00:00There was this event in New York where we declared that there's strong scientific support
00:04for saying there's conscious experiences in mammals and birds.
00:08And what really struck me at this point is a view that is very much like the view
00:12that has been present for thousands of years in the Indian tradition.
00:15In the Indian texts, we have had speaking trees and dancing rivers.
00:21The West has taken a long time to acknowledge animal consciousness,
00:27but that is not so much because of lack of proof.
00:31That is more because of lack of intent.
00:36Hardly any pet owner would hesitate in accepting that the dog is conscious.
00:43But the same acknowledgement will not so readily flow in cultures where dogs are eaten.
00:53So it's not that it cannot be seen.
00:57It can be seen.
00:58The man who talked of the speaking tree and feeling oceans and wise mountains,
01:04this man was not doing something special.
01:08This man was just free of exploitative intent.
01:12And then it was obvious.
01:13Just as to the pet owner, it is very obvious that the cat or dog is not meat.
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