Practice Ahimsa

"There is no right way to do the wrong thing."

You know how sometimes things just stick with you? Well, recently @nobutirock brought this into my awareness and it just stuck. The statement makes so much sense.

What doesn't make sense is that, while on an otherwise beautiful autumn hike, I have to explain to my kids why a young cow has a metal ring with spikes on it stuck through his nostrils.

What doesn't make sense is how farmers think it is okay to use this spiked metal ring to prevent the baby cow from drinking milk from his Mom. This allows Mom and baby to be together, rather than tearing baby away from Mom hours or days after he is born.

But there is no right way to do the wrong thing. Imagine the confusion and sadness he must feel when he goes to drink milk and his Momma moves away in pain. And how she must feel not being able to feed or comfort her baby, a natural instinct every mammal shares.

What doesn't make sense is that this is done so that humans can drink that baby's milk, or turn it into cheese or ice cream or milk chocolate. All for a fleeting moment of tastebud enjoyment. For convenience.

What doesn't make sense is that in 2018, this is still supported and accepted when there is an abundant selection of nutritious plant-based dairy alternatives.

Every time we eat or drink we have the opportunity to think, feel and act with kindness for all living beings. This is the essence of Ahimsa, a moral principle in yoga that guides us to make choices that do now harm others. What is stopping you from choosing the compassionate plant-based alternative?