What to eat when aiming for spiritual growth
Spiritual awakening is a life-changing occurrence. Do you know that what you put in your body immensely affects your spiritual journey? Try different foods and notice how your body reacts. If your body feels very energetic, that means it is happy. If the body feels lethargic and needs caffeine, it is not happy. Here is a guide to a spiritual diet.
The three 'Gunas'
Sato, Rajo, and Tamo are the three gunas, or primary human traits. Gunas not only exist within human beings, but they also constantly surround us. The prevalence of a certain guna at one moment determines what we do and how we act. Tamo guna dominates us when we lose our cool for no reason; while when sato guna is dominant, we are genial.
How ancient texts have categorized food
Sattvic foods are nutritious, juicy, pulpy, wholesome, and naturally tasty. Such foods promote longevity and keep us calm. Rajasic food is consumed by those who are engrossed in their passions. These foods are very sour, very salty, very hot, and cause discomfort, agitation, and pain. Tamasic food is stale, rotten, and impure. Those who eat these are bad-tempered and ignorant.
What to eat and why
Fresh fruits and vegetables provide vital nutrients that fight off chronic illness and disease. Raw foods are high in fiber, hence good for the digestive system and the nervous system. Living food has natural enzymes, and more water. Nutrient-rich food with lesser calories translates to healthier body weight, while providing you enough nutrition. Avoid meat or consume meat in moderation.
Switch to a vegetarian diet
One of the spiritual benefits of being a vegetarian is that it improves how we meditate. It prevents our spiritual consciousness from diminishing, which can happen with non-vegetarian food. When we consume an animal, that animal becomes a part of us. We are eating not only the animal's body but also its vibrations and hormones. Vegetarianism leads to non-violence, love, and service to others.
Avoid overeating
Eating improperly and inappropriately are two big aspects of spiritual eating. Chronic overeating may promote obesity and insulin resistance--two major risk factors for metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Overeating may lead to bloating, gas, nausea, excess body fat, and a higher risk of several illnesses which makes your body unfit to support spiritual growth.
