regarding alcohol and meat consumption, for Lada too

[Guest guest]

Dear Members, and esp. Lada,

 

Below are some experiences I can relate on the topic. None of this has any

scriptural basis.

 

I have a vegetarian friend (not on a formal spiritual path) who was also urged

to return to eating meat for her health. Although she did not want to for a

variety of reasons, her health and state of mind improved dramatically. She is

improving spiritually as well.

 

I too occasionally feel the physical need to eat meat--even though I may be

getting lots of other protein sources and do abundant supplementation. I always

feel mentally and physically much better when I do, and sometimes it's red meat

that helps the most. I always eat it in small quantities, and with thanks and

prayers for the exalted rebirths of the animals who died to feed me, and asking

for forgiveness for eating them and a willingness to sustain them in the future.

I also continually pray that my physiology slowly transform and purify so that

this is no longer necessary for my health and concentration. Regarding

absorption of proteins, there are many opinions on the subject, including one

that states that different people absorb different types of protein with varying

levels of efficiency. Not everyone can get protein from soy.

 

So perhaps we are not all karmically yet fit to be vegetarians? I dont' know,

but I do feel in my heart that as long as one is reverant, well-intentioned, and

doing their best, that is good in God's book.

 

Regarding alcohol, I have found that it feels "right" for me to occasionally

drink a small glass of wine or something when with my boyfriend. I don't even

particularly like alcohol. But what I noticed was that given his discomfort

with my spiritual practices and abstinences, it sort of provided some small

bridge between us. (we used to drink wine together and had some nice romantic

occasions then) I am very earnest in the feeling that this is right behavior

for me now, as I have experimented with a variety of stances in social settings

with him. So I sip wine and think of the blood of Christ and try to not be

rigid in social behaviors with my boyfriend. So far it has worked really well

too, as he is softening toward me and taking more interest in my spiritual

practices.

 

I read a somewhat similar story about one of Yogananda's students whose husband

was very disturbed if she not watch television with him every night. To keep

the peace with him, she acquiesced, and practiced a meditation technique while

appearing to watch TV! Eventually she changed so much that her husband started

meditating with her. Yogananda cited this as an example in one of his writings,

(can't recall which book right now). Also heard a story of Gandhi's daughter

needing to eat meat for medical purposes, and he finally permitted her to eat

eggs lest she die.

 

So, Lada and friends, my own heartfelt opinion is that there simply are no hard

fast rules, only guidelines that may or may not work for you, and Mirabai's

stated only indespensible: love.

 

blessings to all,

 

e

 

 

 

 

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