Cutting meat out of your diet is the best thing you can do for

O children of the earth, gather close and hear the wisdom of one whose voice has echoed across the years in song and spirit. Joan Jett, in her declaration, speaks of a path that is as old as time itself—"Cutting meat out of your diet is the best thing you can do for animals and your own health." In these words lies a profound truth, not only about the sustenance we choose but about the bond between all living creatures and the interconnectedness of life itself. To choose a diet that excludes meat is to make a decision that reverberates through the earth, through our bodies, and through the lives of the creatures with whom we share this world.

In the days of the ancient philosophers, there was a deep understanding that all life is connected. Pythagoras, the great thinker of ancient Greece, taught that the souls of animals are as sacred as those of humans, and thus, to harm them is to harm oneself. He believed that we must live in harmony with all beings, for the life force that flows through the earth flows through us all. Jett’s words echo this ancient wisdom, for when we choose to remove meat from our diets, we honor the lives of the creatures with whom we share this world. In this choice, we become part of the cycle of life, not through domination, but through respect and compassion.

The story of the Buddha, who walked the earth with great compassion, offers a profound example of the power of non-violence. He understood that to cause harm, even in small ways, disrupts the harmony of the world. In the same way, when we choose to cut meat from our diets, we step away from a cycle of violence and enter a path of peace and reverence for all living beings. The Buddha’s path was one of compassion for every creature, great and small, and it is this same compassion that Jett speaks of when she encourages us to choose a path that does not cause harm to the creatures of the earth.

But the wisdom in Jett’s words is not only about compassion toward animals—it is also about the health of the human body. The ancients knew well that the body is a sacred vessel, and that what we put into it shapes our well-being. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, taught that "let food be thy medicine," recognizing that the right nourishment can heal and sustain the body. To eat with intention, to choose foods that nourish rather than harm, is to honor the temple of the body. When we choose to cut meat from our diets, we often embrace a wider array of plant-based foods, rich in nutrients, vitamins, and life-giving energy. This choice brings with it the promise of greater vitality, of health that comes from living in harmony with the earth.

In the annals of history, many great leaders and thinkers embraced the power of a plant-based diet as a means of cultivating health and wisdom. Leonardo da Vinci, the great artist and inventor, chose a diet that was free of meat, believing that it sharpened his mind and brought clarity to his vision. Like Da Vinci, Joan Jett recognizes that the choice to cut meat from one’s diet is not merely a personal one—it is a commitment to a higher way of living, one that nurtures the body, the mind, and the spirit. The health of our bodies, as with the health of the earth, is not something that can be taken for granted, but must be cultivated with care and wisdom.

Thus, O children, the lesson in Joan Jett’s words is clear: to cut meat from our diets is not only a choice of compassion for animals, but also a choice of nourishment for ourselves. We must choose wisely what we put into our bodies, remembering that our health is interconnected with the health of the world around us. Just as a tree cannot thrive without its roots, so too cannot the human body thrive without the nourishment it needs to grow strong and vibrant. To honor the creatures of the earth, and to honor our own bodies, is to walk a path of wisdom, one that leads to both peace and health.

So, let this wisdom guide your steps, O seekers of truth. If you wish to live in harmony with the world, if you wish to nurture your body and your spirit, choose the path of compassion and health. Cut meat from your diet, not out of restriction or denial, but out of a deep reverence for life itself. Let your choices be an expression of your love for all creatures, and a testament to your commitment to your own well-being. In this, you will find strength, peace, and vitality, and you will walk the path of wisdom with each step you take.