[Buddha-l] Re: on eating meat

[Andrew Skilton]

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 Joy Vriens wrote:

>... I like the idea of continuity of consciousness in that 
it doesn't allow one ... to take pride in one's temporary consciousness status
while comparing it to a lower status of other creatures in a judgemental way.
Anything conscious is a fellow "creature". 

Yes, it does seem to engender a sense of humility in the face of such diversity
of conscious existence. 

>And that sort of attitude, which doesn't need to be 
sentimentalist, helps one to be more accepting of shortcomings in others 
and in oneself. It also helps one to prepare oneself for possible future 
lower states of oneself in this life (Alzenheimer, strokes of various 
types etc.)

Yes, and even of one's own shortcomings, in the sense of fluctuations in the
quality of one's daily consciousness. I have also found it interesting to dwell
on the conflict of interests or 'wills' that can occur with my cohabitants.  Its
so easy to assume that theirs are to be subsumed to mine, insofar as their's
need be acknowledged at all. Its quite interesting to try to view my pressing
'needs' or wants from their perspective - as it were.

>With a hug for you and two pets on the back each for your dogs,

Many thanks!

Andrew



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Andrew Skilton D. Phil.

email: skiltonat at cardiff.ac.uk

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