Defenestrating Thoughts from the Bivouac

Just about every culture is extremely proud of its contributions to the world. For example, the effect of Buddhism and Hindu spirituality spreading throughout Southeast Asia and the world is a point of pride for India. During my travels in India, people there seemed amused at a more recent influence: the spread of vegetarianism. In fact, most people remark that there are now more vegetarians in America then in India.

Seems like a bunch of my friends are becoming pesca-vegetarians: ovo-lacto vegetarian except they eat fish. Since most of them are not the types that follow fads, wondered if there’s a common cause.  

For one, it is part of a personal redefinition in changing to a more responsible adult. This includes less alcohol, more exercise, and better diet. By cutting out the meats and processed food, he says his physical, mental, and physiological health has vastly improved. I have another few friends who have this or slight variants of this justification.

Jason, however, seems to fall into another bucket. His first post described that reasons that most people are vegetarians. His highly anticipated second post described his reasons. From what I can tell, his reason went from accident to curiosity to “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

For me, vegetarianism is a deep integral part of myself, even though I don’t care to spread my way of life to others (unlike a PETA and other whackos).

Growing up Hindu in America, the contrast between Western religion and Eastern religion was very clear to me. Eastern religion becomes so much a part of you someone is, in how they think and act, that it is no longer a distinguishable entity from the self. What I think is what I think; it’s not because “the holy book says so”. So when I was growing up, people asked what Hindus did and the only quick explanation I could give is that they were vegetarian and then explain the beliefs that lead to that behavior.

Even though, a lot of Hindus now eat meat, it’s not something I’d consider since the above spiritual reason is reinforced by a few other reasons (also mentioned by Jason): Why kill animals if you don’t have to? In theory it’s a healthier diet (though my cheese heavy diet can be improved greatly).  And I have no desire to eat meat.

So what do I eat? Well, I’m trying to make my diet more healthier — it’s something I’ll write in a later post.