Found this website for Ahimnsa footwear

[Jai Mata Di]

http://www.ahimsafootwear.com/about.cfm

I received a complaint about it being advertising so I thought it maybe useful to maybe have a little list of perhaps tried and tested companies for keeping to ahimsa as in the UK on the main site, I don't there is any any ahimsa footwear sites.

Ahimsa means a lot to me as it is promoting the ideals of not hurting animals as I feel it is unjust and animals have feelings, but, oddly even more, I am having issues of even eating plants as I can feel the spirit of the plants, but I have to eat something.

[Arjuna]

"I am having issues of even eating plants as I can feel the spirit of the plants, but I have to eat something."

Dear Dharmi

Your compassion for the spirits within all plants is both moving and admirable. You understand rightly that plants do indeed have individual Atmans residing in them however their level of awareness and hence their ability to experience pain can be seen as being decidedly less than that of an animal.

The Dharmic goal of Ahimsa is to minimize violence to the greatest extent possible while still maintaining a healthy existence within the material reality in which we presently find ourselves situated. It is unfortunate but necessary that we must eat living things in order to maintain our own living bodies. However take refuge in the knowledge that at some point past or future you may find yourself living in the mode of a plant and be giving nourishment to that Atman which resides in the plant that you must eat in this lifetime. This is the nature of Kharma.

You might consider reciting an appropriate mantra in the presence of the plant prior to eating and in this way allow the atman residing in the plant to be blessed by Bhagavan and to then have greater opportunity of achieving a higher form during it's next mode of existence. Acharyaji always smiles when an ant or even a bee or wasp happens to make an appearance during bahjans or spiritual discourse for this very reason.

Namaste,
Arjuna

[Jai Mata Di]

I may try that and maybe it can put my mind at ease as well. I have always felt that spirit presence in plants to be quite honest and I have had a few wasps walk over me as well as if you don't hurt them, then they would not hurt you.

Here was me thinking I am going mad as I believe that plants can feel pain as well, but I always think it is my friend, hence perhaps the reason for being a herbalist as I know they can heal us with least side effects AND whenever I have seen the plant's active ingredient, I am in awe of how complex it is and it is the right configuration as I am a medicinal chemist and to be like that, it simply can't be done.

I love plants, we should love them a bit more really as they really are amazing!

[Jai Mata Di]

Just thought I mention that I just say something little like honouring Krishnaji and it makes me feel a lot better when eating now.

Thanks for that!

[Sivashankari Radha]

My family and I are also very sensitive to plants. Yes, plants do have feelings. Try try reading Findhorn Garden or The Secret Life of Plants for more on this subject. I agree with the suggestion of chanting mantras before meals or before you harvest plants/herbs. We should all be thankful to the plant kingdom for the wonderful foods and medicines they provide.