“Contemplative living is living in right relationships with one’s self, God, others and nature to fully experience our ultimate sense of purpose, well-being and an appreciation of life.”
~MertonInstitute.org

Not long ago, I was one of the many so-called “apathetic” Americans who dislike watching the news and quickly flip the station when infomercials about hunger or animal cruelty come on the TV.

I told myself I was too sensitive or that I didn’t want to feel upset or helpless, but the truth is that I knew I had to keep the blinders on if I wanted to stay in my comfortable life. It seems that part of mastering modern life is learning to compartmentalize–separating us from them, and our choices from the pain of someone else. We do this because acknowledging that we’re a part of the problem, as it were, demands action.

But suppose we’re ready to open our hearts and even consider getting involved. The trouble is that once we spread the fingers we’ve placed over our eyes, the sight can be overwhelming. Where do we begin? Can an individual hope to tackle even one of the goliath issues facing our planet? Do we focus on the global, national, or local level? Should we address immediate needs or attempt to affect policy?

I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers–in fact many times I’ll be asking for advice–but I do believe the necessary actions will be revealed to us as we begin to act and not before. Still, it’s important to realize that no one person can do everything. And it’s easier to make life changes if you have support, so clearly we’re going to need to stick together.

I understand that you may not be persuaded to make personal changes by each topic that comes up, but it’s my hope that you’ll take a few moments to consider whether your current path or choices could be improved.

For example, I became a vegetarian a little over a month ago. Fortunately I know several people who are willing to help me with the transition, but this was a huge step for someone who has been known to avoid vegetables in the past.

Honestly, the process of becoming a vegetarian is not unlike converting to a new religion:

1. You have a certain revelation that seems to come from above (mine came in the form of the PETA film, Earthlings — sensitive viewers be advised, I only made it through the first 20 minutes);
2. You declare your newfound passion and seek out others who have successfully been transformed (and find yourself listening to podcasts called Food for Thought);
3. You learn and attempt to follow a new set of rules (including tricky ones like not eating products that contain gelatin–goodbye marshmallows!);
4. You learn of the denominations or factions within the new group (ovo-lacto vegetarians like myself, who still eat eggs and dairy; pesce-vegetarians, who eat fish but no other meat; vegans, who eat no meat or animal by-products whatsoever; and so on) and that there are arguments among them and a misguided sense of hierarchy;
5. Aside from the effort (and for a picky eater like myself, bravery) it takes to make a sudden change, one has to endure questioning from family members and sometimes complete strangers, so there’s an added layer of social stress.
6. It is a daily and sometimes hourly decision to continue on the path you’ve chosen.

That being said, although I will write about the nuances of being a vegetarian, I don’t expect everyone to feel similarly or change their eating habits–just as if I were to write about issues of faith I wouldn’t expect it would convert my readers to any particular religious beliefs.

But I do believe that sharing the struggles will benefit us all in our efforts to live “in right relationships” with ourselves, the higher power, those around us, and our environment. I hope you’ll join me.

Taryn Chase would like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.
(Photo courtesy of Jenni French.)