In regards to eating meat

[Diana]

To me, it's easier or more natural to do what I can where I can, and making peace with humanity is a something I struggle with, while the animals, plants, and Gaia I can handle.

OK. There is nothing wrong with doing what you can... but wouldn't you admit that it would seem wise to work on the pieces that you struggle with? You will have to face it eventually.

I certainly do work on all of it, all the time. But my point is, why wait until I've healed my relationship with humanity to heal my relationships with plants, animals, and Gaia? All events aren't necessarily linear, although I agree that healing self is a first important step; however, the healing of self in part may happen when healing relationships to other selves.

Making peace with humanity is just a larger issue for me because humanity is in such a barbaric state. I am not evolved enough to observe cruelty, willful unconsciousness, greed, destructiveness, and the whole lot of human folly with equanimity and unconditional love.

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2. Do you expect me to mourn over the squirrel I inadvertently struck with my vehicle? Seriously?

No Tenet, I did not expect you to mourn. If it was the squirrel's time to leave this existence, then it was the squirrel's time.

I just can't be that flippant about the subject. If I hit were to hit anything with my car, I would cry my eyes out. The exception to this is insects that hit the windshield: it is unavoidable if I wish to drive a car (and if I live in this current world I have apparently chosen to live in, a car is necessary), and as in the case of microbes, it may be part of the paradigm of that life form to be easily and unintentionally crushed.

My boyfriend says similar things of animals: that they are too smart to eat poison, or get cut from glass on the ground or the sharp edge of a can. But it's not true. Man has created an artificial environment, and I do not think animals understand it. They don't understand the speed a car can get up to.

I would like to add that I see nothing wrong with technology and manmade things. We are in an awkward stage of development: our minds developed more than our hearts. When these two balance, our technology will soar to wonderful and magical heights for the good of all.