04-17-2012, 01:45 PM
(04-17-2012, 09:53 AM)Shemaya Wrote: I think someone asked why I was reading this thread, I don't remember if I answered the question or not...it's not that easy keeping up with the hundreds of questions posted, and I like to take time to think about things. The answer is that I am interested in other-selves perspectives and interested in spiritual evolution, and balancing my energy and emotions, and creating a New Earth in which all creatures great and small are liberated from suffering.
And I believe that as I liberate myself from the chains, shame, guilt-complexes, scarcity-complex, martyr-complex, inferiority complex et cetera, I will just naturally aid in the creation of the New Earth. It won't be forced or happen doing more and more, it will be a natural process of just being myself, and living in truth and love.
These sentiments are commendable.
Quote: My Vegetarian Phases
Know-it-all: In this early stage I knew that I was smarter than everyone else, and that my diet was the best for everyone else. I didn't realize until later that I was just alienating people and giving a bad name to vegetarians.
Extremist: After finding out the gruesome facts about factory farming, the meat industry, and animal testing, my empathy kicked in. But after being mocked for this empathy, I turned to the only place I knew about, PETA, and became an extreme vegetarian.
Morally superior: I was, after all, taking the so-called moral high road, and that made me a better person than anyone else who chose the so-called moral low road. I had no more tolerance of people thinking the inhumane treatment of animals was somehow acceptable. I was very judgmental and it was hypocritical of me to love animals but hate people.
Quiet: After I realized that I was just living my own life the way I wanted to live it, I scorned any type of conversation about my vegetarianism whatsoever. It was nobody's business but my own, and I didn't feel the need to proselytize. I was making personal amends for all my harshness in the preceding years. I felt bad for having been such a creep.
Informative: After clamming up for years about why I became a vegetarian, now when people would ask me about it (I never volunteered), I would give them all sorts of facts and sources. I was no longer trying to convince them, but was giving them some resources in case they were (actually) interested.
Moderate: Now after 15 years and many phases, you could say I've mellowed considerably and just become what I am: a person living life the way I want to, based on my own views, knowledge, and empathy. If people want to know why I'm vegetarian, I'll tell them in a few lines. It's up to them to inquire further if they're interested. I stand by my choices and believe they're the best choices for me. I realize everyone is at different stages, just like I was, and still am.
What do you intend by posting the above quote? Are you suggesting that any vegetarians here fall into one of these categories, which represent one individual's personal journey? Is this a judgment upon the vegetarians here and the way they discuss the subject matter? Please be honest.