Yogic Diet

YOGA AND DIET

Diet- The Yogic concept

          It has been proved that diet plays a vital role in determining the qualities of man, and a yogi has to carefully analyse the diet which he consumes in his day to day life. A man selects his food by understanding the basic concept about the effect of the various kinds of food on our system.

          Our concept of diet is based on our knowledge about the world around us. The matter- based approach has only looked at the gross ’material’ content of the foods that we eat- proteins,   carbohydrates, Fats, iron , calcium, Vitamins-A,B, B2, Niacin and vitamin-C. The modem urban palate has become so acclimatised to a barrage of tastes that it is no longer satisfied by the more subtle flavours of the traditional cuisine. In this, there are more empty calories of total fats, saturated fats, cholesterol, refined sugar and salt. The result the ratio of nutrients to calories is reducing, leading to obesity, diabetes, etc.

          The Yogic concept of food takes into consideration the total dimension of human existence. Apart from the atoms and molecules with which our gross physical body is made of, we all possess Prana, Mind, Intellect, Emotions and the Spiritual Dimension featured by freedom.Yoga is that process by which we bring an integration of the entire personality at all levels. TheStamina of the bodyis developed; the Prana should bring to a balance, the mind calmed down, the emotion is stabilised and the intellect under total control. According to Yoga, a balanced diet is that diet which restores balance at all levels. Such diets could aid in a Holistic Way of Living.

CLASSIFICATION OF FOODS:                                                       

          Yoga classifies food into 3 categories, similar to the classification of human beings into predominantly Tamasik, Rajasik and Sathvik.

FOOD OF TAMASIK:

          That which is stale, tasteless, stinking, cooked overnight, refuse and impure is the food liked by the Tamasik.

          One Yama is 3 hours. Food that gets cold is stale. In these days of canned food, preserved fruits, stored vegetables and refrigeration facilities, almost a substantial   majority of us have come to love stale food .Ancient  Indian  writings on diet did not include taking a diet containing preservatives, insecticides, emulsifiers, artificial, colouring and other chemicals.

          Men of inertia have a natural liking for stinking food that has intolerable smell   for others. The ‘Pulav’ of modern tables perhaps belong to this category; so too ‘prawns’.

          Food cooked overnight or that has been kept for days together comes under this category. We can include all the fermented drinks, which the Tamasik people love to drink. Impure and filthy food, that which is again liked by the Tasmisik. Impure and filthy food, that which is not fit for human consumption.

          Those foods which are ‘dead’ partially spoiled , which  have lost their essence, which have been processed a great  deal, which have been preserved in some way or which lack the vitality of food that is alive , are the ones liked by the Tamasiks.

          The innate personality structure of the Tamasiks is reflected in their liking for such foods. Hence, all such foods are classified as Tasmasik foods.

          The busy schedule and attractive advertisement makes even a Satvik man resort to Tamasik food like preserved, canned food, and his taste also slowly changes and he becomes Tamasik. Energy and vitality are almost absent in such foods and hence he becomes sluggish and diseases of degeneration and accumulation of excessive matter are likely to occur (Obesity, arthritis, hardening of the arteries. etc.)

          When food is spoiled, its chemical  structure  breaks down, and because of the acidity that  results some nutrients are destroyed . Rather than being useful, they may break down into products which cannot be used by the body, but must be excreted. In the mean time, they are under circulation and act as irritants to the nervous system as well as to the other cells, tissues and organs. Eating Tamasik food makes one less alert.

          Fermentation is a process of decomposition, especially when it is poorly controlled and overdone.  Alcoholic drinks, of poorer quality and meat are Tamasik, are which is not fresh. Most meat marketed is not freshly slaughtered and in some cases must be cured to destroy the toxic components or to improve the taste. Unless this process is carried our carefully with a total knowledge of what is Happening, the result is likely to be Tamasik. Once the animal, cells die, the process of degeneration and decay begins.

          Animals that are sluggish, heavy and unhealthy are more likely to yield aTamasik effect.

          RAJASIK FOOD:

          Food which is cooked a great deal to increase its taste appeal, that which stimulates the nervous system, speeds up metabolism and activates. Eg.Coffee , Tea, tobacco. Green chillies and pepper are considered Rajasik but dried red chillies tend to be more Tamasik. High quality wines are Rajasik.Wild game and fish freshly filled and properly were not considered as detrimental. The effects of such fresh, wholesome met were also said to be Rajasik.

          Rajasik food provides energy a clear balanced energy. the stimulate speed, sensual pleasure and physical activity. Spiced and cooked to perfection with lots of rich sauces, it tempts one to eat more and leads the attention to the savour of the food and away from internal signals.

          Rajasik food is of good quality and fresh. It is meant for Rajas, the Kings.

          It is recognised that pushing, aggressive worldly king of activity is appropriate for rules, for the military forces and for political people, who deal in the area of domination, forcefulness and warfare. In fact, in some of the Indian traditions, the caste which filled such roles – the Raajput (literally “son of the king”), permitted to take meat and wine, whereas the Brahmin, who is not a ruler, but a scholar, teacher and spiritual seeker, has always been forbidden these Rajasik foods.

          Such a diet no doubt creates individual brilliant energies and keep all vigorous men restlessly striving to fulfil their uncontrolled passions and desires; hence, in their final reactions, they lead the eater towards a life productive of pain, grief and disease.

THE SATVIK FOODS

          Satvik foods which increase the Life (Purity), strength (health)(happiness) and (Cheerfulness and good appetite) are termed Satvik. These foods are Sarvoury, Oleaginous, substantial, agreeable and are liked by the Satvikas.

          In contrast to Tamasik and Rajasik foods, these foods, which are fresh, whole, natural, of good quality, yet mild, neither over nor under cooked as gives calm alertness and at the same time a state of quiet energy. Such foods are called Satvik. They are said to nourish the consciousness. They not only provide nourishment for the body, but they do not adversely affect the overall energy state. They add vitality to the total system by bringing a perfect, harmonious balance of energy states in the food itself. They do not pull energy from the body, they do not weigh its down, they do not make it heavier; neither do they irritate nor push it beyond its capacity. They provide a precise balance of nourishment and create no undue waste. Such foods are called Satvik. They give the body lightness, alertness and energy and create a keener consciousness.

          Satvik foods give strength from within contrary to Rajasik foods, which supply strength to the muscles and give one feeling that his energy is coming from the food he has eaten. Such foods as fresh fruit, wholesome grains and the fresh milk of the cow are Satvik food. Raw milk just drawn from the cow is considered ideal. If, however, it has set for sometimes, then it is brought to a boil before it is taken. Milk of the buffalo is considered more Rajasik since it is heavier and more fattening. Any milk which becomes sour or spoiled, of course tends to acquire a Tamasik property.

          In describing the natural taste for some particular types of food, it is said that they like only such diet which increases the vitality and not sheer bulk; which supplies the energy for meditative purposes which discovers for them a several strength to resist the temptations for sense – objects; which provide health so that they may not often fall ill and suffer a break in their regular saadhana. Such people will have natural inclination to take food which will augment joy (Preeti) and inner cheerfulness (sukha). In short, such creative men, by their own choice, enjoy only food that is clean and wholesome with no charge for them, when consumed, to purify within.

          All the different types of food eaten by man in this world have been classified and brought under four types on the basis of their physical properties. They are the 1. Savoury 2.The greasy 3.The firm 4.The cordial types of foods.

YOGA AND VEGETERIANS

          Several factors go in favour of vegetarianism as per Dr.Brena are:

1.   Man is not a carnivore structurally. In a genuine carnivore, the canine teeth are very long to enable the animal, to sink into its prey and immobilise it; the molar teeth pointed so that the animal can separate and chew the various fibres of the meat much better, the intestine is about 3 to 5 times longer than the body. Man’s set of teeth with developed incisors, reduced canine teeth and flatter teeth. With the intestine barely double the length of the body.

2.   When man feeds on vegetables, fruits, etc., he gets the deposits of energy directly. When he feeds on meat, the vital energy is picked second hand and he essentially swallows ‘dead’ food.

3.   A Yogi likes to cause least disorder and least destruction possible, fruits, vegetables, nuts, milk etc., involve least destruction of living creatures.

4.   A Yogi learns the art of using the least for himself. Unnecessary and useless waste of energy is cut down. For better efficiency, he changes his body structure, breathing pattern, mental and emotional imbalances – from high calorie meat diet to low calorie vegetarian diet and to hardly any diet – and that is the progress.

              Diet can influence the mind and change the personality, but a strong mind can digest the most Tamasik food and still live very healthy. We must change our food habits towards a Rajasik one from the habits towards a Rajasik one from the Tamasik leading a Satvik diet. With a proper attitude of the mind attached to it, a yoga Sadhana can gain immensely in his journey towards mental control. The right attitude is to have proper diet as a means to the end – the mind control and not diet schedule as an end by itself. Often, one can get stuck with too much of emphasis o diet almost to the detriment of the goal itself.