Hi all,

Somewhere on this forum the subject of vegetarianism came up. I don't remember where - and anyhow, this is probably a good place to discuss it. It was suggested that stressing vegetarianism is an Adyar Theosophy invention - implying obviously that it isn't actually important.
Blavatsky herself wasn't a vegetarian, but in the manner of one who says: do as I say, not as I do - she did advise people to become vegetarians, if they could do so without loosing their health (and may I note that these days that has become quite doable in the west).

Here is one quote that is especially clear:

From Blavatsky's Pertinent Questions (or rather: answers to pertinent questions)

----
On the other side of the coin: in some TS Adyar circles the pendulum swings too much to the other side and people seem to feel that becoming a vegetarian is actually a measurement of peoples worth. I know too many good, decent people who aren't vegetarians. It is pretty clear that significant spiritual growth can be attained without abstaining from meat. On the other hand, some levels of occultism cannot be reached without abstaining from meat.
Let's not forget that many otherwise pretty stupid animals too are vegetarians. It's not the end all be all of spirituality. Still, it is not unimportant either.

Now I know I'm taking this out of context, but in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man".

The idea here is that I have bigger flaws in my character to work on, like selfishness and pride, than to worry about what I eat at this point. If I was chela material (I'm not), say a man such as Damodar was said to be, then yes, I believe that vegetarianism would be an important lifestyle change for me.

Here is rule 15 for the Esoteric Section:

Excellent point.. I can use all the help I can get.

Hi everybody!

I think a lot of us would like to be vegetarians, but we simply have not been able to work out the logistics. I believe most poeple know that meat adds harmful proteins to our system. We would change, if we could just work out the logistics.

This brings up another topic. Many religious precepts that are prohibitions actually turn out to be good things (in my humble opinion). I find myself following more and more of the precepts as the years go by. But I do not do it because some religious authority tells me to do it, I do it because it is a good thing to do.

Vegetariansm is necessary if ones is choosing to ascend.

Dead flesh has no frequency
Has a death hormone injected on death (as everything does)
Animals are not stupid, however when kept at slaves, a loss of purpose occurs, even in the animal realms - and they become unconscious. (really to numb their pain of slavery).

Notice how one cannot catch an adult crow? .. they know their spiritual purpose, and do not want man to interrupt this.

Plants, fruits and nuts hold a higher frequency than flesh... and in ascension it is all about frequency.
and the fat (in the human) to hold this frequency - so ingesting fats (in the form of cream and butters is required).

And of course, it is all about honor and blessings.

Namaste
Pat

Hi everybody!

Master K.H., it seems, was dead-set againt the eating of flesh.

"Never will the Spiritualists find reliable, trustworthy mediums and Seers (not even to a degree) so long as the latter and their "circle" will saturate themselves with animal blood, and the millions of infusoria of the fermented fluids. Since my return I found it impossible for me to breathe -- even in the atmosphere of the Headquarters! M. had to interfere, and to force the whole household to give up meat; and they had, all of them, to be purified and thoroughly cleansed with various disinfecting drugs before I could even help myself to my letters."

The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett

Letter No. 48

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/mahatma/ml-48.htm

I have been a vegetarian for several years since before I found out about Theosophy. When I found out that many Theosophists were vegetarians, that is one of the things that initially attracted me to it.

Steven,

The purpose of Theosophy is to accelerate our progress towards Enlightenment. In my humble opinion, becoming a vegetarian is a big step towards becoming enlightened. As a matter of fact, I stayed at the Theosophical study center in Ojai, California a few months ago, for a two-week class. I stayed in student housing there, and they required us students to cook vegetarian-style in the apartments, while we were there.

That's great! I agree that being a vegetarian is definitely a more enlightened lifestyle.

I am only an ovo-lacto vegetarian right now, though, meaning I still eat dairy products. I don't eat milk and eggs by themselves usually, but I still eat food that has milk and/or eggs cooked in it, like bread, cake, and ice cream for example. Did the vegetarian cooking at your theosophical study center allow for dairy products, or not? I would like to eventually take the next step and become a vegan, but it might be a few years before I get around to it.

Steven,

All of the students stayed in indivdual apartments. There was no dining room; we cooked for ourselves in our own kitchens. (We had to go do our own grocery shopping too.) We were asked to prepare vegetarian meals while on the grounds of the study center.

"Vegetarian" can be a somewhat broad term, though. Some vegetarians consoume milk and dairy products, while others don't. Do you remember what they said about milk and dairy products? I'm also curious to know if other vegetarians here consume dairy products.

No, Krotona does not forbid dairy products.

It is interesting that Olcott, the Wheaton IL headquarters of the TSA is also vegetarian, but the program is quite different. They have a dining hall for the resident staff and guests. For some time, one day a week was indeed vegan fare. For some of the programs, like summer school, the meals are available to all for a fee.

It is very nice to eat together with friends and staff, as opposed to Krotona's more cloistered feeling.

I was a vegetarian for years but health reasons drew me back to Chicken and Fish. I do not eat red meat, veal or lamb or pork. I asked about this once and was told if you can be one then do so but there is no harm in adding some sort of protein to the diet. We are all on a different slope some do some don't some can some can't but this does not curtail your understanding or want of the teachings. Excessive meat consumption does slow the spirit down and what you eat does have an effect , but do not beat yourself over the head if you can not be a Vegan. It all comes in time.