Dear Friends,
The red-tailed hawk was magnificent. It was, perhaps, a little odd that it was standing on my backyard lawn, as hawks do not normally forage on the ground for food! But I was grateful for the opportunity to admire its plumage. It was then that I noticed the unfortunate chipmunk under the bird's left talons. My attention immediately shifted to compassion for the hawk's breakfast. Such a dramatic contrast - an admiration of the beauty of nature juxtaposed with the terror and pain of a small animal.
I am a compassionate individual, and I have been as long as I can remember. My compassion is the major reason I became a vegetarian 45 years ago. At the same time, it cannot be denied that living creatures eat each other ceaselessly. It is simply part of the world that we live in. Struggle, pain and suffering seem inevitable in this three-dimensional world, and obviously this applies to humankind as well as the animal kingdom.
Our present pandemic circumstances offer the same dramatic contrast. The pain, fear and suffering are in stark contrast to heroism and selflessness, growing kindness and gratitude, ingenuity in overcoming issues, and leadership emerging from unexpected places.
And what should our stance be in a world of dramatic contrasts? Now is the time for us to understand that all we do is sacred! My spiritual imperative for many years has been, "Be as kind as possible to every living thing, including yourself." Whatever your spiritual beliefs, we must be purposeful in our actions.
You can thrive
In the face of adversity
If you have ceaseless faith in yourself
And if you are ready to play the role
Of the hero-warrior
At every moment of your life.
- Sri Chinmoy
Let's all be hero-warriors in our individual worlds, and go deep with our spiritual beliefs. And in your heroic journey, I offer blessings to you, and to whom all you love.
Oh, the possibilities!
David G. Hunt
