Control of Mind- Role of Dietary Regimen- Part 1

[Guest guest]

CONTROL OF MIND - ROLE OF DIETARY REGIMEN

Dear Bhagavatas:

In our earlier postings on Control of mind, we dealt with disciplining the

body through Yoga of the right kind which included Praanaayaama (breath

control). We will now consider how dietary regimen plays an important role in

controlling the mind.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

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DIETARY REGIMEN-

PART 1

LORD KRISHNA'S PRESCRIPTION

Like a doctor who studies the symptoms of a patient to diagnose the nature of

the disease and then proceeds to prescribe appropriate medicines to cure the

causes of the ailment, Lord Krishna has indicated the symptomatic behavior of

persons influenced by the various Gunas. He then proceeds to prescribe

correctives to improve the health of the soul afflicted by the undesirable

Gunas.

 

These correctives are not from any external sources like drugs, pills,

caplets, injections, etc., but by a simple process of regulating our dietary

habits. He catalogues what can be consumed and what should be avoided to

augment Satva guna, and what would trigger Rajo guna and what would steep one

in Tamo guna.

 

When you are ill, you take medicines. We also see it marked on the bottles or

packages of food items / medicines the contents (e.g.), protein, vitamins,

thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, folic acid, etc., with indication

of calories, carbohydrates, fat, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, etc., of

these items. The chemical compound that constitute the ingredients, break into

enzymes, etc., strengthen the natural elements in the body to fight against

the killer germs that cause disease.

 

This is true not only of physical infirmities but also of mental and

psychological afflictions. Numerous psychiatric medicines are administered to

mental patients to bring them on the road to recovery. Thus, it is clear that

even in modern medicine, what is ingested has mind-altering effects of the

happy kind, while drug, dope , etc., have also mind altering effects of the

unpleasant kind.

 

`Ayurveda' even goes to the extent of asserting that certain types of foods

actually tend to prolong life. While no food can extend life beyond what one

is destined, it only means that a dietary regimen can save one from `Near-

death-experiences' known as `Ghandams' - acting as antidotes to the toxic

substances that have the potency to cut short life.

(To Continue)