Throughout history, many great philosophers, mystics, saints, and enlightened thinkers have recognized the value of vegetarianism.

It is only recently that science has confirmed the views on vegetarianism explained by these great people. More and more people are realizing that this diet can increase the health and well-being of our body, mind, soul, and the planet.

There is an expression, " You are what you eat ". In countries of the East, where vegetarianism has been the diet for thousands of years, people recognize that whatever they eat forms a part of their body and also influences their thoughts. They believe that if they eat the flesh of an animal that the mental and emotional vibrations or characteristics of the animal will form a part of their own nature.

Today, science is researching the effect that our own stress hormone have on our body and the damage that long-term stress does to our organs. Imagine eating animals whose last days or minutes of life on Earth were drenched with the hormones released in their state of fear they were in when they were about to be slaughtered.

Those who eat meat are ingesting not only the flesh, but all the hormones of stress that are released due to the animal's fear as well. Thus, many people brought up in the traditions of the East prefer to live on plant foods, which are more conducive to mental equipoise.

Many enlightened beings, saints, mystics, and spiritual teachers have traditionally advocated a Vegetarian Diet for spiritual and moral reasons. For those pursuing a spiritual path, a Vegetarian Diet is essential for several important reasons.

Spiritual teachers have always taught that we are more than just a body and a mind .. we are also Soul. They have also taught people the process of meditation to help rediscover our true nature as Soul.

To be able to concentrate in meditation, we need to be calm and collected. If we eat the flesh of dead animals, our own consciousness will be affected.

Vegetarian Diet is a natural by-product of non-violence, in which no harm is done to any living creature. That is why saints through the ages have recommended a Vegetarian Diet, avoiding meat, fish, fowl, and eggs.

The amount of grain needed to feed one cow to provide meat for one person could feed many times that number of people. Ecologists have also shown that raising cattle and processing meat requires much more fuel, water, and energy than is used to produce grains and vegetables. Vegetarianism is one effective means of conserving our vital resources.

How we maintain the health of our body, mind, Soul, and planet is a choice each has to make. A balanced Vegetarian Diet will result in improved health and fitness, greater mental equipoise, and higher spiritual attainment.

Following the Vegetarian Diet can help us achieve the health and purity of our body, mind, Soul, and Planet. We will not only be contributing to peace for ourselves and all life, but we will also be doing our part toward making Planet Earth a haven of joy and peace.

Source: www.sos.org ... " grateful acknowledgments "