Jamey Ellis: Holistic Veganism

Event Date: March 31st, 2019 at 11:00am - 12:00pm
Address : 516 Prospect Street, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Town : Maplewood
Information:

Holistic veganism is a concept reflecting the value and actions of veganism as a way of actively caring for ourselves and the world beyond our bodies. It consists of the focus, review and revision of all social systems, the melding of inter-being and intersectionality and self-care; working to create a holism of thought and action. It is neither dogmatic nor rigid in design. It is intended to be dynamic to always continue progressing as we humans progress. Subjects such as child rearing, zero waste and gift economy all fall under this umbrella, in addition to the normally associated intersectional topics and veganism.

 

More can be read on my website, www.holisticveganism.com, and on the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/holisticveganism.

 

I have been vegan for nearly 17 years, an environmentalist for over 30 and practicing ahimsa (nonviolence) for the last 10. After extensive research, I concluded that both ethical veganism and total liberation may be too narrow to serve as a comprehensive way of moving society forward. In response, I developed holistic veganism. This occurred while living in and helping to direct an international volunteer organization based in India and Haiti, my homes between 2008 and 2018.

 

While abroad I began leading workshops and public speaking to thousands of people. My last year in India was focused on giving talks and managing our cow sanctuary. In the spring of 2018, I left to bring holistic veganism to any and all that willingly listen. Since then I have spoken on many occasions in England, The Netherlands, Iceland, Israel and the US. I’m currently organizing an extensive North American tour for this spring and summer. During the interim, while based in NJ, I am offering to speak in the tristate area. This means that I would be available between February through to the end of April before heading out.

 

Ahimsa has shown its benefits throughout history. Apply it to modern science (such as work done with FMRIs and our biology), the internet and understanding that we now race a clock for the preservation of the environment, and the result is social and environmental activism pushed forward in ways unseen before. All arrows point towards veganism and many other forms of stewardship and compassion needed to advance and preserve our place here and the integrity of nature. My seva (selfless service) is to present this information and hopefully inspire higher levels of personal integrity, yielding change for much more than humans alone.