Veggie, one year later

I have definitely lost weight over the past year. Mostly fat but definitely some muscle as well. I eat about 3 eggs a day on average, and try to drink 2-3 cups of milk per day for protein. This is helping stave off muscle loss. I take a one-a-day multivitamin, so I am confident that I’m getting my vitamins and minerals.

I have a reputation for being a nuclear reactor regarding producing heat. I literally wear T-shirts in the winter, and never wear a coat. However, over the past year, I’ve been running less warm. I feel this is a good thing, because summers used to be awful for me, where I literally did not sleep for days during a heat wave. Last summer was far more reasonable. All in all I’d say this is a good thing.

I’m also happy with knowing that I’m really saving many animals. The thought that something had to die so I can eat is pretty much the epitome of selfish, especially since nearly none of us actually kill what we eat. (I have also said that I will eat meat only if I myself kill the animal.)Lastly, I’ve noticed that my spiritual growth accelerated this year, more than any other. No sure if they are related.

One problem I’ve had is that I still don’t eat healthy enough. When you think about it, one can be a vegetarian and eat very, very poorly. My goal this year is to start eating more healthy.

All in all, I have no intention on going back, but really do need to figure out how to get more protein.

Go East, Young Man

Us Westerners are a busy lot. Like hamsters on a wheel, we have energy to spare, but can often find ourselves not going far. Striving for Infinity, we push ourselves faster by building bigger engines.

Many in the East hold a different perspective. Integration of one's inner self, in actions, values, beliefs, and duties, becomes a goal and blessing. Despite apparent busyness, a focus to stop running, still the mind, and improve one's Human Alignment creates a calm within the Storm of Life. Striving for Zero, they remain moving just as fast as we, but perhaps slightly more comfortably. They go faster by building lighter cars.

No gross generalization such as set forth above is sufficiently sturdy to allow for overall comparisons. However, I do find my life's travels to be Eastward. Through a cursory (although deepening and improving) study of Hinduism, Buddhism, martial arts, and Asian culture generally, I've found the contemplative, "Self as God" belief system, coupled with explicit norms and precepts, and millenia of excellent literature, highly appealing.

The Western mindset is not without advantage. Refining and improving the Western motivational, philosophical, and even religious systems (installing a bigger engine so to speak) will be so much the more powerful upon quenching any vital thirst for balance, alignment, and serenity. This will provide even greater joy.