Sundeepan

Shadow Karma... A Sattvic diet is excellent for those individuals who desire to live a quiet, peaceful and meditative life. Sattvic foods comprise the diet of many sages, yogis and spiritual teachers. These foods are supposed to produce calmness and nobility among people. Unfortunately, the world is clouded and life is fast so people tend to be more rajasic and also tamasic. But one can't impose their beliefs upon others, it does take time and people learn from their mistakes. One should focus on work, self-improvement and intellectual or spiritual pursuits. Maintaining a positive nature, demonstrating generosity, kindness, openness, fairness (equality) and forgiveness also increases Sattva Guna. In addition spiritual inclination, faith and belief in the Great Spirit or God, engaging in selfless service or charitable activities help to become Sattvic. It takes time for the effects of dietary changes to manifest on the mind. Changing our diet may not impact our psychology overnight, but in a period of months can affect it significantly. In Chapter 17 (verses 8, 9, 10), Sri Krishna makes clear the type of foods to be avoided by those who seek good health, worldly success, and progress on the spiritual path. According to the Bhagavad Gita, foods which are too bitter, sour, salty, pungent, dry, and hot can lead to pain, distress, and disease of the body. Further, Sri Krishna says that foods cooked more than three hours before being eaten, foods which are tasteless, stale, putrid, decomposed and unclean should be avoided by spiritual aspirants and those who seek excellent physical and mental health. In Chapter 6, verse 16, Sri Krishna specifically emphasizes moderation in eating and sleeping. He states, “There is no possibility of ones’ becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much, or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough.” Clearly, over consumption of food leads to problems and one can logically conclude that the quantity of food consumed is probably an important element in a diet being considered Sattvic. Sattvic diet is also a matter of degree. Some diets may be very Sattvic, while others may be moderately Sattvic.

BG is The Bhagavad Gita. You can read it here : Introduction to Bhagavad Gita . There are too many links regarding "Hinduism". Hinduism is Sanatan Dharma, which means eternal. There is no such thing as Hinduism. It's a word coined by people who probably could not pronounce Sanatan Dharma. Peace!

Raw food is good, but there are a lot of vegetables that one cannot enjoy without cooking. There are many healthty vegetables where the nutrients are released once it has been lightly cooked ie many sattvic indian foods, especially at temples are very healthy for you. Unfortunately the human digestive system cannot break down cellulose, that is where cooking comes in handy. Plus lightly cooked vegetables excrete out of the body easier than raw vegetables, just an observation . But eating some raw vegetables are very good, especially carrots and some greens.

Click Here for a list of all Sattvic, Tamasic and Rajasic foods. Sundeepan

And as far as Dairy is considered, in many places in India the calf first feeds from the mother cow, the left over is then used by humans. The Cow produces enough milk for its calf and the humans depending on the Cow. In "Modern" western cultures (I have put modern in quotes for a reason which I am not going to get into at this moment), with the industrialization of dairy, the milk has become tamasic. Most of the cows are fed bad things, including remains of other cows as well as plastic hay. But many "Organic" dairy farms do not practice this treachery. I live in TX where there are several "Organic" dairy farms that first provide milk to the calves and the rest is packaged for human consumption. In this "modern" world of the Kali Yug one must be careful of what they eat. I try to eat the simplest possible foods as a sacrifice.

I would say please do not tattoo anything sanskrit on your body. Doing so will break the sanctity of the holy language. I think, don't even get a tattoo. If something is so important, the outward show of this importance will lessen the importance. If your sister is your friend, having you both knowing this is the ultimate tattoo. No need to advertise best of luck.

You know, one of the reasons that "outsiders" can come into India and influence our people so easily is because there is such a divide amongst everyone. I agree with you, no one should foul mouth Adi Shankara or any other figures from antiquity or modern times. Because the ones who do foul mouth these people don't even have an drop of wisdom that these people had or acquired. It is indeed a shame, the ones who cant do are the ones who are the critics.

Hi Farah, I live on a sattvic diet. I found that after I switched from the normal diet in my household, there was an almost immediate change in my temperament, mental ability and health. The normal diet in my house hold was Indian cuisine with a touch of Bengali cooking, which consists of heavy use of different types of Saag. Also consisted of Meats and poultry with the exception of beef and pork which we never ate. I strongly recommend a sattvic diet. It brings peace of mind and prepares one for proper practice of yog and devotion, another plus of not using meats, onion and garlic is that one wont smell foul. I remember that after I started a sattvic diet, when I was around people who ate meats, garlics and onions I used to smell it just by standing next to them. It was not pleasant. Ghee is very healthy. Although Ghee consists mostly of fat it reduces cholestorol as well as LDL in blood plasma. Ghee also lacks hydrogenated oils which butter or margarine contains. Ghee has been used for thousands of years by people of India. So putting the right amount of Ghee in your body is ok. One drop of ghee is healthier than one drop of regular olive oil.