Veg/non-veg diets and spiritual upliftment?

Question

I have been debating for a while whether or not to go completely vegetarian (possibly lacto-vegetarian), more for spiritual reasons than anything else. I have thought things over and realized that while I can give up pretty much everything else, I'm not sure about giving up eggs (for one thing, everything seems to contain eggs as an ingredient).

Spiritually speaking, why would one give up eggs? Eggs that are eaten are generally unfertilized, and wouldn't give rise to any life. It's just protein and fat, right?

Is a vegetarian diet necessary for spiritual upliftment?

Someone asked about Ahimsa, that's also an important part of my decision (I didn't mean just to become more spiritual). The less harm I do, the less bad karma I incur, right?

Answer 1

so...here's my opinion.

I've been a vegetarian (ovo-lacto) for the last 22 years. It has allowed me to remain fit and healthy (PPPFTTT!!! to the answerer who reckons that it's unhealthy! I'm living proof!!!) through the best years of my life. I do not intend to change my way either.

as to spirituality, I believe greatly in "ahimsa" Do no harm to other living creatures and your spirit will flourish. Although being a vego is only part of the equation! There's meditation, pursuit of a good life through having good thoughts and doing good things etc. etc. etc.

I'd strongly suggest getting hold of the myriad of texts which will guide you through the whole process of becoming a more aware spiritual being....

and as to "oldguy" who answered with such a glib statement - i feel pity for you. you are a wonderful human but i feel that you have lost your direction. The bible was written 2000+ years ago and was designed for a planetary population of a lot less than now. Do you think God / Jesus is going to forgive you for allowing the cruel and inhumane treatment of our "food" (I'm thinking about the way pigs and chickens are "farmed" these days). I forgive you because I have great compassion for my fellow humans - but you really need to do some research rather than allowing your life to be dictated by a book written, as I said, over 2000 years ago. Is the way we keep chickens and pigs in such tiny cages any way to treat our fellow beings??? is that a good spiritual practice??? I think "ahimsa" has a lot more to say for it than the bible...

one last point - Buddhism allows for a much more anarchistic spirituality - YOU take responsibility for your actions rather than allowing a book to tell you how to live.

Answer 2

NO... being vegetarian will NOT give you increased spirituality.
Spirituality is nothing more than developing a friendship relationship with God the Father... one on one... like you would be great friends with someone that you loved here on earth. That loving friendship of God the Father activates your soul to be the best person you can be... to yourself, first, and then to all others, without discrimination. Look for the Wisdom in your life experiences... ask yourself... what can I learn from this happening and how can I make it positive? If you need help, tell God the Father, and then RELY on Him to help you. Leave it alone and see what happens. I have been doing this for the last 55 years and God the Father has never let me down. This is what Jesus taught us... If you want to fast to build up your ability to be spiritually "STRONG" and to be able to control your inner drives... then just fast for one day... but not longer... and do not become a lacto-vegetarian, that is too severe for too long a time. Hope this helps? Good Luck!

Answer 3

the eggs that are eaten are fertilized. they are fertile before being laid. they are just harvested before anything can actually grow in them.

as far as a spiritual life. I am a Celtic Pagan priest, and studying Native American Spirituality.

Animals are our greatest friends, but they are also our food.
the animals that both the celts and the native Americans considered Sacred, were the ones most hunted.
the Stag and the Buffalo were the staple of the respective communities. when killed the Animal was given thanks, and prayers were said for the animal. it was common to pour water into it's mouth as a last drink and sometimes a spirit dance would be preformed to send off it's spirit to the afterlife. all parts of the animal would be used so that nothing went to waste.

it is near to impossible to live a "Vegan" lifestyle. you can find foods that do not use any animal products, and you can find cloths that are all cotton, or all synthetic. but the biggers threat to animals today is loss of enviroment. so if you drive a car, or live in a house, or shop at a mall, you are just as guilty of animal death as the rest of us. even if you eat all farm grown produce. what do you think hapens to baby rabbits when they plow the fields. i have worked on a farm, and it is very graphic.

eat what you need to eat to survive, but be thankful for every bite that you take. even plants are living things.

of course if you are buddahist, then disregard everything that i have siad, because their belief is such that you must not cause harm to any living thing to attain enlightenment.(well in the strictest forms of the religion anyway)

Answer 4

The first step in Spiritual upliftment is getting in touch with your body. And by body, I mean the true "needs" of the body and not desires. As you go higher, the needs of your body reduce, and you will automatically start feeling the need to give up certain things.

I personally do not believe in giving up eating unfertilized eggs - you might as well give up milk! But what you need to do here is, lisetn to your body and follow the directions. You will go far.

Answer 5

I've been a vegetarian for over a yr and a half. I do not choose or seem down on folks that prefer to eat meat. In fact, I simplest have one buddy (my brother) who's a vegetarian additionally. The rest of my friends and family eat meat. (I say this on account that vegetarians are commonly unfairly accused of being arrogant or pondering they're higher than others. I do not and that i on no account tell anyone else what to devour - I anticipate the equal from them.) Anyway, I do think specific spiritually. I believe a higher reference to nature... With the lives of the creatures round me. I know that might sound silly, but it surely's proper. This is the path i've chosen; the path that's proper for me. I find it irresistible. I consider satisfactory.

Answer 6

In a lot of occultic circles, going veg is spiritual, as it allows you to harmonize with the other state of mind. Eating animal attunes you to consciousness, while plant only helps you reach "Dream consciousness," wherein you have partial consciousness, but are in contact with the spiritual.

Eggs that are unfertilized should be fine, as there is no life. If you mean as the vegan-type, I'm not sure there is any reason to.

Answer 7

I were a vegetarian for over a 12 months and a nil.5. i do no longer decide or look down on those who pick to eat meat. if truth be told, I purely have one pal (my brother) who's a vegetarian also. something else of my associates and family members eat meat. (I say this because vegetarians are frequently unfairly accused of being conceited or wondering they're more suitable than others. i do no longer and that i under no circumstances tell all of us else what to eat - I assume a similar from them.) besides, I do experience distinct spiritually. i have self belief a more suitable robust connection with nature... with the lives of the creatures round me. i keep in mind that could look stupid, even though it is real. it is the route I have chosen; the route it particularly is nice for me. i love it. i have self belief tremendous.

Answer 8

No, vegetarianism is not essential to spiritual upliftment. I would go so far as to say it goes against human nature to be strictly vegetarian. You can tell by comparing human teeth to the teeth of other omnivorous animals, that clearly, we are designed to eat both vegetables and meat. I don't see any spiritual obstacles that vegetarianism would remove.

Answer 9

A vegetarian diet is not for me, but if you think it will make you more spiritual, then by all means go veggie.

Have a nice day.
.

Answer 10

Personally I recomend that you follow Christ and the Bible and eat what God has provided for you in the form of meat, vegetables and everything else.There is no spirituality in eating, eating is for the body, Christ is for the spirit of man. Actually the Bible teaches that refusing to eat meat is a slap in the face of God who provided all that for you.
1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith... 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from meats which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;"