In regards to eating meat

[Diana]

Ah, I see. I have had that perspective. Make peace with whatever you eat. In the ideal, we would directly harvest our own food, plant or animal, apologize for the taking of life, ask for it, only pick the fruit that has given us permission, sing the soul of the deer home, etc. This is covered in sacred Native American teachings. If we are radiating the love of the creator, there are many loving plants and animals willing to "sacrifice" to sustain us. It can be done with love.

Before I eat something, I thank everything that went into that apple. I thank the person who put it on the shelf, drove it to the store, picked it, the tree that grew it, the sun, earth, and water that provided for it, etc. I feel the creator in me, and the creator in the apple. So me consuming the apple becomes less about taking the life of something and more about a way of sharing my energy with the apple, allowing it to become part of me in my expression of the creator, and recognizing my oneness with the apple.

I am heartened to see you perceiving plants and animals as part of the self. Allow these gifts of love, from self, to self.

All is One.

This is very beautiful. I wonder if you would be willing to read the whole thread? .

I understand the Native American way, and implement that also, as many here on this site do.

As to the energy share, with an apple, yes (an apple was created to be eaten so the seeds spread). With an animal who does not want to die . . . not so sure. If you hunted the deer with this mindset, perhaps a deer would "come" who is willing to sacrifice its life or who wants to transition; but that does not negate the fact that the deer has a survival instinct and will be terrified of dying a painful death.

The Native American way is a good way with honor and respect. But it does not necessarily follow that it is the best way. Everything evolves.