The next question is from Mr. Kponor Mawuli, an intendant at a university canteen.
Mr. Kponor Mawuli: Thank You for the light You brought to us through this conference. Some vegetarians include fish and eggs in their diet. With the urgent situation of global warming, do You think this kind of vegetarian diet can be considered an efficient way to solve the problem? Thank You.
Master: No, sir, I do not, Monsieur Kponor. But thank you for raising this important issue. Thank you, sir.
It may seem like a small thing to some people, but a fish(-person) is still a life. A fish(-person) is not a vegetable. And as we have already discussed, the marine ecosystem is in big trouble right now from global warming already. Further fishing will only make matters worse. Also, mercury poisoning causes problems to aquatic life even before it gets to the humans. These are things we need to address in trying to save our planet, not to talk about our health also. Eating fish(-people) will definitely not help this.
The way we are going now, we are literally emptying the oceans of certain fish(-people), plus tons of other fish(-people) caught along with them by accident – the by-catch that are just thrown away. So, if those fish(-people) are all gone, we will see a catastrophic loss of other marine species as well. The coastal ecosystems will also be affected greatly by diseases and algal blooms that release toxins. The ocean is a wonderful recycler that normally can purify the water, and create nutrients, and turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, etc. Isn’t that wonderful? It’s like a miracle! The ocean is a miracle. But if we ruin the ecosystems through overfishing, this will spell disaster for us. So, speaking for the environment, fishing for food is not the answer at all.
As for eggs, there is nothing sustainable about them. Most of the eggs consumed today come from factory farms where thousands of female hen(-people) are crowded together in dangerously filthy, infectious conditions. And diseases like salmonella and E. Coli are prevalent. The ammonia that comes from their waste is a big water and air pollutant, and it causes respiratory problems in humans. And many people do not know of the cruel treatment received by the hen(-people), who because of their close confinement get bruised and lose their feathers. They cannot even spread a wing, and they must also endure the stress of having their sensitive beaks cut off with hot blades and nothing to numb the pain, even when they are babies. Can you imagine the suffering?
Eggs have also been shown to be extremely unhealthy, so there is absolutely no need to eat them anyway. One US study with 14,000 adults found that just adding one egg a day to the diet increased the risk of heart failure by 23%. Vegan products, by contrast, are completely cholesterol-free and healthy for all our internal organs, for our mind as well. A healthy body houses a clear mind.
It’s better for our body, for our conscience, for our mind, and for the planet to stay away from both fish and eggs. No animal(-people) products at all – that is the best way. We should be vegan. Thank you, Mr. Kponor. God bless you. (Thank You, Master.)
(The next question is from Mr. Sessou Ferdinand. He is Assistant Regional Director of CEB Benin.)
Mr. Sessou Ferdinand: Hallo, Master. (Hallo.) Thank You for being a leader to promote a better lifestyle for our environment. Thank You, Mother, for Your Love without boundaries. Thank You, Mother, for Your Compassion towards all life on Earth. We are calling upon the light of Wisdom to answer the following question: Can the vegan diet help us wipe out or reduce our bad habits, such as drugs, alcohol, or cigarette addiction? Thank You, Mother. (You are welcome.)
Master: Yes, Director Sessou. Yes. From what I understand of these harmful substances, reducing them is not enough. We should eliminate them altogether.
The damaging effects of tobacco and alcohol are very severe, and they affect others as well. These effects have been well documented medically and scientifically. There is so much cancer associated with tobacco. And not just for the smoker, but also for the people who have to breathe the smoky air. Second-hand smoke, they call it. And even third-hand smoke. For example, the smoke that still sticks to the curtains in the room or the sofa and the clothes also affects children. They call it third-hand smoke, even. So it is truly a death sentence. A recent study found 81% of the babies who die from the tragic so-called sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), you have heard of it, these were exposed to second-hand smoke. You see? We could kill the babies just by smoking. This is how deadly it is, how cruel it is to our family members and to ourselves to bring such a harmful toxic substance into our precious body, the temple of God.
So we should quit smoking, we should eliminate tobacco altogether from this world. And also alcohol, we already know, has taken many, many lives too young and causes so many problems, so much sorrow and heartaches, again, not just for the drinkers but also for those around them, for their loved ones. So my feeling is, sir, these substances need to be removed from our lives completely. I am very glad you are asking this question for the benefit of everyone else.
I have mentioned some time ago that one can overcome any bad habit within 21 days. So it is possible to quit cigarettes, drugs or alcohol during that time. But during that time frame, the person, the addicted person must keep occupied with constructive things – like their favorite hobbies, spending time with good friends and supportive people, and other favorite constructive, pleasant activities to keep our minds occupied and our body relaxed without the addictive substance. So, one of the activities could be finding ways to make delicious vegan food, invent some new recipes. Do exercise, go to meditation class, do yoga, etc.
According to Dr. Gabriel Cousens, a vegan medical doctor in the US, who has helped many people quit smoking and alcohol for good, overcoming these habits is easier with a fresh, organic vegan diet. These foods balance the brain’s chemistry so that it functions best, which also can help the addiction to subside. Moreover, other scientific research has found that alcoholic beverages and (animal-people) meat tend to make cigarettes taste better, but fruits and vegetables make them taste less appealing. So the vegan diet is the perfect solution for quitting smoking.
Some people have said this in general, that when they begin eating more healthily, the bad things they used to find appealing simply are not any more. Thank you, sir, for a good question. Thank you for coming all the way from Benin. (Thank You, Master.) (Thank You, Master, for the answer.) You’re welcome, love.
Photo Caption: Love Makes Life Beautiful
