Photo by Liza Matthews
A new segment from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation show Q with Jian Ghomeshi not only treats you to plays of two cuts cut from k.d. lang’s new (and thirteenth!) studio album, Sing It Loud, but also two live acoustic performances. In the far-reaching interview, lang also talks about being faced with the decision to eat meat or not as part of her Tibetan Buddhist feast practice — this, after many years of vegetarianism. Says she:
My teacher […] suggested that I eat meat after 21 years of being a vegetarian. Wow: talk about being faced with some inner conflict and dialogue. And I trusted him; he explained to me that it was probably not good to be a vegetarian out of aversion. […] This sounds ridiculous to meat eaters, that I would even have this dialogue, I know that. But for me, it was good [to consider] all the dimensions of what meat is, and taking another life.
For k.d., as she says, what matters most is that whatever we do, whatever we eat, we do so with mindful awareness. What do you think? (It’s probably worth noting here that while many have the idea that all Buddhists are vegetarian, that is fact not the case; some traditions insist on vegetarianism, some stress it, and many individuals make decisions for themselves based on dietary needs or personal choice.) Is the decision to eat meat (or not), for you, a clear-cut issue? Do you think it should be?
To listen to the Q interview click here, and select April 26’s program. k.d.’s Q segment begins at the 23-minute mark.