Punk Rock Vegan Movie: Yoga, Activism, and the Path of Compassion
I recently watched Punk Rock Vegan Movie, a feature-length documentary written, directed, shot and scored by Moby. It was a powerful, thought provoking and entertaining watch. Moby himself comes across as down to earth and sweet and there is so much care and wisdom beneath his words. I was fascinated to learn how the Punk Rock movement in America, especially, and the animal rights movement were so intrinsically linked.
Moby has stated he never wants people to have to pay to watch it as it is 'a labour of love and activism'. It is free to watch on Youtube.“A huge part of the modern animal rights movement came from the world of punk rock, starting with Crass and the U.K. Subs through to Fall Out Boy and Rise Against. It looks at the history and reminds people that punk rock was not nihilism; it was principled questioning of everything.” I love this quote. I feel it is vital we never stop questioning. It's so easy to simply accept the staus quo and to go along with things with blinkers on just because it feels nice and easy and its 'cultural' etc.
But I feel we have to ask the difficult questions and step out of our comfort zone. I started to wake up to the real horror of what is involved in consuming meat and all animal products some years ago and very slowly I have implemented changes into my life, making daily choices that reduce animal suffering which is happening every single moment on a humungous scale, hidden, like so many dark and dirty industries.
As I travel through the Almerian desert in Spain now, a huge mass of open, sparsely inhabited, arid land, I find myself wondering 'where are all the slaughter houses? Where are they all hidden? This thought often occurs to me when I travel in different places in the world including the UK where I live and I see so much meat and animal products being consumed. I think the path of the Yogi is also about questioning everything, like these Punks have.
Becoming more conscious and honestly acknowledging the impact of all of our choices and the consequences of them. Unfortunately we don't practice in a cosy bubble and Yoga is not just about the physical practice and being peaceful and inward looking all the time, it can be activism too, deepening our awareness, raising our consciousness and expanding kindness to all sentient life. With deep respect and gratitude to the Punk Rockers and especially Moby for his compassion, courage and single minded dedication to make this documentary and to fight for the rights of all ALL animals and ultimately a kinder and more peaceful planet. https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-mobys-new-documentary-about-veganism-featuring-dave-navarro-rob-zombie-ian-mackaye-and-more-3397372
Love, Eve x
Eve teaches Yoga for Elders on Thursdays at 10am and Mindful Flow at 7am. She also offers massage treatments at Oca on Thursdays and Fridays.
