18 Jun 2013
Baba
This entire email is composed of 2 parts:
(1) Posting: Human Beings & Chewing Cud.
(2) Prabhat Samgiita #4628;
Namaskar,
Overeating is a common phenomenon around the globe. People even consciously say to themselves, "Today I am not going to overeat", but still they do it. Many of us do it. It is not an easy habit to overcome.
The problem is pervasive.
As we know modern medical science and our AM philosophy both state that overeating invites various diseases and decreases the lifespan. That is why in family life and the general society, people try to control their eating.
Even then overeating was a problem in the past, is a problem at present and most likely will be a problem in the future also. Let us see why.
Those primitive humans had little security in life. They lived moment to moment - captive to the weather and harsh ways of nature - never knowing when they would be able to find food again. Life was unsettled. So when the opportunity came to eat, they would purposely eat extra food and store excess food in the appendix and then regurgitate that food later when they would feel hungry. Indeed nature supplied them with "a second stomach" and with their mental force they could regurgitate that food.
"Human beings used to have an appendix to their intestines for accumulated or excess food. As it was needed this food would stimulate salivation in the mouth and be fully eaten and digested. The proper eating and digesting of the surplus food in the appendix is called romanthana in Sanskrit and ja'bar ka't'a' in Bengali. In good English we call it "rumination" and in spoken English "chewing the cud"...As the certainty of food supplies gradually increased, the need for a corporal appendix to the intestines lessened. Eventually there was even not the slightest need for it. Today a small vestige of it remains in the human body although it is no longer used in times of distress. Human beings have lost the capacity to ruminate." (1)
For thousands of years then those primitive humans followed this path:
Eat extra (more than what can fit in the stomach) -> store excess food in the appendix -> search for food -> encounter food scarcity -> use mental force -> ultimately regurgitate food in the appendix -> chew and swallow -> fully digest that food in the stomach.
That was a central pattern of life. It was how those early human beings survived. Most herbivore animals still do this type of thing.
So this manner of overeating is an old human trait. Actually in the days of old, it was out of necessity and the excess food was stored. It was not over-eating per se; it did not all go into the stomach. Today however, all the food we eat does go into the stomach. In that case it most definitely is overeating.
Nowadays, in many lands, people's lives are more settled. This applies to food as well. People have kitchens, a stock of food, and cooking facilities etc. In brief, we are able to plan our meals - we usually know exactly when we are going to eat next.
Because of all these modern developments, we have lost the power of regurgitation. Our bodies can no longer do that. That is what Baba has explained.
"As the certainty of food supplies gradually increased, the need for a corporal appendix to the intestines lessened. Eventually there was even not the slightest need for it. Today a small vestige of it remains in the human body although it is no longer used in times of distress. Human beings have lost the capacity to ruminate." (2)
Due to a distinct lack of use, slowly over time, the appendix has become very small. And now if food gets in the appendix, it is a serious problem. One will be rushed to the hospital for an operation to have it removed.
Thus even though our bodies have changed a lot, still there is a prevalent desire to eat to excess; it is common.
As much as the aforementioned physical and lifestyle conditions contribute to overeating, those are not the sole factors.
Another key reason why people overeat is that human desire is infinite. And when that desire gets directed towards physical desires like food, then people attempt to satiate their inherent infinite longing with their appetite. But it cannot work - one's innate infinite longing can never be satiated by food. Limited worldly allurements cannot truly satisfy one's infinite longing.
"The animality in human beings gives them a leaning towards animal life or physical enjoyment. They, under its influence, look to eating, drinking and gratification of other physical desires. They are attracted towards these and run after them under the influence of their animality but these do not provide happiness as their longing for it is infinite." (3)
So one key factor in overeating nowadays is the mis-direction of mind towards physical desires like food. When one's infinite mental longing is goaded towards one's dinner plate they are bound to overeat. Through sadhana, one's desire is directed towards the Supreme and that is the only way to satisfy one's inherent mental longing.
"The mind of a non-sádhaka is guided by extroversial propensities. As the sádhaka’s goal is Parama Puruśa he will have to invariably direct the mind towards Parama Puruśa." (4)
People also overeat due to mental stress, depression, and other factors related with psychic diseases. We should pay heed to Baba's below mandates.
As we all know, in His Yogic Treatments book, so many disease, sicknesses and ailments are due to overeating.
Here is Baba's recipe for healthy eating habits.
"For proper digestion, fill the stomach halfway with food, one quarter with water, and leave one quarter full of air." (5)
To do this, one must stop eating when one still feels a little hungry, in the next few minutes a natural feeling of satiation will come. If however, one eats till they are full, then that constitutes overeating and within a short time after completing their meal they will feel bloated, heavy, lethargic, and uncomfortable.
It is a very fine line between proper eating and overeating. The best way to get success is to eat slowly, take limited portions, and be mindful to stop eating when one is still a little hungry. If done
regularly, this will become your habit.
If one is not taking 1/2 belly, then that is overeating. And if one is strict and eats only half-full, then that is proper. They will have overcome the the primitive ways of old - i.e. eating excessively.
Even though we have lost the physical ability to ruminate, the psychic tendency is present in the mind to eat more, even when we have had enough. Still humans suffer from this weakness of mind. Not everyone, but many or most suffer in this way.
Overcoming this tendency of mind to eat more and more is not easy, that is why many people regularly overeat.
It is an age-old human pattern. It particularly haunts those people who are weak-minded or less developed human beings.
Another thing to keep in mind is that when eating roti or other dry foods (chips, roasted grains and potatoes) and breads, then it is imperative to drink lots of water in regulated quantities 1/2 hr after eating. Because the body will need a lot of water to digest dry foods. Whereas a soupy meal is comparatively easy to digest.
Also be be aware that for good digestion, the right nostril should be dominant. Just before taking food, while eating, and up to an hour after food. This alone will help eliminate so many stomach diseases. If anyone does not know how to change he nostrils then write me back.
In His discourses on the Seven Secrets of Success, Baba discusses point #6, known has pramita'ha'ra. This is an essential aspect of human health and is directly related with our food intake.
"Pramita'ha'ra, that is, balanced diet, balanced food. You must not take this much [stretches arms far apart], you should take this much [holds hands closer together]." (6)
Baba says, "The sixth factor is pramita'ha'rah. The sixth requisite factor is balanced and substantial, sentient food. A voracious man can’t attain success. A voracious man always suffers from so many stomach diseases. So, you should [never] encourage voracity." (7)
As sadhakas, we are to take Baba's teaching to heart. Even though we may have strong psychic inclinations to eat more food than our body can handle - due to our attachment to our primitive manners - we should take proper effort to ensure that we do not fall prey to overeating.
The following are Baba's guidelines from Carycarya:
"Before eating do vya'paka shaoca properly with cold water. In an extremely cold climate use lukewarm water. The system is: Wash the arms, the face, the legs, the neck and the genital organs. Then, keeping the eyes wide open, hold a mouthful of water and gently splash the eyes a minimum of twelve times."
"Before sitting down for a meal, invite whatever persons are present around you and share your food with them. If they do not want to share, enquire whether they have enough food with them or not."
"At the time of eating find a comfortable sitting position. It is better to eat in company than to eat alone. Do not sit down to eat if you are in an angry mood or in a debased frame of mind."
"If several people are eating together from the same plate, make sure that sick persons do not take part. Otherwise healthy persons may become infected. There is no harm, however, in eating together from the same
plate if there is no contagious disease among the participants. Rather, this is a nice thing to see."
"It is good to take food when the main flow of breath is through the right nostril. Even after meal, it is good if the flow of breath is mainly through the right nostril and continues for some time, because
that is the time when the digestive glands start secreting a sufficient quantity of fluids to help digestion."
"Eating when one is not hungry or only half-hungry is very harmful to the health. So is eating rich food for days together or over-eating tasty and sumptuous food out of greed, or not taking rest after the meal before running off to the office, or filling the stomach with food. All these habits are harmful to the health."
"(For proper digestion, fill the stomach halfway with food, one quarter with water, and leave one quarter full of air.)"
"After finishing the evening meal take a short walk. This is very beneficial to health." (8)
Baba has given us with the ability to overcome all kinds of complexes and bad habits. That is the life of a sadhaka - to struggle and surge ahead.
We should make the body and mind sound by proper life habits and not fall prey to materials indulgences and excesses. The latter happens primarily when the mind is weak and engrossed in worldly desires.
By following the ways of pramita'ha'ra, then we will have succeeded in overcoming one of the most common weaknesses in human life - i.e. overeating.
"Food should be substantial, though moderate in quantity. This is pramita'ha'ra." (9)
Ultimately, the mind must be goaded towards the Divine Entity Parama Purua as that is the only way to satiate human longing.
"The Cosmic Entity alone is infinite and eternal. It alone is limitless. And the eternal longing of human beings for happiness can only be satiated by realization of the Infinite. The ephemeral nature of worldly possessions, power and position can only lead one to the conclusion that none of the things of the finite and limited world can set at rest the everlasting urge for happiness. Their acquisition merely gives rise to further longing. Only realization of the Infinite can do it. The Infinite can be only one, and that is the Cosmic Entity. Hence it is only the Cosmic Entity that can provide everlasting happiness – the quest for which is the characteristic of every human being. In reality, behind this human urge is hidden the desire, the longing, for attainment of the Cosmic Entity. It is the very nature of every living being. This alone is the dharma of every person." (10)
Namaskar,
In Him,
Sana'tana
Overeating is not the only habit we carry over from earlier times. Here are habits that stem from when we were monkeys.
"Some of the old habits still continue. Humans today fight among themselves in the same manner as monkeys do. While fighting a person cries, “Um, um” – this is a monkeys’ habit. Sometimes people not only cry like this but bite with their teeth. This is also an old habit of monkeys. Monkeys live in trees...while fighting on the branch of a tree monkeys have to catch hold of the branch strongly with their hands, so that they do not fall down and die. Human beings fight in a similar manner. They also grin and grimace. This is an old habit of monkeys." (11)
REFERENCES
1. Varn'a Vijia'na, p.285
2. VV
3. Prout in a Nutshell - 1, The Dharma of Human Beings
4. TK-3, Rágánugá and Rágátmiká Samádhi
5. Caryacarya - 3
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14
8. Caryacarya - 3
9. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23
10. Prout in a Nutshell - 1, The Dharma of Human Beings
11. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5
Baba
This entire email is composed of 2 parts:
(1) Posting: Human Beings & Chewing Cud.
(2) Prabhat Samgiita #4628;
== HUMAN BEINGS & CHEWING CUD
==
Namaskar,
Overeating is a common phenomenon around the globe. People even consciously say to themselves, "Today I am not going to overeat", but still they do it. Many of us do it. It is not an easy habit to overcome.
The problem is pervasive.
As we know modern medical science and our AM philosophy both state that overeating invites various diseases and decreases the lifespan. That is why in family life and the general society, people try to control their eating.
Even then overeating was a problem in the past, is a problem at present and most likely will be a problem in the future also. Let us see why.
HANGING ON TO THE WAYS OF OLD
Those primitive humans had little security in life. They lived moment to moment - captive to the weather and harsh ways of nature - never knowing when they would be able to find food again. Life was unsettled. So when the opportunity came to eat, they would purposely eat extra food and store excess food in the appendix and then regurgitate that food later when they would feel hungry. Indeed nature supplied them with "a second stomach" and with their mental force they could regurgitate that food.
"Human beings used to have an appendix to their intestines for accumulated or excess food. As it was needed this food would stimulate salivation in the mouth and be fully eaten and digested. The proper eating and digesting of the surplus food in the appendix is called romanthana in Sanskrit and ja'bar ka't'a' in Bengali. In good English we call it "rumination" and in spoken English "chewing the cud"...As the certainty of food supplies gradually increased, the need for a corporal appendix to the intestines lessened. Eventually there was even not the slightest need for it. Today a small vestige of it remains in the human body although it is no longer used in times of distress. Human beings have lost the capacity to ruminate." (1)
For thousands of years then those primitive humans followed this path:
Eat extra (more than what can fit in the stomach) -> store excess food in the appendix -> search for food -> encounter food scarcity -> use mental force -> ultimately regurgitate food in the appendix -> chew and swallow -> fully digest that food in the stomach.
That was a central pattern of life. It was how those early human beings survived. Most herbivore animals still do this type of thing.
So this manner of overeating is an old human trait. Actually in the days of old, it was out of necessity and the excess food was stored. It was not over-eating per se; it did not all go into the stomach. Today however, all the food we eat does go into the stomach. In that case it most definitely is overeating.
SOME THINGS HAVE CHANGED - SOME NOT
Nowadays, in many lands, people's lives are more settled. This applies to food as well. People have kitchens, a stock of food, and cooking facilities etc. In brief, we are able to plan our meals - we usually know exactly when we are going to eat next.
Because of all these modern developments, we have lost the power of regurgitation. Our bodies can no longer do that. That is what Baba has explained.
"As the certainty of food supplies gradually increased, the need for a corporal appendix to the intestines lessened. Eventually there was even not the slightest need for it. Today a small vestige of it remains in the human body although it is no longer used in times of distress. Human beings have lost the capacity to ruminate." (2)
Due to a distinct lack of use, slowly over time, the appendix has become very small. And now if food gets in the appendix, it is a serious problem. One will be rushed to the hospital for an operation to have it removed.
Thus even though our bodies have changed a lot, still there is a prevalent desire to eat to excess; it is common.
INFINITE LONGING SHOULD NOT BE CHANNELISED
TOWARDS FOOD
As much as the aforementioned physical and lifestyle conditions contribute to overeating, those are not the sole factors.
Another key reason why people overeat is that human desire is infinite. And when that desire gets directed towards physical desires like food, then people attempt to satiate their inherent infinite longing with their appetite. But it cannot work - one's innate infinite longing can never be satiated by food. Limited worldly allurements cannot truly satisfy one's infinite longing.
"The animality in human beings gives them a leaning towards animal life or physical enjoyment. They, under its influence, look to eating, drinking and gratification of other physical desires. They are attracted towards these and run after them under the influence of their animality but these do not provide happiness as their longing for it is infinite." (3)
So one key factor in overeating nowadays is the mis-direction of mind towards physical desires like food. When one's infinite mental longing is goaded towards one's dinner plate they are bound to overeat. Through sadhana, one's desire is directed towards the Supreme and that is the only way to satisfy one's inherent mental longing.
"The mind of a non-sádhaka is guided by extroversial propensities. As the sádhaka’s goal is Parama Puruśa he will have to invariably direct the mind towards Parama Puruśa." (4)
People also overeat due to mental stress, depression, and other factors related with psychic diseases. We should pay heed to Baba's below mandates.
BABA'S RECIPE FOR HEALTHY EATING
As we all know, in His Yogic Treatments book, so many disease, sicknesses and ailments are due to overeating.
Here is Baba's recipe for healthy eating habits.
"For proper digestion, fill the stomach halfway with food, one quarter with water, and leave one quarter full of air." (5)
To do this, one must stop eating when one still feels a little hungry, in the next few minutes a natural feeling of satiation will come. If however, one eats till they are full, then that constitutes overeating and within a short time after completing their meal they will feel bloated, heavy, lethargic, and uncomfortable.
It is a very fine line between proper eating and overeating. The best way to get success is to eat slowly, take limited portions, and be mindful to stop eating when one is still a little hungry. If done
regularly, this will become your habit.
If one is not taking 1/2 belly, then that is overeating. And if one is strict and eats only half-full, then that is proper. They will have overcome the the primitive ways of old - i.e. eating excessively.
Even though we have lost the physical ability to ruminate, the psychic tendency is present in the mind to eat more, even when we have had enough. Still humans suffer from this weakness of mind. Not everyone, but many or most suffer in this way.
Overcoming this tendency of mind to eat more and more is not easy, that is why many people regularly overeat.
It is an age-old human pattern. It particularly haunts those people who are weak-minded or less developed human beings.
Another thing to keep in mind is that when eating roti or other dry foods (chips, roasted grains and potatoes) and breads, then it is imperative to drink lots of water in regulated quantities 1/2 hr after eating. Because the body will need a lot of water to digest dry foods. Whereas a soupy meal is comparatively easy to digest.
Also be be aware that for good digestion, the right nostril should be dominant. Just before taking food, while eating, and up to an hour after food. This alone will help eliminate so many stomach diseases. If anyone does not know how to change he nostrils then write me back.
PRAMITA'HA'RA
In His discourses on the Seven Secrets of Success, Baba discusses point #6, known has pramita'ha'ra. This is an essential aspect of human health and is directly related with our food intake.
"Pramita'ha'ra, that is, balanced diet, balanced food. You must not take this much [stretches arms far apart], you should take this much [holds hands closer together]." (6)
Baba says, "The sixth factor is pramita'ha'rah. The sixth requisite factor is balanced and substantial, sentient food. A voracious man can’t attain success. A voracious man always suffers from so many stomach diseases. So, you should [never] encourage voracity." (7)
As sadhakas, we are to take Baba's teaching to heart. Even though we may have strong psychic inclinations to eat more food than our body can handle - due to our attachment to our primitive manners - we should take proper effort to ensure that we do not fall prey to overeating.
BEFORE EATING
The following are Baba's guidelines from Carycarya:
"Before eating do vya'paka shaoca properly with cold water. In an extremely cold climate use lukewarm water. The system is: Wash the arms, the face, the legs, the neck and the genital organs. Then, keeping the eyes wide open, hold a mouthful of water and gently splash the eyes a minimum of twelve times."
"Before sitting down for a meal, invite whatever persons are present around you and share your food with them. If they do not want to share, enquire whether they have enough food with them or not."
"At the time of eating find a comfortable sitting position. It is better to eat in company than to eat alone. Do not sit down to eat if you are in an angry mood or in a debased frame of mind."
"If several people are eating together from the same plate, make sure that sick persons do not take part. Otherwise healthy persons may become infected. There is no harm, however, in eating together from the same
plate if there is no contagious disease among the participants. Rather, this is a nice thing to see."
"It is good to take food when the main flow of breath is through the right nostril. Even after meal, it is good if the flow of breath is mainly through the right nostril and continues for some time, because
that is the time when the digestive glands start secreting a sufficient quantity of fluids to help digestion."
"Eating when one is not hungry or only half-hungry is very harmful to the health. So is eating rich food for days together or over-eating tasty and sumptuous food out of greed, or not taking rest after the meal before running off to the office, or filling the stomach with food. All these habits are harmful to the health."
"(For proper digestion, fill the stomach halfway with food, one quarter with water, and leave one quarter full of air.)"
"After finishing the evening meal take a short walk. This is very beneficial to health." (8)
OVERCOME BAD HABIT AND CHANNELISE TO THE
SUPREME
Baba has given us with the ability to overcome all kinds of complexes and bad habits. That is the life of a sadhaka - to struggle and surge ahead.
We should make the body and mind sound by proper life habits and not fall prey to materials indulgences and excesses. The latter happens primarily when the mind is weak and engrossed in worldly desires.
By following the ways of pramita'ha'ra, then we will have succeeded in overcoming one of the most common weaknesses in human life - i.e. overeating.
"Food should be substantial, though moderate in quantity. This is pramita'ha'ra." (9)
Ultimately, the mind must be goaded towards the Divine Entity Parama Purua as that is the only way to satiate human longing.
"The Cosmic Entity alone is infinite and eternal. It alone is limitless. And the eternal longing of human beings for happiness can only be satiated by realization of the Infinite. The ephemeral nature of worldly possessions, power and position can only lead one to the conclusion that none of the things of the finite and limited world can set at rest the everlasting urge for happiness. Their acquisition merely gives rise to further longing. Only realization of the Infinite can do it. The Infinite can be only one, and that is the Cosmic Entity. Hence it is only the Cosmic Entity that can provide everlasting happiness – the quest for which is the characteristic of every human being. In reality, behind this human urge is hidden the desire, the longing, for attainment of the Cosmic Entity. It is the very nature of every living being. This alone is the dharma of every person." (10)
Namaskar,
In Him,
Sana'tana
Note 1: OTHER OLD HABITS
Overeating is not the only habit we carry over from earlier times. Here are habits that stem from when we were monkeys.
"Some of the old habits still continue. Humans today fight among themselves in the same manner as monkeys do. While fighting a person cries, “Um, um” – this is a monkeys’ habit. Sometimes people not only cry like this but bite with their teeth. This is also an old habit of monkeys. Monkeys live in trees...while fighting on the branch of a tree monkeys have to catch hold of the branch strongly with their hands, so that they do not fall down and die. Human beings fight in a similar manner. They also grin and grimace. This is an old habit of monkeys." (11)
REFERENCES
1. Varn'a Vijia'na, p.285
2. VV
3. Prout in a Nutshell - 1, The Dharma of Human Beings
4. TK-3, Rágánugá and Rágátmiká Samádhi
5. Caryacarya - 3
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14
8. Caryacarya - 3
9. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23
10. Prout in a Nutshell - 1, The Dharma of Human Beings
11. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5
******** Prabhat Samgiita #4628
"Bha'lobesechi a'mi toma'y, jar'ata'r yato a'hva'n..." (P.S. 4628)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa, I am loving You. No matter how intoxicating the worldly attractions & allurements may be; no matter how much they call out to me and try to pull me, in my heart I know that this is not Your divine attraction. O' my Lord, by Your grace, I understand that these fleeting temptations will not bring me under Your divine shelter.
Whatever flowers are blossoming today, tomorrow they will wither away. The mala which was smiling in vibrant colours, tomorrow it will become one with the dust. This is how this changing, panoramic universe unfolds; this is the way this transitory world works. This is Your divine liila. Nothing in this world is permanent. O' Parama Purusa, You have graciously made me understand this spiritual truth.
O' Parama Purusa, when the dark night ends then the shining and glittering moon becomes faded and faint. It loses its charm. Baba, in the most loving and beautiful way, in the end ultimately everything gets its place at Your lotus feet. That is the final stance of this grand creation.
O' Parama Purusa Baba, You have made me understand that all these worldly attractions do not lead unto You. You have graciously given me samvit [1] and awakened me to the fact that these worldly allurements are not meaningful. Baba, all this is Your unfathomable divine grace...
NOTES FOR PRABAHT SAMGIITA #4628
[1] Samvit: "Samvit means spiritual consciousness, spiritual awakening. A man engaged in bad things all of a sudden feels that “No, I shouldn’t do all these things. No, I should be a good man henceforward.” Such an idea all of a sudden comes in his mind. And this thing, this change of mental tendency, is brought about by samvit shakti of Vidyámáyá. Do you follow? This is what is called samvit shakti. “No, henceforward I must be a good man. No, henceforward I must be a spiritualist. I must not encourage any depraving idea.” Samvit shakti." (AV-33, Brahma Cakra)
"Bha'lobesechi a'mi toma'y, jar'ata'r yato a'hva'n..." (P.S. 4628)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa, I am loving You. No matter how intoxicating the worldly attractions & allurements may be; no matter how much they call out to me and try to pull me, in my heart I know that this is not Your divine attraction. O' my Lord, by Your grace, I understand that these fleeting temptations will not bring me under Your divine shelter.
Whatever flowers are blossoming today, tomorrow they will wither away. The mala which was smiling in vibrant colours, tomorrow it will become one with the dust. This is how this changing, panoramic universe unfolds; this is the way this transitory world works. This is Your divine liila. Nothing in this world is permanent. O' Parama Purusa, You have graciously made me understand this spiritual truth.
O' Parama Purusa, when the dark night ends then the shining and glittering moon becomes faded and faint. It loses its charm. Baba, in the most loving and beautiful way, in the end ultimately everything gets its place at Your lotus feet. That is the final stance of this grand creation.
O' Parama Purusa Baba, You have made me understand that all these worldly attractions do not lead unto You. You have graciously given me samvit [1] and awakened me to the fact that these worldly allurements are not meaningful. Baba, all this is Your unfathomable divine grace...
NOTES FOR PRABAHT SAMGIITA #4628
[1] Samvit: "Samvit means spiritual consciousness, spiritual awakening. A man engaged in bad things all of a sudden feels that “No, I shouldn’t do all these things. No, I should be a good man henceforward.” Such an idea all of a sudden comes in his mind. And this thing, this change of mental tendency, is brought about by samvit shakti of Vidyámáyá. Do you follow? This is what is called samvit shakti. “No, henceforward I must be a good man. No, henceforward I must be a spiritualist. I must not encourage any depraving idea.” Samvit shakti." (AV-33, Brahma Cakra)
