Saturday, April 15, 2006

Eckankar and Vegetarianism



I was searching for local Vegetarian organizations and oddly enough ran into a religion: Eckankar. I went to their temple in Chanhassen during their Global gathering in the Fall of 2003. I was disappointed that they did not have any vegetarian foods. A spiritual organization is not making progress unless it developes a pro-vegetarian attitude, in my perspective.

Maybe this is odd, but the world cannot survive a meat eating diet for much longer. Nor can anyone truly interested in protecting the environment stick with a meat based diet.

And those who disagree with a vegetarian diet, that is their choice after all. It may not be a requirement to be one to learn lessons in this world, but through reincarnation we will have future opportunities. Is it a requirement though? I am not one to say, I just find it a wiser choice than remaining ignorant on the positive aspects of a meat-free diet.

I will be writing Eckankar to find out if they have changed their beliefs in the last 3 years, or if they are just advertising on Vegetarian sites.

Their address(no e-mail yet):

ECKANKAR
PO Box 2000
Chanhassen, MN 55317-2000 USA

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Official, Eckankar doesn't have any rules against eating meat, but it does endorse fasting on fridays, or having fruit/vegetable fasting.

Eckankar is more oriented toward spiritual development, if drinking, smoking, etc... heads it, then you shouldn't do it. But to most Eckists, plants, trees, and animals are all soul and life. As soul gains more experience it moves up the ladder to larger up on the food chain, as a raise of consciousness if you will. Plants, and animals, as well as our body, are just shells for a eternal soul.

Many of the food events are pot luck, Im not sure for the one you went to, but suggest that they have vegetarian meals if you wish to see more of it.s