Thats when i started reviewing literature. Here it goes.. I think it may benefit many.
Basic introduction
Basically, there are three major sources of prana: solar prana, air prana and ground prana.
Solar prana is prana from sunlight. It invigorates the whole body and promotes good health. It can be obtained by sunbathing or exposure to sunlight for about five to ten minutes and by drinking water that has been exposed to sunlight. Prolonged exposure or too much solar prana would harm the whole physical body since it is quite potent.
Prana contained in the air is called air prana or air vitality globule. Air prana is absorbed by the lungs through breathing and is also absorbed directly by the energy centers of the bioplasmic body. These energy centers are called chakras. More air prana can be absorbed by deep slow rhythmic breathing than by short shallow breathing. It can also be absorbed through the pores of the skin by persons who have undergone certain training.
Prana contained in the ground is called ground prana or ground vitality globule. This is absorbed through the soles of the feet. This is done automatically and unconsciously. Walking barefoot increases the amount of ground prana absorbed by the body.
One can learn to consciously draw in more ground prana to increase one's vitality, capacity to do more work, and ability to think more clearly.
Water absorbs prana from sunlight, air, and ground that it comes in contact with. Plants and trees absorb prana from sunlight, air, water, and ground. Men and animals obtain prana from sunlight, air, ground, water, and food. Fresh food contains more prana than preserved food.
Proper diet simply refers to pure and nutritious food. In general meat, and in particular pork, contains a lot of dirty grayish energy and therefore it is better to avoid them. Fresh vegetables and fruits are nutritious, pure and luminous. They carry a lot of pranic energy or life force.
Relationship of Food with your Atmic Core
Every activity of man is dependent on the energy he derives from the intake of food. This is the most basic which we all are aware of. But I would like to highlight more important facts here which were unknown to me as well. The spiritual sadhanas he ventures upon depends on the quantity and quality of the food taken by the sadhak. I feel thats quite an interesting statement.
Lets get into a little Vedantic philosophy which I feel clearly explains this phrase – Jaisa ann Waisa Mann.
The most external of the five sheaths that enclose the Atmic core, namely the Annamaya Kosa, has impact on all the remaining four - the Pranamaya, the Manomaya, the Vijnanamaya and the Anandamaya. The Annamaya Kosa is the sheath consisting of the material flesh and bone, built by the food
that is consumed by the individual.The five Kosas are :
2. Pranmaya Kosa, - The Energetic Body / air-apparent-sheath
3. Manomaya Kosa, - The Mental Body / mind-stuff-apparent-sheath
4. Vijnanamaya Kosa, - The Intellectual Body / wisdom-apparent-sheath
5. Anandamaya Kosa - the Blissful Body/ bliss-apparent-sheath
link to the picture- http://www.instantgoodkarma.org/images/KoshaFlow.jpg
In this drawing, you can see that when the mind is open the prana (energy) and information of the universe flows into the Anandamaya Kosa, the Blissful Body. This corresponds to universal prana and information flowing into the Purusha from the Atman. When there are no fluctations, no Kleshas that are blocking the movement of energy, this energy in the Blissful Body flows through all of the other four Kosas and finally back out into the universal prana and energy. This is the connection that you can have with the universe - the flowing of prana into you from the universe, through you, and back out of you to the universe when your mind is open and connected.
The food we eat comes into Annamaya Kosa, the Physical Body. Prana also comes into the physical body with each breath and passes to the Pranmaya Kosa, the Energetic Body. Once in the Energetic Body the energy flows through all of the Kosas and back into the universal prana.
Information passes through our five senses in the Physical Body to the Manomaya Kosa, the Mental Body, where it is perceived. From there the information is passes onto the Vijnanamaya Kosa, the Intellectual Body, the Buddhi, where the information is first processed. Finally, it is passed to the Blissful body where it enters consciousness and action can be taken based on this information. Once in the blissful body, if the mind is open, the information can be passed into the universal knowledge adding to the information in the universal knowledge.
The diagram above is showing the flow in the Kosas when a person reaches Samadhi and are one with the universe. Looking at the diagram, you can see why Samadhi, the final stage of the eight limbs of Yoga, is called a state of unification. The energy and knowledge of the universe flows through you and your energy and knowledge flows through both and the universe. The separation between the Kosa, between the physical and spiritual body, do not exist and there is complete unification of all of the Kosa. When there is this complete unification, when you are connected to the universal soul, than there is truth and oneness.
So, this is brief information which I thought is essential here when I was reviewing the literature.
JAISA ANN WAISA MANN
Food is generally looked down upon by ascetically minded people and treated as some thing which does not deserve attention or quite take it for granted. But since the body and the mind are mightily interdependent, no one can afford to neglect it. As the food, so the mind ( JAISA ANN WAISA MANN); as the mind, so the thought; as the thought, so the act.
Food is an important factor which determines the alertness and sloth, the worry and calm, the brightness and dullness.Hence, One can find out the nature or temperament of a man from the nature of the food he prefers. The scriptures classify food as sathwic, rajasic and thamasic and relate these three types to the three mental modes (gunas) of the same names.
Satvic food
Satvic food is one that can be digested easily and brings balance ton one's mind. It helps in building immunity and improving the healing response in those who are unwell.It increases the energy of the mind and produces cheerfulness, serenity and mental clarity. satvic food is highly conducive to good health.
A satvic man relishes juicy food and other foods which are attractive in form, soft to touch and pleasant to taste, which are small in bulk but great in nourishment like the words from the lips of a spiritual preceptor.
satvic foods are fresh, juicy, light, unctuous, nourishing, sweet and tasty.
Milk, butter, ghee (clarified butter), fresh ripe fruits, almonds, dates, moong (green gram) sprouts, barley, wheat, cereals, tomatoes, parwar, torai, karela (names of Indian vegetables), plantains etc., are satvic.
Satvic food is moderately cooked with few spices and less fat. Chillies and black pepper are not used in cooking. Common spices like turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, coriander, aniseed and cardamom are, however, used in Satvic cooking. Eating raw foods is not considered Satvic as they harbour a lot of parasites and microbes. According to ayurveda, raw foods are known to weaken the digestive system and reduce ojas, which is synonymous with vital energy also known as prana. Prana is also known as `Chi' (and `Q1') or `jing'. Simplified, it means the life force.
The proper functioning of the mind and spiritual development depend on ojas. A person who follows the Satvic food habits is known to possess a clear mind, is balanced, moderate in habits and focused. One usually avoids intoxicants like alcohol, stimulants like tea, coffee, tobacco and non-vegetarian food. A Satvic person is also supposed to be spiritually aware.
Importance of Satvic Food
The material making up your thoughts is extremely subtle; it arises from the food you eat. On the other hand, if you take in food that is not sanctified, dark feelings, dark actions and dark thoughts will flourish. Not only this, but because of unwholesome food you will weaken the body and lose the power of digestion, and suffer all sorts of bodily discomforts. Therefore, if you consume food that has been sanctified you will get only sacred thoughts.
When a person is filled with sacred thoughts all his actions will be sacred. His words will also be sacred. Thoughts and the thought process constitute the very form of the mind. Immediately transform any dark thoughts into sacred ones. In the same way, see to it that you undertake only good actions, and take every opportunity to transform these actions into worship by consecrating them to the Lord. By transforming all thoughts into noble thoughts and all work into worship, you will naturally progress on the sacred path.
Rajasic food
Rajasic food is one that is fresh but heavy to digest. Those who indulge in heavy physical activity should eat such food. Rajastic food is cooked fresh and is of high quality and nutrient density. It also contains more spices and oil than Satvic cooking. These foods create sensuality, sexuality, greed, jealousy, anger, delusion, fantasies, egotism and irreligious feelings.
The rajasic man always plans to prepare various kinds of preparations to satisfy his palate. The palate remains unsatisfied until the stomach is completely filled with pungent things and till the tongue is burnt with chillies.
Rajasic foods are bitter, sour, salty, pungent, hot and dry. Puri, kachori, pungent condiments, meat, fish, eggs, sweets, fried bread, curd, brinjal (egg plant), carrots, urad (black gram), onions, garlic, lemon, masur (red gram), tea, coffee, betel leaves, tobacco are rajasic articles of food.
This kind of food is known to make a person long for sensual stimulation. He is usually aggressive in nature in a positive way and is an energetic disposition. He is interested in power, prestige, position and prosperity. But he is in control of his life and not obsessed by the power and position. A Rajasic personality loves to enjoy life.
Tamasic food
Tamasic food includes all kinds that are not fresh and are unnatural, overcooked, stale and processed. All foods made from refined flour, pastries, pizzas, burgers, chocolates, soft drinks, stimulants like tea, coffee, tobacco, intoxicants like alcohol and wines fall under the Tamasic category. Even canned and preserved foods like jams, jellies, pickles and fermented food come under this group. Fried foods, sweets made from sugar, ice creams, pudding and most modern day junk foods, spicy, salty, sweet, and fatty foods are also included in this list.. tamasic food is stale, dry, bad smelling, distasteful or unpalatable. It increases pessimism, ignorance, lack of common sense, greed, laziness, criminal tendencies and doubt.
The tamasic man will eat, in the afternoon, food which has been cooked on the previous day and also will like the food which is half-cooked or burnt.
Foods that have been processed, canned or frozen are tamasic. Beef, fish, eggs, wine, garlic, onions and tobacco are tamasic foodstuffs.
Tamas means darkness, implying stagnation in a person and degeneration in health. The Tamasic personality suffers from intense mood swings, insecurities, desires, cravings and is unable to deal with others in a balanced manner. They have little regard for the welfare of others and tend to be very self-centered. Their nervous systems and heart do not function optimally; such individuals age very fast and usually suffer from degenerative conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, chronic fatigue etc.
Tamasic people usually lead a sedentary lifestyle and enjoy packaged and processed foods, which are rich in calories. They have no control over their appetites and indulge in mindless eating. Such individuals would benefit from switching from a Tamasic diet to a Satvic one.
Where man goes wrong?
Man is the only living being who dislikes raw food found in the natural state. All other animals eat things as they are - grain, grass, leaves, shoots, fruits. Man boils, fries, melts, mixes and adopts various methods of cooking in order to satisfy the cravings of the tongue, the eye and the nose. As a consequence, the food value of these articles is either reduced or destroyed.
When the seeds are fried, they do not sprout; that is clear proof that the 'life force' is eliminated. Therefore, uncooked raw pulse just sprouting, is to be preferred. Also nuts and fruits. The coconut, offered to the gods, is a sathwic food, having a good percentage of protein besides fat, starch and minerals.
Food having too much salt or pepper is rajasic and should be avoided; so also too much fat and starch, which are tamasic in their effects on the body.
An intake of too much food is also harmful. Simply because tasty food is available and is being offered, one is tempted to over-eat. We have air all around us but we do not breathe in more than we need. The lake is full but we drink only as much as the thirst craves for. But overeating has become a social evil, a fashionable habit. The stomach cries out, 'Enough', but the tongue insists on more, and man becomes the helpless target to disease. He suffers from corpulence, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Moderate food is the best medicine to avoid bodily ills. Do not rush to the hospital for every little upset. Too much drugging is also bad. Allow nature full scope to fight the disease and set you right. Adopt more and more the principles of naturopathy, and give up running around for doctors.
The type of food that you consume decides the degree of concentration you can command; its quality and quantity decide how much your self-control is lessened or heightened. Polluted air and water are full of maleficent viruses and germs and have to be avoided at all costs. There are four pollutions against which man has to be vigilant - of the body (removable by water); of the mind (removable by truthfulness), of reason (removable by correct knowledge) and of the self (removable by yearning for God). Vaidya Narayano Harih, the Sruthis declare. God is the doctor. Seek Him, rely on Him, you will be free from Dis-ease.
Food is God - Do not waste food.
Firstly, consider the food we consume. Eat only what you need to eat. Do not be greedy. Do not take more than you can eat and waste the rest, because wasting food is a great sin. The surplus food can feed another stomach. Do not waste food, because food is God, life is God, and man is born from food. Food is the main source of man's life, body, mind and character. The gross part of the food, which is the major portion of the food consumed by the body, is thrown out as waste matter. A minute amount of the food, which is the subtle part, is assimilated by the body and flows as blood. And a minuscule amount, which is the subtlest part of the food, makes up the mind. Therefore, the mind is the reflection of the food consumed. The reason for the present beastly and demonic tendencies in our minds is the food we consume.
A large part of the water we drink is expelled as urine. A minute part of the water consumed becomes the life force (prana). Therefore, the nature of the food and water that we take in decides our character. Only by controlling the quality of our food and water can we attain Divinity. This is why food is said to be God. Hence, to waste food is to waste God. Do not waste food. Eat only what you need, and be sure that what you eat is Sathwic. Give any surplus food to those in need.
Ref- http://www.freewebs.com/sathwicfood/pure_food.html#Importance
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosas
http://www.instantgoodkarma.org/Purusa.html
http://www.yogahalya.com/yoga_ve_cakralar.htm
This following information was again very interesting !!!
Macrobiotic philosophy
Macrobiotic philosophy is based on the ancient Taoist belief that everything in creation is made up of two antagonistic but complementary forces—yin (passive, silent, cold and dark) and yang (active, hot and heavy).
Consequently, all foodstuffs are categorized as 'yin' and 'yang'. An ideal diet is one that would balance the two forces in the body.
''Health is the natural result of maintaining a dynamic balance of yin and yang in our daily eating and way of life,'' says Michio Kushi. It must be noted that yin and yang in food is unrelated to actual nutrient content.
According to Ohsawa's yin and yang guidelines in Zen Macrobiotics:
• Cereals must always be every meal's basis. The most ideal is whole, brown rice, which is a perfect balance of yin and yang.
• Vegetables can supplement cereals, but in lesser quantities and less frequently. Eggplant and tomatoes must be avoided, as they are extremely yin.
• Fresh fish can be used occasionally. Animal and dairy products and fruits are to be used in minute amounts.
• All fluids should be taken as infrequently as possible, since they are very yin, especially tea, coffee, colas and sweetened juices. Tea made from fresh herbs, and spring water are thought to be the most balanced beverages.
Ohsawa warns, though, that these guidelines must not be followed rigidly and each individual must keep in mind his own environment and constitution. ''For instance,'' he says, ''those who live in a cold climate need foods that are slightly more yang than those who inhabit tropical areas, while the person who works in the fields can tolerate more yin food than the one who has a desk job. Everything is relative to and is determined by the individual.''
2 comments:
u know wot PS2..if i hadnt read this blog na..i wud have NEVER got to know our real human food system!! It was so informative... surely 5 starts from me for that ;)
oh thanks !! even i didnt know this information until i found it !! this was my reference work which i thot if it stays as a blog it cud help others too ! :)
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