Why I am not a vegan

[AngelofDeath]

With that, I would be the first to say that I do not talk about my path in recommendation of it but only in acknowledgement of it. I neither advise for or against my particular approach, as it is something which has developed for me personally through much trial and error and inner exploration.

However, this actually comes back to my point in all of this is that the thoughts regarding these things will not change until there has been an appropriate grasp of perspective. No matter how much you try and tell someone that something is ethically wrong, or that it's unnatural, or that it's horrible, they won't really know or understand until they have touched upon that kind of emotion within themselves. This means going within oneself and seeing one's bias', preferences, etc. Until you accept that you have a certain bias, preference or trait you are powerless to grasp it or change its influence. That's why I don't approach this issue from an external perspective, but rather try to address the internal structures involved.

In my mind, trying to convince people to change through shock, reason or emotion is only going to cause them to withdraw more. Rather, it is through the inner silence and balancing of one's own distortions that compassion is awakened. I see no longer needing to eat meat as an end result, but the work is upon your inner self. Thus, I believe if the focus is upon the internal complexes that drive humans in their actions we will come to quicker change than trying to change things from the outside.

I, like I said, am omnivorous and would be perfectly content with pretty much any kind of diet. That wasn't easy to accept about myself and it has taken years to become comfortable with that fact about myself.

I also feel that change happens slowly. But I feel that humans are ready for that change to start happening now.

I'm going to use my out-loud voice: but I just don't understand why a quasi-New Age group is so staunch in its defense of eating meat. I would expect it from a libertarian board like the one I used to frequent (Above Top Secret). I seriously don't get it.

I think because the fundamental philosophy of the Law of One and service to others is acceptance (according to Ra). This has created very polarized views as to what exactly 'acceptance' entails and so there are many disagreements on this point. I imagine many are not actually arguing "for meat-eating" but rather arguing in defense of the right for people to make a choice, afterall Free Will is paramount.

I, personally, am not arguing either for or against as with all actions I see the potential for both negative and positive polarization. I think the assumption that you are automatically being more positive by being vegetarian is silly, just like I think someone automatically being negative because they eat meat as silly. It just doesn't add up in my mind.

You will find, however, that while there may not be agreement on the particular point of actual ingestion, it is pretty unanimous that torture, cruelty, factory farming and the like are not positive. We do unite in compassion on that point, even if different people take it to different extents.

Also, technically, if you really include everyone on the forum, people here are just as staunch about defending vegetarianism.

To be really, really honest, I've seen very few people who support vegetarianism, or veganism on this board. Not that I'm counting likes, but if you compare the likes for something that is pro-vegan or vegetarian, the likes for the pro-meat stance far outnumber the pro-vegetarian or vegan stance. If you don't believe me, take a look! The main ones who are liking the pro-vegan and vegetarian posts are mostly only me, Diana and Monica. By far. And then there is the odd person that likes something that is pro-vegan or pro-vegetarian every once in a great while. Trust me. That's the way it is.

And if your argument is that they're scared to like a pro-vegan or vegetarian post, well then that's a whole 'nother story.

Edit: And not to put Folk-love on the spot, but Folk-love could be another one.

Well, to be fair, the likes for those posts could have nothing to do with the pro-meat or pro-vegan viewpoints within them. People could be liking them for completely different reasons.

I guess my point is that it appears this argument has been in a deadlock for years with both sides fairly firm in their convictions.

Also, if it counts for anything, I totally support your choices and the choices of those who feel drawn to vegetarianism. Let me be clear that I am in no way "anti-vegetarian", just like I'm not actually "pro-meat eaters". Of course, I've made it pretty clear the basis for my own particular choice and I can certainly agree that there are lots of omnivores and individuals who eat meat who have not at all considered or worked with it consciously in the way I have.

I would even go so far to say that it would be a safer approach for most people to go the route of renunciation. I went through a period of heavy renunciation and it has been a process of many years to be where I am now and at peace with the person I am.