Food & Consciousness
Conscious eating
The happy yogi believes good health is more than just good ingredients. Preparing the food and eating the food while in a state of peace and relaxation soothes the body and allows the digestive organs to function efficiently as they assimilate and distribute nutrients to the cells.
In addition to helping the digestive system, pure thoughts infuse the food with positive energy. This energy enters our cells like a peaceful tune, inspiring them to dance harmoniously. Though this may have been a far-out concept years ago, recent research in quantum physics, as well Dr. Emoto’s research on the effects of consciousness on matter, support this concept. All matter responds to the energy of our thoughts. Why not make our food, which is deposited in the body three times a day, sing with high spiritual energy?
A Yogi’s Diet
The yogi understands that pure and virtuous actions create freedom and peace within. Love is the highest intention behind any action. As we raise our vibration spiritually, our conscience won’t allow us to harm any living thing on a subtle or gross level. We become mindful of where our food has come from and whether it was cultivated with care and respect.
Food and Non-violence
The world appreciates non-violence. A life of ‘ahimsa’ or ‘non-violence’ sweetens the mind and calms the soul. We all would agree that killing or even harming any living being is an act of inhumanness. It can be a challenging leap for those new to the spiritual path but one worth at least trying. Through experimentation, we can see for ourselves the calming effect a kind diet has on the mind.
Always eat in a relaxed state
We are not machines. We should make sure to eat when our body and mind are relaxed; it’s best not to eat when we’re upset, angry, agitated or in a hurry. Food eaten in such conditions will not be digested, because more of our vital energy will get used to handle the mental stress, and less will remain to carry out the bodily functions, namely digestion. What we don’t digest often turns into bacterial fermentation, toxic filth or fat. Make sure you are seated and take the time to enjoy your meal in a relaxed state with a good intention.
Tips for preparing food while in a peaceful frame of mind
- Take a shower to cleanse the energies you may have picked up during the day. Water refreshes both the body and the spirit. Then turn on some gentle music in the kitchen. Set the intention to make your mealtime preparation a quiet, meditative process. Stay present and enjoy the silence as you chop, clean and cook.
- Meditate for 5-10 minutes before you prepare your food. In your meditation, nurture a simple thought. For example, “I, the soul, am fresh, pure, clean light.” As you meditate on this thought, savor it. Visualize it. Feel it. Experience it. Then enter into your kitchen with the intention to hold that experience and thought as you prepare your meal.
- Take a few moments of silence before you cook. Invite God into the kitchen with you to pour the pure energy of spiritual love over your food. As you cook, imagine God as a waterfall of divine pure, loving light above you. In each moment, see that light as it pours over your mind and heart as well as the food. Hold this vision as you prepare your meal.
Tips for eating while in a peaceful frame of mind
- While you eat, simply eat and be fully present. Resist the urge to check your cell phone or search the web. Set the intention to eat calmly. Chew each bite at least 40 times. By counting the bites, you not only improve your digestion but you become present, peaceful and focused.
- Before you eat, take a moment to become aware that you are a soul and that the body is an instrument that allows you, the soul, to travel through the physical world and experience the sights, sounds and scenes of life on the planet. Eating is a way of filling the body with good, healthy fuel.
- With each bite you eat, imagine that you are filling that food with pure, healing light. As you swallow, visualize that light pouring into every cell of the body… healing the body and bringing it into balance and harmony.
- Set the intention to rest your mind on one simple thought as you eat. As you eat, simply hold the thought, “I am a peaceful soul.” As you savor your food, savor that thought as well. Allow yourself to really feel it and experience it. If your mind wanders, simply come back to that one thought and see if you can hold that for the duration of your meal.
Food can be placed in 3 categories based on the energy it holds.
Sattvic, Rajasic, Tamasic
| Sattvic | Rajasic | Tamasic |
|---|---|---|
| Mode of Goodness | Mode of Motion which Stimulates | Mode of Darkness |
| Purity | Aggressiveness | Apathy |
| Calm | Anger | Confusion |
| Compassionate | Anxiety | Depression |
| Contentment | Arrogance | Fatigue |
| Fearlessness | Distress | Dullness |
| Happiness | Ego | Indecisiveness |
| Humble | Fear | Inertia |
| Loving | Frustration | Lack of Enthusiasm |
| Non-violence | Impatience | Lack of Self-Control |
| Peaceful | Irritation | Laziness |
| Self-Control | Restlessness | Lethargy |
| Bliss | Sleeplessness | Tiredness |
| Sattvic Food | Rajasic | Tamasic |
|---|---|---|
| Living food with life energy | Causes Belching, Burping, Bloating & discomfort | Dull Food |
| Fresh Fruits & Vegetables | Spicy | Stale Food |
| Plant based | ||
| Wholesome | Greasy | Dead & Dull Food |
| Unprocessed | Sour | |
| Unrefined | Salty | |
| Juicy/Water-rich | Pungent | |
| Freshly cooked | Excess Flavoring | |
| Lightly Seasoned | Too Hot | |
| Straight from Nature with minimal or no human interference | Caffienated |
| Examples | Examples | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| All Fresh Fruits | Chips | Food kept overnight |
| Apple, Oranges, Grapes, Melons, Pear, Berries etc. | Chocolate | Fruits and Vegetables |
| Fries | that are not fresh and started to deteriorate | |
| All Fresh Vegetables | Strongly flavored snacks | Eggs |
| Bell Peppers, Carrot, Beets, Zucchini, Squash, Pumpkin, Ash guard, Bottle guard, all leafy greens etc. | Sodas | Onion, Garlic |
| Sprouts | Coffee | Alcohol |
| Whole Facts | Vinegars | Food with Preservatives |
| Coconut, Soaked nuts and seeds | Very Hot Drinks | Tinned, Canned foods |
| Fresh vegetables | Pickles | White Sugar |
| Whole Grains – To be consumed in less quantity | White Flour | |
| Straight from Nature with minimal or no human interference | Cheese | |
| Quinoa, Brown rice | Refined oils | |
| Whole Wheat Flour with bran, Oats, Millets, Barley etc. | ||
| Honey, Jaggery | Bleached Flour | |
| Coconut oil, sesame oil, and olive oil | Over cooked food | |
| Non vegetarian food like Fish, Meat and etc. |
Effects of Sattvic Food:
Food becomes Sattvic not just with the energy it holds but also without pure and elevated vibrations that are induced into it through meditation whilst cooking and eating. such food is highly charged. Sattvic food is healing for the body and mind. It is easy for the body to digest the food in less time and gives the rest of the time to the body in carrying out healing. Regular consumption of Sattvic food will also have a positive effect on our thoughts and mood. It brings mental clarity, calmness, humility and gratitude. We elevate to a higher consciousness. We become closer to Mother Nature and God.
Effects of Rajasic and Tamasic Food:
Such foods affect our physical and mental health. If we predominantly eat Rajasic and Tamasic foods, in due course of time we fall victim to many diseases. On a more subtle level they have a huge impact on our thoughts and mood. One becomes arrogant,restless,anxious and impatient. Concentration levels are decreased making one dull and lazy.
FAQs for Juices
In addition to water, fresh juice contains easily absorbed protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, enzymes, phyto-chemicals and biophotons ( light energy that the plants absorb from the sun).
Many studies reveal that regular consumption of fresh juice helps not just the body but has a lot of positive effect on mind and ultimately benefiting the soul.
Using a cold-press juicer would be the best as it adds minimal oxidation. Another option is to use a blender and strain using a muslin cloth. Masticating juicer ( slow juicer) is preferred over Centrifugal juicer (blender).
- Best to consume the juice as and when prepared. Juice can be stored in glass airtight containers in the refrigerator and can be consumed within 24 hours.
- Consuming the juice at room temperature would be best. Treat the juice with respect, sit down and swirl around the mouth before swallowing
- Choose Organic produce for juicing
- To make the best, consume fresh juice on an empty stomach and not eat/drink anything for the next 1.5-2 hours. Consuming early in the morning would give maximum benefit.
Fresh juice is “Live food” and has vital energy. Packaged ones are generally pasteurized and heated, thus it removes the enzymes, biophotons and vital energy.
GAME CHANGERS –
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