clarity somewhere
shining on thru
my heart tells me what to say
my mind now assists
thank you lord for yoga
its dawning on me
what you say
what is it dawning on you?
oh so hard to say
are there things that are unsayable?
something elusive
something lovely but vague
a warm rush of pleasure
the appearance of intuition
power and ability focusses
it occurs that one can do anything
really
but you must invest your time and love
oh i know thats the part you dont wanna hear
love you say you can give but not time
nothing that takes time time being you say
we need the shortest cut
we need the quickest root
we need the time bypass
we need the fastest fix
please dont hurry it
look you need a leap of faith
give yoga your time and faith
put faith in yoga it will not let you down
practice going lightly
move like tiger on vaseline
feline agile and certain
yoga will bring you up to speed
your deep heart will be heard amongst the brains thousand voices
you are not your mind
yes that needs to pass through your mind
but still i say
you are not your mind
your mind is to be harnessed
watch it writhe at first
as it thrashes around
but eventually comes stillness
the yoke
you are yoking that mind of yours to a great purpose
even if no one really understands this purpose
or its full import
or even a glimmer of what it is
yoga is not the only path
there are others
all demanding much
there is no easy way in
into what you say
in where?
alignment
getting in tune
becoming yourself
you are like a machine
that can do a hundred things
but you know only know how to do 3 or 4
you use a tiny percentage of your potential
you have a mansion but you live in the hallway
there are many types of yoga
the physical asanas are just a part
yoga is letting the universe work for you
going with the flow
changing
making your life a work in progress
improving
extending
going softer
more subtle
more atuned
more surfing the ebb and flow of opportunity
more being in the groove
being able to spot potential a mile off
sexual prowess yes if you want it
calmer mind if you need it
stamina and ability to deliver
if only if only
i had been doing yoga all those years
i might have truly amazed you
after almost 5 solid years though
the transformation is underway
intuitively incorporating swimming
for its gentle exercise
for its regulation of breath
for its discipline
for its cold sea water everyday
for its energising qualities always manifested
these 2 things alone operating on me
agents of change
by the age sixty
i will just be starting
my limbs will be limber
my sinews and muscles aligned
my blood pressure low as it is now
my heart beating slowly as it is now
my mind working (for me) nimbly
my compassion developing
i want whatever it is yoga can
and is
giving me so bad
it is a human potentiator
what do you want from life?
yoga could give it to you
thats why im out on the balcony 90 mins every day
im easing into it
the postures i once hated
now feel like old friends
my body and my soul thank me for every pose
i breathe into poses
i let go the tension and pain that inhibits me
blood is pumped through organs
the glands are bathed in blood too
every thing is massaged and soothed
you gain height as your bones move back apart
as the muscles release in your back and legs
i look at the trees and flowers
i look at the sky and clouds
sometimes i see right through them
realities dissolve
principles of art occur to me
pieces of philosophy i suddenly grasp
or mysteries from my own life solved
or i gaze into the intangible
which really has no description
afterwards
i feel like calmly elated
this may take some time
this may happen only occaisionally at first
meditation will compound yogas effects
the 2 go hand in hand
one will deepen the other
if you want the sublimest thing
yoga can give it
like doing a degree at university or an apprenticeship
or learning an instrument or a language
nothing happens at once
you will need continuous yoga
to flush the gossip
the envy
the television
the fear
the pressure
the insults
the humiliations dished out n received
the heavy weight of the world
the electric pollution
the sonic pollution
the terrible things you have eaten
the awful drugs or drink you had
but if you persevere
and yoga will even give you the will to persevere
then slowly but surely you will improve
youll still get old and die
but youll feel a lot better getting there
you may become interested in matters cosmic
you may develop other senses
or just feel better
give it a try
its ttb recommended
Followers
66 comments:
Will it slay my enemies and oppress the fuckwits who dominate and torment me?
Will it protect my children from ignorance and abuse?
Will it permanently shut the mouths of the bullies, the manipulators and the bastards who relentlessly seem to be in power?
No?
I guess I need something stronger.
What else ya got?
B.Bon
i need something to replace my swimming
since i can't do that until march or so
and the elliptical is not quite enough
so i think i'll give it a go
but first i gotta get some info about how to start
the poses, the breathing, and so forth
i'll start with a google
Opening gates to fulfillment that lasts we ask for help in finding the keys. To creativity that bounds ,to love that that is endless,a vessel to fill with light of eternal energy good.
Each move, each sinew, each empty space,without running from challenges,with giving of gifts, all kinds, resonates our true & right direction.
This is how this world is changed for the better. This is how we see what it really is.
One persons altered perception at a time.
Your ability to reflect light as in the stars is limitless. Keep trying,for it is through our hardest lessons that we truely learn the most.
...and how satisfying! ;-)
i can tell ya!one of the sweetest things i ever saw{when i could still see...... a little bit{5%in the right eye} } was my little morgie doing "salute to the sun",and she must have been only 4or5 at the time.she doesnt actually do yoga,but she knows a few moves,and is pretty open to receiving a massage,and is so cute in remembering the metaphysics of pain,and knots,and ailments.children are such sponges for information.{and to think that my sister and i used to heckle mum whilst she was doing tai chi in the garden....dreadful children}i see my massage as a form of yoga.the stretch,the hold,the breath,the focus of energy,the fluid movement,and the extension.works for me{suppose a yoga video wouldnt really help{things like that tend to dictate to one to" stand like this"....and not actually describe the position}worth a look though,seeming it is TB recommended.how cosmic is cosmic?!how long's a piece of string?breathe!...um?checklist?...yep,thats it for my comment!how well contained,and DISCIPLINED was that SK? have a blissful night!...all o yer!...love,as always,gen xxxxx x
This one resonated strongly with me today. I have also been practising yoga for about 5 years. It has every aspect of my life. Creative work is my highest calling and yoga practice keeps me on that special path. Write more about yoga... I will print out what you wrote today to ponder on a bit longer. Yeah its helped me most with the nagging doubt I just don't doubt myself as much anymore.
It would be so cool if you did an instructional video...but with a time being edge and maybe some really cool soft music to go with it
Hi sk, I started yoga lessons in Feb this year (Iyengar for beginners) and you're so right in saying you need continuous yoga to get the most out it. I stopped lessons this term cos it got a bit costly and I'm finding it SO HARD to get motivated to keep doing it at home. I've got the book, the mat, but find it hard to get into the right frame of mind to continue at home, but today's blog got me all excited again to get back into it, so thanks once again ttb!
Love Amanda
errr...bad day at the office, b bon?
Alright then.
I will.
Did it many years ago but...lapsed. Tried Tai Chi Sczhaun and found that more to my taste...the fluidity of movement...but once again lapsed.
My body is starting to fail me. My mind is easily distracted and becomes enthralled with the trivial and supermundane. I need engagement, discipline. I need energy. I need time. Moments are disolving, never to return. I need something other than moments now. Grasping at sand is tiresome. I need the ocean.
I prepare myself to commence...now
i'd like to know where would be a good place to start and suss things out...
love always
-The hellbound Heart
Good morning Steve.
You showed us some poses outside the Concorde 2 in Brighton this year. Truly impressive. You made me feel fat and old, despite being ten years younger than you.
I think I need to give it a try. Until my 30's I used to play footie 3 times a week and run 6 miles twice a week. Now I'm ashamed at how portly and unfit I am.
If it's TTB recommended, where do you recommend we start?? Is there a book that I should buy?
xx
I used to practice yoga every day and was quite calm, fit and supple, had given up the ciggies (nasty insidious litte drug) but,.. got distracted, diverted, sent in the wrong direction, etc, and haven't practiced it for about 5 years,
But, funny enough, I was planning to start practicing it again..after being laid up with a bad back for the early half of this year
Anyway, I'm definitely going to start again today. And I've GOT to give up the ciggies ..again! (nasty, insidious, addictive little drug!!).
Wonderful blog today Steve! Please continue with more as it certainly gives me incentive to get back to my classes.
I am also a lapsed yogini at the moment, but have been going to a great Iyengar school in St Kilda for about 8 years. Thursday's was always my fave day of the week as I'd go for a post-work swim and then a 2 hour class afterwards (which I agree is a great combo). Yoga is one of the best discoveries I've made for myself and I'm pretty sure I've bored many a friend, raving on about it! But now maybe I should take my own advice and start practicing again. This week. I promise.
Thanks :)
What an apt description of the life benefits of yoga – physical, spiritual, & emotional, its all there. It is an essential way of life for me, have practised Iyengar for 12yrs, where we practise meditation in action. Yoga breathing (pranayama) also helps with physical and emotional pain. In modern times we live out of step with nature & life can leave me feeling I’m trying to balance on a spinning top. Yoga slows it all down, I turn inward & find the centre and humbly re-connect with the bigger picture and detach (pratyahara). ‘sometimes I see right through then realities dissolve ‘moment U describe, I have experienced this also in when participating in a Butoh theatre workshop I recall, the leader describing this as obtaining the ‘B’ focus, as we were told to try to look through everything outside to the horizon. However, one can only bring the horse to the water but you can’t make her drink it. People, out of necessity, will turn inward, usually after a stressful event, to gather them selves together and yoga provides the tools to do this. I think going to a highly qualified yoga teacher is an important way to start – The Hatha form of yoga, in my view, is probably the best introduction to yoga.
Hey David from yesterday….. Speaking as a female Killer blog fan – speaking for moi…. no not in love with Killer; intellectually turned on, inspired & funny bone occasionally tickled – yes! Genuine love – is a powerful & selfless energy, not to be confused with cathexis………( see M.Scott Peck’s The Road Less Travelled for more on 'Cathexis').
as you are now a gun for private hire why not taking a leaf out of mr byrne's book to make your live show more appealing - see http://youtube.com/watch?v=xzORu1dqEE0
I particularly recommend the moves found from around 1 minute 35-ish seconds
The mental picture I have of you doing that is pretty satisfying
Oh for fucks sake! at least you didn't blather on with all the hippy dippy bullshit when you were a junkie.
Your intensity has derailed itself and now you're a bore.
You used to excite the masses.
Leanne
here's hoping that yoga may release Leanne's sphincter
Dear sir TTB (The Turd Burger)
You dont seem to comprehend that most of us (fans or not) have jobs, families, don't subsist on benefits, and have a limited amount of down time.
If you are gonna preach make the guidelines realistic.
11.55pm
MMMMM yoga, yes it makes me want to do big poopoo
But failing that the sphincter can always be released with a mighty big dick up your arse.
You threw the first sphincter!
Lots of shit
Leanne
Steve, when Brien bilges on about Morrissey, do you think of how you feel about the old queen or remember how you used to take the piss out of him with those impressions of his singing?
or just think: why do they like me AND that ?!
maybe it can get rid of that damn iced coffee..... so sweet , but it was sooooo good
Er, whoops, stuck this comment on yesterday's blogge by axident but it was meant to be here... Great yoga rant, BTW.
JJB
Loved the Glamourama lightning - gets the salt flowing back into the veins, thanks.
By the way, I have owned and ridden horses, and the last one was an ex-racehorse. I've spent a fair bit of time on the track and was a racing writer at one stage. Overall, thoroughbreds love racing and it's something that comes naturally to them. generally they're pampered, very well cared for, fed, vetted, excercised and adored. I definitely wouldn't describe it as animal cruelty./ A few flicks with the whip down the home straight doesn't do too much harm in the balance of life overall. As horses wouldn't otherwise be on the planet these days now we have cars and buses and trams and aeroplanes and bikes and ships doing it all, this is their crack at life on this planet. Compared to the lives many humans lead, it's downright paradise.
Although clearly a lot of domestic animal rearing in this country and overseas is strongly objectionable, and often cruel, I've often wondered about this dilemma: that without being raised as domestic animals, ducks, chooks, sheep, cattle, goats, horses etc would have no life at all. People would see no commercial value in their roaming land freely in most cases, and if they're not protected species, they would simply never get a chance to exist at all. Therefore, if domestic animals were all reared with kindness and care before being humanely killed, would it be unethical to give them that chance at living? This is something i wonder about sometimes SK. I realise that eating meat is anathema to you, but what about that ethical dilemma? Is it better that they never lived at all?
The truth of what you write has been vividly displayed to me in all the people i've worked with over the years, from athletes to old folks, from those who train full time to those who have only 20 min or so per day. The benefits of a daily practice accumulate, they deepen, and they do indeed transform.
ryan
jjb
you must know by now you cant get a reasonable comment on meat from the turd burger.Dont let a pissy little veg nazi man tell you what to eat. He's not mandella or ghandi. He was shannon knoll, tears for fears, eurogliders, coldplay, anyone past there used by date
cst coach
oh fuck off and ride a camel
Gee, a guy's using his own blog to talk about harmless things that interest him...what a jerk. Idiots. Go visit the Rush Limbaugh blog or something.
Leanne-your language is so eloquent,and elegant,i'm gathering that YOU are the one with the "big dick"whom clears her own passage.sounds as tho you'll be needing yourself tonite.
THANKFULLY,to each of us,LIFESTYLE is a choice.we should MAKE time for these pursuits.and ask ourselves:what is truly important?!. love,life,and simply living.!that is the core.it is most important.
Jen Jewel Brown: In many regions of India humane vegetarian Jains and Hindus allow cows and other animals to peacefully coexist with them.
Sk is correct about Yoga. I don't do it but Dave Davies recovered from a stroke thanks to deep breathing, yoga and eastern spirituality. Yes folks Dave Davies is also an animal loving vegetarian.
brien - i think she was asking the big k-man - not you
Dave Davies don't kill animals, but I hear he's tried to kill Ray a few times...
Morrisey ...talented? ..Talent my arse!
I've heard there's not a lot of brotherly love between Ray and Dave.
Ray did write "Waterloo Sunset" though.
I like a bit of red meat meeself..Anyone for a nice Chianti
Blessings Sk
its time to put down the road map and bear the fruit of work, I was listening to an lecture given by David Lynch @ a university and they brought out a scientist Dr.John Hilgin that presented all the connections of the oneness or EEG collective coherence as they call it, amazing clarity in explanation, it is this becoming that leads us back to ourselves out of waking life,
I feel like Ive imagined the garden of my mind built by conventions and abstractions, experience, of memories and confusions, halflives of historic karma manipulating and denting my landscape, so many flowers, Ive dreamt them all, imagined my own virility and sacredness in its rapture, Its actually gotten quite loud, once again I am compelled to find peace and open my true eyes...
Om Tat Sat Om..
jaime r.......
i realise my vegetarianism and my spiritual practices
seem to alienate certain "readers", that is regrettable
but sadly
one can see from their language
their paucity of ideas
their pathetic exhortations to eat meat
their cliches
(the kind of thing youd hear in a playground)
yes ive met you meat eating wretches by the thousands
my proof is in my pudding
my active life
my participation in many events
my continual output
my huge catalogue of work
my ongoing improvement
my energy
and remember
you sad little mudslingers
as you rail against me
in your impotence and naked envy
remember
you read my blog
i dont read yours
no one does
no ones heard of you
youre an anonymous little person
angry because no ones interested in YOU
you should try yoga
it may make you more attractive
leanne, goodbye
theres nothing here for you
jjb, im surprised that youd come up with that question
ive heard it couched in different ways...
are you saying that its good that we raise and slaughter certain animals otherwise they wouldnt exist much?
i think the answer is obvious, dont you?
race horses have to have their spirit broken before they race
you think a little whipping is ok?
maybe we could try it on people
get them to work harder
as to all you hard workers got no time for yoga
not like me on my "benefits"
gee thats too bad
as for morrisey, no opinion
as to getting started
you cant learn yoga from a book
you need to get to some classes
i cannot believe the way
people take exception
to the most innocent things
like a little blog about yoga
and yes
the ones screaming the most
are sadly
the ones who need it the most
the meat and inactivity has made them
pointlessly aggressive
their important hard working jobs
have made them all frustrated
why are they reading me of all people
i'll never understand
still
there is always a catch
in summer you get flies
in winter you get colds
and on blogs
you get strange little parasitic "half-straights"
quibbling and trying to undermine anything
they cant grasp
of course
i invite you to depart
i dont want to bore you any longer
this is a veg hippy theistic blog
its about art
music
yoga
peace
poetry
philosophy
drugs
words
and the ongoing chaos of life
go away now
cant be bothered with you anymore
(deep breath)
ah thats better
At the risk of sounding sensible, proper diet and exercise in whatever form are essential to mental and physical wellbeing.
I only disagree on one point and that is the need for faith. Look at the practitioners of these ways of life and there the proof.
Life is short, don't be decrepit before your time.
Thanks for the reminder.
PV
Oh Steve you are so right
It sure is fun to get a rise out of an old hippy though.
Leanne
just go away, please!
Nice words of advise.
To my sisters considering Yoga, please talk to your practitioner before you begin, especially if you suffer from uterine fibroids.
Some poses can make them worse and nobody wants that.
Cee
Steve Kilbey's Yoga Church, there's an idea for a good business.
Dutch Pierre
That should do it sk!!
I can't believe people like Leanne get a kick out of reading about the times you were down&out on drugs etc, and get pissed off and "bored" when you write about interesting, positive stuff like yoga, natural high herbs and other "hippy" topics. You've been writing this blog for over 2 years now, why do THEY keep reading knowing you often bring up these topics? Strange innit?
Have a beautiful day anyway sk.
Love Amanda
what a great blog today!!!!!!
i thought it was a stonker!!!!
steve....sometimes you get it all sooooooo right.
and your comeback....oh man!
that was beautiful.
you sure know how to deal with hecklers....wonderful!
i'm proud to be associated with you in any way whatsoever.
and i don't idolise you!!
coz i ain't bad meself.
i just really like yer music, and think yer a cool geezer.
i would love a jam sometime though.
good for you man...sod 'em..morons!
banish the intelectual pygmies.
you tell 'em killer!
bucketloads of lurve to all!
andy L.
i used to practice yoga AND meditate....haven't done it in a few years, though. what happened? well, i guess i just got caught up in other things and sadly yoga and meditation fell to the wayside.
but everything you said today is exactly dead-on right about the two: the rewards of mental clarity and a flexible body you get from doing both is unbelievable. i felt better and never got sick; also my ability to recall was astonishing, as my mind seemed to be cleansed when i slowed it down and flushed it with meditation. and now? well....uh...
you've inspired me to pick it up again. and i'm not going to start afresh tomorrow~~i'm going to start this evening. right now. thanks, steve.
lotza love......
gee whiz kilbey, tell us what you really think why don't cha?
go veg!
btw
I used to help my father "break" horses to race. It's not a pleasant experience. All you can do is numb yourself to it. much like a butcher would have to in order to kill and cut flesh and bone day in and day out. The toll it takes on ones spiritual and emotional well being to have to do that for a living. no pun.
You have no idea.
"cita said...
This one resonated strongly with me today. I have also been practising yoga for about 5 years. It has every aspect of my life. Creative work is my highest calling and yoga practice keeps me on that special path. Write more about yoga... I will print out what you wrote today to ponder on a bit longer. Yeah its helped me most with the nagging doubt I just don't doubt myself as much anymore.
5:13 PM"
Just write for good hearts like this.
They are receptive to beauty and art.
As for the detractors, this quote from De Mello seems appropriate...
"Don't attempt to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time -- and irritates the pig."
Don't waste your energy engaging with such negativity.
Just put it aside gently and continue to inspire those who are receptive to your guidance.
~
Don't let the turkeys get you
down.
Lady Di
i appreciate this show of confidence
thank you
mish mash eye was taking 'a' bath...
Nevibaby
Was any of that aimed at me? I’m not sure but I think so. Upon re-reading, my opening comment does seem a little….ahhhh…cross. I wasn’t intending to take aim at you, SK, and please forgive me if that was how it read. Truly not my intention and I am sorry if it came across that way. Words written in haste etc…
By way of explanation….
Yesterday I found out that my daughter was being subjected to mental cruelty that the psychologist assessing her said was so significant it amounted to child abuse. Now, if it was other kids doing this to her, it would be called bullying. But it wasn’t. It was the adults who care for her at a facility after school. The psychologist described it as ‘ protracted and targeted victimization. My daughter is 5 years old and in kindergarten.
At the time I wrote yesterday, my partner had gone to confront these people. I was stopped from going because if I had….there would have been a body count. DOCS are now involved and there will be some sort of a case against them. The psychologist will now be working with my daughter over the next few months helping her get over it and told me that through role plays and other activities she will emotionally overcome the torment and will feel like she has justice. I said to he psychologist ‘What about MY justice?’
Why am I telling you this? Because you seem offended and I thought I should explain. I am aware that in the past I may have used this as a couch and poured out more that was appropriate. I think in my mind you being the father of so many girls really resonated with me and your musings on parenthood were so genuinely touching….I remember you once said ‘they have no idea how much I love them’ and that hit me right through the heart. I think we have that in common, I guess.
But, a massive and strange vent here was not the right thing to do.
That will be all from me now.
B.Bon
Horse Racing is a cruel and profit driven industry, that puts the welfare of their wallets before the welfare of their horses.
Recently, activists in Melbourne investigated a slaughterhouse, where they discovered horrific slaughter of discarded racehorses who were no longer profitable to the racing industry. The horses – many of whom were emaciated and injured – were confined to waiting pens before being shot in the head with a rifle, often in full view of other horses. Because of poorly trained staff, some horses were still struggling while they were being dragged to the kill floor, where they were skinned and had their limbs hacked off.
Each year in Australia, around 18,000 foals are born into the racing industry. Less than one-third of them will ever race, and those that do will likely not race past their third birthdays. Horses who are no longer profitable are rarely retired to grassy pastures. Tens of thousands of horses are sold for slaughter every year. Some of their flesh is used in dog and cat food, and "prime cuts" are sold for human consumption in Europe and Asia.
It's not just the horses' deaths that are cruel – the horseracing industry is fraught with cruelty. Thoroughbred horses have genetic problems that are exacerbated by hard track surfaces, year-round racing schedules, and corporate owners who view horses as "investments" and race them too frequently in an effort to make more money. It is common for trainers and veterinarians to use drugs – both legal and illegal – to treat horses' injuries. Lasix is a legal drug that stops bleeding in the lungs while also masking the presence of other drugs in a horse's system. Phenylbutazone is a commonly used painkiller that allows horses to run with minor injuries, which may result in more serious injuries.
As long as people continue to breed and raise horses for profit for horseracing and related industries, they will also abuse and slaughter these animals.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=200274168&blogID=325323507
b.bon,
i read you... dont know what to say.. but calm down at first.. hope your little one will soon get better... i have a daughter too.
and i know your feeling.
Thanks Steve,
As always you inspire and enlighten whether it's life, music...whatever.
Discipline, perseverence, personal well being...just some of the gifts i'll be paying more attention to...although i'm sure life will throw up it's own tests to measure my progress!
How lucky i am to share in all you have to offer...good, bad or otherwise...it means something to me at least.
Cheers,
Jon from Geelong.
Sk 8:36 A.M.
I have enjoyed Morrissey's music since 1986. I have enjoyed Maccas music since 1966. I have loved Chrissie and The Pretenders since the early 1980's. I rediscovered The Church and U in early 2007 and the music, vocals, lyrics, sound and aura are inimitable, incomparable and nonpareil. I wish you and The Church had the aforesaid performers material success. Your music is better than theirs and that's saying alot for me. It's just like Jeff Beck. Clapton, Page, May and Gilmour have admitted he's the best but he's had no commercial success since 1976. He is struggling to sell out 1200 seats for a five night stand at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London (his country). It's unreal but the deal is that people like JB and SK forge ahead because they appreciate their diehard fans who value their invaluable music. Veg Beck is 63 and he looks like he's 50. Veg Sk is 53 and could pass for 42. As for me I am an old looking veg but I'm not a musician it's just that the road to perdition seems to be my only audition due to too many acts of contrition. Peace, Love, Hope Incorporated to all the benevolent commentors and SK=Oracle.
B.Bon...Strength to you...the initial reaction of a lione{ess}is to tear the limbs off an agressor.all praise and power to you for staying put whilst your partner sorted it out.karma is kind,and children are amazingly resiliant.i wish your daughter empowerment,and smoother sailing in the future.and a huge smiley love face....and to the so called "carers"..i wish come-uppence,karma,and transparency...take care of your nerves.not that it holds much sway?but purple food,is good for lifting the spirits,for both you and your partner,and if you can get your little one to eat it,or more of it,it may help,{nature's anti-depressant,vit c,and anti oxidant}...things like eggplant,avocado,blueberries,raspberries,beetroot,spinach,cherries etc...tried and trusted old wives tale..much love to your family,and lil one..and peace...love,genx
Steve, The benefits of your dedication to your philosophys have obviously reinvigorated your life,It's my understanding that vegans choose not to wear. leather, silk or wool and do not wear products tested on animals.The latter on which I totally agree.My dilemma is where does one draw the line? Would you use a life saving medication on yourself or family if you knew it had been tested on animals but had no alternative? And if u did wouldn't that be compromising your principles? also curious whether the wife and kids are also vegan?
J
'You are not your mind' Yes it seems so obvious doesn't it. I have known that from a very young age and I'm sure most of the readers here also know but you would be surprised how many don't. I started back at uni again this year - Philosophy. We were reading one philosopher - David Hume I think, who was talking about there being nothing other than the mind. Our lecturer agreed and said of course this is true isn't it. I said NO and you could have heard a pin drop. There was complete silence while everyone looked at me like I was an alien. I started talking about the 'I' being beyond the mind and that this concept was widely understood and experienced throughout the world in Yoga practice,meditation etc. To my shock, no one agreed with me. The lecturer became extremely defensive and shut me up. After the tutorial many of the other students wanted to ask me about my 'very weird and strange opinion.'They had never come across such an unusual pint of view???? I'm no longer at Uni - not for that reason, there are just other things to do right now and too many boring philosophers you have to wade through between the great early ones like Plato,
to get to Peter Singer. I'd rather read SK than David Hume.
I believe a race horse died on the track today? If people had the interest to look behind the surface of this industry, it can easily be seen that it is very cruel.
Thanks for the interesting and illuminating comments above on the "horse racing industry".
It is a weakness of mine to sometimes put loyalties and friendships before principles - even though the wisdom of those principles is indisputable.
I have long time friends who have worked most of their lives in this "industry".
Most involved in this "industry" would turn their back, and have nothing to do with people who condemn them outright. They would certainly not listen to, or heed any advice from them.
My approach has been to offer a perspective where the focus is gently changed from "winning at all costs" to focusing more on the welfare of the horses in their care. I have already seen this approach lead to horses being spared from being pushed too hard for the sake of a quick dollar...and being treated more humanely, and rested more often.
I have also seen a change where "unsuccessful" horses (in a racing sense) are spared the slaughterhouse, by owners and trainers taking some time and effort to try and place them with less competitive type trainers who participate mainly in "picnic" type race meetings.
Although this is far from the ideal of abolishing horse racing, my view is that the "industry" will outlast me, and most of us here, and possibly many more generations to come.
In Australia, horse racing is the 4th largest "industry" of any kind. Like any industry of such size, strength and dominance...it will not be easily removed.
So I take the approach of encouraging change to promote more compassion within the industry by just putting a few ideas and suggestions forward every now and then, that my friends in the industry can contemplate before implementing changes in their own way and time.
If I, and others like me, were to simply judge, condemn and disown all those who work in the horse racing industry....then even these simple changes towards more humane and compassionate treatment of horses may well go unimplemented.
Much more needs to be done though to protect the horses from greedy and cruel owners and trainers.
But you'll find exploitative people in all walks of life.
Perhaps it's the corporate and societal "greed is good" mentality that fuels this exploitation that ultimately needs addressing and changing.
~
terrible business,the nags.
i lost $20 today on 'em.
Why are people discussing their personal problems in the comments section on some guy's blog? Don't they have family and friends?
Thank you very much everyone including SK who ventured their opinions and information on horse racing. I am very sad to hear of some terrible practices. I also know that a great many well-loved and valued riding horses, whether basically kids' pets or those who manage to make it up the ladder of gymkhanas, one day events etc right up to the Olympic level of the sport, are absolutely beloved and well cared for animals. A great many are racehorses who never made it, or who did and were retired to become ordinary riding horses.
I also know that modern horse breaking has moved on a long way from the old style of 'break their spirit'. A horse broken in that way will not be generally as trusting, cooperative and easy to train. Good horses have their spirit and trust intact. This includes racehorses. For many decades a great many horse breakers have used the method of first gently being with the horse, talking to it, touching it, grooming and handling it, then placing a blanket on it.... Days pass and slowly adding a rope, a head collar, a little human weight, a saddle, a bridle... lunging the horse, as one slowly builds up to riding. Every horse has a character all its own, just as people do. Thanks being here, doing this for your very measured and intelligent comments. I agree that horses are here to stay, and I am enormously grateful for sharing the planet with such extraordinary beings. I witness how they have moved civilisations across this planet. Without them, perhaps none of us would be here exchanging such vital ideas on this extraordinary blog that inspires such deep thought and discussions on vital subjects such as how we share this planet with ethical treatment of animals.
I hate to see any creature exploited cruelly, but think this is more the choices of individuals than the racing or riding worlds per se. It's true that a horse at Flemington was put down today. We feel for that poor animal, and hate to see it. Wild horses are flight animals, they love to run and that is their best defence, and most often die when they break a leg. In the wild death would not come so mercifully. If when I get to the end of my life I die quickly, and don't have to suffer a slow, cruel death through cancer or degeneration, I will embrace it with joy. If when I die, my body could be recycled to feed other beings in the food chain, I would be completely delighted. The fact that I either have to be buried in a plot of land taking up space but growing nothing of worth to the other creatures around me, or burnt up using resources, causing greenhouse gases and pollution, is something I deeply regret.
Sorry if these ideas are upsetting - SK if you want me to stop visiting your blog I will.
"if only if only
i had been doing yoga all those years
i might have truly amazed you"
If amazing others is your goal, you will never understand the heart of the wisdom yoga unfolds.
Well aren't you clever Gregragar
!
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