In regards to eating meat

[Oldern]

I think that every situation has the issue of "judging others".

If two person meets, and ask each other: how do you eat, my friend?
The vegetarian can say: I am a vegetarian. End of sentence.
The meat eater can say: I eat vegetables and meat as well. End of sentence.

Now, the first pitfall can come from both ways.
Situation 1: The vegetarian says: "I am a vegetarian - because I realized that it is not only more natural, at least I am not supporting something cruel like the meat growing industry!"*
Situation 2: The meat eater says: "I eat meat because I am a grown man, not a ***** - I like it when it is red, I like it when it is bloody, and I would not be able to eat all that smelly, pointless stuff in the first place!"**

*In this case ,the vegetarian wants to make a point. Wants to make a change in the other-self. It also contains the seed of judgement as well.
**In this case, the meat eater wants to make a point and justify what he does so he can keep doing it. It also contains the seed of judgement as well.

Both cases lead to heated arguments - I imagine we see many examples of these above in the thread -, but the most important thing is that spiritual growth, imho, and many teachings kinda back me up with it: is not linear! There is no clear progression at all. Just because one inflicts no physical harm to other beings, it can still be "behind" mentally and regarding the expression of love, for example... and just because someone eats meat, he could progress in other areas as well easily, being overall more balanced than someone who is vegetarian, but not as balanced, because that is just one aspect of how we live.

I would like to believe that we can all agree that no judgement - and more importantly: no offense taken when judgement does takes place is the healthy way to see this matter