Dalai lama & vegetarianism

[Susana]

I enjoyed watching the Piers Morgan interview with the Dali Lama last night.

The thing which interested me the most was that His Holiness is not a vegetarian. He started life in Tibet as a non vegetarian. Then when he went to India in 1965 he became a vegetarian for about 20 months. He contracted hepatitis, and after that started eating meat again. He now tries to limit his meat intake, but still eats meat a few times a week.

This surprised me a bit, but not in a judgmental way. Having grown up with a vegetarian mom, I have struggled with my choices since my teenage years. Often health concerns enter into the situation, and after a period of abstinence I take up meat eating again. I eat salmon a couple times a week and occasionally use chicken for soup.

I believe vegetarianism is morally correct, yet it is not as simple as just giving up the eating of flesh. I know this has the appearance of being a cop-out but I sometimes think we just have not evolved enough as humans.

I know I am not the only one who struggles with this. I am hoping there are others out there who would like to share their thoughts and experiences.

Thanks!

[Susana]

Here is a peaceful video which you might enjoy.

http://youtu.be/TugeQEUrjuk

[yy]

After almost 10 years of vegetarianism, I have to confess that the aroma of KFC wafting through the cold evening air still tempts me! ^^

[David_Loves_Ubonwan]

I believe vegetarianism is morally correct, yet it is not as simple as just giving up the eating of flesh. I know this has the appearance of being a cop-out but I sometimes think we just have not evolved enough as humans.

Or perhaps we have evolved too far? The simple fact that our jaws can move side-to-side suggests we are created as herbivores not carnivores.

Personally I've tried vegetarian diet a couple of times and it didn't seem to agree with me, I was always hungry soon after a meal. It was for no other reason than I was living on a boat in the Agean and all but the Captain were vegeatarians. Most evenings Captain Mehmet and I had to go ashore for a kabob or fish!

David

[Susana]

Having been raised combining grains like corn and beans with lots of veggies I can easily eat a vegetarian diet. However my body seems to tell me after a couple weeks that I need more. I can't explain it, but it's more than just a craving for a certain taste. I don't even like eggs, but often that is just what helps me along.

[yy]

I'm wondering if we remove all those sources of social conditioning to meat around us e.g. commercials, adverts, story books and songs etc which mention meat dishes (replacing them with vege alternatives) for just a few months, will we still feel our bodily craving for meat?

[Nu]

YY that is an interesting thought. Do you think that we are "addicted" to particular food on a psychological level? I think it could be on both levels...psychological and physical. I am reminded of the cartoon character "Popeye" who eats spinach to get his physical power and parents use it to remind the children to eat spinach so they can grow up strong like Popeye and yet most children hate spinach.

[yy]

YY that is an interesting thought. Do you think that we are "addicted" to meat on a psychological level? .

^^ Yes and no. No as meaning beyond the addiction, we have sort of bought into the idea that we need meat, be it at our conscious, subconscious or unconscious level. That going vegetarian means we are giving up something necessary and routine in daily life. For example, when I flip through children's story books and assessment books and there are all these essays/articles which mention meat so naturally as food and as celebratory dishes.

[khonrai]

Hi

I have not eaten any meat for over 25 yrs

I am not a vegetarian I just don't eat meat
It is my personal choice. People always assume I am a vegetarian
when I say I am not they looked confused then I have to explain myself.

I tell them I do not eat any thing that has live births "mamals" I only eat ugly
animals like fish and chicken not cute big eyed animals.

I also use not eating meat as a way of strengthing my self discipline.
being born and raised on a farm when I smell a good BBQ or steak I salivate like Pavlov's dog. but I have the will power to say no.

I think you do become conditioned "or addicted " to certain foods

On a side note have you noticed that the smell of certain foods can bring up vivid memories
and the memories are always pleasant

Since my Mom passed away in 2007
I have started cooking food she used to cook. she used to make the best pan fried potatoes. it took me awhile to figure out how she did it but now they taste just like she used to make and every time i eat them I think of her.

[Susana]

Are you saying fish & chicken aren't meat?

My mom made fried potatoes, too, and fried onions, fried okra, fried cabbage, etc.

Too bad I've never liked fried foods.