I have a confession to make that may draw out some criticism:
Me being a vegetarian has become an epic FAIL.
I don’t have a lot to say about this. I feel I made a valiant effort, but found I just couldn’t do it. I’m not going to blame it on the fact that I moved in with my best friend who is an amazing cook, and the food he makes is irresistible. I am a big boy and I can say no if I want to.
I’m going to be completely honest here. Being a vegetarian (haha I just typed “vagetarian.” I’m still THAT LOL), turned into more of something for others than it was for me. I seriously thought more about what other Buddhists would think rather than the correct intention of not eating meat, and that’s not right. I also fell into the mindset that “oh, if I don’t become a vegetarian, I’m a hypocrite.” I guess I’m just not to the point in my practice yet where I can quit everything cold turkey that goes against the precepts.
I’ve had a rough few months personally that I won’t go into detail here, and my practice has seriously been lacking. I’m just at a point in my life where I have some shit to deal with. No, I’m not quitting this blog and I’m still a Buddhist.
That’s it, I don’t know what else to say, really.
Metal Buddha 
You don’t have to do anything to please other “Buddhists”. If any demand you do….well…ignore them. You’re an adult…don’t need that kind of “parenting” by strangers.
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Good advice, thank you 🙂
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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jack Daw, Alfonso Acosta. Alfonso Acosta said: “@metalbuddha: New post at Metal Buddha: "Confession" http://wp.me/pW6Xs-46” // Great and honest post. Kudos bro! m/ _/|_ […]
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I’m a meatosaurus. I’m mindful and thankful when I eat meat that I so much enjoy. Buddhism is a personal philosophy, if others think less of you for not being vegetarian, it is THEIR practice, not yours that needs attention.
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That’s a great way to look at it. Thanks for the comment.
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What if you framed it this way…I’m mindful and thankful after I eat the flesh of other sentient beings. Buddhism is a personal philosophy and if others think less of you for killing other sentient beings, that is THEIR practice, not yours that needs attention.
I was thinking it would be helpful to frame it in other ways…Buddhism is a personal philosophy and if others think less of you for punching that guy in the face that got in your way, that is THEIR practice, not yours that needs attention.
You could go on forever.
I feel your pain metal buddha. Quitting meat is a really hard thing to do. You should what you feel is right and practice what you can practice. That’s all we can ask.
Peace.
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Hey man don’t sweat it. I was vegan for 5 years and have been an on and off again vegetarian for the past 10. I used to feel the same way you do. Man if I eat meat what will others think of me and my practice. It’s not about that. It’s about Right Motivation and Right Intention. I eat what I eat and I’m mindful of it. I make sure my children know where their food source came from and teach them to respect animals and do no harm to them. All I cn say is when your eating your meal, don’t just suck it down. Take a few moments to meditate on where it came from, right down to the drop of rain that fed the land so it could feed. You are a kind and compassionate being and I look at you no differently whether you consume or not consume meat. I wish you all the best. Metta to you and yours my friend.
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I really don’t sweat the vegetarian thing, figured that would not happen from where I found myself. But as I continue to practice my Buddhisty philosophy, I do find I am eating meat less. Thing is you don’t force your self to obey the precepts, you let them become part of you. It’s not a race, you don’t have to attain full Buddhahood over night, just follow the path, until you realize you are the path.
Rock on Dude, dig your style.
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I agree with JohnnyTats. One of the biggest challenges in making radical change in life is changing habits. I’ve been struggling with vegetarianism as well, and found it useful to just gradually change my diet. I went from eating meat five to six to a week, to three to four, etc. Over time, you can research vegetarian recipes that you enjoy and gradually incorporate them into your meal plans. That you way, its not so traumatic. Yeah, I still got to have a steak once and while too!
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Don’t beat yourself up, we live in a meatcentric society that makes it very difficult to be vegetarian. Most of the people I practice with eat meat. For me personally its important to be vegetarian just in general, not from any Buddhist perspective. But I think you can eat meat and be okay with it, if you make the right choices.
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