Over Attachment to the Stomach

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Jaya Guru Datta,

 

Here is today's saying:

 

“. . . over attachment to the stomach is a direct result of man's

identification with the gross body. To gratify the insatiable demands of the

stomach, the unintelligent man does not hesitate to use any means, fair or foul.

To him the end justifies the means. This process goes on uninterruptedly from

the womb to the tomb and birth to birth in his case.

 

The cause which produces identification with the physical body leading to gross

engrossment with the demands and fulfillment of the needs of the stomach, is

ignorance. When man's mind is not turned towards God, it turns its attention

towards the body and its insistent demands. Man should understand that mere

belly-filling is not - and should not be - the sole purpose of life. It does

not mean that man should neglect the stomach completely and starve. He should

no doubt eat, but it must be eating to live, not living to eat, as he is doing

now. By slowly and steadily practicing the disciplines regarding food and

recreation (Aahaara and Vihaara) prescribed in the scriptures, and constantly

applying his mind to God, man can get rid of his attachment to body and the

resultant preoccupation with the affairs of the stomach."

 

Sri Swamiji

Reprinted from Bhakti Mala, May 1987

Datta Swarupa, pp. 144 - 145

 

 

 

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