Photo by Liza Matthews
A new segment from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation show Q with Jian Ghomeshi not only treats you to plays of two cuts cut from k.d. lang’s new (and thirteenth!) studio album, Sing It Loud, but also two live acoustic performances. In the far-reaching interview, lang also talks about being faced with the decision to eat meat or not as part of her Tibetan Buddhist feast practice — this, after many years of vegetarianism. Says she:
My teacher […] suggested that I eat meat after 21 years of being a vegetarian. Wow: talk about being faced with some inner conflict and dialogue. And I trusted him; he explained to me that it was probably not good to be a vegetarian out of aversion. […] This sounds ridiculous to meat eaters, that I would even have this dialogue, I know that. But for me, it was good [to consider] all the dimensions of what meat is, and taking another life.
For k.d., as she says, what matters most is that whatever we do, whatever we eat, we do so with mindful awareness. What do you think? (It’s probably worth noting here that while many have the idea that all Buddhists are vegetarian, that is fact not the case; some traditions insist on vegetarianism, some stress it, and many individuals make decisions for themselves based on dietary needs or personal choice.) Is the decision to eat meat (or not), for you, a clear-cut issue? Do you think it should be?
To listen to the Q interview click here, and select April 26’s program. k.d.’s Q segment begins at the 23-minute mark.
Lots of judgement and condemnation in this discussion. Embrace and soak in the viewpoint of those you see as your "opponents" on this issue. It's not an easy topic.
Hello Rod,
I think there is something up with the HTML on this page, it all overlaps , the time stamp and who is replying is overlapping on the actual comments.
Brian: do note that readers can reply in threads or leave comments in general; this may determine when/where comments appear.
And the Angel Of The Lord came unto me, snatching me up from my place of slumber. And took me on high, and higher still, until we moved through the spaces 'betwixt the air itself. And he brought me unto a vast farmland of our own mid-west. And as we descended, cries of impending doom rose from the soil. One thousand, 'nay, a million voices, full of fear. And terror possessed me then. And I begged, "Angel Of The Lord, what are these tortured screams?" And the Angel said unto me, "These are the Cries Of The Carrots. The Cries Of The Carrots!! You see Reverend Maynard, tomorrow is Harvest Day, and to them, it is The Holocaust."
And I sprang from my slumber, drenched in sweat, like the tears of a million terrified brothers. And Lord, Hear me now, I have seen the light, they have a consciousness, they have a life, they have a soul. Damn You! Let the rabbits wear glasses! Save our brothers!
Can I get an "Amen?" Can I get a Hallelujah? Thank you, Jesus!
this is necessary
life feeds on life
Well there are a number of good points
1) even being frutarian causes beings to suffer – think of all the insects that die in sprays or on truck windscreens….
2) in eating the animal you form a karmic relationship with it, committing or vowing to help it out of suffering by your own enlightenment
i recomand vegetables….by eating animals we contribute to their suffering and death…so let 's enjoy the animals alive
Could anyone tell me is kd lang eating meat now or not? She has always been someone I have admired due to her stance on animal rights. Please don't tell me that she has given up the beliefs that have been so important to her for so long.
Since 1980 I've had inner conflicts over what I eat for many reasons, some of them for wanting
to do the "right thing" being politically correct, more of them in consideration of my own personal health needs and limitations. I've done a lot of research, reading, experimenting, and learning from Nutritionists and Naturopaths and others. I've also read and watched many documentaries re the meat industry which thoroughly sickens and saddens me. I've also gone through periods of being vegetarian, vegan and macrobiotic. It is an ongoing inner-discussion process, but for now I am at peace with my decisions. One foremost food and healing writers who made the greatest impression on me wrote a vegetarian/macrobiotic cookbook, and included a story of her husband being made seriously ill eating the way she did and wholly believed in and thrived on. She was able to impart the information to others that what is nutrition for some is not for all, and in fact may be poison for some. Being a type O, being a cancer survivor, having had a lifelong sugar addiction, wanting to feel and be my healthiest I now eat a mostly locally grown, organic when it is available and feasible diet that includes meat products that are grown locally on farms that are range fed without antibiotics or hormones. My meat product choices are very consciously sought for the health and treatment of the animals, and gratitude always – with conscious choices for both my health and for the planet. My job is to be responsible for me in every way, and only by being the healthiest I can through nutrition choices can I hope to expand and live a life that is fulfilling by making meaningful contribution to others. For me nutritionally that first and foremost means I avoid sugar, white flour and all refined carbohydrates. Respectfully.
This is an addendum to my previous post.
It seemed to me that perhaps k.d. lang's comments about meat-eating had been taken
out of context A Spiritual teacher would only make such suggestion out of love and desire for growth of his student. . I just listened to the live radio program in full. I am glad I did as the comments in context make perfect sense to me now.
To any of those with an aversion to vegetarianism – the meals can be sumptuous and extraordinarily delicious – and very healthy.
Kudos to k. d. lang, who stands strong for her convictions while being flexible to suggestions that make sense to her. To a most handsome woman with an extraordinarily beautiful voice, who of course has always been proudly alternative – a big part of the intrigue for me – I love your new album and recognize that I've always appreciated alternative country singing – just didn't have a name for it previously.
Whatever our personal choices, make them consciously with mindfulness. Namaste.