Theos-Talk Archives (July 2000 Message tt00002)

(This is a copy of a post I sent to other theosophical mail lists. 
Perhaps it will prove to be of some interest here, as well).

It always amazes me how incredibly strong an emphasis is put on the
practice of vegetarianism by TS members (and other followers of diverse
spiritual paths), compared to the LACK of emphasis on other, equally or
more injurious behaviors.  When someone "does harm" (mental and by
extension physical) to others within a lodge by gossiping, spreading
rumour, verbal aggression, or stirring up unnecessary conflict,
hostility and dissention (usually for political ends), actions which
are, IMO, EXTREMELY common in the TS - these behaviors are somehow
glossed over and accepted as unfortunate but surely not unexpected (tsk,
tsk - well, we are not Masters after all...)

But instead mark the level of condescension and contempt shown and felt
when the hapless member timidly ventures to remark that he does indeed
eat meat!!!  Needless to say,  this (often unspoken) censure comes in
equal measure from those who commonly commit the spiritual "crimes"
mentioned above...as if they somehow think these are merely misdemeanors
next to the one celebrated spiritual felony! 

Such vigorous disapproval often comes from those whose personal
experience included such "spiritual peer pressure", which may have
prematurely pushed them into leaping into a discipline for which they
were not yet ready. Ironically, when this happens, the spiritual balance
sheet frequently comes up short, as pride, arrogance and anger,
previously absent, begin to taint the soul. 

To become an ethical vegetarian, one does not begin by precipitously
giving up meat, but by the practice of compassion and the opening of the
heart.  When this FAR more difficult object is achieved, the time will
naturally come when one is disgusted with the idea of eating flesh,
which is the proper signal of the soul's evolution into readiness for
the discipline of vegetarianism, and no spiritual trade-offs need
result.

Michele L.

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