Here's how we end factory farming #makeitpossible

Here's how we end factory farming #makeitpossible

We have a duty to reduce suffering and add kindness and compassion to the world. This is a great campaign. We need to support it and we need to grow it here in the States.

Peace Week

Ok. So, I have been absent from blogging this week. Right after I promised to blog more. The best of intentions can often fall short.

This week has been amazing, and honestly it's going to take several posts and maybe a week to expound upon it all and to take it in to a point I can discuss it all.

We began Peace Week this year with the hope of working with groups and organizations around Akron to bring about events to help cultivate nonviolence in ourselves and our community.

Peace really does begin within each of us. This week has made that even more clear to me. I was deeply moved by the events this year, by the presenters, speakers, attendees, bike riders, so many people. Everyday we can gain such insight and awareness if we open ourselves to it.

The week began with Bigfoot and is ending with a walking meditation. In between, we've meditated, practiced yoga, learned How to Start a Revolution and 198 methods of nonviolent action, learned about cooking healthy delicious fall foods (like an eggplant burger and butternut squash soup), hiked through the woods, worked together to solved problems, supported a great farmers market, played music, encouraged an art walk, gave free hugs, engaged youth through the Akron Peacemakers, drummed, danced, and rode bicycles 20 miles and a Peace Train 20 miles.

The community inside and out is being cultivated, supported and encouraged.

These are uplifting and inspirational times!

Regulatons

Here's an article for anyone who thinks we've got good regulations for the Oil and Gas industry.

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/09/report-states-not-enforcing-their-own-oil-and-gas-rules

The distinct feeling I had in reading this was deja vu ...

Over the Weekend

The last four-five days have been flying by. And of course I forgot my laptop.

Wednesday and Thursday I journeyed out to Philadelphia. The mountains were dressed in the autumnal best, and the sun was grinning the whole way. I found myself in Philly because of the Shale Gas Outrage. They had asked me to be a part of their event and protest. Bill McKibben, Josh Fox, Doug Shields and more took the stage inspiring the crowd of 1,000 plus people. A few of my fellow Tour de Frackers made their way out also. It's always an inspiring time to be around folks motivated to stand up for justice and what is right. 

I just saw a study today that said nearly half of all folks that leased their lands for fracking regretted doing it.

Then the crowd and I sang I Want a Future Too and we marched through the streets of Philly. The rally was a little surreal, as we were set up in front of the Convention Center where the Oil and Gas industry was conspiring - i mean, meeting. Occasionally some of their folks would come to windows and look down on the crowd. 

After the march, there was a beautiful interfaith blessing of the waters service, followed by the after party, where I performed along with the great Freebo. For lunch I managed to get a yummy vegan chikin broccoli dish at an all veggie Asian restaurant in Chinatown. The folks that I met give me great hope that we can fight and win this battle. 

We just need the rest of us to wake up, stand up, and speak up!

Square fest.

The big highlight for me (aside from seeing many great friends and having a cinnamon roll from Ms Julies) was getting rained off the main stage and relocated into Annabell's upstairs. Though I've played the downstairs before, I'd not yet done the upstairs. Charlie and I had a blast doing the duo set. We don't get to do that as often as we used to. We met some awesome new fans from Canton and New Philly - who came all the up to the fest just to hear us! Plus, several folks danced through the aisle with me, and that always makes my day!

Pearl and the Beard

I've loved this band since I first heard them a few years back.

Here's a cool song and video for your day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiaDWzdhgEI&feature=share&list=PLEFE89B8B792CAF5C

And another:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atA_sw9Q3IQ&feature=related

and wow, this is the most amazing cover I've heard in a very long time (not Pearl and the Beard, but you need to watch this!!):
http://youtu.be/PB3RbO7updc

Enjoy!

Namaste.
Zach

Compassion

Along with love, compassion is the face of altruism. It is a feeling from deep in the heart that you cannot bear others’ suffering without acting to relieve it. As compassion grows stronger, so does your willingness to commit yourself to the welfare of all beings, even if you have to do it alone. You will be unbiased in your service to all beings, no matter how they respond to you. - Dalai Lama

Greens

Back in 1999, as I was approaching the first election where I was eligible to vote, I found the Green Party. They are a worldwide party, with more representation oversees than in the US. Ralph Nader was their candidate then, and after hearing him speak a few times, I found myself very involved with the Green Party, even having the honor to perform at their state-wide convention.

They have always been close to my heart, though I have been more conventional in my recent voting ... for fear of the alternative.

This is an issue 3rd party candidates have been faced with since before the 2000 election.

Jill Stein is the candidate this year for President for the Greens. Check her out: www.jillstein.org.

She spoke brilliantly about this fear, which she calls fear politics. Interestingly enough, this fear politics has brought us exactly what we were afraid of. Another good analogy she has is that both parties are like 2 sinking ships, and perhaps one is sinking faster, but they are both sinking.

Here is a video of Jill Stein. http://www.jillstein.org/video_green_new_deal

Im not asking you to change your vote, or to even vote for her. But the more information we have, and the more we know, the stronger we can fight and make this democracy work for us all.

We are in desperate need of a cultural revolution. A sweeping revolution that says our main purpose in life is to help each other. Where we can say our biggest goal is not to be successful, but to be happy. Both political parties are seriously culturally and spiritually malnourished. It is refreshing to hear a voice of reason and hope, however small and shouted over it may be.