Myth #28: “But going vegan is so difficult.”
(also heard as “But going vegan is just so inconvenient.”)
Once you get used to it (which normally only takes a week or two), going vegan is actually quite easy. And this is especially true in the west, where vegan alternatives are becoming more & more prevalent every day. Besides, when it gets right down to it, you aren’t giving up anything by going vegan … you are simply leaving alone what wasn’t yours to take in the first place. Indeed, contrary to popular belief, going vegan is not really a sacrifice at all, as being true to your innate Caring Nature can not be seen as a sacrifice — it is an Awakening. Quite ironically, it is your non-vegan choices that are the real sacrifice — castrating your inherent sense of Compassion every time you callously look away from the suffering you are supporting; forfeiting your ability to be authentically Kind every time you side with ease over ethics & pleasure over principle.
Now I will freely admit that there is a difference between those who note that veganism is easy and those who believe that veganism is hard, and that difference is this: Those who say it’s easy are primarily focused on the victims of the meat/milk industry, while those who say it’s difficult are primarily focused on themselves.
And that, my Friends, is the true crux of the matter — the sudden comprehension that veganism is not about YOU having a clearer conscience (though it will be), or YOU being healthier & happier (though you will be), or YOU having a better life (though you most certainly will) … Indeed, veganism is not about YOU at all … No, my Friends, veganism is about the animals … It is about THEIR state of well-being — both the massive harm that they are currently enduring at our hands, as well as the Joy & Peace that they could one day know and that they most certainly deserve … Veganism is about THEIR right to freedom from torture. It is about THEIR being recognized as conscious, equally worthy individuals, and then being treated with according gentleness & respect. It is about THEIR cry for justice & mercy, and us finally having both the humility and the courage to actively answer that call.
And once we wake up and see veganism from this equally valid and far more just perspective, we simultaneously understand that going vegan is not a limitation at all. We actually see it for what it truly is — an EXPANSION of our ability to LOVE; a blossoming of our sense of Justice & Compassion; a re-awakening to the truly Caring people we once were …
… and the truly Caring people we could all be once again.
Current status of this Myth: Abrogated
Justification it provides for eating animals: NONE
“Veganism is not a diet, it’s a way of life. It is a stance of non-participation in animal exploitation and its essence is simply a basic respect for animals. Understand that, and the path becomes easy; with no feelings of deprivation or difficulty whatsoever.” ~ inspired by Butterflies Katz
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