To save ourselves from bodily disorders, we should follow a spiritual diet, that includes preparing food in a meditative state, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj Ji
In this 21st century, men and women are becoming extremely diet conscious, as a result of which, today we see every other individual following some or other kind of diet pattern, be it the most popular atkins or vegan diet or the Mediterranean diet. The list goes on and on depending upon the goals people wish to achieve in terms of their weight loss and well-being.
In ancient times, people never worried about their dietary patterns but today one has to match with the ever-changing lifestyle where one always has to look fit and presentable. For this, there are various kinds of diets, some for losing weight, others for gaining weight, lowering cholesterol, for longevity and for healthy life. However, while we are busy consuming the new trends in our food patterns, none of us ever thought about a unique diet method — “Spiritual Diet”. Yes, you heard it right. This is the method that’s being followed since time immemorial and is suited to all seasons.
All of us forget an important fact, that, along with the general principles of nutrition, appeal and pleasure, food also has a spiritual component. The spiritual aspects of diet includes purchase, preparation, acceptance and eating. We must understand that food that is selected with care, prepared with love, accepted with gratitude and eaten with purity becomes medicine for both, our soul and the body. When one cooks food without any kind of earthly desires or lust, with pure love for almighty, then the food will carry a subtle power that energises the soul and the body. It is very important to be in a good state — clean, filled with love and in a state of earthly detachment. Only then, the food that we prepare will be purified, which in turn will also purify our body. As a result, our mind will be free from wordly desires. Nowadays, people also avoid eating onions, garlic and heavy dash of spices which act as unnecessary stimulants for the endocrine system and thus, destabilise our mind.
Research of the dietary patterns of sages of India reveal that their approach towards eating was very pure, satvik and simple as they consumed anything that was available in nature. This eating pattern was based on two main principles: Not causing suffering to any other living being and not destabilising the physiological systems affecting digestive, nervous and endocrine systems. That’s why there were only certain types of food that the saints accepted and most importantly, they never over-indulged, nor allowed themselves to be influenced by the sense of sight, smell and taste. They simply followed the basic equation of “As you eat, so your mind becomes.” This is the fundamental tenet of a spiritual diet.
Spirituality says that the type and quality of food as well as the manner of eating, affect the state of our mind directly. That is why food that has been prepared by slaughter of animals carries a karmic debt that becomes a burden on the human soul. Likewise, food or drink that have a stimulating effect on the body and food that is consumed under a state of tension, anxiety, depression, anger or fear carries a toxic load that gradually results in physical disorders like acidity, body ache, sleeplessness, hypertension, ulcer, arterial plaques, diabetes and gallstones. So, how does one save oneself from these miseries? The answer is, simply by following spiritual diet, that includes preparing food in a meditative state with feelings of love and detachment simultaneously.
An accurate spiritual diet says that it’s good to accept food with gratitude and not become too focussed and choosy unless there are specific health requirements. Undoubtedly, any diet that aids in good health and awareness about environment is good, but if the person following a strict diet regime becomes too fanatical and creates stress for self and others, then the positive benefits of following the diet will automatically be lost. So the idea should be to lead a life with balanced diet regime without being too fussy and spofish.
Another important aspect of satvik food is sharing. Its always wonderful to share meal with others, because by sharing, we lose our sense of attachment to food and body and overcome greed. That is why it is often said that a family that eats together, stays together. The natural sustenance of food cooked with love is enhanced by the power of pure vibrations, thereby bringing benefits on a spiritual level. So, what are you waiting for? Start following the “Spiritual Diet” by cooking food in remembrance of almighty and by adding ingredients of love, bliss and power to live a happy, healthy and blissful life.