In regards to eating meat

[3DMonkey]

Diana, I have no idea what my wife is thinking. I can't possible know what a cow thinks. I have the power to choose to believe they are all happy to be contributing to the One. Just like I have the power to think that lettuce is happy to become One with me as I chew. The principle here is using my thought for good.

Point taken. I agree with using thought for good, and that thoughts are as harmful as physical things.

I want to optimize my existence. Some people say that everything is polluted so why try to quit smoking, or eat better, etc. I say, do the best you can with everything you can.

It seems obvious to me to choose not to participate in the cruel treatment of meat-animals (although I recognize that that is only my feeling). I could justify it--perhaps rightly so--by saying that the "higher selves" of the animals are on board with it. But that doesn't change that cruelty is undesirable.

It is not my intention to take away from anyone else's choices. I do feel compelled to evolve. My evolution is enmeshed with general evolution, which suggests to me, that my choices are not disconnected from the whole. Which suggests, conversely, that your choices are not disconnected from me.

We are evolving as a species as well as individuals. We are part of a system. When electrons supposedly pop in and out existence, it is my theory that they are part of a system beyond our 3D, part of which we have no access to. All life here is a part of a system, but is also part of a greater system, possibly ad infinitum.

So acceptance of free will, yes, but collective responsibility is also a consideration.

I too recognize my own justifications that form my own perspective and opinions. It is this recognition that will help up live harmoniously, IMO- allowing and accepting our free will