Vegetarianism and veganism.

I am concerned at the complete lack of focus on this topic.

Personally, I feel that a vegan diet (even simple vegetarianism helps) is of near to utmost importance on the path to becoming a Jedi and living in harmony, understanding and cooperation with our world.

The meat industry, apart from being brutal, is one of the largest polluters in the world. As Jedi, we are protectors for those who have no voice and cannot fend for themselves. In this case, it is the animals and the world.

Apart from any arguments over whether or not humans should eat meat, as Jedi, we must be the positive change that should exist in the world today. There should be no excuses for eating meat. Also, before I get bombarded with ignorant posts such as, "What about protein," I'd like to simply state that, you can be healthy (in fact, even healthier) than those who consume meat and dairy. I have lived vegan for five years, and vegetarian for ten and a half years.

In achieving internal personal balance, and balance with the environment that we live on and depend on, taking these small steps to stop contributing to one of the worst issues we're faced with today is important. All that have life should be free from suffering, so it is an important part of being harmonious with our world that we make sure our hands are free of this blood, and that we help in all subtle ways that we can.

There is a famous Buddha quote: “To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to nirvana,” and I agree with this (and there is no valid excuse as to why you cannot at least become vegetarian), as all living creatures should be shown mercy. Having a merciful and compassionate heart will show up in all aspects of one's life, and as I stated, one of the simplest and easiest ways to help achieve this is to live a vegetarian lifestyle.

Personally, I have chosen to become vegan, and having been this way for some time now, think nothing of it. I feel great, not only physically but mentally. I understand that becoming vegan is a huge step, especially for those who were raised in societies where eating meat is normal, and especially if you feel clingy and unwilling to change your current habits, no matter how bad they are.

If you are afraid of the change and transition into a vegetarian lifestyle, let me remind you that sometimes you can only grow by alienating yourself from your surroundings. I promise that the change will offer you greater understanding.

Good is rewarded with good; evil is rewarded with evil; and the rewarding of good and evil is only a matter of time. The way that the earth is suffering from these industries, and the torture and inconsiderate treatment of the animals we view as mere objects for consumption is in fact evil. Ignorance is not bliss. I remind you not to do good expecting to be rewarded, but do good knowing that good acts give birth to more good acts, and as Jedi we need to find subtle and simple ways to improve our world.

Personally, I feel that a vegan diet (even simple vegetarianism helps) is of near to utmost importance on the path to becoming a Jedi and living in harmony, understanding and cooperation with our world.

I feel that I must eat the bird, so the worms can eat me, then the bird eats the worm...

The meat industry, apart from being brutal

Go out a bit and see how nature is even more brutal.

As Jedi, we are protectors for those who have no voice and cannot fend for themselves. In this case, it is the animals and the world.

I think giving preference to a particular type of life form over another is evil. Animals can defend themselves, I'm not so sure about carrots.

In achieving internal personal balance, and balance with the environment that we live on and depend on, taking these small steps to stop contributing to one of the worst issues we're faced with today is important. All that have life should be free from suffering, so it is an important part of being harmonious with our world that we make sure our hands are free of this blood, and that we help in all subtle ways that we can

You really need to get away from civilization and see how things really are. Balance means balance. Your eating habits aren't balanced. But I also think people eat too much meat anyway so they aren't balanced either. The real problem with meat industries is the quality: they usually stuff the meat (already poor quality) with sugar, so people get addicted with something that is not physically very satisfying. A proper piece of red meat is very different, and no need to have some every day.

Padawan...I tried reading what you wrote.  I mean no offense when I say this.  I honestly don't.  Though I have a feeling you will take some anyway...

Your tone makes it very difficult to read your writing.  You come off as incredibly patronising, and I have difficulty cutting through that to get to your intent and meaning.

I am interested in what you have to say, is there a way to rephrase any of it so that it is less highbrow and preachy?

It's great you have found what works for you and by the sounds of it, it works great and you are living the way you want. I only wis and hope others find that for themselves.

I have found for myself cutting out meat and using other means of replacing what I am missing from the meat source to put me in a place that is not good, for me. I have finally begun eating in a balanced and healthy way and this has been working wonderfully for me. I actually do not have a huge food palette but I do have foods in all food groups I really enjoy and eat a lot of it. I find when I cut one group out and try another way to get those nutrients it just hasn't worked. I have found a balance of vegetables, fruit, meat, and all the other foods I need that works great for me. For many it's all about finding what is healthy and what works for you.

The path you have chosen works for you and that's what counts!!

No one mentioned the waste of food? The food that goes bad in your fridge? Or, because of your poor cooking skills, becomes unsuited for human consumption? Or that you leave in your plate/pan?
How about water?

I find that lots of people waste limited resources such as these on a daily basis. They either burn it in unnecessary exercise, take extremely long showers, or don't finish their plates because it's the new fashion...

I completely agree with Ren Sydrick's statement about the wasting of resources. I believe that we should all be making a conscious effort to preserve Earth's resources because the rate at which some are diminishing is increasing. For example, petroleum.

I am sorry that I disagree with you Padawan despite your passion for wanting to help the world which i greatly admire. As a student of biology I do not believe that we should not relocate in the food chain from where we currently exist, because despite fast food chains distributing huge amounts of meat, the food chain is fairly balanced by the replacement of what we kill for food.

In the side of ethics, I am a meat-eater, neither proud or ashamed. Still undecided upon whether the concept of meat consumption is unethical, though I am open-minded to vegetarianism.

I feel that eating meat is nothing to be ashamed of. Cruelty to animals is wrong, but they are part of the food chain. It is their place in nature. The "meat is murder" way of thinking is allowing personal emotion to cloud ones vision of natures cycle.