Sunday, January 10, 2016

Don’t Ever Mention Philosophy

1594: 

The word I was taught never to mention in Australia is 'philosophy'. It turns Australians OFF. Fair enough. I’d rather call it ‘attitude’, anyway, for when it comes down to the use of animals, it’s people's attitude which is so deeply-set, and doing all the damage. Perhaps for many people this particular philosophical attitude won't change. But if it CAN be changed, then I think it becomes the seat of one's attitude to a lot of things. But, don’t mention 'philosophy'. No one even knows what it means. The very word looks scary!

Going vegan means a big lifestyle change. It’s a practical every-day imprinting of a philosophy of harmlessness. It’s based on ways of doing things non-violently, and that starts by showing no violence to animals, and it feels 'kinda-right' in a powerful way.

When I was ‘going vegan’, I was experimenting. Not at first to protest animal rights but in order to experiment with the feeling of a new energy; something about a mixture of feelings centred on hope, now at last being free of 'animal guilt'. I can only think of it this way: the power of plant-based foods provides us with a more exciting and effective energy. Perhaps it comes down to making the vital link between self development and using solely plant foods.

By going vegan we might discover our own potential, for jumping hurdles, for ‘making the effort’, in the true spirit of experimenting. And it's not so much to do with diet as with proving to ourselves that we don’t need outside help to confirm or stick with this latest decision. Attitude covers it completely, and if you can handle the idea of 'having a philosophy, 'then I think it flows directly from this more sensitive attitude.


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