Thinking about Veganism

I became vegetarian about 2 1/2 years ago while living in Thailand. I'd known for a long time that whenever I did take a good look at the impact of my eating habits, I would probably wind up turning veg or would face some sort of crisis around food. It happened.

I was working with Burmese refugees and it occurred to me that I cared a lot about human suffering, but was that it? I gave all of my self every day to working for people and being an advocate. I saw, though, that compassion doesn't choose a cause, compassion is a way of being in the world. Acting mindfully toward other living beings, people and animals; caring for the environment; looking after myself. All of it is intertwined. When I reflected on this one day I realized that I needed to stop eating meat.

Imperfectly the journey began, and it's gotten easier and easier to avoid meat and happily eat everything else the world has to offer.

Just a few days ago I finished "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer. When I started the book, I expected to learn something but I didn't expect to feel driven to change myself. I am, after all, already a vegetarian, right? SO wrong.

I've "slipped" occasionally over the past two years and eaten meat. I've done it to be polite, just because I had a craving, or genuinely by accident. Until very recently I ate eggs and some dairy products. Even as I've been cutting dairy and eggs out of my cooking and grocery shopping, I never ever think twice about it when I'm eating out.

As I sat in bed, with my dog curled up next to me, and read about factory farming I was compelled to turn away from the page in horror and disgust. I knew what the reality is, but I never really made myself look at it. I've been protecting myself from committing to real lifestyle changes that matter. I've done this because it's inconvenient to deviate so much from the norm.

Honestly, now I'm confused. Even staunch advocates discuss the option of being a "selective omnivore" or of doing what you think you can. Do they say that to be inclusive? To avoid alienating people who might make some changes but would be intimidated or alienated by a hardline approach? What is my responsibility? I suppose that's between me and my conscience.

What we eat is an animal welfare issue, a human rights issue, a public health issue, and an environmental issue. I'm not sure that there is any limit to my responsibility. The choices I make matter. If only so that I can sleep at night.

Now, though I'm wondering how much I can do? How far can I go? I think I can give up eggs and dairy for the most part. I can avoid buying animal products for clothing...I think. But what about grain farming practices that are abusive to the ecosystem and farmers? Does that matter? Should I give up soy? How do I make these decisions?

And it's still inconvenient. And that's the truth.