I, like many, have been struggling with the idea of becoming vegetarian, living off a plant-based diet.
Eat food, not too much, mostly plants – Michael Pollan
I know from independent studies that it is healthier (less contaminants, additives, hormones, antibiotics, cholesterol). I know that most animals raised for meat production are treated terribly and as a result suffer horribly. I know that meat production is an contributor to global warming.
In fact, the only argument I have for eating meat is that I like the taste. Not really very convincing when weighed against the other reasons!
I was vegetarian for many years between the ages of 35 and 45. It was a period of my life when I was both active and fit.
I am not writing this to convince you or anyone else to go vegetarian; I just want to share this with you as I believe that many of you are probably going through the similar process.
I try to live my life inspired by this paraphrased quote from the Buddha:
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that something agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
Siddhartha Gautama.
This wisdom makes life more easy and difficult at the same time; easy because it brings peace when my actions coincide with what I believe to be correct; difficult because you have to do the work to reach your own conclusions. You must think it through, know your heart, take responsibility and act on it.
