Sathwic Food

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram,

 

Can anyone enlighten me on sathwic food? What sort of food/dishes are

considered sathwic? Do we really have to be vegetarian in order to

reach GOD?

 

Thanks.

 

Sai Ram

[Guest guest]

Sathwic Food Introduction Gita Dhyanam Summary of the Chapters Transliteration & Translation Geeta Vahini Summer Showers 1979 Bhagavad Gita Quiz Index 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 The lambent light of the Atma shines with eternal effulgence. It has neither birth nor death, nor beginning nor end. Nor can it be destroyed. It is the immortal witness, the beholder of all space and time. Embodiments of Love! 'Na sreyo niyamam vina', said

Krishna to Arjuna. An unregulated, unsystematic, indisciplined and disorderly life cannot experience joy, goodness or well being. One who controls and regulates the actions of others is called 'Yama'. One who controls himself and regulates his own actions possesses the quality of 'samyama'. Yama has no control over a person endowed with 'samyama'. There should be discipline and regulation in life in accordance with self-imposed constraints. These self-imposed constraints constitute the 'tapas' of an individual. An unrestrained life is an immoral life. The wind and the sea and also the other phenomena obey the universal laws of nature. The earth rotates round its own axis and revolves around the sun periodically. These uniformities in the universe are the laws ordained by God. They are obeyed by the macrocosm as well as the microcosm. The laws of nature ordained by God are necessary for creating and sustaining the universe, and for maintaining its dynamic equilibrium.

Such self-imposed discipline is conducive to real 'santhi' - peace of mind, poise, and equanimity and stable equilibrium of the mind. Peace of mind is the most desirable thing in this world. It gives us physical and psychical euphoria. In order to achieve this 'santhi', an aspirant must develop a thirst for 'jnana' or spiritual wisdom. He must also acquire the qualities of love, sympathy and compassion, and do selfless service to others. 'Santhi' should not be regarded as a part-time virtue to be cultivated only during 'dhyana' or meditation. It is a constant state of inner tranquility. It should become habitual and instinctive. 'Dhyana' is also universal and eclectic. It is not restricted by the barriers of space-time. It is not governed by the dogmas of any particular creed. 'Dhyana' and 'santhi' are inseparable. 'Dhyana' promotes 'santhi' and 'santhi' intensifies 'dhyana'. The quality of Divinity is not limited to the icon that we worship. Some people experience

the most profound peace of mind as long as they are in meditation. But, the moment they come out of the meditative state of mind they exhibit their demoniacal nature. It should not be so. The divine attributes acquired during meditation should be cultivated and nurtured in everyday life. Mere meditation will not cure a sick man. He must also control his diet for quick recovery from illness. There is no single panacea for the great world-sorrow. Each individual has his own specific type of suffering. Nevertheless, meditation on God is an unfailing remedy for human suffering if it is supplemented with the practice of dharma and the strict observance of moral restraints. We are all interdependent. We must learn to share the joys and sorrows of other people. A practitioner of meditation must pray for the welfare of others as sincerely as he prays for his own welfare. A spiritual aspirant need not live in monastic isolation. He should practice universal

compassion, which is nothing but an intense desire for the welfare of the entire humanity. Food plays an important part in the cultivation of universal compassion. Yesterday, I talked to you about the right type of food for spiritual aspirants. Today, I will deal with Sathwic food or the type of food necessary for spiritual progress. Sathwic food enables the sadhaka to apprehend the omnipresent reality of Divinity. He progresses through the four stages of the life-divine. These four phases of spiritual advancement are 'salokya', 'samipya', 'sarupya' and 'sayujya'. Salokya is entrance to the field of theocentric reality. Samipya is proximity to the fundamental spiritual substance of the universe. Sarupya is the assimilation of the form of the deity. Sayujya is liberation and ultimate union with the Godhead. 'Sathwic' food is conducive to the progressive attainment of these four states of spirituality viz., salokya, samipya, sarupya and sayujya. Here, it is

necessary to examine the implications of the concept of sathwic food. Some people are under the wrong impression that sathwic food should consist of only milk, yogurt, sweets and fruits. They believe that they will become 'sathwic' by consuming large quantities of these delicacies. They are absolutely mistaken. Excessive and immoderate consumption of milk and its products awakens and aggravates the 'rajasic' and 'tamasic' qualities in man. A diet extra rich in milk, curds and ghee cannot be called 'sathwic', because it leads to the development of the passionate nature of man. In this context, I have to dilate on the nature of human knowledge, and the five gateways of perception. Man is endowed with the five sensory organs connected with the five faculties of "shabda, sparsha, rupa, rasa and gandha" (sound, touch, sight, taste and smell). The preservation and the development of these sensory faculties depend on the sathwic food taken through the

mouth. The type of sathwic food that we take is determined by the fancies of individual taste. We feel satisfied when we take the right type of food through our mouths. But, we forget that we absorb an incorporeal type of food through the other sensory organs also. The wholesome effect of sathwic food will be nullified if we listen to bad talk, indulge in bad talk, look at bad things, come into physical contact with bad things, and smell bad things. Mind and body are tainted, contaminated and polluted by evil. Thus, sathwic food alone is not enough for the spiritual regeneration of man. We should not speak about evil. We must avoid condemning others and praising ourselves. Self-adulation and self-glorification retard spiritual development. We must feed our sensory organs with wholesome food, wholesome sounds and wholesome sights. The tongue is meant to sing the glory of God. The ears are meant for feasting on the glorious manifestations of the divine. Each

organ of perception must be provided with its proper spiritual sustenance. Thus, sathwic food does not mean the moderate consumption of milk, curds, ghee and fruits alone but the enjoyment provided by noble thoughts, sacred sounds, holy sights, and spiritual discussions as well. We must develop sathwic sight and spiritual vision. We must have 'darshan' of the beauty of nature and the divinity of icons in temple. We should avoid all distracting sights and sounds. We should not look at anyone with an evil eye. Evil thoughts develop an evil eye. The eyes are the windows of the heart. The heart should overflow with love and compassion. Sathwic nature is developed by feeding the eyes with sathwic sights. The sense of smell is also equally important. The olfactory sense should be satisfied with sweet smells. All obnoxious odours should be avoided. To create on atmosphere of holiness, sweet perfumes are used and fragrant incense sticks are burnt at the altars in

temples. Foul smells destroy sanctity. The idea of holiness is always associated with sweet scents and perfumes. The tactile sensation or the sense of touch should be satisfied by coming into physical contact with the feet of holy men. Contact with evil men must be avoided. Their contacts promotes bad thoughts. Satsang or the company of the virtuous is of supreme importance. Satsang leads to non-attachment. Non-attachment induces equanimity which, in turn, leads to liberation during life. With the aid of satsang, many things are achieved. We cultivate good habits and participate in pious activity. Satsang sanctifies the human body for becoming a temple of God. Thus, a comprehensive and balanced sathwic diet must provide sathwic satisfaction to all the sensory organs of the human body. The sensation of 'shabda', 'sparsha', 'rupa', 'rasa' and 'gandha' must be provided with sathwic satisfaction by means of sathwic discourse,

sathwic company, sathwic sights, sathwic food and sathwic perfumes. A comprehensive sathwic diet provides sathwic gratification to all the sensory organs. Today, the idea of sathwic food has been restricted to food consisting of fruits, milk and its products. We have already seen that the immoderate consumption of such food has a deleterious effect on the human body. The spiritual technique of 'dhyana' mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita cannot be beneficial in the absence of comprehensive sathwic food which should feed the entire body with sathwic sights, sounds, smells and tactile sensations. Otherwise, it becomes a mere pose. Today, dhyana has degenerated into a fashionable pastime. The true meaning and significance of dhyana should be clearly grasped in order to avoid the pitfalls and dangers inherent in its faculty practice. Restraints are necessary for the welfare of human beings. Limited food and sathwic food are essential for spiritual progress. Such food

should give satisfaction to all the sensory organs. All rivers join the ocean. Likewise, the aim of all sadhana is the merging of the individual soul with the universal soul. God's grace is like the unlimited ocean. The water vapour symbolizes the 'sadhana' (propitiation); the cloud is 'sathya' (truth); and the raindrops are 'prema' (love). They collect together to form the stream of 'Ananda' (Bliss) which joins the vast ocean of 'Anugraha' (Divine Grace). Knowledge obtained directly from sastras and scriptures is like seawater. By exercising the faculty of discrimination and by entering the meditative state of mind, the pure water of wisdom can be distilled from the saline sea water of scriptural knowledge. This knowledge is humanized by experience and divinized by selfless love. Bookish knowledge divorced from experience leads to fanaticism and intellectual arrogance. Knowledge by acquaintance is always superior to knowledge by

description. Practice is better than precept. We must live the scriptural injunctions rather than merely talk about them. Self-imposed discipline is more effective than discipline enforced by some external authority. The quality and quantity of food that we take determine our thoughts and feelings. There is indeed an intimate connection between 'food, head and God'. Sathwic food is conducive to self-realization and liberation from the dualities and relativities of the world. Rajasic food generates virulent thoughts. By consuming non-vegetarian food we develop brutal mentalities. Those who are practicing meditation must abstain from meat. We should also remember constantly that ahimsa or non-violence is the supreme dharma. It is sin to kill innocent animals for the sake of filling our stomachs. We must remember that God dwells in all creatures. 'Isa vasyam idam sarvam' (All this is pervaded by God), says the Isa Upanishad. The truth of this aphorism

can be experienced through meditation. "Udaranimittam bahukrita vesham" - for the sake of the stomach, men don different guises. Like the chameleon they change their colours according to the demands of the situation. They become opportunists and rationalize their hypocrisy. They delude themselves by this policy of expediency and timesaving. Such people can never follow the path of meditation. It should not be supposed that the path of meditation is easy and artificial. If dhyana is easy, why should the great sages of our country have mortified themselves for the attainment of moksha? Some modern techniques of meditation claim to achieve 'nirvikalpa samadhi' instantaneously. Dhyana is mistaken for temporary freedom from worries. If this sort of anesthesia is needed, one can become tipsy by drinking liquor. Dhyana is not a state of inebriety or amnesia. Dhyana is a state of complete identification with one's 'dheya' or object of meditation. It is a state of total

spiritual empathy. Today, many artificial and distorted methods of meditation are being popularized. Students must beware of them because they are all unprofitable and potentially dangerous. There are three gunas: Satwa, Rajas and Tamas. There are three eyes: the two physical eyes and the invisible spiritual eye. There are three times: the past, the present and the future. And there are three worlds. The unity of these triads is vouchsafed to the spiritual aspirant during his transcendental state of meditation. Then sin and sorrow are annihilated. Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence Consciousness-Bliss) is experienced through meditation and complete self-surrender. This is the essence of dhyana. Today, a number of rites and rituals are being performed as a part of sadhana. These are only aids to concentration. They are not of much use for true dhyana. Correct posture, the right type of food and the right place are only aids to dharana or concentration. Sathwic food,

satsang etc., assist the sadhaka to some extent. They develop the habit of concentration. Our efforts should not end here. Concentration should be followed up by contemplation and meditation. There should be an element of reciprocity in all-human and personal relations. Love, sympathy, compassion and affection are always mutual. They cannot thrive in isolation. They atrophy and vanish wherever selfishness and jealousy manifest themselves. We must discharge our duties in a spirit of self-surrender, without consideration for wealth or recognition. Prema (love) is the greatest sadhana (spiritual activity). Prema is not mere reciprocal love. It is an extended and sublimated form of self-love. It is the extension of love to humanity and to the entire creation. The essence of prema as a sadhana lies in the cultivation of humanitarianism, universal compassion and altruism. Nobody can become a saint or a sage overnight. We must start early,

drive slowly and reach the goal safely. Haste makes waste and waste creates worry. A true sadhaka must develop the qualities of patience and persistence and in order to reach the ultimate goal of spiritual enlightenment. mona_murali <mona_murali wrote: Sai Ram,Can anyone enlighten me on sathwic food? What sort of food/dishes are considered sathwic? Do we really have to be vegetarian in order to reach GOD? Thanks.Sai Ram

[Guest guest]

SAI

VITAMINS

 

In addition to Satvic food, fresh air and physical exercise, here is a list of

Vitamins essential for good Sai Nutrition.

LOVE: This is the most essential ingredient of all spiritual food

 

DETATCHMENT:

This vitamin reduces effects of attachment and bondage

 

HONESTY:

Enhances spiritual integrity

conscience:

a regular dose of this vitamin will improve thoughts,

words and actions.

 

EMPATHY:

Helps to reduce negative emotions and increases tolerance.

HUMILITY:

Essential for removing pride and ego.

 

CONTENTMENT:

Alleviates heartburn and acid indigestion, brings

inner peace and happiness.

 

PATIENCE:

Essential for strengthening Character.

 

SILENCE:

Reduces restlessness of mind and brings one closer to the Lord

 

PEACE:

This vitamin stimulates the immune response to help the body defend itself against external influences.

 

 

DISCIPLINE:

A complex vitamin vital for cultivating virtues.

 

KINDNESS:

Vitamin " K " acts as a buffer for easy processing of all

ingredients.

 

JOY:

One should be happy after eating, not have indigestion

TRUTH:

Listen to your " inner voice. " Beware of substitutes.

 

SELF AUDIT:

Daily dose will help to align ourselves with our highest values and ethics

..

 

 

Food for Thought

 

The ultimate goal of all knowledge is the knowledge of the Self and God. According to the Bhagavad Gita, the body and life in it are based on food and sustained by food. The body is a mould prepared by the mind for its activities. There is an intimate connection between the body and the mind. The nature and condition of the body has a vital effect upon the mind and activities. We cannot control our mental impressions without the right diet. But since the body and the mind are interdependent, the materials or foods that build the body and the mind should be pure, wholesome, nutritious, substantial and bland. The kind of food we take determines the state of mind. Purity of food leads to purity of mind.

 

 

"Food decides the nature of your mind.

Mind is born of the food you take."

- Sathya Sai Baba

However great and learned a person may be, however much he pays attention to the teachings of the Scriptures and takes care to spread them, if he neglects the strict code laid down for the food, he cannot succeed spiritually. And as the body is the instrument that takes a man to his destination or goal (liberation); it is the true temple of God. Therefore, it should be kept clean, strong and healthy. Man generally feels a desire for particular foods according to his temperament. Every activity of man is dependent on the energy he derives from the intake of food. Different foods exercise different effects on different compartments of the brain or the mind.

 

TYPES OF FOODS

The scriptures classify food as Satvic, Rajasic and Tamasic and relate these three types to the three mental modes (gunas) of the same names. The 17th chapter of the Gita clearly defines the nature and tastes of the three types of 'foods' eaten by man: the food that promotes love, virtue, strength, happiness, and cordiality is Satvic; that which inflames, arouses, intoxicates and heightens hunger and thirst is Rajasic; the food that depresses, disrupts, and causes disease is Tamasic.

Food is therefore an important factor that determines the alertness and sloth, the worry and calm, the brightness and dullness.

There is a constant interplay of these three qualities in the individual consciousness, but the relative predominance of Satva, Rajas, or Tamas is ultimately responsible for individual psychological constitution.

Satvic diet, according to some, consists in milk and fruits. But, it is in fact much more.

" Satvic (pure, health promoting) diet does not mean simply the food we take through our mouth but also means the pure air we breathe through our nose, the pure vision we see through our eyes, the pure sounds we hear through our ears and the pure objects we touch through our feet and hands. All that we take in through the doors of our five sense organs may be described as diet. Listening to bad sounds, looking at bad sights, touching bad things do not constitute Satvic diet. "

-

Sathya Sai Baba

Therefore the sounds heard, the sights seen, the tactile impressions sought or suffered, the air breathed, the environment that presses for attention, appreciation and adoption all these are 'food.' They have considerable impact on the character and actions of the individual.

It is best to be vigilant about food habits and preserve one's health by good thoughts and good deeds. Most illnesses can be cured by simple living, simple exercises and by intelligent control of the tongue. If we indulge in simple and fresh vegetarian food, the mind automatically becomes calmer and pure.

 

Satvic foods

 

Satvic foods produce cheerfulness, serenity and mental clarity and help the aspirants to enter into deep meditation and maintain mental poise and nervous equilibrium. It supplies the maximum energy to the body and the mind, as it is very easily assimilated and absorbed. Satvic food

Pure and Satvic food increases the vitality and strength of those who eat it and is highly conducive to health. It augments the energy of the mind as well.

 

Milk, butter, ghee, (clarified butter), fresh ripe fruits, almonds, dates, green Dal, barley, wheat, cereals, tomatoes, plantains etc., are all Satvic. Nuts, fruit and uncooked pulses just sprouting are preferable.

 

A Satvic man relishes juicy food and other foods, which are attractive in, form, soft to touch and pleasant to taste, which are small in bulk but great in nourishment like the words from the lips of a spiritual preceptor.

Rajasic foods

 

Rajasic food distracts the mind. It excites passion. Food of a passionate nature produces restlessness in the mind, evil thoughts, and excitement, craving now for one and then for another, pain, trouble and disease.

Fried foods, meat, fish, eggs, sweets, aubergines, carrots, black-gram, onions, garlic, lemon, Red Dal, tea, coffee, betel, tobacco are all Rajasic foods.

 

The Rajasic man always plans to prepare various kinds of preparations to satisfy his palate. He takes salt, chillies, mustard, cloves, condiments, pungent pickles etc., in excess. Giving up salt will help in the control of the palate and thereby the mind.

 

As the mind is formed of the subtle portion of the food it is therefore essential to abandon fish, chicken, meat, liquors, eggs, tobacco etc., ruthlessly if we want to increase Satva and progress further.

 

Tamasic food

 

Beef, wine, garlic, onions, alcohol and tobacco are Tamasic foodstuffs as they fill the mind with anger, darkness and inertia. Stale, dry, unripe, burnt or overcooked is all Tamasic in nature. Fermented foods like cheese and leftovers also fall under this category.

 

Mark how the tiger, eating meat, and the cow or elephant, living on green grass, are poles apart! The one is wild and ferocious while the other is mild and peaceful.

 

PURITY OF FOOD

 

The body is the temple of the Lord; we need to keep it in good and strong condition. We should partake food with a Satvic mind. The company in which food is consumed, the place, the vessels in which it is cooked, the emotions that agitate the mind of the person who cooks it and serves it; all these have subtle influences on the nature and emotions of the persons who takes the final product in! The quality of the food is determined by the 'vibrations' it is charged with, through the thought processes of the persons who handle it, prepare it and serve it.

 

It is not possible to ensure the purity of the cooking process, since we do not know what thoughts rage in the mind of the person who prepares the food. Similarly we cannot ensure cleanliness of the food ingredients, as we do not know whether the seller who had sold it to us acquired the food grains in a righteous way. Impure food results in an impure mind therefore it is necessary to purify the food before we eat.

However impure the food maybe, when it is offered to God in the form of a prayer, it gets purified as Divine Prasadam (consecrated offering); and nourishes us physically, mentally and spiritually.

Baba says that we should not forget this important discipline of offering food to God with a prayer. This should be done even when we eat outside our homes (it may be done mentally if required).

Other Tips

v

We should always sit down while we are eating. We should not stand or walk when we eat.

v

Eat in a happy, calm and quiet atmosphere.

v

Never eat when angry, depressed, bored or upset.

v

Do not watch television or listen to radio while eating

v

Do not talk while eating. Simply concentrate on each morsel and enjoy it.

v

Eat in moderation, only as much as your body needs. One must regulate the intake of solid food so as to fill 50% of the stomach. 25% of stomach can be filled with liquids and the remaining 25% is to be kept empty for the free movement of air within the stomach.

 

 

One who eats one complete meal a day is a YOGI (a healthy person)

 

 

One who eats two complete meals a day is a BHOGI (a connoisseur)

 

 

One who eats three complete meals a day is ROGI (a sick person)

 

One who eats four complete meals a day is DROHI (a greedy person)

v

Not even a morsel of the food we eat is made purely by our own effort. What comes to us in the form of food is the result of the toil of many people, nature's bounty, and God's compassion. So we should never eat anything without first praying with humility and gratitude.

 

v

While eating, if we imagine that our beloved deity or Baba is present within us, and that we are feeding Him. This will make eating or feeding an act of sadhana (worship).

 

v

As often as possible, the family should eat together.

v

Do not waste food

By regulating our diet and avoiding bad habits, we can preserve health. Moderate food, and food of the Satvic type, will promote mental poise and also physical happiness. Although our diets should be based on needs, there should generally be a predominance of Satvic foods and a minimum of Rajasic and Tamasic foods. Good qualities like peace, forbearance, love and attachment to truth can only be promoted by taking good food. This would make for spiritual growth in individuals, so that society would exist harmoniously, without the evils of crime, quarrels, violence, etc.

 

As the Food So the Mind, As The Mind So the Thought, As The Thought So the Actions "

-

Sathya Sai Baba

Spirituality is the science of right living; it is not a part-time affair and neither is life. Therefore no spiritual aspirant can afford to deny or ignore spiritual principles. If we want to have peace and joy all the time, then we have to orientate our life towards this goal. This may appear to be an insurmountable feat, but one can reach the heights of spiritual bliss by taking one step at a time.

 

SOURCES: SATHYA SAI SPEAK & SAI WEBSITE

 

SUBASH BHANDARI, SIKKIM,INDIA

[Guest guest]

ASILENOV

Tue Jun 5, 2007 2:01 pm

Re: Sathwic Food

 

Sai Ram,

If you wish to receive an answer go to Google. com and type Sathwic

food. You will be responded by someone in SWAMI " S website, with

details.

Wish love.

 

----------

 

laknara2006

Tue Jun 5, 2007 4:21 pm

Re: Sathwic Food

 

-any food devoid of onion and garlic and with less spice and is

vegetarian is considered to be sathwic

 

----------

 

M Nagesh Babu <nageshchittoor

Tue Jun 5, 2007 8:33 pm

Re: Sathwic Food

 

dear

sai ram

somebody had a query on satwic food. swami in his innumerable

discourses advocates vegetarian food only.

within vegetarian food - satwic food means consuming half boiled

vegetables, avoiding spicy food and having more fruits. as per

swami's words these food intake allows to have pure thougts only

 

nagesh

 

 

 

 

, " mona_murali " <mona_murali

wrote:

>

>

> Sai Ram,

>

> Can anyone enlighten me on sathwic food? What sort of food/dishes

are

> considered sathwic? Do we really have to be vegetarian in order to

> reach GOD?

>

> Thanks.

>

> Sai Ram

[Guest guest]

Hello sairam,On sathwic food:Yes, 100% Vegetarian food is sathwic food.The very word Sathwic suggests that the food is derived from non painful methods from living beings.When we use vegetarian food, the plants do not FEEL any pain because they cannot, while animals feel pain, fear and death before slaughter. which is why in Sathya sai organizations( Canteens, prasadam etc) vegetarianism is strictly followed. This is in accordance iwth Ahimsa principles... Even in Vegetarian food there could be certain non sathwic foods, but the effect of such or their usage is limited while alcohols and non veg foods generally belong to Rajasic and Tamasic varieties and are to be avoided for a true devotee engaged in Sadhana...My thoughts for whatever worth...sairam!Nagesh Nagesh Kumar Web: www.geocities.com/csn_61 Blog: http://nageshkumarcs.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr Nagesh, Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, i do agree with you on the intake of vegetarian food by a true devotee engaged in sadhana. It is something for me to work on as one more sadhana. Thanks again. Sai Ram. Nagesh Kumar <csn_61 wrote: Hello sairam,On sathwic food:Yes, 100% Vegetarian food is sathwic

food.The very word Sathwic suggests that the food is derived from non painful methods from living beings.When we use vegetarian food, the plants do not FEEL any pain because they cannot, while animals feel pain, fear and death before slaughter. which is why in Sathya sai organizations( Canteens, prasadam etc) vegetarianism is strictly followed. This is in accordance iwth Ahimsa principles... Even in Vegetarian food there could be certain non sathwic foods, but the effect of such or their usage is limited while alcohols and non veg foods generally belong to Rajasic and Tamasic varieties and are to be avoided for a true devotee engaged in Sadhana...My thoughts for whatever worth...sairam!Nagesh Nagesh Kumar Web: www.geocities.com/csn_61 Blog: http://nageshkumarcs.blogspot.com/