I was having lunch yesterday and my lunch companion had recently sworn off meat and dairy. Which didn't make it difficult to find a good lunch spot, but did spark an interesting conversation. The whole meat issue has moved from a question of karma and health, to one of ecology, energy and environment. Haitian's are starving. And they are not the only ones. The prices of staple grains like wheat and corn have risen so sharply that the poorest of the poor can't afford to eat. The reasons range from environmental to financial.
Here in America, in Manhattan, at a lovely Carribbean restaurant in Soho, my friend and I had the horror of being able to lunch on meals as lovely as they were delicious, and talk about our personal food issues. Foods we were trying to give up. Dairy for her. Sugar for me.
And both of us being relatively conscious, sensitive human beings, we were quite aware of how lucky we are, and how obsessed we are as Americans about food. We have the luxury of trying to "get off" of certain foods, for health and political reasons. We get to pick and choose what foods we want to eat, what diets we want to go on, while less fortunate others eat mud cakes with sugar.
Yesterday was Earth Day; most of us are thinking about the environment if not doing anything about it. The food issue goes right to the belly of some fundamental issues: water, farming, energy. Personally, I'm going to be thinking more about the choices I'm making on a daily basis, as they relate to a bigger world picture than my weight and appearance.
I could have included a lot more links for this post, but encourage you to simply keep your eyes and ears open to the issue. Being aware and conscious is always the first step to change. Even if you're still eating steak every night.
I haven't read The Omnivore's Dilemma yet, but it's been highly recommended by many friends. I have read this article by Michael Pollan, from the Sunday Times, back in January, and it's as good a place as any to start.
Though I don't have any particular art-making references to make in relation to food and world hunger, it's worth mentioning that art has always been inspired by both joy and sadness, war and peace, abundance and lack.
So while you enjoy the plenty that we're fortunate to have, take a moment to think of those who don't. I often begin a meal with this take on a Buddhist prayer: May all beings be safe, may all beings be happy, may all beings have enough food to eat and a safe place to sleep.
May all your days be filled with Magic Medicine, and compassion for all beings everywhere.
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