to kill or not to kill? that is the question.

[vervex]

I prefer not to kill anything, even bugs. I'll admit I don't think too much about microbes, but I can't see, smell, hear, taste, or feel them, so I presume they're not supposed to be within my conscious thought most of the time. Has anyone ever tried to communicate with microbes, I wonder? Anyway. I try to be patient with most bugs, even the bigger ones (spiders, wasps) are beneficial as they eat nuisance species, especially in my garden. Then the birds come to eat the spiders. I refuse to kill something just because it's icky or the thought of being bitten scares me. Where I live, there is very little that is poisonous. Not to mention, if you are conscious every moment you shouldn't unwittingly provoke a creature into hostility, anyway. Most things aren't going to take on a human unless they have to.

I prefer to (try to) live in trust, anyway - if I am supposed to die or be seriously injured at the bite of a bug, well, then that's something I've obviously prearranged.

This is my own personal belief. I believe Q'uo said that we are definitely entitled to our own personal space with bugs, using ants at a picnic as an analogy. I would think that it is the same with microbes - we are allowed to remove them from our area/body at will. When it comes to ingesting things that could damage one's system, I think a different protocol is allowed. With beings that are multi-cellular I try to err on the side of patience and caution.

I am going to try to send more gratitude to all the microbes that exist within my body. I read just a few days ago that there are 10x as many single-celled organisms on/in the human body than actual human cells. Incredible!

Your position is very similar to mine. Personally, if I can deal with an insect without killing them, then I will do what's in my power to keep them alive. I do my best to recognize the divinity in each living creature.

In regards to insect in food or being a danger to us, I understand that sometimes, killing them might be the only option. I believe one must simply use their judgement. Can you deal with the animal without killing it? If so, I believe this would be the best course of action, the compassionate choice/action. If you cannot, then so be it. I personally will apologize if I kill an insect. It costs me nothing to do it and for me that's a way or acknowledging them.

In the end, the choice is always ours to make.
I choose compassion, as much as possible