DIET
In general, although attaching little importance to physical aids to meditation, the Maharshi was insistent on the advantages of limiting oneself to sattvic, that is vegetarian and non-stimulating food.Regulation of diet, restricting it to sattvic food, taken in moderate quantities, is the best of all rules of conduct and the most conducive to the development of sattvic (pure) qualities of mind. These in turn help one in the practice of Self-enquiry.2
The following is the conclusion of `Self-enquiry', the first book that he wrote.
It is within our power to adopt a simple and nutritious diet and, with earnest and incessant endeavour, to eradicate the ego -- the cause of all misery -- by stopping all mental activity born of the ego.
Can obsessing thoughts arise without the ego, or can there be illusion apart from such thoughts?3
He also confirmed this when asked by devotees.
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D.: Are there any aids to (1) concentration, and (2) casting
off distractions?
B.: Physically, the digestive and other organs are to be kept
free from irritation. Therefore food is regulated both in quantity and quality. Non-irritants are eaten, avoiding chillies, excess of salt, onions, wine, opium, and so on. Avoid constipation, drowsiness and excitement and all foods which induce them. Mentally, take interest in one thing and fix the mind on it. Let that interest be self-absorbing to the exclusion of everything else. This is dispassion (vairagya [?]) and concentration.1
Mrs. Pigott returned from Madras for a further visit and asked questions concerning diet.
Mrs. P.: What diet is suitable for a person engaged in
spiritual practice?
B.: Sattvic food in moderate quantities.
Mrs. P.: What food is sattvic?
B.: Bread, fruit, vegetables, milk and such things.
Mrs. P.: Some people in the North eat fish. Is that
permissible?
To this question Bhagavan did not reply. He was always reluctant to criticise others and this question was inviting him either to do so or to change what he had said.
Mrs. P.: We Europeans are accustomed to a particular diet
and change of diet affects the health and weakens the mind. Isn't it necessary to keep up physical health?
B.: Quite necessary. The weaker the body, the stronger the
mind grows.
Mrs. P.: In the absence of our usual diet our health suffers
and the mind loses strength.
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It will be noticed that Bhagavan and Mrs. Piggot were using the term `strength of mind' in different meanings. By `strong' Bhagavan was meaning `ungovernable', whereas Mrs. Piggot was meaning `powerful'. Therefore the next question, which enabled her to put her point of view.
B.: What do you mean by `strength of mind'?
Mrs. P.: The power to eliminate worldly attachment.
B.: The quality of one's food influences the mind. The
mind feeds on the food consumed.
Mrs. P.: Really! But how can Europeans accommodate
themselves to sattvic food?
B.: (turning to Mr. Evans-Wentz) You have been taking
our food. Does it inconvenience you at all?
E.W.: No, because I am accustomed to it.
B.: Custom is only an adjustment to environment. It is
the mind that matters. The fact is that the mind has been trained to find certain foods good and palatable. The necessary food value is obtainable in vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food; only the mind desires the sort of food that it is used to and which it considers palatable.
Mrs. P.: Do these restrictions apply to the realised man
also?
B.: He is stabilised and not influenced by the food he takes.1
It was very characteristic of Bhagavan that, although he would answer questions about diet quite firmly when asked, he would not enjoin a vegetarian diet on any devotee who did not ask him. It was also characteristic that, under his silent influence, it would sometimes happen that one who did not ask would gradually begin to feel an aversion to meat-food and an inclination to change over to a purer diet.
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Just as Bhagavan disapproved of all extremes, so he disapproved of fasting.
D.: Can fasting help towards Realisation?
B.: Yes, but it is only a temporary help. It is mental fasting
that is the real aid. Fasting is not an end in itself. There must be spiritual development at the same time. Absolute fasting weakens the mind too and leaves you without sufficient strength for the spiritual quest. Therefore eat in moderation and continue the quest.
D.: They say that ten days after breaking a month's fast the
mind becomes pure and steady and remains so forever.
B.: Yes, but only if the spiritual quest has been kept up
right through the fast.1
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