OT Indian reasoning Vegetarian foods with Chicken/Beef broth

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

This mail is in connection with a posting on this group  that many packaged

vegetable foods contain non-vegetarian ingredients like chicken or beef broth.

IMHO, it has something to do with the way people think.

Vegetarianism has its origns in ancient India where the faith and beliefs state

that -Life is precious to all and is a god-given gift. Taking away life;which is

the most precious possesion of a living being, is thus an act of cruelty,owing

to ignorance,bearing inescapable future consequences(Karma).Thus God exists in

all living beings and should be honoured thus.  But life feeds off life in

nature, and is therefore essential for our own survival,sustaining our life.

Whats the way out then?

The Mahabharata says- "

Bhishma : There is nothing on earth that is superior to flesh in point of taste.

There is nothing that is more beneficial then flesh to persons that are lean, or

weak, or afflicted with disease, or addicted to sexual congress, or exhausted

with travel. Flesh speedily increases strength. It produces great development.

There is no food, O scorcher of foes, that is superior to flesh. But, O

delighter of the Kurus, the merits are great that attach to men that abstain

from it. Listen to me as I discourse to thee on it. That man who wished to

increase his own flesh by the flesh of another living creature is such that

there is none meaner and more cruel than he. In this world there is nothing that

is dearer to a creature than his life. Hence (instead of taking that valuable

possession), one should show compassion to the lives of others as one does to

one's own life. "

 

So the ancient Masters have declared, for people who think and enquire about the

cause of life and why we are born, giving up meat,fish, eggs is beneficial, as

it diminishes our Karma and accelerates our higher evolution. Selfish actions

create Karma which drags us down, Unselfish actions creates Sacrifice which

takes us higher. Giving up meat, which is a unselfish action, creates compassion

and regard for life and fellow living

beings(Compassion-->Tolerance-->Vegetarianism-->Democracy-->Live and let Live)

So for such truth-seeking people(Yogi),who seek release from the material

world(salvation), flesh is proscribed as it binds to the material life. For

other people who are quite content to enjoy the illusion of the material world,

flesh is not forbidden as it gives strength to the physical body for carrying

out the strenuous duties(farmers,labourers,warriors).

Thus India a nation of 1.07 Billion people, is 40% vegetarian but has people of

all faiths,races and is known for Tolerance, Peace and Democracy(gandhi)

Such ancient Indian concepts for Yoga when transported to the west " Lost

something in Translation " . Vegetarianism,Veganism are practiced but without the

knowledge of the purpose behind them.Yoga is done for fitness and health rather

than spiritual evolution.

The knowledge that meat brings down the consciousness to the lower " chakras " and

increases the " Ego " or the sense of " I " is known to few.

The three lower chakras increases our identification with our bodies(the

material world, " I " ) and we seek temporary material happiness for ourselves which

is illusory and short lived and make people animal-like in behaviour,focussing

on food,sex and material gratifications. For long lasting and real

happiness,happiness is sought from inside(the spirit) which gives satisfaction

and is long lasting(from relationships to the " Self " and to others).Consciousness

is lifted from the lower chakras to the higher chakras to establish a

relationship with the spirit through yoga.For this Meat is taboo as it drags

consciousness down to the lower chakras and strengthens the ego.

Vegetables,plants also contain life,but their senses are limited.Also the

violence and pain is less. It is mature and civilised to choose alternatives

that induce lesser pain with lesser violence.

Food companies scarcely recognize such finer distinctions as they are profit

oriented(material). To them, adding chicken/beef broth to vegetables is adding

value(more material nutrition) and the consumers spiritual evolution is of least

concern. This is possible only in families where food is cooked and served by

someone who loves you.

Hope this helps.

 

Warm Regards

Rave