The Veg or Non-Veg Debate

I often come across people sharing gruesome videos of how animals are killed in factories for food. They typically highlight cruelty towards animals as a basis of promoting Vegetarian lifestyle. In this post I plan to look at the emotion/spiritual/cruelty aspect but also look at how bodies are designed and also the implication of commercial farming on our food. At the end of the day the idea is not to prove one better than other but to make people look at it from a different perspective


So what do human's eat? The answer is Life Form. Weather we eat a plant based diet or an animal based diet we are eventually eating a Life Form. I am sure no one likes and promotes cruelty but if there are videos showing how animals are being slaughtered then I am sure a creative person can make videos showing how plants feel pain when they are cut for food or how trees feel when there fruits are "brutally plucked". It has been scientifically proven that trees and plants respond to music, experience pain and might have feelings/emotions. So the aspect of morality/cruelty etc. should not apply as we are all eating some Life Form.




Now what I think is a valid argument is that certain animals are physically designed if I may say, to be herbivores and certain are carnivores. For instance a tiger, dog, wolf all have canines to cut through meat, have paws designed to grip and hunt, have small elementary canal's to digest meat quickly. And then you have Cows, Elephants and even Humans that have teeth which helps in chewing food, elementary canals which are much longer and a different digestive system etc. So by physical design Humans are herbivore or Vegetarian and I personally buy this argument a lot more than I would buy the moral argument.


Here is an aspect of food that comes from the Hindu way of life. Food is classified as Sattvic, Tamasic or a combination. This is a classification based on the tendency of food. It is believe that sattvic foods are supposed to aid clarity of thought, spiritual endeavors, and general physical health. They are generally vegetarian but not all vegetarian food is Sattvic. Tamasic food on the other hand is mostly non-vegetarian. However veg foods like onions, garlic etc. are considered Tamasic too. Generally speaking Sattvic food is recommended. But for people dealing with harsh and cold weather, extreme physical activities etc. tamasic food is helpful. Tamasic food is also prescribed to Sattvic food eaters as a medicine for ailments like joint pain etc. Tendency of food is another factor to consider in your diet based on you circumstances.




Another thing to think about is adaptability. Humans are probably the most adaptable creatures on earth. We have evolved from apes hunting around in jungles to cultivators to modern industrial beings. I think in this process over generations we have adapted to various types of foods too. It's only in humans that you will find Vegetarians, Non-Vegetarians, Vegans and Omnivores. If you look at tigers they have been Non-Vegetarians for centuries and Cows have been Vegetarian for centuries too. Dog's are a bit different now and probably its the friendship with humans that's rubbing on them.




Last but not the least it is important to mention the impact of commercialization or industrialization of both Veg and Non-Veg foods. Our crops and vegetables are filled with chemicals and pesticides. A lot of them have been genetically modified. We are not sure about the impact of these but there is enough evidence pointing out the ill effects of fertilizers. The meat that we eat is not safe either. Chicken and Goat and Cow and Pig are being farmed like crops. Here they are given steroids that help them grow big in no time. There are ill effects of eating meat of animals that have been raised on steroids. Processed foods should be a big NO NO. So weather you eat Veg or Non Veg make a choice based on Organic or not, Fresh and Seasonal typically raised closer to your home or not, processed or not, Sattvic Tamasic or a mix. At the end of the day choice is yours and they say "You are what you eat".

The Cascade Effect

Let me start with how I realized about what I call "The Cascade Effect". I was living in Bangalore and observed that a couple of Bus Stops were immediately after the NIMHANS traffic signal. As the signal turned green a BMTC Bus crossed and stopped at the bus stop. Another bus stopped just behind it. The third bus driver chose to go ahead of the two buses but stopped the bus at a 45 degree angle thus blocking more of the road that was already 35% blocked. The signal turned red again without too much traffic flowing. I was headed to my office for an important meeting. I got late by 10 minutes. There were 6 people waiting on me. So effectively I wasted 60 man minutes. Or I must say the improper action of the BMTC Bus driver was responsible for wasting a lot more than 60 man minutes assuming many more would have been in a similar situation like mine. Or I can blame it on the poor design of Bus Stops and inadequate infrastructure which would have had many repercussions over a long time period.


But what I learned that day is that our actions can have far broader implications not just on ourselves but on others too. And these others might be completely unrelated to us. I realized that it is very important to give a thought about how our actions can impact us, our loved ones and others. However the really good part about The Cascade Effect is that it amplifies not just the negatives but also the positive or good stuff we do. If someone goes out of the way to help you then most likely you would go out of the way to help someone (not necessarily the same person) and it continues.


So the gist of it is, consider the long term impact of your actions. The bad you do will go far longer that what you imagine BUT the good you do will also go further that what you could think of. Thus it makes all the more sense to watch out and curtail anything negative. Needless to say "Never miss an opportunity to do something Good". It will multiply man folds.


May the Love of God continue showering on all of us.

The World is Round

It is interesting when you talk to an Atheist (someone who disbelieves in the existence of God). Because by definition an atheist should be someone who assumes complete responsibility of his success and failures. For him/her it has to be about doing it himself/herself or with the help and/or partnership of other individuals.

And then lets consider believers. They believe that every thing that happens does happen out of the will of God. They can be susceptible to avoid taking responsibility in the name of God. Basically blaming their failures on the wish of God rather than their own actions. Now let's consider the Sanatan Dharma philosophy of Aham Bramh or Aham Bramhāsmiti (अहं ब्रह्म अस्मिति) which means I am God. This in a way should lead believers to the point that you are supposed to assume responsibility of your actions, success and failures.

Isn't it interesting that both atheist and believers are saying the same thing in a different way. For me, a believer, the message is loud and clear - Take Responsibility of your actions, look inwards for the help of God and see your reality change. It also drives another important point for me, which is; the world is round and there are infinite ways to reach your goal. Do not get bogged down about what is the right path, who's path is better etc. It does not matter. Enjoy your destination and your journey too.

May the power of God be with each one of us.