Choosing the right food

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It is important that food be prepared in an uplifted frame of mind and not under the influence of harmful emotions such as anger, grief or depression, says Swami Kriyananda

 

The spiritual qualities of food should not be confused with their chemical properties. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the helpful or inhibiting effects of the vibrations of one's food. For this reason, it is important that food be prepared in an uplifted frame of mind, and not under the influence of such harmful emotions as anger, grief, deep worry, or depression. The Gitadescribes sattwic foods as those which help to calm the nerves and make them clear channels for the energy flowing into the body, and for higher inspiration. Rajasic foods are stimulating to the nerves, to the point of irritating them. Tamasic foods, finally-lacking as they are in nutritive value-merely clog the nervous system and make a person dull and unenergetic. It would help you, therefore, to be aware of these effects, and to choose your diet accordingly.

 

Sattwic foods consist of fresh fruits and vegetables. The vegetables should be lightly cooked, or even raw. This diet includes also whole grains and legumes, fresh dairy products, nuts, and such natural sweets as honey, dates, and figs. Food should be pleasing to the eye as well as to the palate-only lightly seasoned, and agreeable to the body's constitution.

Rajasic foods are, as indicated above, excessively stimulating to the life forces in the body, somewhat irritating to the nerves, and exciting in their effect on the mind. For someone whose life includes intense activity as well as meditation, a certain amount of rajas may be helpful in stirring him to action. Onions, garlic, and eggs are examples of rajasicfoods that may prove beneficial for sattwic people and also for those who need to be busily active.

 

Tamasic foods include horseradish and meats which have been validly proscribed in various religions. The slaughter animals produces in them strong emotions such as fear and anger, which remain as vibrations in the meat itself and increase people's naturally aggressive and/or fearful tendencies.