In regards to eating meat

[Shemaya]

It is all nice and convenient to package up all these feelings people are having and wrap them in a bow of "immense guilt and shame they are denying from being meat eaters" and be off on one's merry vegan way. But even if that were true- how is that compassionate?

I was watching a series of TED talks on love last night. One of the most striking comments for me was about how the most important thing for a human being to feel loved is a sense of belonging. Let me say- when the message offered is "You don't get to join the "Clear Energy Club" unless you stop eating meat"- there is no belonging there. Only separation. There is no empowerment, only shame.

Yes...for me it's more of a sense of frustration and indignation that is triggered from my Catholic upbringing. Talk about guilt! Major tactic used by the patriarchy to disempower. I remember when I was 20 y/o, socially awkward and constantly apologizing saying "I'm sorry" for nearly everything I said or did. It was as if I felt I had to apologize for existing, and needless to say, I was depressed for much of my younger years.

I am sharing these personal feelings in the hope that there will be understanding, and compassion.

I feel no shame in eating meat, I am grateful for the 2d beings that nourish me, plants and animals.

Guilt?.....I feel much less guilt at age 44 and acceptance of my perfectly imperfect humanness than when I was 20. And much more joy and love than that time.

And I continue to strive towards a sattvic diet...I know it will help boost my energy. Need more energy to convince my 13y/ o steak- loving daughter to eat her veggies.