Baba
Overload
Namaskar,
Who does not know, Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments book states, “Dyspepsia
originates from unbalanced food habits. Eating when one is not hungry
or only half hungry is harmful in this disease. So is eating rich food
for days together, using intoxicants, eating tasty food out of greed
alone, not taking rest after the meal before running off to the office,
or taking a bellyful of food (according to the scriptures, it is
desirable to fill the stomach halfway with food, one quarter with water,
and to keep one quarter empty for free movement of air); refraining
from doing physical labour and, over and above this, doing strenuous
mental work or indulging in sex, is also harmful in this disease.” (1)
Overeating is a common phenomenon amongst greedy people during feasts
and festivals around the globe. People even consciously say to
themselves, "Today I am not going to overeat at such-and-such feast",
but still they do it, due to greed. When people eat something that they
feel is tasty and delicious, then they are prone to overeating. The
problem is pervasive within the community of greedy-eaters.
Modern medical science and our Ananda Marga 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. This issue of over-eating is a big problem at present. Now is
the time steps must be made for educating the people, curtailing the
problem, and preventing it from occurring in the future.
How primitive humans used to chew cud
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.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "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." (2)
For thousands of years then those primitive humans followed this path:
Uncertainty about future food -> when getting excess food
then eat extra (more than what can fit in the stomach) -> store
excess food in the appendix -> hunger comes -> regurgitate food
from the appendix -> chew and swallow that regurgitated food ->
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 eating is an old human trait yet completely different
from the overeating that takes place nowadays which is a result of human
greed. Actually in the days of old, it was out of necessity and the
excess food was stored. It was not overeating 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 based on greed.
Nobody gives way to overeating when they do not like the taste of
something. However, if they think something is sumptuous then driven by
greed they will overeat, distend their belly, and harm the body.
Modernity & human appendix
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.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "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." (3)
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; but, it is based on greed not
biological need.
Infinite longing should not be channelised towards food
As sadhakas we know that human longing is infinite and must be directed
to the Supreme. When this is not done and one focuses their infinite
longing towards physical pabulum - like food - then the result is
overeating. Some may even eat themselves into their own grave.
The chief 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 that equation is doomed to fail. One's innate
infinite longing can never be satiated by food. Limited worldly
allurements cannot truly satisfy one's infinite longing.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "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." (4)
So one key factor in overeating nowadays is the misdirection 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.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "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." (5)
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 diseases,
illnesses, and ailments are due to overeating. Here is Baba's recipe for
healthy eating habits.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "For proper digestion, fill the stomach
halfway with food, one quarter with water, and leave one quarter full of
air." (6)
To do this, one should 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.
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 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.
Voracious eaters suffer
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.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us,“Pramitáhárah: to maintain the physical
body, you require physical food, air, water, light. But physical food is
not simply for the physical body. It has got its effect on the
spiritual body. The cells of your physical body are created from the
cells that you receive from your physical food, and your psychic body is
also influenced by these cells. So while taking food, you should be
very careful. You should always try to take sentient food, and on rare
occasions you may take mutative food. You should never take static food.
Not only that, but your diet should be balanced. You must not take too
much or too little. The food should be substantial. When it is balanced
or measured, and, at the same time, substantial, that type of food is
called Pramitáhára in Sanskrit. The sixth factor is Pramitáhárah. 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 neither encourage voracity, nor
should you undergo fasting for a long period of time. I have prescribed
that our monks should undergo fasting four days per month, two
Ekádashiis, one Amávasyá, and one Púrńimá, and Grhiis, non-monks or
family men are to undergo two fasts in a month, two Ekádashiis in a
month. Fasting is also included in the scope of Pramitáhára because it
gives rest to the digestive organs and frees the body from so many
ailments. So the sixth requisite factor is Pramitáhára.” (7)
As sadhakas, we are to take Baba's teaching to heart. we should take
proper effort to ensure that we do not fall prey to greedy overeating.
Conclusion
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 material indulgences and excesses - like overeating due to
greed. 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 this greed - i.e. overeating.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "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 Purusa as that is the only way to satiate human longing.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "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." (10)
In the above teachings Baba says that one should not try and satiate
oneself by food. Food will never give you eternal satiation. The final
conclusion is that overeating is very bad - it will not give you
permanent happiness; it will only lead to poor health and mental
anguish.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Sana'tana
~ In-depth study ~
Do’s and don’ts: 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)
Old habits
Here are habits that stem from when we were monkeys.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "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. Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, Dyspepsia
2. Varn'a Vijia'na, p.285
3. Varn'a Vijia'na, Emanation (Discourse 20)
4. Prout in a Nutshell - 1, The Dharma of Human Beings
5. Tattav Kaoumudii - 3, Rágánugá and Rágátmiká Samádhi
6. Caryacarya - 3, Procedure for Eating
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Seven Secrets
8. Caryacarya - 3, Procedure for Eating
9. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 3
10. Prout in a Nutshell - 1, The Dharma of Human Beings
11. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, The Psycho-Spiritual Evolution of Humans
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