Here is my backyard! Lots of happy animals, and I enjoy interacting with them.
It's worth mentioning that Amber and I have learned a lot from being on this farm. I came in as a vegetarian with an open mind. I'd like to still think I have an open mind, but I have stronger personal convictions on certain aspects of my lifestyle.
Amber and I watched the movie Babe the other night. It was jarring for us, for a kids movie of all things. We've seen it before and it's a great movie, but during the scene where Farmer Hoggett is aiming his rifle at the unassuming Babe, ready to kill him... Well, Amber lost it entirely. If you recall, this is the exact manner, more compassionately than other farms I would add, in which they killed the pigs here. Amber said we can't stay here, which is something we've known for awhile. It's just a matter of time.
On a Theosophical topic, there's a thought in my head that I've been rolling over for a long time: Which is worse, karmically? Slaughtering animals or eating them? I'm sure there is a sutra on this, but I am exploring it for myself - in a way that is why I am here (on the farm and in life :P ).
The Theosophical view of not eating meat, or alchohol, or smoking is that it pollutes the body, which is the vehicle for the soul and the spirit. In that sense, it's not wrong per se, but you're not doing yourself any favors by giving yourself another hurdle to overcome. The energy, the light, the grace (whatever you want to call it) that is constantly trying to be of help to you has more dross to try and work through just to get through to you. If you are depressed, and you medicate yourself with alchohol and drugs, you're just perpetuating the problem.
So on this farm, I have felt that I have been covered in blood the entire time. It is just a feeling, as I am open to that stuff. Amber is less inclined toward the "woo woo" stuff, but she has started to notice it too. There's a heaviness in the air, even though this is a wonderful place and we enjoy it in other ways. I love the animals themselves. But when we leave and come back, there it is. I'm not saying I have answers to any questions of "Is it better to this or that"; I have no interest in the hubris of certainty. But I definitely notice as one who does not eat meat, being on land with a slaughter grounds affects me.
Sorry to get heavy on the subject. We are very much having a wonderful time and are very happy. I only mention these things so that you can think about it for yourself. Maybe common experiences like this will help other people make positive decisions for themselves. Ok, I'm done with my soapbox.
Please do enjoy this video of animals in my backyard, I enjoy the critters, and I enjoyed making this video!
