Acharya Prashant explains that veganism is fundamentally related to the very definition of being a human being, serving as the qualifier that distinguishes humans from other species. He posits that while animals are dictated by their biological programming, humans are meant to live by their consciousness. An animal is one who lives by the body, whereas a human being is one who lives by consciousness. Therefore, our life and choices should be determined by consciousness, not just by biological capabilities like the ability to digest meat. He elaborates that if one respects consciousness, one must value it more than the material body. Since consciousness exists in all beings—including birds, fish, animals, and trees—a person who truly respects it cannot kill, harm, or exploit it. Slaughtering an animal for any reason, be it food, medicine, or fun, is an act of valuing the body over consciousness. Acharya Prashant asserts that if someone values the body more than consciousness, they do not qualify as a human being. He concludes that veganism is not a dogma but a logical position, representing essential humanity. Acharya Prashant further connects veganism to a broader spiritual context, linking it to a bundle of issues such as climate action, species protection, anti-natalism, and minimalism, with spirituality at their core. He defines spirituality as the search for one's true identity, asking "Who am I?" and "Why do I exist?" He explains that violence arises from creating a sense of "otherness." When one understands the shared consciousness among all beings, which he refers to as non-duality (Advaita), one cannot be violent. In this view, non-duality is synonymous with non-violence (Ahimsa), making it the true essence of religiosity.