If we are able to choose to be vegetarian (or vegan) or non-vegetarian, then we are fortunate. Diet for much of the world’s population is often more of a matter of eating what is available than being able to choose a particular diet from a whole variety of foods. In some cases, all that is available is meat: for example, Eskimos (Inuit) through absolute necessity eat an exclusive diet of flesh. Are we to accuse the Eskimos of immoral habits because of their situation? On the other hand, people in other parts of the world are too poor to include meat in their diet. Are these people to be praised for being ‘moral’ or being vegetarians when they are merely following the dictates of necessity? So if you have the good fortune to be able to choose your eating habits, realize that it is a privilege and be sure not to condemn others for not eating the same food as you do.
— Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Yoga and Kriya (via mrsfscottfitzgerald)
(via fishy-lin)