03-29-2012, 05:38 PM
Pardon my interruption here, folks. I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude and appreciation for all the fine souls that have participated in this thread.
Though of course I have an opinion, and a strong one at that, on diet, I am genuinely grateful for the thoughtful comments shared in this long thread by both vegetarian and meat eating participants.
As we have explored our individual and group distortions through these posts, there were some moments that were very emotionally charged. I know that can be difficult to read through and has caused some discomfort for some, myself included. And yet it is precisely those emotionally charged moments that have taught me the most. It's catalyst alright!
However, I feel that this thread has been ENORMOUSLY valuable to myself and many others. Diet in the spiritual context IS an important topic, and I directly credit this thread with greatly expanding my own perspective. I honestly DO feel that our food choices are a moral and ethical issue, as with many of our other choices from the mundane to the magical.
I am a vegetarian now, have been for many years, and have every intention of remaining so. However, I realize now that previous to this thread my viewpoint was rather simplistic. The choice to "go veg" really seemed so obvious and congruent with the STO path that I was absolutely shocked that all 'evolved people' didn't see it that way. It turns out that there were many issues and attitudes I simply hadn't considered and explored fully. That I once thought it was so simple is an indication of my ignorance at the time. It clearly is NOT, and I realize that now.
Never before was I given the opportunity to hear thoughtful explanations and perspectives from what was (to me at the time) an oxymoron -- spiritually AWARE people who eat meat. Some of the posts by meat eaters were really articulate, thoughtful, and clear. This caused me to stop using vegetarianism unconsciously as a spiritual litmus test. I have received plenty of taunts and bizarre attacks from meat eaters in my day, but not until I read this thread did I actually hear any coherent, thoughtful and spiritual explanations from those with an opposing view, just like Austin and Tenet are doing now. This more balanced perspective has greatly expanded my compassion towards other-selves and no longer is diet a point of contention for me in regards to how I view other-selves. I'm grateful to you meat eaters out there who took the time to explain their perspective here. Seriously, thank you!
At the same time, my own views were nourished, enriched, and expanded by the explanations and input from other vegetarians who had clearly given these matters more consideration than I had. I cannot believe the incredible wisdom shared here from other vegetarians (I'm lookin' at you Diana & Monica!). I have never had the honor of being among such enlightened folks before, on both sides of the question. I feel more at peace with my own dietary choice and my convictions of the rightness of the path I am on -- for me -- are stronger than they have ever been. I'm a more committed vegetarian than I ever have been, thanks to that input, and yet I'm more accepting and tolerant of those who disagree with my choice. Two seemingly paradoxical things and both from the comments given in this one thread! Wow, you guys and gals rock my world.
Brothers and Sisters, no matter where you stand on the issue -- THANK YOU. I do not judge you for your choices and I hope that you will not judge me for mine. The totality of our Being, rather than our views or choices on one single topic is who we really are, and I am sincerely trying to find the balance of honoring my own convictions on vegetarianism and yet respecting those who disagree. Like it or not, the issue is just not a simple one by any means and, after all, we're ALL aspects of the One Creator. We each must follow our own Path.
This thread has massively, and I mean MASSIVELY, increased my Compassion, my Discernment, and Wisdom on a complex and multi-layered issue.
THANK YOU FOR THIS ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND LEARN THROUGH THIS THREAD. THANK YOU FOR SHARING, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION, YOUR HEARTFELT THOUGHTS.
THANK YOU ALL!!
Love to all
THANKS EVERYBODY!!!
Though of course I have an opinion, and a strong one at that, on diet, I am genuinely grateful for the thoughtful comments shared in this long thread by both vegetarian and meat eating participants.
As we have explored our individual and group distortions through these posts, there were some moments that were very emotionally charged. I know that can be difficult to read through and has caused some discomfort for some, myself included. And yet it is precisely those emotionally charged moments that have taught me the most. It's catalyst alright!
However, I feel that this thread has been ENORMOUSLY valuable to myself and many others. Diet in the spiritual context IS an important topic, and I directly credit this thread with greatly expanding my own perspective. I honestly DO feel that our food choices are a moral and ethical issue, as with many of our other choices from the mundane to the magical.
I am a vegetarian now, have been for many years, and have every intention of remaining so. However, I realize now that previous to this thread my viewpoint was rather simplistic. The choice to "go veg" really seemed so obvious and congruent with the STO path that I was absolutely shocked that all 'evolved people' didn't see it that way. It turns out that there were many issues and attitudes I simply hadn't considered and explored fully. That I once thought it was so simple is an indication of my ignorance at the time. It clearly is NOT, and I realize that now.
Never before was I given the opportunity to hear thoughtful explanations and perspectives from what was (to me at the time) an oxymoron -- spiritually AWARE people who eat meat. Some of the posts by meat eaters were really articulate, thoughtful, and clear. This caused me to stop using vegetarianism unconsciously as a spiritual litmus test. I have received plenty of taunts and bizarre attacks from meat eaters in my day, but not until I read this thread did I actually hear any coherent, thoughtful and spiritual explanations from those with an opposing view, just like Austin and Tenet are doing now. This more balanced perspective has greatly expanded my compassion towards other-selves and no longer is diet a point of contention for me in regards to how I view other-selves. I'm grateful to you meat eaters out there who took the time to explain their perspective here. Seriously, thank you!
At the same time, my own views were nourished, enriched, and expanded by the explanations and input from other vegetarians who had clearly given these matters more consideration than I had. I cannot believe the incredible wisdom shared here from other vegetarians (I'm lookin' at you Diana & Monica!). I have never had the honor of being among such enlightened folks before, on both sides of the question. I feel more at peace with my own dietary choice and my convictions of the rightness of the path I am on -- for me -- are stronger than they have ever been. I'm a more committed vegetarian than I ever have been, thanks to that input, and yet I'm more accepting and tolerant of those who disagree with my choice. Two seemingly paradoxical things and both from the comments given in this one thread! Wow, you guys and gals rock my world.
Brothers and Sisters, no matter where you stand on the issue -- THANK YOU. I do not judge you for your choices and I hope that you will not judge me for mine. The totality of our Being, rather than our views or choices on one single topic is who we really are, and I am sincerely trying to find the balance of honoring my own convictions on vegetarianism and yet respecting those who disagree. Like it or not, the issue is just not a simple one by any means and, after all, we're ALL aspects of the One Creator. We each must follow our own Path.
This thread has massively, and I mean MASSIVELY, increased my Compassion, my Discernment, and Wisdom on a complex and multi-layered issue.
THANK YOU FOR THIS ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND LEARN THROUGH THIS THREAD. THANK YOU FOR SHARING, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION, YOUR HEARTFELT THOUGHTS.
THANK YOU ALL!!
Love to all
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