Hari
Om
Each 'Choose-day' we will investigate the process by
which we can reassess our activity and interaction with the world of plurality
and become more congruent within our personality.
We
are reading the small booklet called "Not
Too Loose, Not Too tight - Just right!" This is written by Swamini
Vimalananda, and gives a very general overview of Vedanta for the beginner,
with emphasis on the sattvic, rajasic and tamasic approaches to life. Remember,
we are a mixture of all; use this as your mirror.
आहार /aahaara - food.
Food
is one of the basic necessities of life without which we cannot survive. The
food that we eat is divided into three parts. The grossest part is removed from
the body by the excretory system. The subtler part goes to form the skin,
bones, blood, flesh. The subtlest part feeds the brain, the operational
platform of mind. Hence, food and mind are very closely related. The type of
food one likes depends on the quality of ones' mind, and the quality of the
mind, in turn, depends on the quality of one's food. Additionally, how one
takes one's food has an effect. We have choice,
do we let the mind decide according to inputs from our body, or do we direct
the mind to decide according to our intellect?
Sattvic; a sattvic person eats an appropriate
quantity of food at regular times, with calm mind and in an unhurried and neat
manner. They are careful with regard to what is eaten, as awareness is there of
the potential effects upon mind and body. Food is sattvic when it is obtained
by righteous means (that is to say, by growing oneself, or adequately
compensating those who bring it to market); also, when it is cooked by a person
with good thoughts as they work and in clean, hygienic surroundings; when it is
served with Love and care. The type of food is juicy, wholesome, nutritious,
aesthetically pleasing, fragrant, satisfying but not over-filling. Such food
increases our life span, makes the mind sharp and alert, helps to maintain
brain health, purifies the mind, strengthens the body and leaves us with a
sense of well-being and contentment. Fruits, vegetables, milk, pulses and
legumes are all sattvic foods.
Rajasic; one who is rajasic may eat irregularly
and likely hurriedly. They may eat standing or walking rather than sitting
calmly. Often they will indulge in over-eating but can equally be poor eaters,
not taking sufficient nutrients. Such a personality will eat for taste, without
care for the waist or the effect it may have on the mind. Food becomes rajasic
when it is cooked by those with money-motive, served in anger, or eaten in poor
mood. Care may not have been there for preparation and it can causes digestive
disturbance. Rajasic food is over-spicy,
too sour, too salty or sweet, too oily, excessively hot, dry, over- or
under-cooked. Such food causes diseases, agitation in mind and depletes the
body, which has to fight to manage digestion. Rajasic foods are the fast,
junky, fried foods, foods which are not home cooked and containing products
which are mass-produced and containing substances from that production. Note,
is it not that one must never eat fried foods - but if they are the normal,
rather than a treat, they become a problem.
Tamasic; such a person overeats every time and
at all times other than expected meal times. They are snackers and will eat
either in a lethargic manner or extremely hurriedly (gorging), messily, perhaps
whilst lying down. Food which is prepared with no regard to any hygiene
protocol, with no thought of care for the food itself or those who are going to
eat it, is considered tamasic. Also, stale, leftover, tasteless, and
featureless foods. Very often, those of tamasic quality will avoid nutritious
foods such as fruit and vegetables. Eating of dull foods will result in dull
personality; the body becomes lazy, the mind slows and will be inclined to low
thoughts. Examples of tamasic foods are alcohol, meat, onions, mushrooms,
yeast.
[It
is worth noting here that the Indian classification of foods in this manner is
a system which is several thousand years old - current Western "food
pyramid" systems go some way to matching this - but a lot can be learned
from ayurvedica!]
