Prosocial consciousness: can meditation and a plant-based diet make you a better person?

The concept of prosociality, or the willingness to help and cooperate with others, is an im-portant aspect of human behavior that has been widely studied in psychology and sociology. It encompasses a range of behaviors such as empathy, kindness, altruism, and cooperation, which are essential for the well-being of individuals and society as a whole. Prosociality, also represents an important element within the framework of human devel-opment and well-being. It refers to an individual's propensity to act in an altruistic manner, for the common good, rather than pursuing their own selfish interests. A healthy and con-scious lifestyle can positively influence an individual's prosociality, and two key aspects in this context are meditation and diet. Meditation is an ancient practice aimed at training attention and developing a greater self-awareness and awareness of others. Numerous studies have highlighted the benefits of med-itation on mental health and psychological well-being, including positive effects on proso-ciality and empathy. Meditation, by means of introspection, promotes openness towards others, empathy, and compassion, thus enhancing the predisposition to support and help others. Additionally, choosing a plant-based diet can have a significant impact on prosociality. Adopting a plant-based diet, which limits or eliminates the consumption of animal products, is often associated with increased sensitivity towards living beings and the environment. Choosing a vegan or vegetarian diet can contribute to reducing animal suffering and limit-ing ecological impact, thus creating a stronger connection with other living beings and dis-playing greater prosociality. The aim of this thesis is to examine the relationships between meditation, diet, and proso-ciality, seeking to understand how these practices can influence an individual's behavior, values and mindset. Through a review of scientific literature, we will analyze the effects of meditation and a plant-based diet on prosociality. The objective is to verify if meditation and diet can actually contribute in making a person better, more attentive to others, and more oriented towards the common good. Furthermore, we will seek to understand the implications that these practices can have on animal suffer-ing and the current climate crisis. By introducing the concept of "prosocial consciousness" and analyzing studies and research in the field of meditation and diet, this thesis aims to explore the connections between a conscious lifestyle, meditation practice, and the adoption of a plant-based diet, offering an in-depth look at the potential impact of such choices on individual and collective well-being. It also raises important considerations regarding the interconnectedness between in-dividual well-being, societal harmony, and environmental sustainability.