Brain Consuming Now…
Hello everyone. Once again, it’s time to take a break from my writing. Recording a few moments outside of the topic.
Section 2 of Chapter 2 is too brain-burning. I have been thinking what title it should have. Some chapters and sections take a lot of time to verify information and collect evidence. It is very brain consuming to explain a topic clearly and understandably. Sometimes the news is wrong (wrong news is everywhere); sometimes the photographer of pictures can’t be found (they have been forwarded and modified several times); and it is also hard to decide a suitable picture to use. Besides, I have to search in various languages. I might have learned several languages by the time the book was finished, because I tried them all to search on the Internet. 😅😅😅
Moreover, I didn’t expect that I would be still shocked by the situation after a decade. This is not good for a middle aged women’s health like me. I often have insomnia and eat at randomly blah blah. So, let’s take a breath and rest now to talk about a doubt asked
Someone asked me, “Are you writing these to promote religions?”
Vegan and Religion
This question is a bit difficult to answer because the definition is not clear. First of all, we have to distinguish whether vegan diet and religion are the same. The idea that vegan diet is equivalent to religion is obviously incorrect. Because “Vegan” is not a trademark or property of any religion. There is a modern term called “Buddha-like”. Are those “Buddha-like youth” Buddhists? This is not necessarily the case.
About myself first. I am a very independent person. If it is not for any special reason, I rarely participate in social, recreational, or dinner activities. The biggest problem of group life is that it is easy to misunderstand each other. Because habits, perceptions and principles of everyone are different. Therefore, I focus on self-study. Most of my teachers are authors of books. This way I can filter out what I want to read and learn, and really concentrate on what I want to learn.
If anyone asks me that which religion I belong to, I can only say all or none. Because I read and learn all the scriptures, but I follow no one nor participate in any group. Even if the master I converted to, I had seen only a few times and never had a chance to talked to. All I can do is to learn from books, videos and scriptures for self-education and self-training. It is a well-developed world of communication nowadays, I don’t feel necessary to stay with anyone all the time. As long as the reason makes sense, I will do it. For example, if vegan diet makes sense, then just adopt vegan diet.
So, to be correct, I am writing these environmental articles to promote a vegan/vegetarian/plant-based diet, not a religion. Any group, any religion, any person should adopt a vegan/vegetarian/plant-based diet. As for whom or which everyone wants or doesn’t want to convert to, follow, or join, that is up to each individual to decide.
My Path of Practice
Personally, I study Buddha’s teaching, Taoist martial arts and medical techniques, and a meditation method from another lineage. In addition, I am very rational and know that scientific brings precision and progress, I also read many science books and keep learning new techs. If someone asks me which religion I belong to, I really don’t know how to answer. I don’t even know myself which religion I belong to.
And about the general impression of “Religion”. When most people mention the word “Religion”, it is mostly derogatory. There are too many examples of crimes committed in the name of religion. When it comes to religion, the picture that appears in everyone’s mind is probably: A person speaking on stage or surrounded in the center, and a large group of people worshiping in an exaggerated manner. Then the person is arrested and the crowd scatters. Or a group does something strange. Or a war is caused by religion somewhere, and etc.. There have been countless incidents like that in history and in the news. It can be said that the word “religion” means “superstition” or “blind cult and following”.
This is also one of the reasons why I act alone in the later. Because even if a leader or a Master is good, there is no guarantee that everyone in the group is good. If we are unfortunately targeted by someone, or too naive, we will have endless troubles. I was taken advantage by people that I couldn’t explain when I was young. Of course, this is also a driving force make me keep growing. Because if we don’t grow stronger, we can only be trampled upon in this society.
It is not a fault of the Master or the leader. Because so many people follow them, it is not possible to give each one meticulous care. It is good enough that they try their best to provide the right direction. And it is also childish asking others to take care of ourselves meticulously.
In short, after years of practicing, it is impossible for me to be obsessed with, blindly worship or follow anyone. I do not support any blind cult and following, either.
Souls Can Only Walk Alone
I read a quote the other day: Even if two people love each other, their souls cannot walk together. The deepest call and response between souls that walk alone is the most touching love in the world.
This passage comes from the book, Souls Can Only Walk Alone, written by Zhou Guoping. I cannot agree more with that. It is just a pity that only a few can respond my call.
Let me give another example. Suppose we are in a math exam, and the question is: How much is 1 plus 1? At the same time, there are two people with us. A person is a criminal, or someone we hate. He has nothing to do that day and has no purpose, so he tells us that 1 plus 1 equals 2. The other person is a friend, or someone we like very much. He happens to want to make fun of us, so he tells us that 1 plus 1 equals 4. Should we fill in 2 or 4?
Truth is like this: No matter who says it, truth is truth. If we don’t fill in the correct answer because we hate the person, we get zero points. If we fill in the wrong answer because we like the person, we still get zero points. In the end, we are the ones who suffer from both approaches.
Real leaders, masters, scholars, and etc., they are the carriers of truth. We do not have to follow these people, but we have to follow truth. Because we will be the victim if we don’t. A vegan/vegetarian/plant-based diet belongs to truth, not religion.
Do it or not, it’s up to you.
Written on April 13, 2021