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

[Diana]

Of course, don't kill.

Yes, we inadvertently kill microbes, or we may accidentally step on an ant. But if you are living consciously, aware of what you are doing and "in the now," while carrying in your heart a respect for all life, you'd be surprised how harmoniously you can exist with nature.

I was at a little pond a few weeks ago in my backyard, placing some rocks to shore up a side. I heard a slight rustle, and looked to my left where a rattlesnake was curled up and looking at me. He was maybe 8 inches from my face (I was squatting and he had blended in with the rocks). He just stuck his tongue out at me and I moved away. He did not try to strike, or even rattle his tail. Snakes will always try to get away from humans if they can.

It's not about karma for me at all. I don't care about being punished for killing something because I might have to pay back karma. What does matter to me is that all life has the right to live. But it's more than that. It's about all being one, and existing in harmony. We have bees at the water dishes I put around the yard (I live in the desert). I can be around them doing all sorts of things, and they never sting me. They are just going about their business. This world is not just for humans and human convenience. If a spider is hanging out in your house, just take it outside. I used to live where there were tons of scorpions. When I found one in the house, I would put a glass over it and slide a piece of mail or something under the glass and invert the glass. That way I could take it outside safely, and get to look at it up close as well (they are really amazing).