Shama And Dama - .How to nourish the mind with good food .... . ........

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The question is asked how to make the mind pure and strong ?

 

In this context , a verse from Cnandogya upanishad comes to mind :

 

'From purity of food follows the purity of internal organ

(antahkarana, the mind). From the purification of the internal organ

comes unfailing memory. After the achievement of memory comes

falling asunder of all the knots of the heart.'

 

The first step in controlling the senses is to starve them of all

bad food, and instead feed them with good food. Whenever we permit

our senses to enjoy an object which arouses lower propensities or

weakens our mind, we are infact, misusing them. Senses develop a

liking for whatever is pleasant and if we deny them those

experiences, they revolt. But one must not get frightened. Whenever

we check our animal tendencies, we strengthen ourselves. To nourish

the mind (antahkarana) means to consume good thoughts--the thoughts

that remind us of our divine nature. A mind thus purified develops

an abiding sense of divine presence (steady memory), which, in turn,

liberates us from the shackles of limitations.

 

When senses are thus disciplined, it brings a transformation in our

lives. We are then no longer slave to passing impulses emanating

from our sense organs, and instead learn to follow higher wisdom.

Human life is not designed to be spent in sense pleasures, though

our senses are capable of it within certain limitations. Most

animals have one particular sense organ stronger than others. (For

example, moth is attracted to light, deer to sound, and elephant to

touch, and so on.) But in human beings, all the five senses are

equally strong. This makes the task of restraining the senses quite

challenging and formidable.

 

But unlike animals, human beings have also an inherent mechanism to

rise above attractions of senses. Animals have no choice but to

enjoy the sense organs. Human beings, however, have a choice. The

secret lies in awakening the internal mechanism which controls and

sublimates the craving for sensory pleasures. The more one exercises

this, the more pure becomes the mind. A pure mind alone can discover

the higher purpose of human existence and finally attain it.

 

This does not mean neglecting one's health or killing one's senses,

but learning to train our senses in such a way that they become our

friends instead of becoming enemies. How to do it? 'Let us hear by

our ears what is good,' says a Vedic prayer, 'Let us see with our

eyes what is good, and let us speak what is good and beneficial.'

This means navigating through objects of senses without getting

trapped by them.

 

There are two ways to restrain and train the senses. One, is the

jnana way, where you learn to control the senses though the analysis

of the futility of running after the sense objects, and use of

strong will power. The other is the bhakti way, where we try to

connect all our sensory experiences to God. We eat for him, drink

for him, walk for him, work for him…do everything for him. Sri

Krishna says in the Gita:

 

'Whatever thou doest, whatever thou eatest, whatever thou offerest

in sacrifice, whatever thou givest away, whatever austerity thou

practisest, O son of Kunti, do that as an offering unto Me.'

 

All violence and crime in the world owes its origin to uncontrolled

senses. Similarly, at the root of all human weaknesses like anger

and lust, lies clinging to sensual enjoyment. Consumerism or the

tendency of compulsive consumption of goods, often misses this

point. This leads to losing sight of life's ultimate goal. Hence

despite all comforts and enjoyments many people live empty lives and

suffer from boredom and meaninglessness in life--leading a 'life of

silent desperation,' as Thoreau called it.

 

The purpose of controlling senses does not mean harming them but

transcending them. One cannot transcend the senses without first

controlling them.

 

Without distinguishing between what is good and what is pleasant

(which may be bad in the long run), people follow the impulse of

their senses, and come to trouble. To train the senses and follow

what is beneficial for us is the right solution to obtain lasting

happiness. Acharya Shankara likens a man who wishes to seek lasting

happiness through sense pleasures to a person who wishes to cross an

ocean sitting on the back of a crocodile.

 

www.sriramakrishnamath.org/magazine/vk/2006/05-2-1.asp

 

i would also like to outline here the three kinds of food that are

oulined in the Srimad Bhagvat Gita ... ..

 

ayuh-sattva-balarogya-

sukha-priti-vivardhanah

rasyah snigdhah sthira hrdya

aharah sattvika-priyah(17-8)

 

The foods that promote longevity, virtue, strength, health,

happiness, and joy are juicy, smooth, substantial, and nutritious.

Persons in the mode of goodness like such foods.

 

 

katv-amla-lavanaty-usna-

tiksna-ruksa-vidahinah

ahara rajasasyesta

duhkha-sokamaya-pradah (17:9)

 

Foods that are very bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry, and

burning; and cause pain, grief, and disease; are liked by persons in

the mode of passion.

 

yata-yamam gata-rasam

puti paryusitam ca yat

ucchistam api camedhyam

bhojanam tamasa-priyam (17.10)

 

The foods liked by people in the mode of ignorance are stale,

tasteless, putrid, rotten, refuses, and impure (such as meat and

alcohol).

 

 

We had discussed earler on the message borad the three Gunas ! The

gunas are in turn influenced by the type of foods we eat ! As you

eat , so shall you become!

 

We are living in a fast food culture ! in fact , some of us only

instant , frozen , packaged and take out foods! Come on Ladies and

Gentlemen - learn the art of Rasayana -Eat fresh vegetables and

fruits . AVOID STALE FOODS. DON'T LIVE TO EAT BUT EAT TO LIVE AND

LEAD A PRODUCTIVE LIFE!

 

BEFORE YOU EAT , OFFER THE FOLLWING PRAYER

 

Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir

Brahmagnau Brahmana Hutam

Brahmaiva Tena Ghantavyam

Brahmakarma Samadhinaha Bhagavad Gita, Chapter IV, verse 24,

 

 

The act of offering is God, the oblation is God

By God it is offered into the Fire of God

God is That which is to be attained by him

who sees God in all

 

Aham Vaishvanaro Bhutva

Praninaam Dehamaa Ashritaha

Prana Pana Samayuktah

Pachamyannam Chaturvidham Bhagavad Gita, Chapter XV, verse 14.

 

Becoming the life-fire in the bodies of living beings

mingling with the upward and downward breaths,

I digest the four kinds of food.

 

My fellow Mothers! BE a culinary Yogi!

 

Annapurne, Sadapurne, Sankarapranavallabhe !