please understand...

[Guest guest]

The gist of the earlier email is " do your best as to your level of ability " and

continue to pray. Please do not send me questions on whether specific foods are

acceptable or not - just spend some time and think for yourselves and determine

your own boundaries. It is *your* active sadhana to look out for yourselves and

your personal spiritual beliefs. Your efforts will be noted by Him in the end.

Your life, your beliefs, your choice, your risk(s), your karma.

 

In some cases, its not a matter of belief or god's forgiveness - nature doesn't

forgive - it keeps its accounts quite well. It is no accident that there is a

prevalance of cancer and other strange problems in the westernized/modernized

world. Many of the dietary practices, especially in the south indian diet, are

designed from an ayurvedic perspective. To give you a sampling: Food is served

on plantain leaves (from which the process of respiration is still ongoing, even

as you eat the food, ...the green color is still there, implying that the leaf

is giving off prana (which is apana to the plant) which is in-turn absorbed by

the food), the meal usually consists of pappu (protein) or sambar (also

protein), rasam (an herbal tea like soup that aids digestion), perugu (for

providing needed probiotic enzymes), and some kind of sweet prasadam

(carbohydrate) along with rice (staple carbohydrate). Eaten in the proper

quantities, this is a filling and

complete meal. The leaves and herbs used in the cooking process are useful in

ridding the body of parasites as well as cleansing the entire digestive tract.

The order of eating the food supports digestion and proper nutrient uptake.

 

There is a lot of science behind the rituals of any vedic practice.

 

The idea that vegetarians don't get enough protein is absolute nonsense. The

amount of protein actually needed in any given meal is between 30-40 grams, only

serious weightlifters and body-builders need 50 grams or more; the amount that

is not absorbed usually comes out as waste. A glass of whole milk provides

about 10 grams of protein. Beyond the basic amount, protein only gives you gas

and creates a host of other problems. Too much protein is actually quite

harmful. Your problems are not because you aren't getting enough protein, its

because you are eating too much junk. Modern manufacturing methods use of all

kinds of unnatural fillers and preservatives and cost-effective ingredients

(e.g., high fructose corn syrup!). Eat moderately, high vegetable/fruit

content, drink lots of water, and you'll see your outlook improve dramatically.

You will also find that your natural apetite returns to normal levels (at proper

times that are right for your

body) and your blood sugar levels stabilize when you observe the holiness of

the practice of eating food. The modern problem has nothing to do with protein

insufficiency - the modern problem is obesity. After you eat, you should feel

light, refreshed, and ready to go.

 

Consider how much food you take in, and the amount of work that you produce - is

there some kind of equilibrium? Do you work nearly as much as you eat?

Consider for just a moment how much work you actually do in the span of a day.

If you listen to your body carefully, read its signals, it will tell you when

you've had enough, and your day will be that much more light, productive, fresh,

and problem-free. If you eat too much, your head will hurt, especially if you

eat too much sugary foods; later, you will experience depression, or some other

problem. If you eat 'just right' your head will feel light and happy.

 

By following the yogic diet, your mental state will naturally reset to the

satvic state and your perception of things and life will become clearer and

simpler. The beauty of life will begin to unfold before you.

 

Eating food is also like a puja. It is a communion between the mind and the

body: the mind is fully listening to the body's messages. This is why it is

recommended to eat silently if possible. At the very least, talk about

things/subjects that are good natured (e.g., Swamiji). Don't eat and think

about problems and worries and garbage. Eat happily.