Anyone Feel Pressured To Go Off Raw To Rejoin Society?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by meganthevegan on October 2, 2009 at 2:24pm

I am not at a point of "Enlightment" nor am I at the peak of my spiritual path, so take this for what you will...

But the way to the top can be a lonely one at times. I'm not there yet, but I've noticed my own changes along the way. I am not "100%" raw right now...but last year I decided to go 100%. I analyzed all barriers of difficulty for me in the transition to 100%. I realized that social acceptance was my last barrier. So when I finally made the changes to my diet, I really noticed the difference between my friends and I, my family and I. Suddenly I found myself in this position that I hadn't expected -- I needed to break down who I wanted relationships with. That was a tough one to swallow. I started seeing that I didn't relate to many people at all. I also became more sensitive to other people's energy...became more emotional about the things I stand for. So there I was...just trying to feel healthy and eat a clean diet and I was plagued with all of these new challenges to confront.

I say...it takes a brave person to go against the grain. It takes a courageous person to eat a clean diet in a world where everyone dines out daily for meetings, dates, etc at places that serve mainly meat dishes. It takes a strong person to surround him/herself with ONLY good things, ONLY people that he/she loves, ONLY situations that breed more health and love.

I'm not sure if I have any answers for you. But all I can say is be brave. Be strong. Try meditation and grounding yourself. Other people's energy might be invading your space, putting feelings of guilt, shame or social pressures.

I'm still trying to learn these things myself. I hope it works out for you! It will, in whatever time it takes!

Best of luck...

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jasmine on October 2, 2009 at 3:08pm

well said!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Zoe on October 2, 2009 at 3:32pm

I'd say to look for the similarities between you and others rather than focusing on the differences.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by telefunken on October 2, 2009 at 3:52pm

How about eating a high percentage of raw food and rejoining your friends? Or, you could find new friends too.

Your diet choices should lead you toward health to the extent you are willing to sacrifice other things to get there. (ie: less than healthy food or lifestyle)
The goal and pace must be your own.

Everything is a choice and there is no right way.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by EternalLaceLaceMaker on October 2, 2009 at 4:05pm

I feel the same . Well , it IS the same . Great post , Jeff .

' The raw diet makes me much more sensitive and in touch with my feelings which can be a good and bad thing but it makes me avoid others who aren't as sensitive and connected which makes for a very narrow road ' .

' ... sometimes I feel so alienated that ... ' .


TRUE to me ... but I will not give up ...

ORGANIC VEGAN RAW is my natural way ... the way I feel really heathy ... in Body_Mind_Spirit ...

Light to you ...

***

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Spencer on October 2, 2009 at 4:51pm

"That so few dare to be eccentric marks the chief danger of our time." - John Stuart Mill

Here is a very disorganized collection of ideas that came from brainstorming about your post:

I understand your feeling alienated from society. My personal disconnect relates to all forms of consumption: material, food, and other numbing forms of matter; I value frugality, economy, autonomy above all else. So I can find excess consumption of any kind by anyone to be a huge turnoff, and that our modern-day society seeks a continuously growing economy with a larger GDP every year [ = work more and consume more!] doesn't exactly bode well for the Thoreau-lifestyle-aspiring raw foodists who want to downsize in many areas of life. It's a daunting task, but for those of us who can live our own truths can experience something incredible: personal freedom and self-ownership.

Just be completely clear about who YOU are and who YOU want to be. If you value eating a clean diet, living a healthy lifestyle, and someone in the world judges you so much that he/she would be less inclined to be friends with you because of that, do you really want to be friends with that person anyway? By knowing who you are and confidently being THAT, you'll attract people who will want to be with the you that you want to be. And don't make eating food the only circumstances under which to hang out with someone else! Go get some tea, go to the park, go for a walk, just sit down and chat, and even order a salad with an avocado at a restaurant and pick at it, but don't let fears about not being accepted as a raw foodist paralyze you for all future social endeavors! Don't sell yourself or your health short just because you want to fit in with others. Confidently stick to your values, preserve all that you've learned and live those lessons, and work hard on building the best social network you can while eating the best diet for you.

And if it's not really an issue of fear of not being accepted by non-raw foodists, etc., but more personal fear that others might not be able to match your vibration, your connectedness, you won't know for sure until you really get to know some people and explore their personalities beyond how they seem from afar. Don't forget: you (I assume) used to be a cooked-foodist, you used to eat crap and feel unconscious and toxic, you used to be less connected, and it only seems so because of your amazing discovery of raw foodism. You might be more enlightened and connected now that your cells are cleaner, but don't close yourself off to others who haven't found raw yet without giving them a good chance for friendship. Many of us thoroughly identify with being raw foodists, and that anyone who isn't raw is somehow inferior - I think many of us have experienced this, definitely myself included. They're still people, many of whom are connected and deep and insightful, and, believe it or not, healthy. Raw veganism is not the only way to be conscious, and it is surely not possible that all raw foodists will be conscious all the time. Is Eckhart Tolle connected/sensitive? He's a cooked food-eating carnivore, yet I would argue he is one of the most connected, conscious people in the world.

And, as for emotional pain, I totally understand where you're coming from. I bet every raw foodist has experienced "the dark night of the soul" more intensely than most people, some deep, deep suffering about feeling different, feeling loathing for modern civilization, or whatever thought you believe that creates suffering. But none of this pain exists when you observe these ideas without believing them. The most powerful thing I've discovered is that raw food does not guarantee consciousness, it just really makes unconsciousness MUCH MORE PAINFUL, so it can force one into consciousness. If you're not ready to objectively observe your thoughts without believing them, without identifying with them, you might need a buffer like food to dull the pain until you're totally ready to unravel those demons. Life's a marathon, not a sprint, so be patient with yourself! We're dealing with the source of most human suffering here, so give yourself a pat on the back by embracing a way of life that compels you to address that suffering head on.

Wow, forgive the completely random collection of thoughts, I really hope they can somehow provide value on your journey.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jodykwik on October 2, 2009 at 5:47pm

great post Spencer.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Funky Raw Rob on October 2, 2009 at 5:07pm

Life is not just about food! One of the best things I started doing is Five Rhythms Dancing, which has enabled me to connect with lots of amazing people who are also sensitive and connected but don't yet eat raw food... (Interestingly enough, many people I have spoken to after the dance have been interested in raw foods and I have introduced at least 2 people to raw foods). If you don't know about Five Rhythms you should look into it, it's a meditative free dance. See www.gabrielleroth.com for more info on the practice and find a class near you.

Rob

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jodykwik on October 2, 2009 at 5:54pm

great posts all the way around in response already...and all i can really add Jeff is that not only did i feel that way for quite awhile, i lived like it when i was transitioning. and if you can live high raw, or "healthy-ish non-raw" by all means do it...it really is a journey more than just the food. it's totally cool to live like that. having said that, i choose to be raw vegan now and love it and it is indeed who i am. it really is all ok though, your guides and the forces leading you down your path don't make mistakes. enjoy the ride, you know?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by alex anthony on October 2, 2009 at 5:54pm

I'm at least 3 people inside my body. i am who i want to be and eating raw is a part of that. I am how i present myself personally to family and friends - which is not the same as i am to myself. and then there is me professionally - which is even more different.

i approach it like an actor playing a role. I think of my life as a movie - an action/thriller - and I'm playing the lead. I don't take things too seriously and I'm a Roman when in Rome, inasmuch as accomplishing my goals at the time, be it getting laid, closing a deal, or advancing my career, are more important to me than wearing my true identity on my sleeve on full display.

I eat healthy when out socially or dodge food - in my circle of friends I'm known as the guy who is always more than fashionably late (what do you mean you guys are done @ Peter Luger's already???? I'm only 2 hrs late! I really fucking wanted that porterhouse!"). I make up for it by being generous - being known as the guy who always buys a few rounds of drinks or as the guy who always knows a couple of beautiful women who are looking to hang out offsets the weirdness of eating salads all the time.

But I describe myself as goal-oriented - most of the stuff I do socially has an objective - most of my friends are also business partners who I make money with so there is mutual advantage to us spending time together other than just bonding or wasting time. So when others know I add value to a deal they are encouraged to seek out my company and overlook the salads and strict eating habits and stuff.

Lastly I think feelings are overrated. What is your objective to fitting in? does it advance your career or personal agenda? if so , then do what you have to do.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Vampirella on October 2, 2009 at 10:54pm

Sounds like you really dont want to be raw Go back to cooked food, for one week, then see how it feels, if its right to you

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by foxy man on October 4, 2009 at 6:42pm

not me, no way. I feel proud to be different and yet interesting enough for "them" to question my diet. There is not enough pressure nor money that could convince me to go back.Raw is the Law, one wise dude once said.

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last