Grief and Veganism
Articles Reflecting a Vegan Lifestyle From All-Creatures.org

Vegan lifestyle articles that discuss ways of living in peace with humans, animals, and the environment.

FROM

Barbara Becker, MVLCE, Main Street Vegan
May 29, 2018

Veganism has given me greater peace of mind in my daily life but it has also blessed me with a profoundly unexpected gift: the ability to grieve gently, with more generosity of spirit.

For 10 months, my dear brother-in-law lived with terminal cancer. He went into hospice care in early April and passed away two weeks later. He was 71.

Being vegan has not only helped me to cope with the knowledge of his impending death, but to find a new level of patience and calm in the face of the staggering depth of emotions this tragic situation triggered.

The two most profound experiences of one’s life – between the continuous wonder and amazing up-and-down nature of living – are birth and death.

Bearing witness has been heartbreaking at times but, ultimately, an honor and a privilege.

Everyone loses loved ones – from family and friends who die well before their lives have fully blossomed, to those who pass on suddenly in mid-life, as well as the elderly who are expected to, inevitably, move on at a certain point. No matter who we lose or when or how it happens, the pain is considerable.

I have always been highly emotional or “overly sensitive” (as I was regularly told). Maturity made it a bit less excruciating to handle my feelings, but they remained challenging to navigate with any semblance of grace, perspective or self-control.

Seven-and-a-half years ago, when I adopted a vegan lifestyle, my roller-coaster existence began to taper off and a more consistent balance gradually evolved. One of the biggest changes is in the way I interact with family members.

There are pockets of dysfunction in relationships that can rise up on any given day – much less when tragedy strikes. Instead of screaming into the abyss, I have been able to visit and engage with various family members – including those I was estranged from – and be more comfortable in my skin, more tolerant, less judgmental or defensive. This composure and ease are a direct result of veganism: the kinder nourishment of my body, my mind, my soul and my home have added to an ever-increasing sense of gratitude.

When we remove much of the harm we have contributed to (knowingly or unknowingly) by no longer ingesting, using or wearing animals or their by-products, I believe that enormous feelings of freedom and relaxation flow through us because we have cleansed the pain and suffering of these innocent creatures from our physical, mental and emotional selves, allowing for greater insight, compassion, acceptance and humility, as well as a stronger ability to be present and to listen.

Veganism opened my eyes and, in so doing, enabled me to better understand and be supportive of my family while taking comfort in their devotion to my brother-in-law.

Veganism has given me greater peace of mind in my daily life but it has also blessed me with a profoundly unexpected gift: the ability to grieve gently, with more generosity of spirit.


Barbara Becker received her VLCE [Vegan Lifestyle Coach & Educator] certification from Main Street Vegan Academy in November 2013 and followed up with the first Master Class VLCE in June 2017. She is also a Reiki Master, actress and musician.


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