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Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Monday, July 13, 2026

Popular food, but toxic + 3 more

Baba
Popular food, but toxic

Namaskar,

At our various Ananda Marga gatherings - camps, RDS, seminars, and retreats etc - the common custom is to serve and eat deep fried foods. Most like to eat fried foods.

Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji’s guideline is to eat according to the dictates of pramitahara, as that is ideal food for sadhakas. And He differentiates between pramitáhára and parimitáhára. More about this is explained further down in this letter.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Harmful effects of fried food


It is prevalent in India and around the globe for margiis to gather and eat fried food. Yet so many studies have proven that frying food in oil / fat / butter has a disastrous effect on one’s health and well-being. Due to high heat, that oil / fat / butter, or any fat, becomes toxic and carcinogenic, leading to cancer, a heart attack / heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, obesity, and premature death.

One of the common techniques - especially in India - is to burn oil / fat in the bottom of the cookpot and then add spices and vegetables. That has a similarly harmful effect as deep frying. Because the oil has been heated, burned, and turned into a toxic element.

So there should not be any confusion - there are three ways that cooking with oil is harmful to health:
(a) Deep fry in batter until fully cooked;
(b) Half-cook vegetables in boiling oil and then finish cooking using water;
(c) Cook spices and vegetables in oil - initial frying - and then add water to complete cooking the vegetables. 

All three of these cooking styles are very disastrous for health.

In addition, oil should not be added to dishes that are very watery like soups and sauces, as water and oil do not mix well. The oil just floats to the top. So the mixture is very difficult to digest. But if one has a very strong stomach then under duress it may get digested. But mixing oil into watery foods should be avoided if one's digestive power is weak.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

How carbohydrates become toxic


Here is an important point related with oil that is not commonly known. Basically whenever carbohydrates - and there are thousands of them such as potatoes, pasta, wheat, and corn products etc - are cooked in oil then a byproduct that results is acrylamide. And this acrylamide is a toxic poison that causes cancer. Whenever carbohydrate is deep fried, cooked in oil, or baked in the oven with oil then the toxin acrylamide is created in that food.

If oil is not used when heating carbohydrates then it is safe. But remember, almost all prepackaged, company products like store-bought bread etc contain oil. That oil is used as a preservative to maintain freshness. That means if anyone toasts or cooks that bread - and does not add any oil to it - even then that toxin acrylamide is created because already there is oil in the bread. So it becomes a very tricky affair. It means that all those baked or fried salty snack foods like chips etc are filled with high levels of acrylamide. Same is the case with roasted nuts, and that is why they are also toxic.

Now let’s apply our knowledge and examine a few pieces of toast. And remember, no extra oil or butter was put on the bread before toasting it. But since the bread is made with oil then when heated it will become toxic and carcinogenic. Similarly, carbohydrates like fried potatoes etc - as well as any roasted nuts - contain acrylamide to varying degrees, depending upon the amount of oil and the temperature at which it was cooked.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

 
Good & bad oil

(a) The best fats are considered to be unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats have numerous health benefits. 
(b) Never eat: (1) hydrogenated fat, (2) trans fat, or (3) saturated fat.
(c) Fat should be no more than 25% of your daily caloric intake. 
(d) Fats are to be strictly avoided if you are overweight according to the BMI (body mass index) scale.
(e) Oil that is old, rancid, and highly processed is very bad.
(f) Remember that all oil has a shelf life. Some oil goes bad in 15 days and some gets rotten after a few months. Whatever may be, rancid oil is toxic.
(g) As far as possible, try to use organic, cold-pressed, unrefined, unfiltered oil. That is ideal.
(h) Never heat the oil. Rather it should be applied to food that is already cooked and out of the cookpot.
(i) Eat oil when feeling strong hunger - either a spoon of oil can be taken in isolation or added to their food.

Bear in mind that when eating oil one should only eat about 40% of the amount of their regular sized meal. Then it will be easily digested. 

Another way to get important / healthy fats and oils into the diet is by taking seed oils and eating nuts. The best approach is to soak those raw oil seeds (sesame seeds or flax seeds etc) and raw nuts (peanut, ground nut etc) for 12 - 24 hrs and, if possible change and discard the water used for soaking, then blend that into a saucy mixture. Eating those blended nuts and seeds will fulfill the requisite amount of oil / fat intake for the body.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 

Eating when travelling

Travelling plays a big role in the life of most Wts - and many margiis as well. However, when travelling, one should not compromise on the point of food and healthy eating habits. One should not start eating red chillies, fried foods, or foods cooked in heated and burned oil. Eating oil is okay but it should not be cooked.

So the best way is to try and convince those whom one is visiting about the health benefits of not eating food cooked in oil. It is a basic point of health, and most will be receptive to this idea. Just they need to understand why it is important and how they can alternatively prepare their food. Cooking oil in a pot is toxic so no food or spices should be prepared in this way. Spices cooked in water are fine - so long as those spices are not adulterated. Thus the two chief things to avoid are red chillies and any cooked oil.

Whenever traveling from place to place, it is best to always educate those whom one is staying with about these points. The great benefit is that they can improve their health dramatically, plus when staying there in the future the food situation will be very good. Most probably, the traveller will be able to convince many in this regard. One final travel tip, remember to eat raw leafy vegetables - if other cooked vegetables are not available.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Fundamental eating rules for sadhakas


Pramitáhára: Take a nutritionally-balanced diet, with stomach 50% food, 25% water, and 25% air. Food should be: (a) sáttvika; (b) of least developed ‘I’-feeling; (c) from cruelty-free production; and, (d) purchased with pure money. Avoid food: (a) from a mean-minded cook; (b) in a támasika environment; (c) at a death ceremony; or, (d) at a feast given for show. 

Difference between pramitáhára & parimitáhára


Ananda Marga ideology states, “Pramitáhára – there is a difference between pramitáhára and parimitáhára. Parimitáhára means “[limited] diet”, and pramitáhára means “balanced diet”. The body should have a balanced diet. [Limitation] alone will not do. Just to [limit] the quantity of food will not do – one will have to take a balanced diet, to make the body and mind strong. Food should be substantial, though moderate in quantity. This is pramitáhára.” (1)

Some Indian dogmatic ascetics do not care about food and just eat a very little quantity of grass, leaves, or boiled vegetables. Here the main aim is to eat as little as possible. But Baba critiques this approach as one has to eat a balanced and nutritious diet - and at the same time eat a moderate amount of food. The stomach should never be more than 50% full of food, as 25% should be reserved for water and 25% for air.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

And here is another important point to bear in mind. Baba guides us that we should exercise restraint and use our vivek when considering what food to eat. 

Ananda Marga ideology states, “On food. This all-round restraint is indeed necessary. It will not do to simply eat what you get or do what you desire. When you eat you must consider if it is sentient, mutative or static. While eating you must think carefully as to what influence it will have over your body and your mind. You are not a goat or a camel that you will eat whatever you get. You have to think when you act.” (2)

Conclusion


Diet and food choices are key components of human health. As Ananda Margiis and adherents of yogic way of living, it is important that we practice proper eating habits in our day to day life. That means not using oil at high heat and being keenly aware of food products containing acrylamide.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
in Him
Vasudeva

~ In-depth study ~

Food must not be taken indiscriminately

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Cells generally grow out of light, air, water and the food we eat. The nature of food and drink has its effect upon the cells, and consequently also influences the human mind. Obviously each and every sádhaka, or spiritual aspirant, should be very cautious in selecting food. Suppose a person takes támasika, or static, food. The result will be that after a certain period, static cells will grow and exercise a static influence on the aspirant's mind. Human beings must select sáttvika, or sentient, or rájasika, or mutative, food according to time, place and person. This will lead to the birth of sentient cells, which in turn will produce a love for spiritual practice and help in attaining psychic equilibrium and equipoise, leading to immense spiritual elevation." (3)

Sadguru Baba says, "If cells are affected by food and water, and if the nature of the cells affects the nature of the human mind, obviously human beings should eat the correct diet, because food and mind are closely related to each other. Any food item, whether good or bad, must not be taken indiscriminately because it may lead to mental degeneration. Sincere spiritual aspirants must follow the dictum: Áhárashuddhao sattvashudhih [“A sentient diet produces a sentient body”]. Only food which is helpful in keeping the body and mind sentient should be eaten." (4)

Food affects your cells & mind


Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The human body is constituted of innumerable living cells. These cells develop and grow with the help of similar living entities. The nature of your living cells will be formed in accordance with the type of food you take. Ultimately all these together will affect your mind to some extent. If the cells of the human body grow on rotten and bad-smelling food, or on the fresh flesh of animals in which mean tendencies predominate, it is but natural that the mind will have a tendency of meanness. The policy of eating, without due consideration, whatever is available cannot be supported in any case, even though there may not be any question of hiḿsá or ahiḿsá. It should not be your policy to do what you wish. You must perform actions after due thought. For continued subsistence a policy will have to be adopted for taking food." (5)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "“Śaśt́haiṋca pramit́áháro”: one must have a balanced diet. “Whatever I get, that I will eat” – this must not be the policy of a sane being. This human body is a composite of protoplasmic cells, and these protoplasmic cells are made of the food we take in. If the food and drink is defective, then the protoplasmic cells will also become defective, and the human mind, which is the collective mind of so many protoplasmic minds, will also become defective. That is why támasik or static food has a negative influence on the human mind." (6)


This first below piece contains a harmful and bad degree - i.e. relatively lower amount of the carcinogenic acrylamide - because it is less cooked. See the light brown potato fries below.




Next, we arrive at foods like more deeply cooked french fries - pictured below. This type of deep-fried carbohydrate is loaded with extremely high or the worst levels of acrylamide. This type of food is very carcinogenic as it is cooked in large quantities of oil at high heat.





Now let’s apply our knowledge and examine a few pieces of toast. And remember, no extra oil or butter was put on the bread before toasting it. But since the bread is made with oil then when heated it will become toxic and carcinogenic.

This first below piece contains the most amount of acrylamide because it is the most cooked. See the light brown, dark brown, and even black charred sections on this below piece of toast.


So the above slice of toast contains high amounts of acrylamide because it is burned in some section.

Now let’s see these two below pieces of toast as a comparison. The slice below on the right is mostly brown so it will also have high levels of the toxin acrylamide. Whereas the piece of toast on the left is very lightly cooked so it will have comparatively lower levels of acrylamide.



Next, we arrive at foods like french fries - pictured below. This type of deep-fried carbohydrate is loaded with extremely high levels of acrylamide. So this type of food is very carcinogenic as it is cooked in large quantities of oil at high heat.



Thus, all the above carbohydrates - as well as any roasted nuts - contain acrylamide to varying degrees, depending upon the amount of oil and the temperature at which it was cooked.

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 3
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, The Primary Causes of Success
3. Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
4. Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
5. A Guide to Human Conduct, Ahimsa
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Physical Propulsion, Psychic Propensities and Spiritual Attainment


*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

New & newer relation with Him

“Svarńa shatadal pulake jhalamala, aruńa áloy tumi dharáy esechile…” (Prabhat Samgiita #3083)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, You have taken advent on this earth in this glorious crimson dawn. You are seated on the hundred-petaled golden lotus, glittering in bliss. You have set afloat the fragrant floral aroma on the gentle, spring, ocean breeze. In a blink of an eye, with Your sweet love, You have beautifully captivated everyone’s mind and heart.

Parama Purusa, Baba, You remain ever-awake age after age, and stay by everyone’s bedside with Your ota yoga. You saturate one and all with sweet love, affection, mine-ness during their pains and pleasures, and through the whole gamut of their emotions. You are new and still newer in meditation everyday. Supreme Entity, You are ever-new. Swaying in their mind, You blessed everyone to lose themselves in deep meditation.

Baba, Your ahaetuki karuńá (causeless karun’a’) cannot ever be forgotten. You go on floating in the rhythm of life with green and fresh beauty, and with Your exquisite charm. Baba, You exist, so I exist. I am dancing and centering around Your lotus feet. By pouring the sweetness of my heart in each gesture and movement of my dance, I surrender at Your altar always…


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Spirituality needed in modern era

Ananda Marga ideology guides, "Our social code provides clear guidelines on how members will adapt to this modern, rapidly changing world. There have been more changes in the past 200 years than in the 800 years prior to that. In education, culture, dress and food habits major changes have taken place. Old, outdated wooden shoes, turbans, etc. have been replaced by modern shoes, hats and clothes made from scientific fabrics with contemporary designs. Primitive bullock carts, horse-drawn carriages, hackney coaches, etc., have been replaced with fast-moving cars, trains, and aeroplanes. In the past, people used to travel by elephant, but now they can travel to other planets by rocket. There should be a proper adjustment between the body and the mind to keep pace with the fast speed of the development in the world. For this reason, Ananda Marga spiritual practices place much importance on ásanas, práńáyáma, etc.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Our Social Treatise


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Ayurveda & kapha

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “The third health-determining element is kapha, or the liquid, viscous portion of the body. Excess kapha creates spontaneous heat within the body which manifests externally as fever...Ginger is the enemy of kapha, the destroyer of kapha. Thus one name of ginger in ayurveda is kapha’ri. Similarly, arum or elephant root is the destroyer of arsha [piles] so arum in Sanskrit is called arsha’ri or arshaghnii.” (1)

Note: The first two health determining elements are va’yu and pitta. 

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 3, Kakubh to Kavaśńa (Discourse 17)


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Current affairs: for those who left one group and joined an inferior group
(Baba warns that their situation will be worst.)

This below quote is for those Hindus who got frustrated with Hinduism and joined in Islam, or H group margiis or Wts who got frustrated with H group and joined B group. To save themselves from jackals they jumped into the fire.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Due to the many shortcomings in one religion and its exploitation of so-called lower caste people, many of these so-called low caste people left that religion and accepted another. When people leave their religion for no significant reason and accept another religion which suffers from ideological vacuum or is even inferior to the religion which they previously followed, they develop hysterical behaviour. They start excessively doing those things which were once prohibited to them by their previous religion. So we find that the person who has converted to another religion takes more beef than a normal member of that religion. This type of behaviour cannot be found in those who had ideologically accepted that religion.” (1)

References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, The Existential Value of Ideology


== Section 4: Links ==

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Cow’s milk not sentient--when? + 5 more

Baba
Cow’s milk not sentient--when?

Note: This letter is only for health conscious sadhakas - margiis and wts - who are very strict in adhering to a sentient diet.

Namaskar,

As per Ananda Marga teachings, milk is sentient. It is a sattvika food item. Yet we should bear in mind that there are some important considerations.

When the capitalist-minded agro-dairy industry and related corporations use steroids, injections, and other unnatural techniques to get the cows to produce excessive amounts of milk at the risk of the overall health of those cows etc, then that milk cannot be considered sentient. It is full of pollutants, poisonous chemicals, and other harmful agents.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Many Indian cows eat junk & night-soil


The situation of some Indian cows is also quite compromised. Some of the cows in the Indian cities eat all kinds of things: paper, plastic, garbage, cardboard etc. They eat so much of it that when a cow gets sick and surgery is needed, then invariably doctors find 30 - 65kg of junk / garbage inside the cow.

Such problems are not limited to cows in the city. In the countryside and suburban towns where inhabitants defecate outside, then cows in those areas often eat night-soil. Whereas goats and buffaloes do not eat night-soil.

For those not aware, cow's milk from the villages is widely-distributed. Those villagers often form a cooperative and keep their milk in a central location. Then an area "milk-man" comes around for pick-ups once or twice a day. That milk is brought to processing plants in larger cities. At those plants, milk from various areas gets mixed, packaged, and shipped for wider delivery. So it is not that the village milk stays in a village. The milk of those cows that eat night-soil reaches a wide spectrum of buyers. Many are then exposed to milk produced by (some) cows that eat night soil.

In both conditions, city and country, the sentient quality of the cow in India - and cow's milk - is greatly disturbed. And verily these scenarios are applicable to any land or country where the cows live under such conditions.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Then there is the problem that cows that do not have calves do not allow all their milk to be taken. So dairy farmers around the world inject such cows with chemicals and drugs so those cows will release all their milk. In turn, those chemicals get mixed in with the milk. Anyone can taste and smell the toxins in the milk. This is a large-scale, global problem.

It all comes to this: Unless you know the history of the cow and how it has lived, purchasing or drinking cow's milk is risky. The answer lies in enclosed natural areas or sanctuaries so cows can live in a natural setting and have some freedom without endangering or exposing them to harmful agents, like pollution, garbage, and night soil.

Till that time, drinking cow's milk in India - and other lands where the cows are subjected to such conditions - is tamasika on many occasions.

Milk from a newly-calved cow is tamasika


Here is another key parameter to take into consideration which is applicable to the entire world - everywhere. This point is not limited to any particular place.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Baba guides us that it is not sentient to drink the milk of a cow that recently gave birth. Essentially, that milk contains colostrum which is harmful to the mind of a sadhaka. Such milk is tamasika.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "The milk of a newly-calved cow [sandhinii] [is] ta'masika." (1)

Here are further guidelines about this:

(a) In the original Bengali and Hindi editions of Caryacarya, Baba says do not drink the milk of a sandhinii cow. The term sandhinii is consistently used and defined as a cow which has recently given birth. .

(b) Then in the English edition of Caryacarya, the phrase - newly-calved cow - has been used. Here again we are not to drink that milk.

(c) Then in Shabda Cayanika Baba also defines sandhinii as a newly-calved cow.

Baba says, "Given birth to a calf. A cow in that stage is called sandhinii.” (2)

Furthermore, in Samskrta language literature, the term sandhinii is qualified as being a ten-day period.

"The milk of a female animal [sandhinii] whose offspring is not ten days old."  (Courtesy of League of Devotees (dot) com)

So this link clarifies that sandhinii refers to a ten-day period for the cow after giving birth.

How company produced cow's milk is tamasika


Now that we have confirmed that our Ananda Marga guideline is that milk from a cow that has given birth less than 10 days ago is tamasika, we should compare this with today's markets around the world.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In the US, government regulations stipulate that dairy farms / manufacturers cannot sell milk from a newly-calved cow for 4 days. After that 4-day period, it is approved by the FDA for human consumption. That is the standard in the USA.

"By regulation, everything the dairy farmer collects from a cow for the first four days (8 "milkings") cannot be sold as milk, and is classified as colostrum." (Courtesy of www (dot) willardswater (dot) com)

In Ananda Marga our standard is different. Baba guides us that we should not drink milk from a sandhinii cow (a newly-calved cow) i.e. within a 10-day period of delivering her calf. Thus, any milk made in the US during that 6-day window, i.e. day 4 to day 10 after a cow has given birth, is tamasika. Whether it is organic or not, that milk is classified as tamasika according to our Ananda Marga standard.

So the problem is that there is no way of knowing which milk on the shelf in the US was produced during that period. By this standard, it is literally impossible to know if the milk you are buying in the US is tamasika or not.

In the area where you live, you should find out what the laws and regulations are. Because if the standard is less than the specified 10-day period as given in Ananda Marga, then there will be tamasika milk on the shelves in stores.

For instance, let's say in Italy the rule is not to produce milk from a newly-calved cow for 5 days after giving birth, then there is a remaining 5-day window wherein tamasika milk is being produced, and hence sold in stores. Let's take another hypothetical example. Let's say in Argentina the rule is not to produce milk for 12 days after a cow has given birth. In that case, the milk produced in Argentina is sentient (at least on this factor) according to our Ananda Marga guideline. Because our guideline is a 10-day period, at minimum, and Argentina is going beyond that mark. These are all hypothetical examples, but the point is understood.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Any milk produced by a newly-calved cow / sandhinii cow that is less than the mandatory 10-day waiting period is tamasika.

Cow eats garbage in USA


~ Courtesy of Mother Jones ~

“Chicken shit: What’s not to love about the fecal waste of America’s 36-million-plus broiler chickens? It’s plentiful and cheap. But according to a recent OnEarth story by Brad Jacobson, the problem may be less the poop itself than the smorgasbord of other substances it frequently comes with, including feathers, heavy metals, bacteria, antibiotics, and bits of rodents. Jacobson also notes that the practice could promote the spread of mad cow disease.”

“Crab guts: For ranchers and feedlots near the coast, the guts and other undesirable parts of fish, crabs, shrimp, and crawfish can be an abundant source of cheap protein. Ground up into a tasty meal, seafood byproducts can be mixed into other feeds. Fish-meal cattle feed isn’t a new idea; Marco Polo observed in his diary that cows ate it.” (Courtesy of Mother Jones)

Conclusion: cow's milk sold in stores is tamasika


Unless we have perfect proof about how the milk is produced, then we have to assume that the milk sold in stores is tamasika. Because that milk contains steroids or other harmful agents; the milk of a newly-calved cow contains colostrum; there is the issue of commercial factory farming etc. In all such cases, that milk is tamasika and should be avoided.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Let’s reflect again: Unless we have perfect proof about how the milk is produced, then we have to assume that the milk sold in stores is tamasika. That is the only way to approach it; drinking any milk from any store is to walk along a slippery slope - anything is possible. One may fall at any moment. That milk should be treated as tamasika.

Verily there are many dos and don'ts regarding the sanctity of milk. Best is to just assume that all milk from a regular supermarket etc is tamasika. Remember, when store-bought milk itself is tamasika, then it also means that those products produced from and using that milk are also tamasika: butter, cream, cheese, sour cream, yogurt etc.

Finally, again bear in mind that the point of waiting 10 days after the birth before milking a cow for human consumption applies to buffaloes and goats as well.

Namaskar,
Sharada
(Sarah Loggins)

~ In-depth study ~

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Suppose a physician says, “As a human, you require animal protein for your health;” but suppose dharma says, “No, a human should not take carnal food;” then in that case you will have to follow dharma and not the physician, because the order of dharma is above all other orders. Dharma is the highest Lord, the highest authority." (3)


Neo-humanistic reason: about cow's milk

There is also a neo-humanistic reason why as Ananda Margiis we refrain from taking milk from a newly-calved cow: We are to watch for the well-being of all creatures, including baby calves. We are to ensure those calves get all the food and nutrition they need. One way of ensuring this is to not deprive them of any of their mother's milk. Baba has expressed this point in His teachings.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Emits foul smell from body


Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Those who consume a lot of static food also emit this sort of foul smell...Similarly, an intensely foul smell is emitted from the bodies of tigers because they are carnivorous...A hilsa fish (an Indian herring) is extremely fond of flesh – rotten flesh is its favourite food – hence it produces a kind of repulsive secretion. If a fish bowl or container which held hilsa fish is cleaned with a cloth, and the cloth is used to clean another container, a repulsive smell will be emitted from the second container unless it is properly ventilated. A vegetarian will feel uncomfortable if this container is used for eating, drinking or anything else. Strict vegetarians avoid using any container which has been used to hold non-vegetarian food." (4)

Eating any food, proper or improper will not do


Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Strict vegetarians avoid using any container which has been used to hold non-vegetarian food." (5)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Static food: Food which is harmful for the mind and may or may not be good for the body is static. Onion, garlic, wine, stale and rotten food, meat of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, fish, eggs, etc., are static. Very often people eat food without knowing its intrinsic qualities. For example, the milk of a cow which has just given birth. Or white eggplant, khesárii pulse [horse gram], red puni [Basella rubra Linn.], or mustard leaves, all of which often grew out of rotten matter. In order to have a balanced mind and to progress spiritually, human beings will have to pay attention to the qualities of the food they eat. The idea that “I will just do my sádhaná and eat any food, proper or improper” will not do." (6)

Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "Támasika áhára: All kinds of foods which are harmful to either the body or mind and may or may not be harmful to the other are called támasika. Stale and rotten food, the flesh of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, and all types of intoxicants, are categorized as támasika. Small amounts of tea, cocoa and similar drinks which do not excite a person to the point of losing his/her senses are in the rájasika category. The milk of a newly-calved cow, white brinjals, khesárii dál, green vegetables of the type of red puni or mustard are támasika. Masúr dál cooked for one meal will become támasika by the next meal." (7)

References
1. Caryacarya - 3. Procedure for Eating
2. Shabda Cayanika - 4, Kálii to Kikhi (Discourse 25)
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bhágavata Dharma
4. Microvita in a Nutshell, Some Examples of Microvita in Daily Life – Section C
5. Microvita in a Nutshell, Some Examples of Microvita in Daily Life – Excerpt C
6. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
7. Caryacarya - 3, Procedure for Eating


*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

All are kith & kin

"Tomákei bhálobási ámrá, tomár pathe cali tomár kathá boli..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3821)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, You are our everything, our Heart of hearts. We love only You. We are moving ceaselessly along Your effulgent path and treading on that very path which You have graciously shown to us. O' All-Pervading One, day and night we sing Your boundless glories and dance according to Your sweet rhythms. We always propagate Your grand ideals. You have created us: We are Your thought projection as well as Your progeny. Baba, You are our Father - Our Ista. We love only You.

Supreme Entity, we love one and all equally; everyone's existence is treasured. We do not differentiate between high and low, small and big, rich and poor, touchable and untouchable, sinner and virtuous, literate and illiterate etc. All are kith and kin - all are family members and part of that indivisible humanity. We are all bound together by Your immortal love. With Your infinite compassion, You always draw us near with Your beacon call, which pulls our heart close to You. We hear Your sound and move towards You. You are the Goal. Our each and every action and deed is aimed toward Your divine stance - toward reaching up to You. You are our Aim and the Polestar of our life.   

My Parama Purusa Baba, You have blessed us with the ideals of neo-humanism. First, You have granted us individual freedom; second, You have infused us with universal spirit; and third, You have spiritualised our minds with the dhyana of the Supreme One. With these three attributions one other quality unfolds: We wage a relentless fight against all the evils and sin. And by Your grace victory is sure. Baba, by these four noble qualities of neo-humanism - individual freedom, universal spirit, dhyana of the Omnipotent entity, and the fight against evil forces - we have created a potent, bitter medicine that cures all sorts of ailments like dogma, infighting, and narrow-mindedness. O' Ever gracious Entity, with this approach we have made this dusty earth into a golden paradise, by Your causeless blessing.

Baba, we all love only You; You are our Goal. O' our most Adored One...


Note about Prabhat Samgiita #3821

[1] "vyaśt́i...amara'r": In the third and final stanza of the above song, Ananda Marga philosophy presents 4 special principles that are part and parcel of our neo-humanistic philosophy: (a) individual freedom, (b) universal spirit, (c) dhyana of the Supreme Entity, (d) the fight against injustices and sin. All four are needed to create a golden paradise on this earth and build a society in the real sense of the term. 

Spirituality is an essential aspect of neo-humanism. Without proper dhyana, individual freedom can be twisted to exploit the masses. Such is the case in capitalism since it is devoid of a spiritual approach. People just equate individual freedom with selfish pleasure and degrading activities. Communism does not allow for individual freedom nor does it recognise spirituality: Both are missing. For this reason, collective interest and a loving society could not be attained in communism. So it is more murderous than capitalism. Comparatively speaking, communists are worse than capitalists.

Then in the dogma-centered philosophy such as in the various religions, individual freedom and perfect spirituality are missing. The religions are ritualistic and dogma-based. There is no true feeling of universal love. That is why even followers of the same religion can kill each other - what to speak of harming members of other religions. History has witnessed this again and again. So the religious society is also defective.

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us that in an ideal society all 4 principles are needed: (a) individual freedom, (b) universal spirit, (c) dhyana of the Supreme Entity, and (d) the fight against injustices and sin. Failing that, this world cannot become a golden paradise. In the absence of any of these aforementioned principles, groupism and factionalism will erupt.

So our neo-humanistic approach is wholly revolutionary. In this God-centered approach, individual freedom is used for virtuous deeds which bring collective welfare, and all the while there is a pactless fight against all injustices. This is the speciality of our neo-humanism and this is the grand ideal that is being propagated in this above song. 

In our present day AMPS, these qualities are missing: (a) individual freedom, (b) universal spirit, (c) dhyana of the Supreme Entity, and (d) the fight against injustices.


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Beware: do you own a pet? 

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "A monkey is a more developed animal than a dog or a cow, but as it does not live with humans, its development - the speed of its development - is less. Dogs and cows, who live with humans have a speedier evolution. A monkey which lives in the proximity of humans also has a speedier development." (1)

Note: But the reverse effect happens in the case of humans. Those people who keep such animals as their pets and live around those animals become that animal in their future life. This happens due to deep attachment with that animal and overall lack of Brahmabhava. Baba has given countless demonstrations about this.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, Don't Be Misguided


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Prout’s stand: intervene & stop injustice

Prout philosophy states, “Now, suppose a man seems to have good relations with his neighbours, but it becomes apparent that he is about to murder his wife, what should be the duty of the neighbours? Will they remain tight-lipped, sit quietly with their arms folded, and dismiss the situation as purely a domestic affair, thereby making the murder of the woman easier, and thus assist in establishing static peace? No, that is not the dictum of human dharma. On the contrary they should rush to the house, break down the door, save the woman, take suitable action against the male tyrant, and in this way come forward to establish sentient peace.” (1)

Note: The above Proutistic teaching applies to both individual and collective life. Wherever there is an injustice, then there must be an intervention, either by the neighbouring family, or the neighbouring country. Sitting quietly and biding away the time while a wrongdoing is unfolding is not our way. According to Prout, it is the bounden duty of every right-thinking individual and government to jump into action. 

Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #15


== Section: Important Topic ==

Main thread in sadhana


Ananda Marga ideology says, "Whatever a man is to do in his spiritual life he is to do - why? Because he is in love with the Supreme Entity. Love is the first word, love is the starting point, and love is the last point." (1)

Note: Baba's above guideline is very beneficial for sadhana. However, these days some innocent or simple people just do meditation for "mental peace". And even worse, some Wts do sadhana for show - to pose as someone great. Such Wts hardly do sadhana when they are alone; but when they go to margiis' houses then in grand style they sit in meditation for a long time. All done in order to put themselves on display and create one show that they are highly elevated sadhakas. A few margiis do a similar thing when they attend retreats. Only by evaluating the ongoing conduct can one understand how far they are really doing sadhana or not. It is just like if you are approaching one animal at night. At first you may think that it is a tiger or a lion, but when that animal makes its weird 'Huan, Huan' sound, then you know that it is just a jackal. Same is the case when being around those types who put on a show of sadhana. By their conduct and dealing they just expose themselves etc.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, The Starting Point and the Last Point


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Far-reaching effects

Prout philosophy states, “Whatever dignity a person possesses as a human being in either the Kśatriya Age or the Vipra Age is dealt its heaviest blow in the Vaeshya Age. In the Vaeshya Age a person's dignity is measured in terms of money. The repercussions of this defective evaluation of human beings are not confined only to the realm of dignity; they have far-reaching effects in all spheres of society.” (Human Society-2, The Vaeshya Age)

Prout philosophy states, “In the Vaeshya Age this religious exploitation is more psychic than physical, because the vaeshyas use the vipras to try to spread intellectual propaganda among the masses to prevent them from finding any philosophical justification for their suppressed grievances against the vaeshya structure. This intellectual propaganda aims to convince people that they are the victims of circumstance. It argues, “Everything is destiny. Everything is preordained.” Such doctrines help the vaeshyas to perpetuate their structure. They destroy the personal force of people and make them the playthings of fate. People accept the idea that everything is preordained, and support the status quo.” (1)


Reference
1. Human Society-2, The Vaeshya Age


== Section 4: Links ==

Upcoming Dogma: Father's Day - June 21
Father's Day?

Mother's Day undermines motherhood

Postings to Read
How pranayama helps
Those beings in Shabda Cayanika stories
Samskara & rebirth of famous leader
Types of peace: bad to beneficial
Fear epidemic & antidote



Monday, June 8, 2026

Religion & food: hypocrisy + 4 more

Baba
Religion & food: hypocrisy

Namaskar,

A human mind can store information obtained from the present life as well as earlier lives in a layer-by-layer fashion. Animals, on the other hand, can hardly remember anything from their present life, let alone from their past lives. Baba has given many demonstrations in which He would enable people to access their past life information for a limited period. A child is ever curious to learn things at a very high rate and collect a lot of information.

Those who come to Ananda Marga at a more mature stage of their lives inevitably bring many things they learned in their childhood. Many such childhood learnings and memories may be helpful in one’s spiritual life, but then there are many childhood lessons that can present obstacles.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

For example, if one is indoctrinated into idol-worship, casteism, apartheid, etc during one’s childhood then they drag those dogmas into Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha. Such dogmas need to be overcome, otherwise one’s spiritual progress will be blocked. It is easy to teach a child new things, but very difficult to teach an aged person. Due to this, Baba says that spiritual teachings should be imparted at as young an age as possible.

What is the dilemma of “good food”?


Every Ananda Margii is bound to propagate the teachings of Ananda Marga, and it is important to know the wrong teachings that are present in society, as well as the ways to educate common people to help them unlearn such teachings. This is very important particularly in the case of food as in different parts of the world people have a different conception of what is “good food”.

Illogical beliefs of religious meat-eaters


For example, Jews consider their food as ‘kosher’ / holy wherein there are elaborate guidelines with respect to slaughtering animals and storing the meat and other food. Muslims consider their ‘halal’ food as holy. It should be known that kosher and halal are defined based on the way the animal is slaughtered. In such a “holy” way of slaughtering, the animal is slowly cut using a serrated knife, while some hymns are uttered. The animal wails in pain and dies a slow and painful death. Sikhs consider “jhatka” as holy in which the animal is slaughtered in a quick and sharp blow. If the animal does not get beheaded in a single blow then the meat is considered impure and not eaten. Both methods include the killing of an animal for food, but one considers slow slaughtering as holy while the other considers quick slaughtering as holy. The so-called holiness in the aforementioned cases contradicts each other and is questionable due to the meat-eating involved. Those who have come from such backgrounds need to be taught what is proper food before coming onto the path of AM, otherwise they may still cling to their old beliefs.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


The illogical beliefs of Jains

Jains are vegetarians and prohibit killing even small insects, but their rules were developed around 2500 years ago when science was not developed. They still hold onto those unscientific beliefs. For example, they tie a cloth mask on their nose thinking that it will prevent the killing of microbes while breathing. It is now well known that microbes cannot be filtered by cloth masks as they are very small compared to the mesh in the cloth mask. Those same Jains also sweep their pathway before taking each step to prevent killing any insects. It is well known now that there are many organisms that are not visible via the naked eye. Jains hold many other unscientific beliefs like not eating roots such as potatoes because while harvesting them insects die. They prohibit eating red-coloured vegetables like tomato and beetroot as their colour resembles blood.


Universal guideline of Ananda Marga: food

Ananda Marga presents a scientific way to discern between edible and inedible food. Ananda Marga defines food as sentient that helps in the nourishment of both body and mind. Food that is not good for the body or the mind is prohibited. A Jaini is permitted to eat white eggplant as it is not blood-coloured and is vegetarian, but for an Ananda Margii, white eggplant is not permitted as it has a negative effect on one’s mind. There are other vegetables, like snake gourd and mustard greens etc, that are not permitted in Ananda Marga due to their negative effect on the mind. Only vegetables  that have a positive effect both on the body and the mind should be eaten. Milk is sattvik, but the milk obtained from a newly calved cow is tamasik. For one week after the birth of a calf, the milk of a cow is tamasik. The Hindu religion outrightly rejects all fermented food as rotten. However, fermented food can be sattvik and extremely good for the body and the mind. For example, lime pickles are fermented yet sattvik. In contrast, alcohol is bad for the body and mind and hence tamasik, not just because it is fermented.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

Food should be selected based on its short-term, as well as its long-term, effect on the body and the mind. The food that causes the mind to be guided by animal vrittis like hunger, fear, sleep, procreation is tamasik and should be avoided. Unscientific dogmatic ideas, such as selecting food based on its colour, should not be the determining factor. Red meat should not be eaten because it is not good for the body as well as the mind. However, one can eat red-coloured tomatoes because they have a good effect on the body and the mind. In the future, the earth may not remain habitable and people may have to explore other planets wherein the vegetation can be entirely different. Even then, the universal technique of food selection in Ananda Marga is based on their effect on the body and the mind, and that will apply to new vegetation or even chemically synthesized foods. Ananda Marga provides a list of sattvik food for the present conditions, and also provides a fundamental and universally applicable rule to select new items based on their suitability on the body and mind.

In Him,
Bhakti

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Suppose a physician says, “As a human, you require animal protein for your health;” but suppose dharma says, “No, a human should not take carnal food;” then in that case you will have to follow dharma and not the physician, because the order of dharma is above all other orders. Dharma is the highest Lord, the highest authority." (1)


~ In-depth study ~

Sáttvika, rájasika, & támasika áhára

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “In every object of the universe, one of three attributes – sattva, rajah and tamah – will always be predominant. So food is also divided into three categories according to the dominancy of the attributes.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

(1) Sáttvika Áhára: All the staple food-grains such as rice, wheat, barley, etc.; all the pulses except masúr [an orange-coloured lentil] and khesári; all fruits and roots; all kinds of vegetables except violet-coloured carrots, white brinjals [white eggplants], onions, garlic and mushrooms; milk and milk products; all green and leafy vegetables except red puni and mustard.

All varieties of spices except garam masalá and all kinds of sweets, can be taken.

A sáttvika diet is required for those who practise ásanas. Those who find it difficult to give up the habit of rájasika food all of a sudden may eat a piece of haritakii [myrobalan] after the meal. Those who take sáttvika food should avoid taking a large quantity of mustard or mustard products. Rájasika food-eaters should gradually try to change over to sáttvika food and támasika food-eaters should try to give up such food as early as possible.

For the avadhútas and avadhútikás of Ananda Marga there is only one kind of food, sáttvika food.

All foods that are beneficial to both body and mind are considered sáttvika.

(2) Rájasika ahára: Any food that is beneficial to the body but is neutral to the mind, or vice versa, is called rájasika. Foods that do not fall into the sáttvika or támasika categories are of rájasika nature. In certain countries where there is a heavy snowfall, rájasika food can be treated as sáttvika and támasika food as rájasika.

(3) Támasika áhára: All kinds of foods which are harmful to either the body or mind and may or may not be harmful to the other are called támasika. Stale and rotten food, the flesh of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, and all types of intoxicants, are categorized as támasika. Small amounts of tea, cocoa and similar drinks which do not excite a person to the point of losing his/her senses are in the rájasika category. The milk of a newly-calved cow, white brinjals, khesárii dál, green vegetables of the type of red puni or mustard are támasika. Masúr dál cooked for one meal will become támasika by the next meal.” (2)


Sentient, mutative, & static food

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “Every object of the world is dominated by one of the three principles – sentient, mutative, and static. Food is no exception, and according to its intrinsic nature, is divided into the same three categories.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Sentient food: Food which produces sentient cells and is thus conducive to physical and mental well-being is sentient. Examples of sentient food are rice, wheat, barley, all kinds of pulses, fruit, milk and milk products.

Mutative food: Food which is good for the body and may or may not be good for the mind, but certainly not harmful for the mind, is mutative.
Static food: Food which is harmful for the mind and may or may not be good for the body is static. Onion, garlic, wine, stale and rotten food, meat of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, fish, eggs, etc., are static.

Very often people eat food without knowing its intrinsic qualities. For example, the milk of a cow which has just given birth. Or white eggplant, khesárii pulse [horse gram], red puni [Basella rubra Linn.], or mustard leaves, all of which often grew out of rotten matter.

In order to have a balanced mind and to progress spiritually, human beings will have to pay attention to the qualities of the food they eat. The idea that “I will just do my sádhaná and eat any food, proper or improper” will not do.” (3)


Not all fermented food is tamasik

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “When wine ferments it is transformed into vinegar, losing its intoxicating power and developing a few sentient qualities. The sediment from the production of wine is called “yeast” and is particularly useful in the bakery industry.” (4)

References

1.  Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bhágavata Dharma
2. Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part 3, Áhárya
3. Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
4. Prout in a Nutshell Part 21, Intoxicants


*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Of greatest import
 
"Tumi kata na' liila'i ja'no, tumi kata na' liila'i ja'no..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0272)

Purport:

Baba, so many liilas You know. You have infinite ways to play Your divine game. Nobody can understand. Without any obstacle or impediment, You effortlessly move around the entire universe, everywhere-- and keep everything within Your control. Your chariot is moving around in all the 10 directions-- including the blue sky and deep ocean. You love everyone. You cry in the pain of others, and You smile seeing others' joy. When there is agony, pain, and suffering, You shower the blessing of Your varabhaya mudra. Of greatest import, the most beautiful thing is that when You look towards me, You always smile in a sweet and loving way... 


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Prout’s stand on capital punishment
 
Prout philosophy states, “You know that nothing is perfect in this universe of relativity. So it is quite natural that the judicial system of the world, whether in the past, present or future, can never be perfect. Therefore nobody should be given capital punishment on the basis of this imperfect system.”
 
“Each and every individual, whether they are a criminal or not, can claim a chance to rectify their conduct from society. So in PROUT’s legal structure everybody should get ample scope for rectifying their character and conduct. If a person is condemned to capital punishment, he or she won’t get such scope, so PROUT denounces this sort of punishment.”
 
“But in very special cases, where a person has become a demon and is going against the collective interest and there is no chance of rectification, circumstances may arise which warrant capital punishment. For example, during war this exception may sometimes be permissible. But generally we should not support this punishment on principle. Punishment should be appropriate to the offense.” (1)
 
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Recipe for success - 4


Namaskar,

Every human being wants to be successful. Who does not want to be successful? Whether in the realm of art, law, medicine, schooling, business, literature, science, or architecture - or any other field or endeavor - everyone wants to be successful. Knowing how to be successful then is an important recipe.

Baba has graciously given us His special guidelines wherein He explains how the 'Seven Secrets of Success' apply not just to spiritual life, but to worldly life as well. Here we examine the fourth secret of success: samatábhávo, which essentially means keeping a balanced mind or psychic equipoise.

Ananda Marga ideology states, “A man must not labour under any sort of complex – that is, a man, a spiritual aspirant, must be free from all complexes; he must have neither superiority complex, nor inferiority complex, nor fear complex, nor defeatist complex. That is, the mind should be completely balanced.” (1)

Samatábhávo: In the spiritual sphere, this means complete mental balance. And this same type of psychic equanimity is needed in worldly life. For instance, if a student or interviewee is very nervous or shy, then they will not be able to perform well. A student may become so nervous that they even get easy questions wrong, because they have lost their mental composure. Likewise, a professional seeking employment or putting on a presentation may be so shy that they are unable to convey their skill-set or knowledge to others in the room. And there are so many other examples. For instance, one's marriage may end in misery, if one constantly gets angry or acts in an erratic manner toward their spouse. So mental balance is highly needed in all aspects of worldly life.

Baba has blessed us all with great teachings which lead us to success, including how to utilize the Seven Secrets of Success in our worldly endeavours. So we should pay heed to this doctrine not just in spiritual life but in all our worldly dealings as well.

Baba says, "You, boys and girls, should remember the points and do accordingly. It will help you in your all-around success." (2)

Here below in this next passage Sadguru Baba outlines some of the various complexes: (a) superiority complex, (b) inferiority complex, (c) fear complex, and (d) defeatist complex.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Now when you are suffering from a superiority complex, you think that you are a better person and others are worse persons; as a result of which you are unable to accept the external waves in proper style. So your thinking gets polluted, gets distorted, as a result of which the refracted portion, that is, the memory, also gets distorted, becomes defective.

"So you must not have any superiority complex. You should remember that you are not superior to anybody else. All are children of the same Supreme Father, all are progeny of the same Supreme Progenitor. Nobody is superior to anybody.

"The second complex: Sometimes you may think that “I am an ordinary man, and that man is so big, so learned, such a big scholar – so rich, and I’m poor” – like this. If you think like this, what will happen? There will not be proper expression of your mind, there will not be proper emanations of your thought-waves; as a result of which the thought will become distorted and the refracted thought, that is, the memory portion, will become defective.

"Similarly, the fear complex: Sometimes people suffer from a fear complex. The psychological side of the fear complex is as follows: Due to the presence of something stronger, or due to the presence of something which is imaginarily stronger, not actually stronger, what happens? Mental flows are blocked, are choked. They cannot find the proper avenue of expression; as a result of which thoughts also get polluted. There cannot be free thinking. A man suffering from a fear complex cannot think properly. And if the thought is defective, the memory will also be defective. So you must never suffer from any sort of fear complex.

"Why should you suffer from a fear complex or an inferiority complex, when the Supreme Father is your father, when you all are the children of the same Father; why should you suffer from any inferiority complex or any fear complex, when the Supreme Father is with you? You are not weak. You are very strong, because the Almighty Father, the omnipotent Supreme Father, is with you to help you – so you must not encourage the psychology of weakness, or an inferiority complex or a fear complex. He is with you, always He is with you to help you. You are never alone.

"And sometimes there is a defeatist complex. “Oh, I am defeated in this world,” “Oh, I am defeated in this struggle for existence.” Such a sentiment, such a psychology, sometimes goads a man to commit suicide even. “I am defeated, I am defeated in the struggle for existence.” You must not encourage this type of psychology. When your father is the Supreme Father, your father is the most powerful entity in the entire universe, why should you think that you have been defeated in the struggle for existence? No, a bright future awaits you. Your future is glorious, your future is luminous, your future is effulgent.

"So you must not suffer from this psychology of helplessness or hopelessness or of despair. This defeatist complex may also be called “sinner’s psychology”.” (3)

Namaskar,
Bhakti Bhusana

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 34, Be Free from All Complexes
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Seven Secrets
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 34, Be Free from All Complexes


== Section 4: Links ==

SUBJECTS TOPICS