooked in a multitude of delicious combinations. We are only limited by the conditioning of our minds. The more we open our minds to this way of Peaceful sustenance, the more we let go of the energies that are contrary to Peace. We Harmonize with nature, and in so doing, we allow nature to Harmonize with us. We are not outside of nature. It is a part of us, as we are a part of it. This is right relationship. This is the art of Peaceful Sustenance. It is the true path of Life. Can our minds embrace it?
Can our minds imagine a world of perpetually yielding fruit and nut orchards and fields of grains and legumes? Can we imagine pathways lined with berries and edible flowers waiting to offer their fruits of Life to those who would enjoy them? Can we imagine a world with tranquil gardens filled with Healing plants and places to meditate, pray, and give thanks to these plants for their assistance in living Life, as well as to our Creator for having brought us together in Life to share the gifts of Peace, Love, and Joy?
Perhaps if we can imagine, we can realize that such a world would be world with no hunger. Perhaps in such a world with right attitudes, respect, reverence, gratitude, Love, and Joy, we could share sustenance - and Life - in Peace. The art of Peaceful sustenance is a part of the art of Peaceful living. Imagine the art of this Peaceful evolution, and put aside the limitations of the mind. Peace will sustain us – Peace and only Peace. Peace is Love. Love is Peace. It will prevail, for this is one of the great Truths of the Universe. It is Life. It is what sustains us.
If you've found this article to hold meaning and/or inspiration to you, and you are interested in incorporating the Art of Peaceful Sustenance in your Life, please be sure to take a look at our Prayer for Peaceful Sustenance.
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