Nutritional Dogma – Food rules or loving impulse?
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Nutritional Dogma – Food rules or loving impulse?
The word ‘Dogma’ comes with the connotations of very rigid and firmly held beliefs –– often rules set out by a religious organisation of what and how the people aligned to that particular group are to abide by in their daily lives.
Dogma is not just practised in religious circles around the world, but by anyone and everyone who holds some form of idealised ‘good’ which then can affect/influence their relationships with themselves and with others. Even our own diets and our relationship with food can be held under regimental ideals and rules of ‘right and wrong’, ‘good and bad’. When we hold onto these beliefs of what we should do and should not do we end up judging ourselves for our perceived wrongdoings; this attitude is then put out onto others as well.
Veganism, like any other diet, has examples of extreme behaviour from some of the individuals who follow this particular diet and lifestyle. Yes they have a strong point in regards to the fact that we should not be abusing and exploiting animals to the vast and extreme extent that we do, but shock tactics, judgments, criticism and dogma towards those who continue to eat meat, wear leather or use animals in various ways is not supporting or engendering a loving nature in others for them to consider or change their ways. Yes, change may occur out of reaction from shock tactics but how truly supportive to that person, the animals and the world is this, if everything is energy? A choice made in reaction or a set of rigidly obeyed beliefs is not a choice made in and from love, the energy that will provide true change in our world and truly support our nutritional health. Or our health in any aspect of life for that matter.
Are these changes made in reaction truly sustainable long term without negative effects or repercussions? Or are they simply a band-aid solution that will eventually have the same ill recurring somewhere else. If we do not address the energetic root cause of any condition it will manifest in another way elsewhere.
Could self-care, self-love, self-regard and self-appreciation all be the greatest guide to what we can and cannot eat? Not based on rigid rules or restrictions but out of honouring our body’s feelings that are all directed towards supporting the expression of who we truly are and not accepting expressions that are not love.
When we are unloving and uncaring of our own bodies, ignoring our feelings and burying our hurts, it is then a simple follow-on choice to maintain the ignorance by eating and drinking substances that are not only harmful for the body but also come with rules, restrictions and dogma. These are then further backed up with logical, justifying and righteous thoughts or ‘evidence-based practice’ that may not be suitable for our bodies to bring some form of validity to our un-loving dietary choices.
In building a relationship with ourselves we become consciously present with what our bodies feel to eat. We do not have to follow rules based on what we think or idealise to be right. We can inspire the change and redevelop a way of living with food and drink that nurtures the loving nature that we are all innately born with.
Connection to self through conscious presence
Connecting and listening to yourself and your body in every moment brings a perfect rhythm to everything you do.
Filed under
Body awareness, Diets, Nutrition, Healthy living
