Ahimsa - Nonviolence - Vegetarianism - Veganism

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#61

[quote=Kiran;13051]Xela,
Happy face when reading your posts.

You can determine your ayurvedic consitution by using this chart:

http://www.ayurveda.com/online%20resource/constitution.pdf

Don’t be surprised if you are a hybrid of two types, its actually pretty common. The thing I’ve been learning is that each of the doshas are more dominant during certain times of day, and certain seasons of the year.

Namaste,

XP[/quote]
I have 8 for Vata, 13 for Pitta and 11 for Kapha.

I don’t know what all that means though. :o

#62

[quote=Fin;13052]The most accurate analysis of your Ayurvedic Body Type (Dosha) is given by an Ayurvedic practitioner using a pulse test. However a rough & ready analysis can be obtained with a Dosha Questionnaire; see the following web link for a questionnaire:

Chopra Dosha Quiz

There are many questioners available so a Goggle for "What is your Dosha", or just "Dosha" will give more sites.

Other members might know of better sites?[/quote]

Your scores are Vata: 2 Pitta: 5 Kapha: 3Based on your results, you are a PITTA: Pitta CharacteristicsMind:Sharp, intellectual, direct, precise, discerningBody:Medium build, warm, muscularSkin:Sensitive, flush, acne-proneHair:Tendency towards early graying or thinningAppetite:Strong, can eat just about anything, anytimeRoutine:Very precise and organizedTemperament:Passionate, driven, courageous, strong sex drive, good leaderConversation Style:Speaks to convey a pointShopping Style:Spends on luxury itemsStress Response:Irritable, tendency to blame others.

#63

Pitta - you are predominantly fire+water.

What I’ve learned so far in my Ayurvedic course is that while one dhatu (caled doshas when out of balance) may be our dominant one, it will shift to the others ate certain times of day and in certain seasons (not to mention the impact of diet). What’s more, different parts of the body (based on their functions) are predominantly Vatta, Pitta, or Kapha. For example, since Pitta represents the body’s principle of heat, it is concentrated in the digestive functions, the eyes, liver, spleen, skin, small intestine, and the brain. But it acts in concert with the others constantly. For example, the movement of food through the GI tract is governed by vatta, pitta regulates the secretion of digestive enzymes and fluids, while the lubricating mucus is provided by kapha.

There is not enough room here to describe all the details and dynamics but knowing your predominant dhatu is just a starting point - we should be careful in taking any actions based only on your main type. Obviously, I am far from being a qualified consultant (perhaps someday).

The real trick is to keep them all in balance but to do so, you need to work with a trained ayurvedic physician or consultant…

#64

Very interesting. I’m sure I’d be able to find an ayurvedic doctor (is that what they’re called?) around my town. There is a very high Indian population in the town where I work.

#65

Xela,
Great! Please let us know how it goes.

#66

On the subject of eating the flesh of animals, I go with idea, that as we possess teeth for the eating of meat, then, we must as a species eat meat. But not meat all the time. Myself, well I eat meat about once or twice a week, not because I am cutting down on meat, but I refuse to eat meat where the animal has been factory produced, just because it is a product and nothing else. I must eat free range meat, where the animal has had at least a little joy out of life. This meat being expensive, is my reason for making the consuming of it a special occaision. It being a special occaision, I taste and savour every morsel, as I am eating something special.

The other thing is, animals and insects eat meat, ourselves, we are host to many creatures that from time to time survive, by what they can get from us. Everything is part of the food chain and perhaps by being in this food chain, we are maintaining a sort of natural balance, we might not be able to comprehend the balance, but nature in it’s wisdom, generally knows what it is doing.

#67

[quote=Crumpled;13218]On the subject of eating the flesh of animals, I go with idea, that as we possess teeth for the eating of meat, then, we must as a species eat meat.

The other thing is, animals and insects eat meat, ourselves, we are host to many creatures that from time to time survive, by what they can get from us. Everything is part of the food chain and perhaps by being in this food chain, we are maintaining a sort of natural balance, we might not be able to comprehend the balance, but nature in it’s wisdom, generally knows what it is doing.[/quote]

Forgive me but I disagree.

Actually, our teeth and GI systems are identical to other herbivores. If we were designed to eat meat, we would have long sharp teeth for tearing open and eating raw flesh plus a shorter GI system (not one which is several times the length of our own bodies. Meat eating animals don’t have molars which are designed to grind up plant-based foods. Humans require tools (such as knives and forks) to eat meat but can eat vegetables with their own hands and teeth (without tools).

On the food chain idea, the difference is that humans have free will, something other animals do not have.

Peace,

Kiran

#68

I absolutely agree with Kiran. Unlike meat eating animals we cannot digest raw meat. Nor do we have the instict to kill and eat the animals we see in our daily lives.
Meat eaters have much higher incidences of heart disease, cancers and obesity.
The site goveg.com has an excellent chart comparing the physical features of carnivores, omnivores and herbivores and how humans fit into this scale. See GoVeg.com // Health Issues // The Natural Human Diet // Human Physiology
It’s pretty interesting and certainly adds to my conviction that we are indeed herbivores.

#69

Personally I think there is very liltle balance in our food chain at the moment, the reason why we see such horrendous increases in cancers and other illnesses.

Nature’s wisdom is unfortuantely overshadowed by the free will and the accompanied destructiveness of mankind at the moment, in my humble opinion, although mother nature do know better, we think we know better - supposedly that is.

#70

Nature’s wisdom is unfortuantely overshadowed by the free will and the accompanied destructiveness of mankind at the moment, in my humble opinion, although mother nature do know better, we think we know better - supposedly that is.

Agreed - I think it is incredibly important to recognise that what we can and are able to do and what is right to do are two entirely seperate things.
Evolution has given us the power of indpendent thought and analysis, it is our responsibilty to use this power with humility rather than with arrogance.

#71

[quote=JenW;13234]Agreed - I think it is incredibly important to recognise that what we can and are able to do and what is right to do are two entirely seperate things.
Evolution has given us the power of indpendent thought and analysis, it is our responsibilty to use this power with humility rather than with arrogance.[/quote]
Definitely agree with you. We are evolved. We have the CHOICE of eating meat or not and be perfectly healthy. I know I’ve been feeling amazing since I’ve cut meat (and fish) out completely.

#72

I agree entirely with JenW & Pandara.

I would also like to add that some consider an occasional ?treat? of a favoured meat dish ok ? I feel this can not be so since it?s a bit like saying
I?m a little pregnant? LOL :wink:
either you are a Vegetarian or not.

Having made a conscious decision to be a Vegetarian I have not knowingly consumed any meat in the last 10yrs. I agree with xela, you feel different vibrations when you switch, you really never want to lose these vibrations.
And the health benefits at the physical level (Annamaya Kosha) are also very tangible and enormous.

#73

[quote=Fin;13242]
I agree with xela, you feel different vibrations when you switch, you really never want to lose these vibrations.
And the health benefits at the physical level (Annamaya Kosha) are also very tangible and enormous.[/quote]

So true! Those great vibes that come from living in accordance with your values are something you don’t want to lose (and the physical well being is nice as well).

#74

I see it as a circle of life, but if you’re looking to go from a regular diet to a vegan one, consider this article on transitioning to a raw food diet:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1034874/transitioning_to_a_raw_food_diet.html

#75

Just to add a quick note. If your intent is genuine and derives from a whole state of goodness. Then their are situations where you can take from another live force. For example, if a mosquito were to bite land on you. You may have to swat him so you don’t get infected with a potentially deadly virus. Just intend for him to be reincarnated into a better state.

Joey B.

#76

[I]On the topic, I came across this article on some blog:[/I]

Are you a vegetarian by virtue or religion?

Today I see many kinds of vegetarians (I am one now). But the majority seems to be divided into two kinds of vegetarians, especially in India. Vegetarians by religion and vegetarians by virtue.

Vegetarians by religion are those who abstain from eating meat because their religion or caste proscribes them against it. They follow vegetarianism, in all probability, from their childhood and come to detest non-vegetarian diet; though I have seen some such vegetarians who are tempted to eat meat, but are afraid to do so out of various reasons, like getting caught, not wanting to sin, afraid of divine punishment, etc. Of course, some come to detest non-vegetarian way of life, they hate even to see others savoring meat. They simply can?t digest it that somebody could kill and eat any living creature. Their reason for that is mainly their upbringing which seems to teach them eating meat is beastly but some do hate violence towards animals. Many such vegetarians do not eat eggs as well, but I know some who eat eggs because, as one guy told me, ?eggs are vegetarian?. This guy called the egg ?vibhudi pandu?.

The second kind I have seen are vegetarians by virtue. These are the people who avoid meat because they do not want to incite violence towards other living beings (of course plants are excluded here). These are the people who actively analyze and discriminate what vegetarianism means. And one unique outcome of their independent thought is that they even avoid the use of leather, silk and other such products that are produced from slaughtering animals. In a way I think these people are true vegetarians, because they discriminate actively. They think with a purpose rather than just blindly adhering to religious edicts. Some vegetarians by religion eventually evolve into vegetarians by virtue, but not all of them.

Not that I have anything against non-vegetarians. I have been a non-vegetarian most of my life and only since a couple of years am I following a vegetarian life. Vegetarian by virtue, I must say. I believe there is nothing wrong in eating meat. Without a food chain, I do not think we humans could have even evolved. We eat plants without any guilty conscience because plants do not have a nervous system or any such systems with which they can express pain. We do not even know if plants feel pain. But I distinguish between being a non-vegetarian and a person who uses animal products for comfort, fashion and religion.

Meat for survival is something I can easily agree with. But slaughtering animals for the sake of our culture and fashion is something I can never digest. And yet today we have vegetarians who perform pujas in silk ?vastrams?. Do you guys know that it takes about 6000 cocoons to produce one silk saree? We also see today vegetarians and non-vegetarians using leather jackets, purses, handbags and shoes. Many schools fine students if they do not wear polished black leather shoes. And yet we have lessons about non-violence. Hindu religion greatly exalts non-violence, or so I?ve heard, and yet it prescribes animal sacrifice, has stories of mass battles, and asks for silken wear during rituals. Islam religion has the period of Ramzam after which cows are slaughtered on mass scale and shared amidst themselves. I do not know if this custom is prescribed by religious edicts or has evolved out of practice. But I think it is not eating for survival. It is a pure custom and today we have business houses selling chicken haleem, goat haleem and kalyaani haleem just to cash in on the festive season. Is that slaughter for religion or slaughter for survival? When Bonalu comes we have hundreds of goats and hens sacrificed just for the sake of ?appeasing? goddess Kali or Durga or Misamma or whatever-her-name-is. Did you guys know there is a board in the Jubilee Hills Durgamma Temple compound that says sacrificing animals is prohibited in the premises? And yet almost every Friday we have gangs of worshippers who nevertheless ?sacrifice? animals, cook and eat in those very premises of the temple. The management of the temple cannot be held responsible because they have that board hanging there, don?t they?

If we have to be true vegetarians, I guess we have to forego silk, leather, pastries (save for the eggless variety), etc. But it does not stop there. What about cosmetic products that have been tested on animals? What about soaps that contain fat? Is it animal fat? What about all products that have been experimented upon animals? Like medicines, etc? Should they be banned? Medicines have become a part of our survival game, but does that give us a license to test them on animals? These are some questions that I do not have answers for. Maybe some of you have better opinions on these.

But, in all, I would like to say it is better to be vegetarian by virtue or a discriminating non-vegetarian, rather than being a vegetarian by religion.

[I]Sounds interesting?[/I]

#77

I’ve enjoyed the thead and some of the recipes contained within also. I am not a vegetarian, but I am trying to be more of a “fishetarian” and I am working to follow more of a sattvic and raw/living diet also. One step at a time :smiley:

Sean

#78

[quote=Kiran;13055]

There is not enough room here to describe all the details and dynamics but knowing your predominant dhatu is just a starting point - we should be careful in taking any actions based only on your main type. Obviously, I am far from being a qualified consultant (perhaps someday).

The real trick is to keep them all in balance but to do so, you need to work with a trained ayurvedic physician or consultant…[/quote]

… or develop your yoga practice through yama-niyama, asana and pranayama, and all this becomes a first hand expereince. Than you don’t need a physician or consultant, as you will know what is best for you.
Indeed, experience, and intimate knowledge of pranamaya kosha requires a lot of work. Why people do not achieve it easily is because they did not master yama and niyama first. As annamaya kosha (physical body) is a sheet, or physical expression of pranamaya kosha (vital body), pranamaya kosha is a sheet or expression of manomaya kosha. (soul, or desire body) The latter is trained, cleaned and spiritualized by the practice of yama and niyama. If this is not done, than any direct work done on pranamaya kosha is redundant, and jeopardized by the uncontrolled, unclean nature of the desire body. Those who do not realize their lower, instinctual nature, and do not tame it, how can they ever raise to the heights of spirit ?

One knows a tree from it’s fruits. Where there are perfections (siddhis) there are advanced disciples, possibly initiates. Don’t immediatly identify these with levitation or such. The ability to compose music like this, for example is also a perfection or siddhi.

#79

Just from a medical-scientific point of view:

  • using proteins of animal origin as food results higher cholesterol levels, between 170 and 200 mg/dl. I am talking about proteins here, not animal fatty acids. Experiments on rabbits who respond to diet as humans, show that proteins from various meats, dairy, or eggs, made their overall cholseterol level much higher compared when they were fed with proteins of plant origin. So even if you eat fat free dairy, or low fat meats, your cholesterol level will be still much higher than that of those who do not use them. Our body does not need any cholesterol because it is produced in the great intestine in more than sufficient quantity. Cholesterol is a main component of cell membranes. It’s daily production is around 800-1000 mg/day. 400-600 mg is used up daily replacing the used up cells. The rest is eliminated through the bile. There is no reason to introduce any more cholesterol into our system. Foods of plant origin contain no cholesterol at all, only foods of animal protein have it.
  • animal proteins through their phosphor-calcium unbalance (much more phosphor) reduce the body’s calcium reserves (exytra phosphor is eliminated as calcium-phosphate) and thus facilitate ostheoporosis
  • animal proteins require higher acidity level to be digested in our stomach so they facilitate apparition of ulcer
    -animal proteins do generate a greater insulin release, thus the chance to develeop diabetes in time is considerably greater
    -animal fats are saturated fats, what directly increase the levels of bad lipoproteins (low density lipoproteins or LDL) while reduce the good ones (high density lipoproteins, or HDL)
    -meat might contain prions, agressive proteic complexes what survive temeratures of several hundreds of Celsius, and cause illnesses like The Creutzfeld-Jacobs diease (mad cow disease)

So even from a scientific, self-health oriented point of view, using not only meat but food of animal origin is questionable. Add the fact that it;s not even economic (to produce the same quantites of animal protein, it is needed ten times as much land, and water as needed for plant-protein), and at once, one arrives to the conclusion that there is great room left for improvement to this and future generations.

#80

[B]Swami Sri Ananda Acharya [1881-1945][/B], [I]Spiritual Talks [/I](Hoshiarpur, India: Vishveshvaranand Vedic Research Institute, 1957):

Give your affection for at least five minutes every day to trees and animals, to birds and fishes. You will soon discover in them a portion of your own life, sharing the wine of Brahman’s love. Think of them as manifestations of divine wisdom and treat them as members of humanity with full right to live and enjoy. The ruthless rate at which our cannibalistic civilized savages are felling forest trees and exterminating birds and animals and fish is beyond all bounds, and the children of men who will be born twenty or thirty years hence will have to learn the life history of birds and trees and animals from photographs and pictures. Remember, birds and animals are the friends of trees and trees are the friends of man, and when birds an animals and trees are gone out of our planet man will be friendless and the future human race will then receive the same gift of extinction which its reckless ancestors have offered to birds and trees and animals. Without forests, without birds, without animals, what will be left for poets to celebrate in their verse?