On this beautiful full moon day in mid August, life has come to a crescendo for the year in my personal calendar and perhaps in general. Full moon is usually a time of harvest or the coming to fruition of the month’s lunar cycle. Let me take the moment to celebrate the supportive and protective facility and society all around me.
Nature truly supports and nurtures life in all its forms. The planet is a perfect home in what is known as the “goldilocks zone” as third rock from the sun. In other words, earth is situated in a region just right for life – not too hot and not too cold.
By learning to live in harmony with nature and its cycles, we can really thrive and flourish on our home called Planet Earth. Some like to call her Mother Earth, since she is the nurturing base of our existence.
The strange dichotomy of life is that much of the time it thrives on death. Certain mammals live by killing others to eat. Insects and herbivores eat plants to live, as do we humans. In the beauty of life there is the tragedy of death.
Nevertheless, that’s how life on earth is designed. If compassion arises then one naturally avoids taking life and – like the Jain religion of India – one can live from fruit and such foodstuffs that don’t kill the host plant. I hear some people recommend being a “fruitarian”.
Or at least we can minimise the taking of life when we need to eat. Certain plants life a limited lifespan and provide their fruits, vegetables or grains as a result of their life cycle. I have been vegetarian for almost 35 years and so take health and diet seriously. Even more serious and valuable is the life of all living entities.
By minimising our exploitation of the lesser species of life as we pursue our own survival, we can cultivate a harmonious rapport with all those who share the planet with us. In a region like the southern shores of Africa, life appears abundant. I see it before me in nature, growing wild and with ease.
Wherever you are, I hope that you are blessed with abundant health and natural surroundings. As well as a respect for life in all its forms. We can cultivate a healthy heart not only by choosing our diet wisely but also by evolving our compassion, form the heart, for all other living entities. This is a win-win scenario which is ultimately uplifting for body and soul.
(photos my own)