Monday, July 6, 2009

The bloodless revolution in my life

Today I complete 365 days of being a vegetarian. A very happy anniversary for me because it has been a life-altering decision in my case and good things have happened to me over the last one year. My health is much better and I no longer need to take vitamin pills. There is greater peace of mind and a better sense of acceptance in me. Other blessings have come along the way, too.

I have been laughed at for my choice but I have held on to living my life based on my convictions.

If we can live without shedding blood, why kill animals? How about living healthy and letting the helpless animals live? I personally think that killing and tearing are meant for wild animals, and not for human beings.

34 comments:

Amal Bose said...

congrats... :P
but im 100% sure i cant live without nonveg for more than 2-3 days.

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi Amal!

Thanks for congratulating me :)

I think you can live without non-veg, if you try ..These things are in the mind.

Best wishes,

Whirlwind said...

Well said Ayesha!! And congrats!!

Its quite tough on ones part to convert from a non vegetarian to that of a vegetarian. Requires immense will power!!

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hey Swetha!

Thanks a lot for your appreciation and the encouragement. You are a constant source of genuine, positive comments.

The battle was psychological; once I decided to change, I changed.

And, I am happy about it :)

Best wishes,

Ayesha

ramesh sadasivam said...

Thats a great decision you've taken.
Congrats on your Vegetarian Anniversary. I've completed seven years as a vegetarian... :)

I too feel the same way you feel. It is really good to be a vegetarian.

surjit singh said...

Ayesha Parveen, I fully endorse your views:
...'that killing and tearing are meant for wild animals, and not for human beings...'
Besides,human stomach is not made for consuming non veg. dishes.We go against the nature when we consume it.
Thanks for sharing.

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi Ramesh!

Thanks a lot :) So, you are 6 years ahead of me in this regard. Good for you. Do visit again :)

Best wishes,

Ayesha

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi Surjit!

Thank you so much for your comment. Seeing you here after a long time!

You are correct in saying that being a vegetarian brings about great physical benefits too. My decision to turn vegetarian has been a spiritual one and I see that I have been rewarded in matters of physical health as well.

Best wishes :)

Ayesha

Ayesha Parveen said...

I am pasting here a comment I have received in an email, and my reply to that. The commentator, does not want to be named.

Commentator:

With conviction and strong determination, anything can be achieved.But opinions may differ on vegetarianism.It is an old problem discussed endlessly.Majority of the human race is non veg.But the killing of animals should be done painlessly and their end should not be agonising.

Ayesha Parveen:

If I kill, I deserve to be killed. The whole of Vaishnav-philosophy is based on the law of karma. If I kill in this life, in some life, I will get killed, unless Krishna Himself washes away my sin of killing.

I have not given life to any animal because I cannot. What right have I to take its life? It is different for the lower 'jeevs' like wild animals as their consciousness does not make them aware of the law of karma.

Human birth is the only birth, end of which moksha is possible. Why throw away the chance by killing? Who knows what one will be born as in the next life, unless moksha is got?

Unknown said...

The debate is never ending...
Let me just say i wish you good...
God bless you :)

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hey Issam!

It is so sweet of you to wish me well! God bless you too.

Best wishes, and may you have a happy time :)

Ayesha

Ajai said...

Well I'm not against Non-veg. Like issam says the debate is never-ending. However, one thing is for sure- that you tremendous will power. Congrats on that. And keep it up. :)

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi Ajai!

Thanks a lot for appreciating my will-power!

Food-habits are very personal. All I will ask is that if we can survive without spilling blood, should we cause blood-shed?

There are thousands of Vaishnavs throughout the world who have not touched meat, fish or egg in life and continue to live long and healthy.

What we practise, increases. If we practise killing animals, under some provokation we might lose our cool and also kill humans. See the world today...parent killing child and vice-versa. If 'ahimsa' or non-violence is practised, starting from food habits, such cruelty cannot take place.

Best wishes, and have a good time :)

Ayesha

Ayesha Parveen said...

Dear All,

Some of the commentators have said that the debate is endless. With due respect to them, I disagree with them regarding this matter.

I have laid bare logically what I believe in.

The other side is welcome to raise their points logically.

Only then will it be a debate.


I believe in leading a life of compassion and mercy.

Ayesha

A New Beginning said...

Congrats Ayesha!!!!!
Its great that you took up a resolution and came out victorious..not many can do that.
Keep up and all the very best to you!:)

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hey Sana!

Thank you so much for your encouragement. My resolution is for life :)

Best wishes, and have a good day :)

Ayesha

Unknown said...

Well Ayesha... I am compelled to make a point.
Think of the ecosystem and the food chain.
I am not saying you should always kill.
Well... I love vegetarian and I am all for Ahimsa - when it comes to human beings that is.
I wouldn't want to debate on this. I'll respect your views. :)

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Ayesha:)

Greetings:)

My hearty congratulations:)

Amazing will power and determination you have. Becoming a vegetarian from a non vegetarian is a great achievement.

Actually, if you look at all the tall and strong animals like elephant, giraffe, camel etc. they are vegetarians.

I am mostly vegetarian but sometimes I eat non veg.

Have a wonderful day Ayesha
Joseph

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi Issam!

Thanks again. You see, what I believe is that if Nature is not unnecessarily disturbed, the food-chain and eco-system will take care of themselves.

Mankind tampers with Nature by raising cattle by the thousands, using up much grass, water,land and electricity...only to kill them after some months. Is this not harming the eco-system?


If the animals are not raised for human food, they will breed naturally (and not in increased numbers, as in the case of man interfering) and will be killed naturally by their natural predators..The food chain stays intact.

Issam, I want to thank you for contributing with your opinion.

Have a wonderful day in the monsoon:)

Best wishes,

Ayesha

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi Joseph!

Thank you so much for your appreciation and encouragement. You are so correct in giving the examples of the giraffe, camel and elephant.

Have a nice day :)

Best wishes.

Saim said...

I respect ur choice, its a democracy and every1 has a right to choose whatsoever deemed correct by him/her.
I do wonder though why you do not have the conviction to use your own good name.
*Peace*

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi "comfortably numb"!

I wonder what you are trying to imply by saying I do not have the conviction to use my name!

My blog ID is in my name and I am on facebook, among other websites, where my friends and students have added me to their friend-lists.In my INFO there, my blog and my employer-organization are mentioned. My network is BANGLADESH right now. Surely, I could not have hidden my real name from all, including my employers?
My ID there is :
http://www.facebook.com/ayesha.parveen

And yes, my name is Ayesha Parveen on all websites because it is my real name.

It is bad manners on your part to put your comment the way you have worded it.

Ayesha Parveen

GreyPilgrim said...

Hiii Ayesha Nice seeing you after long. Good decision, the thought process becomes better with Veggies and they surely are healthier.....Keep blogging. Gr8 day.

Grey

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi 'Grey'!

Great to see you again, too. Thanks a lot for your encouraging comment.

How have you been? Have a happy time :)

Ayesha

SindhuBhairavi said...

Wow!! Congrats Ayesha.. its indeed an achievement.. i love to be a vegetarian too but i fail miserably.. lack of willpower! am happy that u have gained good health with this.. all the best !!

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi Sindhu!

Thanks a lot :) Have a nice day.

Ayesha

Manivannan Sadasivam said...

Hi ayesha!

Congrats on celebrating your first birthday of being a veggie. Great post here!

Same pinch, I'm also a proud vegetarian. Left non-veg 5 years back.... my brother inspired me to become a vegetarian...and by Krishna's Grace I was able to do it.

Also, I fully endorse your views. It's both spiritually and physically, I mean, health-wise also helping me a lot. Though the process of leaving non-veg is tough, being a vegetarian is highly rewarding :-)

The great thamizh poet Thiruvalluvar extols vegetarianism by saying, "Those who don't kill, and refuse to eat non-veg, will be worshiped by all living creatures."

Let this bloodless revolution spread throughout the world!

wishes and prayers!

Take care.

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi Mani!

Thanks a lot for your encouragement.

Best wishes :)

Ayesha

Vivek S Patwardhan said...

Hi Ayesha,

As for me, I read a divine message in the synchronicity of thoughts. I had just announced to my family that I intend to go completely vegetarian before reading your post! So your post has given me greater resolve. Thanks a ton.

Actually I wish to follow vegan diet, my inspiration comes from Harekrishnaji, but that may be a bit difficult thing to do.

My best wishes for keeping your resolve and inspiring me too,

Vivek

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi Vivek !

Thanks a lot for your comment. I have not touched meat, fish or egg after 6 July 2008. I believe you can, if you want to. I decided to become a vegetarian after following the programme, "Atma" by ISKCON, Juhu, on Star Plus.

My best wishes to you :)

Hare Krishna !

Vivek S Patwardhan said...

Dear Ayesha,

Thanks for your reply and also compliments for my 100th blog.

Harekrishnaji referred by me is actually a blogger, he usually posts blogs in Marathi. You will find the link on my blog.

Best wishes,

Vivek

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hey Vivek, you are welcome :)
Best wishes.

divsi said...

i share yr thots completely!:))
proud to be a veggie since birth!:))

i sumhow cant see an animal's innocent eyes...those tied outside chicken n mutton shops...its heart renderin!

Ayesha Parveen said...

Hi Divsi !

Thank you very much for visiting my blog and for your comment. Do come again :)

Best wishes,

Ayesha