In regards to eating meat

[Monica]

I think you misinterpret me a little bit,

And you me.

You seem to be making the point that there might be value for the animal. I am not disputing that, in the long run, there might be value. But my point is, and has been throughout this entire thread, that knowingly participating in the pain of others is incongruent with the STO path.

I understand your position but I will argue that it is entirely relative to your own personal empathetic feelings towards pain and suffering.

Empathy is an important cornerstone of the STO path.

Further, it's not just about my personal opinion, but whether such actions (participating in slaughter of 2D entities) are congruent with the STO path. That has largely been the focus of this thread.

Also, an animal is no more alone than any of us are at any point, there are always helping and guiding entities to assist whenever necessary. Also the ever present One. As you said, our 3D reality is an illusion, which means that the experiential stimili are also illusory in nature, they are only effects of much "higher" causes.

Respectfully, I disagree. The illusion facilitates catalyst. However, our response to that catalyst, and the ensuing spiritual evolution, are not illusory.

You imagine yourself as the animal and decide that that sort of condition would be undesirable for you based on the experience of pain. However, that is largely due to your own distortion towards the idea that pain is negative in nature. Pain and pleasure are just effects, just stimuli that are neither negative or positive in themselves, impulses.

That is easy to say in an intellectual discussion. But try telling that to one who is experiencing extreme suffering. They might disagree.

Consider that it is not the death that is important but the use of the energy.

Would you use that same argument to justify killing a human?

If the meat from an animal is consumed by a human then ultimately would not the polarization depend on what the human used that obtained energy for?

I don't see any connection there. So I'd have to say no.

Also, animals die to feed regardless of whether or not it is by natural aging, disease or otherwise. They still go to feed bacteria, fungus, flies and all the myriads of decompositional creatures that inhabit our world.

Humans engage in extreme acts of violence: wars etc. That doesn't mean it's ok for us to participate.

There are still predators in the wild,

Those are 2D entities. We are 3D+. What is appropriate for a 2D entity cannot be assumed to be appropriate for a positively polarized 3D+ entity.

In addition, the idea that this planet is barbaric compared to other planets, has been explored in other threads. Some members, myself included, are of the opinion that the very design itself (predatory wildlife) inflicts unnecessary suffering, and we intend to report back our opinions about this.

and humans distinctly possess canines and incisors as well as flat teeth, which I think is strong evidence for omnivorous nature.

We don't have sharp fangs like dogs and cats do. Very few humans could stomach the idea of tearing into a bloody chicken, as dogs and cats love to do.

But this and many other points have already been hotly debated in this very thread. So, rather than repeat myself here, I invite you to read this thread in its entirety. Please feel free to respond to any posts as you traverse the thread. That would be more efficient than me recounting points already made previously. Thanks!

You speak of the Law of One as though it is separate from experience, yet you are arguing something that is nothing more than a perspective,

I consider the Law of One far more than merely a perspective. However, each of us can only offer our own interpretation of the Law of One.

can you deny my experience under the Law of One?

No. I apologize if I, in any way, inadvertently implied that your perspective isn't valid. It is just as valid as anyone else's. We each offer our own perspective.

This forum is based on the study of the Law of One, so naturally any discussion will refer to it to back up points made.

Loyalty to the Confederation's teachings should not be confused with the scope of the One.

Our members have varying degrees of loyalty to Confederation teachings. For some, it is their spiritual foundation. For others, it is one among many spiritual influences.

It is intention that creates polarization, not just actions, actions are just the effects of intentions.

Agreed.

Perhaps those whom slaughter receive negative polarization, but if I eat meat bought at a store with the intention to positively utilize its energy and proteins will that not be something of gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifice, volunteery or not, of the animal?

Surely having gratitude is preferable to not having gratitude. And most people who purchase meat from the store make very little connection to the animals that were slaughtered and turned into that meat.

But, once a person's eyes have been opened to the extreme cruelty that is occurring on a daily basis to billions of our younger brethren on a daily basis, they share in the responsibility of that suffering.

My opinion is that the person buying the meat from the store, once s/he is aware, is every bit as culpable as the butcher.

Also, to my understanding service to others and service to self all still serve the self.

As you read the books, the distinguishing characteristics of the 2 paths will be explored.

Both are mutual, just a difference in focus, internal vs external. You help others to help the self, and those who help themselves help others, this is a point I believe Ra has been specific on. Of course, what exactly is the purpose of choosing either an STO or STS path? Where is the distinction truly drawn? Does it matter what you do, how you feel, what you intend or what you think? The images of each path must also be separated, service to self implies enslavement and self worship,

Please feel free to start anther thread on these topics if you wish!

yet we have all accepted the distortion of the bodily's complex need to eat and be nourished, and also that our systems can digest both plant and animal matter.

Ah, but not with equal efficiency. Virtually all major diseases have been shown to have correlations with animal 'foods' whereas plant-based diets facilitate healing and superior health. That could be a clue!

Also, what about eggs? Is fruit not the eggs of the plants?

Those questions have been extensively explored previously in this thread. Thank you for your understanding that I'd rather not repeat many pages of discussion.

It seems to me that there is an overidentification with the concept of pain and suffering being solely of negative polarization.

To clarify: It is the causing, the inflicting, of pain and suffering upon others that is negatively polarizing.

Consider, service to self, service to others, one to command and one to serve, one to direct and one to be directed. The Confederation pushes the idea of service-to-others, the words of masters making willing slaves? Difficult to say.

Respectfully, I don't think this is an accurate assessment of the paths; nor of the Confederation's intentions/actions.