conscious eating

Posted on Jun 13, 2008 8:36 AM

I am reading Kathy Freston's book, quantum Wellness, and with tears in my eyes I am writing this down.

She says that conscious eating is not being aware of eating, the bites you take, your chewing, making sure you are aware of eating, as not to overeat, but also considering where your food came from. She is a vegetarian, and on page 105, she starts making the case for why we all should.

I became a vegetarian last year, pretty much for the same reasons she did. I had heard some stuff on the abuse of the animals we eat, and in my journey of becoming spiritual, I no longer wanted to be part of it. I also had read a book by Peace Pilgrim who had stated she could not kill anything, many or animal, and so could no longer eat meat, as she did not want to be a coward and have somebody do her dirty work for her. This has been my arguement when discussing my newly chosen lifestyle.

Amazingly some people felt offenden by my choice, telling me I needed the protein, and there was nothing wrong with eating meat. I have never judged others for eating meat, and always make sure to state that when asked about my choice of being a vegetarian, but I was surprised how much I have been judged (I always assume it is there subconscious guilt talking) 6 months after becoming a vegetarian I had some blood work done, and was happy to find out that my bad collesterol had dropped 81 points, and my good collesterol had gone up. My bloodwork now looks upside down with my good collesteral higher than my bad. My doctor even put an excellent with a questionmark, as to how I had managed this.

Anyway, I picked up this book from Kathy Freston, after seeing it on Oprah (thank you Oprah), and LOVE everything about it. When I got to page 105 today, and started to read about the abuse that is going on in the slaugherhouses, I was unable to read beyond a few paragraphs, and have been crying and praying ever since. How can we call ourselves humane, and allow this to happen, how can we think ourselves spiritual or Christian, and chose to turn a blind eye to it. Not only do I now want to become vegan, I want to become an advocate.

My question I guess is this:Who believes they can become aware and enlightened, and still continue to eat meat, and if you believe you can, are you aware of the atrocities happening to these animals, or are you chosing to believe these are probably false statements, or exagerations. I have friends that do not wish to know these things cause they don't want to give up their meat. I now believe that indifference or ignorance is as wrong as participating.

I did not mean to attack anyone by bringing this subject up, but do believe it is now my duty to help make people aware of what is going on ( as I set and prayed in my bathroom this morning, and asked God what I should do, this is what the answer was)

I wanted to quote some of the stuff I read, but currently I am too upset. I think Oprah should put this book on her bookclub, and make millions aware of what is going on in the meat industry.

Look forward to you feedback

Replies: 4
1. Re: conscious eating
Jun 13, 2008 10:18 AM   |   In response to: lievie007

Very touching post. Truly. What you have described is Eating Zen, otherwise called Itadaki Zen in Japan; it is a way of life there. I am glad you have found health through that.

Can I be the devils advocate and ask - is it ok to eat meat if it is killed in a humane way and reared organically?

I notice there is a lot of anger in your post about what happens to animals in modern day slaughter houses. I share your pain and grevience. Please be careful when you start vehemently arguing for vegetarianism. I have seen a few of my friends who are vegans and there is an enormous pride in being one. When they speak of thier vegetarianism its almost like they are saying - I am superior to you meat eating scum (Just in case you were wondering I have very low self esteem - I am a converted vegetarian too)

Why dont you show the world (your friends) what benefits you have had, i.e your health, your peace and your lightness? Can you beam the light of your awareness without having to speak it? Try it and you will realise the power of just being over talking. This post is meant to be positive but it slowly took the turn to the negetive, apologies...... I just meant to say be aware of the advocacy groups you join cause most of them are 'waging a war' on meat...... and if you remember what ET said, you wage 'war' and you will lose....

Good luck friend

giri

2. Re: conscious eating
Jun 13, 2008 2:53 PM   |   In response to: giri_ocean

Hi Giri,

Excellent respond, and know that I always welcome devils advocate, it is one way we can learn from each other.

First let me say, I never intended to come across hostile, and I am sorry if I did. I know like will beget like, as war begets war, and love begets Love, so will hostility beget hostility, so thank you for pointing that out.

As you could probably see, I had just finished glancing over the chapter. After the first paragraph I felt so overwhelmed by the cruelty, that tears were streaming down my face while my two year old daughter asked me : Mommy why are you crying.

I probably should have taken some time to regroup, I just felt in my heart and soul that if all the beautiful people on this planet KNEW what was happening, they would chose to at least boycot that kindof meat.

To answer your question, I have often stated, that if I knew I was eating a Happy Cow (in other words, one that was allowed to live a free live in a pasteure, than put to sleep in a humane way) I would consider eating a burger or two ( believe it or not, I use to LOVE, ribs and burgers especcially) It was because of a book by Peace Pilgrim years ago, that I decided to stop eating meat, and I only succeeded for 6 months, than my gravings took over again. She had said she could not kill ANYTHING, and decided she was a coward to eat the meat, others had to kill for her. This thought really resognated with me. As I can't even kill a bug in the house (I always capture them, then free them in the yard, yes, I am an overly sensitive and empathetic person, have been so since I was very young. Also, I had heard Wayne Dyer speak once about how he felt after he killed a bee during a tennis game, like, who was he to take a life. These things all spoke to me, and after reading ANE it became easy for me to swear off meat once and for all.

I have made it a personal choice, and always make that very clear to people. My husband eats his steaks, and I have never judged him on it. He says he could kill the cow himself, and feels he has the right to eat the meat. I do not argue with him, and he does not feel judged by me, and very much respects my choice. My daughter is a born vegetarian, although I have offered her meat, she does not like it, and of course that does not make me unhappy.

For as far as me towards my friends. Cause I had my daughter at a later age, I am the oldest Mom around, but also have the most energy. I must say that the talk about my diet is not so much at the forefront anymore (until I meet someone new) but when you are in a restaurant and you ask for the meatless dishes, the conversation always comes back up.

So, do I judge people, I really, really hope I don't as I wish not to judge anyone. I guess the people I would judge is the ones knowing about the atrocities, and wishing to eat meat despite. And I know I have no right, I just can't imagine feeling humane, and chosing to blow that subject off. Again, I am aware that I have no right to judge.

What people eat, and how they chose to treat their own bodies, is their own business, I just wish there was more education in this direction so to steer people in a healthier direction, than there is now ( just like the emphasis on excercise is becoming more, which does not mean a person who excercise "judges" a person who doesn't when the subject comes up.

Hope this explained my point of view a bit more. Thanks for taking the time to respond and to read my message

Peace and Love

Lievie

3. Re: conscious eating
Sep 14, 2009 3:13 PM   |   In response to: lievie007

Is wayne dyer a vegetarian.......i read somewhere that he eats meat........does any one know if this is true?

4. Re: conscious eating
Sep 14, 2009 3:22 PM   |   In response to: lievie007

is wayne dyer a vegetarian.........i read somewhere that he ate meat.........does anyone know if this is true?

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