Making the veg pledge

February 12, 2007

VASTHU SASTRA by T.SELVA Find out how to achieve a sense of liberation. Because of work and social obligations, I had never been able to follow a strictly vegetarian diet before. In October, however, I began to seriously go meatless because I was planning to visit several spiritually powerful places of worship in India over several months. Also, I wanted to seek audiences with and guidance from several spiritual masters there. All this required the respect of a body unpolluted by meat. A bowlful of health – that’s physical and spiritual health!

Ancient Vedic scriptures state that one should follow a vegetarian diet when visiting sacred places so that one is more open to making a connection with divine forces. My Vasthu Sastra master, Yuvaraj Sowma, had also advised me to consider such a diet when he initiated me seven years ago. This is because, according to Vasthu Sastra principles, once one has harmonised one’s habitat with the five elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth), it is also vital to tune one’s body also so that it can enjoy the full benefits of the positive energies available in the harmonised space. One way of doing this is to stop eating meat so that one’s sense organs – the ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose – can connect completely with the five elements. But isn’t it difficult to stop eating meat, many have asked? Not really. After I managed to remain meat-free for these past four months, my body actually started rejecting meat recently. I found it quite easy to skip it, and now, to

make the decision to become vegetarian. What’s it like? I feel lighter, my aura has improved, I no longer crave any particular food, I do not feel hungry between lunch and dinner, I enjoy enhanced meditation powers and inner bliss, and generally feel a lot healthier. Some people think that once you give up meat, you will tire easily and become less energetic. This, I can testify, is definitely not true in my case. A vegetarian diet can be a very healthy option but it is important to ensure it is well balanced. My meals include fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and dairy products. I find my diet is much lower in total fat, and I tend to eat proportionally more polyunsaturated fat than saturated fat compared with non-vegetarians. (Animal products are the major sources of dietary saturated fat.) More and more people are realising the benefits of a green diet and how it can help to improve health and balance the body, mind and soul. Studies of human

evolution have shown that our ancestors were vegetarian by nature and that the structure of the human body is not suited to eating meat all the time. From the beginning of recorded history, vegetables have been the natural food of human beings; meat was a rare addition. Of course, no one should be forced to become vegetarian; you have to make such a decision on your own. I believe a time will come in each person’s life when he or she will realise the benefits and goodness of a vegetarian diet whether for spiritual or health reasons or simply to stop exploiting animals. As for me, I wish I had started much earlier because I truly enjoy the feeling of liberation now! Vasthu talks The columnist will present a talk on Vasthu Sastra for health, prosperity, happiness and peace at 3pm today at City Bayview Hotel in George Town. Admission is by contribution of RM10 to the Tantra Education Centre. To register, call Perumal at 04-261 3101 or 016-441 5455. A similar

talk will be held on March 3 at 6pm at Hotel Seri Malaysia in Sungai Petani, Kedah. For details, contact Muthu at 017-502 7435.

T. Selva, The Star’s Maritime Editor, has spent years researching and writing about the ancient Indian science of construction, better known as ‘Indian feng shui’. He is the first disciple of 7th generation Vasthu Sastra Master Yuvaraj Sowma from Chennai, India. http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2007/2/11/lifeliving/16825873&sec=lifeliving

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