How be a vegetarian!

I know that meat, fish or eggs in the tummy will drastically slow the process of self-realization that a person may not be able to finish his journey in this lifetime towards the ultimate abode.

Consider this: meat eating athletes refrain from meat before big sports events, there are more saintly people who refrain from meat than otherwise, animal consciousness pervades your consciousness when you consume that - we should strive for divine consciousness, Yoga process does not allow for meat and even some vegetables, the list goes on.

Now I understand that many people who live on McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Hyderabad Biryani House, etc., may not know how to cook delicious Veg items. Last night I went to the Hare Krishna temple and they had over 250 veg items offered to Govardhan. I personally received at least 20 of those varieties. So go to a Hare Krishna temple or Govinda's restaurant in your town to learn how to adopt a God Conscious diet.

"Thou Shall not kill" is the first commandment given to Moses (that includes animals). Plants have life too so you consume their fruits, seeds, nuts, grains and allow the plants to die a natural death. If someone wants to eat meat they can eat the cow or a goat or a lamb or a chicken, after it dies a natuarl death and not kill it in a slaughterhouse.

Srila Prabhupada's disciples wrote a book called higher taste to teach people how to make vegetarian dishes. According to Amazon.com blurb " The 'Higher Taste' is a great introduction to the philosophy and practice of vegetarianism, Hare Krishna style. It lets the reader discover the health and economic advantages, as well as the important ethical and spiritual considerations, of a Krishna conscious approach to diet and nutrition."

An Amazon.com reviewer Kali said "I really like the arguments that are put forward in the beginning of the books as to WHY we should not eat meat, I still eat meat but I am going to try and cut down on it and then cut it out completely, not easy for someone who has "Carnivore" stamped on her butt. The book also points out that there are famous vegetarians such as Leonado de Vinci and Benjamin Franklin to name but two and that by going vegetarian doesn't mean you give up your lifestyle, you just improve on it, health wise and finance wise!"

An Amazon.com reviewer S. Venkatesan said "First chapter point out the dangers to health from meat eating. Second chapter deals with the economics and ecological implications of meat eating. Third chapter approaches this question from spiritual point of view. Fourth chapter discusses law of karma and points out that meat eating as leading sinful reactions. Fifth chapter introduces the concept of love of God and how it is practically expressed by cooking for Krishna, offering it to Krishna and eating only food offered to Krishna. Seventh chapter provides a collection of observations by Prabupada in this context. The rest of book gives recipes for various regions (Indian, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, French, Middle East). Appendix introduces to Hare Krsna Food for life program, list of ISCKON restaurants in Australasia and ISKCON Centers around the world. Narada got Krsna's mercy by eating Krsna Prasad. That should explain the importance of the theme of book."

And fast even from Vegetarian foods to realize that you are not the body; you are soul inside.

A lot more can be said - that's it for today.