by David B.
(Houston, TX)
I don't want to get too philosophical here, but I have to admit that what ultimately triggered my resolution to finally go totally meatless was the Hindu principle of "Ahimsa" (non-violence).
I am not a Hindu nor am I an advocate for any organized religion. But I was impressed by reading about the emphasis on non-violence as taught by Gandhi and also Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While their adherence to Ahimsa was oriented toward achieving a political end, my chief concern was the elimination of contradictions in one's life.
J. Krishnamurti often spoke about such contradictions and the hypocracy of trying to live a happy life while still sanctioning violence. Eating meat is an obvious example of contributing toward the commission of violence against innocent animals solely for the purpose of self satisfaction.
I am not an animal rights activist. Animals are govered by instinct and can commit violent acts, themselves. Rather, my emphasis is centered around making life's basic choices.
I don't have to contribute to such violence. Therefore I choose not to sanction such violence myself. I am now lacto-vegetarian by choice and very satisfied with this decision.
I hope that this line of reasoning will help someone else to arrive at the same decisions that I finally acknowledged I needed to make.