In regards to eating meat

[Diana]

We have discussed gratitude here before, but I will mention it. If one eats meat, yes, the gratitude you give as the Native Americans do is an acknowledgment of the circle of life, and your gratitude for the sacrifice an animal made to be food. The intention is there, and that's good. Remember though, that this was meant in a time when humans were part of that cycle, their bodies decomposed into the soil, or at least their ashes became part of the soil, which nourished the plants, which nourished the animals, etc.

Heya Diana

I seriously don't see us as detached from that. I feel very much in a body that shares in that cycle. Do you not feel part of our earth in that way too?

Heya, Andy

Yes, I feel a connection to the Earth.

I was just referring to the actual physical remains which feed the soil. Most humans are buried in coffins, or ashes in urns. In the coffins, human remains do nourish some insects.

We humans, as a species, at this point, are very detached from nature. Only some indigenous peoples are still one with nature. That doesn't mean an individual can't feel a connection, such as yourself.

So I think that is what bothers me most about this particular thread, I find it dis empowering.

I can only imagine that you find it disempowering because you are in conflict. I can tell from your writing that you are a sensitive, loving person. We are all here to discuss. And if you were comfortable in your choices, you would not feel disempowered no matter what anyone said.........no one can disempower you; only you can do that.

I'm not sure I agree with this.
Isn't this the way STS gain their bonus points? By controlling people - usually by disempowering them.
I also am aware of how disempowering my actions were on my partner (all be it totally unintentional) When I was trying to fix/help him, with what we both saw as 'his' problem.
I realised how I was compounding what 'I' thought of as 'his issue'.
I stepped back and I believed in his own power to help himself.... and almost overnight he did.
Our thoughts are powerful. They don't just affect ourselves.

STS cannot control you without you allowing it. You cannot control another without them allowing it.

Your power does not depend on another. And you cannot empower another (they empower themselves). It's like healing. Some healers, such as a chiropractor, facilitate conditions whereby the body can heal itself.

As for your environment, this is where I completely depart from your stance. Why on earth would this stop you, because others don't support it? You are your own person, and stand in your own integrity. If you lived with an STS individual, would you comply to his/her wishes? It is easy to be a vegetarian for the most part (much harder to be vegan and raw). You just eat the plant food and not the meat from a meal. Let me add that the meal, should, in the first place, be healthy for all; so there should be enough food choices for you. You can supplement with green drinks and superfoods.

I get the impression that shemaya values the needs of her family and eating with them over her own desire to change her diet.


I'm also thinking about the love and intention that goes into preparing a meal for people you love. Food made to share, prepared with love and care has got to carry that energy with it.

Certainly love and intention matter, and "light adds to the sum of light."

The way I see it is this: you can extend your love to your immediate world, and you can extend it to all. Extending it to all is a big idea, a big effort. I am not judging Shemaya, just pointing out the difference in choices.

It is a step to treat even one other entity with love and kindness and equality. The ideal, in my opinion, would be that the same love is extended to all things.