January 13 2018:
Peace to All Beings – Veggie Soup for the Chicken’s Soul
I initially put this book on hold thinking it was an easy and short children’s book that we could read before bed. When it came in, I saw that’s not what it was at all. I asked Thomas if he wanted to read it. After looking at it, he left it on the kitchen table.
One day last week, I sat at the table and was moved to pick up the book, turn to a random page and read. I did not put the book down until I had nearly read to the end of the book (from where I had randomly opened it). After that, I began at the beginning of the book.
I am a vegetarian so obviously this book speaks to me. It wasn’t only that, though. It seemed to be speaking directly to other areas of my life as well. I’m not even sure how to describe this one. So, I will pull a quote or two from it with a few more of my own words added.
“Every thought is a prayer,
Therefore, let us
Think compassion
Think love
Think peace
For all beings everywhere.
Every act is a prayer.
Therefore, let us
Be compassion
Be love
Be peace
For all beings everywhere.”
This is a powerful book about peace, compassion, and reverence for life; with references to St. Francis, Jesus, Albert Schweitzer, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr, and many others of similar persuasion. The overall theme of the book is Ahimsa.
“Each object in the world is not merely itself, but involves every other object and, in fact, is everything else.” -Avatamsaka Sutra
The words and concepts in this book spoke to my soul so deeply and powerfully. To say I loved and enjoyed it is an understatement!
