In regards to eating meat

[Monica]

They said "the vegetable, most especially the tree." This could include carrots.

I don't think so, because:

1. Ra was clearly using the word vegetable in the context of plant, because trees were included. (Vegetables we buy in the grocery store don't include trees.) Ra was referring to plants, not vegetables as in carrots and broccoli.

2. I try to apply some reasoning to Ra's words rather than just taking them as gospel. In light of the rest of the quote below, it doesn't seem likely to me that an individual carrot would have sufficient catalyst, or time in which to utilize that catalyst, required for self-individuation. Carrots have very short lifespans. And, when humans interact with carrots, it' usually with carrots, plural, a garden full of carrots. They don't develop a relationship over a long period of time with an individual carrot. They might appreciate every single carrot, but c'mon, 1 carrot isn't very different from the next. I just don't see sufficient catalyst there.

3. Notice the bold part below. Animals developing self-awareness is the most predominant. Plants are more abundant than animals. If carrots, ivies, and blades of grass were as conscious as animals, then they would be the most predominant, for the simple reason that they outnumber animals. This proves that plants aren't as conscious as animals, in my view. It doesn't really leave much room for any other explanation.

Questioner: Let’s take the point at which an individualized entity of second density is ready for transition to third. Is this second-density being what we would call animal?

Ra: I am Ra. There are three types of second-density entities which become, shall we say, enspirited. The first is the animal. This is the most predominant. The second is the vegetable, most especially that which you call, sound vibration complex, “tree.” These entities are capable of giving and receiving enough love to become individualized. The third is mineral. Occasionally a certain location/place, as you may call it, becomes energized to individuality through the love it receives and gives in relationship to a third-density entity which is in relationship to it. This is the least common transition.

Questioner: When this transition from second to third density takes place, how does the entity, whether it be animal, [vegetable] tree, or mineral, become enspirited?

Ra: I am Ra. Entities do not become enspirited. They become aware of the intelligent energy within each portion, cell, or atom, as you may call it, of its beingness.

This awareness is that which is awareness of that already given. From the infinite come all densities. The self-awareness comes from within given the catalyst of certain experiences understanding, as we may call this particular energy, the upward spiraling of the cell or atom or consciousness.

You may then see that there is an inevitable pull toward the, what you may call, eventual realization of self.

All life is already enspirited. But not all are aware.

You mentioned everyone except the animal!

The individual animal may or may not feel ready to die. However, from the point of view of the species it is absolutely a good thing.

I invite you to substitute humans for animals in the above statements, and see how that reads.

It could be argued that it's a good thing for the human species to drastically reduce the human population. Then there would be more resources to go around, etc.

But I sure wouldn't want to be the one to decide who dies and when, even if it were 'good for the species.'

How many cows or chickens do you think there would be now

A lot fewer. Modern factory farming artificially increases their population. Also, humans have removed their natural predators.

if they weren't in a symbiotic relationship with humans?

Symbiotic?? I don't think it's symbiotic at all. It's an atrocity.

White-tailed deer in the eastern US are not as healthy as they will be when the mountain lion returns.

Mountain lions kill the weakest in the herd, not the buck with the biggest antlers. Human hunters are weakening the herd by going after trophies to satisfy their egos.

You keep saying, "let's start by eliminating eating meat."

Yes. If people can't even wrap their minds around the idea of animals suffering, do you really think they will be able to feel compassion for carrots?

The Native Americans had to kill animals to survive.

Actually, they didn't. They produced sufficient corn, beans, squash, etc, that they could have foregone meat. They chose not to.

They needed the hides for clothing and warmth.

At any rate, I don't consider the Native Americans to be role models for my future evolution. But I have a lot more respect for how they did it, than for people not even making the connection between an animal and the stuff wrapped in plastic at the store.