Why are people vegetarians?
There are several reasons for people to become vegetarians. For me it has to do with the spiritual effects of eating meat as well as the impact of eating animals on animals and the environment in general.
Why I'm a vegetarian - spiritual reasons
The most important reason I'm a vegetarian is totally different however.
Basically I'm a vegetarian for spiritual reasons. Many Theosophists feel, like many people who do yoga, that eating meat just isn't good for your spiritual development.
Eating meat is said to coarsen the aura: making a person more susceptible to aggression, strengthening the lower emotions.
This isn't to say that only bad people eat meat. Nor that all vegetarians are saints. That would be foolish.
It is saying that if you want to be a better person, grow spiritually, becoming a vegetarian is one of the things to consider.
If it's the only thing you do - it is obviously not going to help much. But combined with introspection, service to others, meditation perhaps - vegetarianism should be a help in changing your life.
The Inner Art of Vegetarianism : Spiritual Practices for Body
by Carol J. Adams
The Inner Art of Vegetarianism : Spiritual Practices for Body
Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 10/12/2008)
About vegetarianism as part of spiritual practice. If you like this book there is also a workbook.
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Eating animals just isn't good for the environment
It is really simple: if one acre of land is used to grow vegetables a lot more people can be fed with them, than if the same acre is used for grazing livestock. It's just less efficient.
BTW
Eating fish is also a problem: fishing has become so easy through technology that many of the fish species people consume are in danger of becoming extinct.
Vegetarian Food for Thought: Quotations & Inspirations
by Gail Davis
Vegetarian Food for Thought: Quotations & Inspirations
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
Quotes from famous people on why they are vegetarians. From Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Alice Walker, Candice Bergen, Rachel Carson to Gandhi, and other notable vegetarians. But also ancients like Plato and Gautama Buddha.
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Animal cruelty
Those of you who eat meat contribute to those problems, unless of course you eat organic meat.
Why are you a vegetarian?
Vegetarianism: Movement or Moment?
by Donna Maurer
Vegetarianism: Movement or Moment?
Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 10/12/2008)
Takes a look at vegetarianism from the perspective of social science.
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Are you a vegetarian? Did you know about the environmental advantages?
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josefgraf
If those who consume mass meat products could witness either a) the conditions 95% of the animals in the factory farm industry have to endure, or b) the loss that is accruing in humanity's inner life due to this animal abuse - the industry would grind to a halt overnight. Surely the human race cannot be as diabolical as its relationship with the animal kingdom suggests. Posted September 26, 2008 |
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spirituality
I think the idea that we have to follow nature in everything is stupid. That argument could be used to stop us from building houses - after all - don't most animals live in the open air? What about computers? Nothing 'natural' about them either. Posted July 25, 2008 |
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Mysticshakra
What about cruelty to plants? They are alive also. Posted July 24, 2008 |
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genglo
Another great lens! I hope you will join our group Posted July 22, 2008 |
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Tiddledeewinks
I am mostly vegetarian, (I eat turkey at Thanksgiving and a few sandwich steaks on rare occasions), but otherwise eat meat substitutes. My family all loves our animals. Come visit my lens on healthy meat substitutes! Posted June 29, 2008 |
More about the environment, spirituality and vegetarianism
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Vegetarian Health Tips
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My collection of health tips for vegetarians. There is a lot of news about healthy foods these days and some of it just doesn't fit the vegetarian diet. This is my attempt at keeping it all straight and simple (and with as few pills as possible). I'...
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Spiritual Lenses - Katinka Hesselink Net: religion and spirituality
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A lensography of my best spirituality lenses as well as a summary of my website. I feature information from various religious traditions like Buddhism, Sufism, Fourth Way and Theosophy. I also pay attention to various spiritual teachers, whether the...
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The Environment Lensography
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A lensography of the best lenses about pollution, global warming, safe energy and endangered species. The money earned on this lens will go to the charity Ecotrust'.
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