The Most Optimal Diet for Mind Purification

A whole foods plant based diet (not overly cooked and not too flavorful) is the most optimal diet for purification of the mind. If one consumes any type of animal products, they will take on the heavy karma associated with that food which comes with cruelty attached (this also applies to eggs and milk which can be considered more cruel than chicken and beef respectively due to the inhumane practices of animal agriculture). A diet based on murder, enslavement and torture causes lower vibrations to permeate the animal’s being accompanied by stress hormones coursing through the animal’s body. When eating animals, we take on the cruelty and death which corrupts and imbalances the harmony in our system. This is because decomposed flesh and other animal byproducts/secretions are tamastic in nature. They consist of low vibrations which in turn creates more dullness and/or agitation in the mind.

 

There were many experiments conducted between the 1930’s and 1940’s that measured the electromagnetic waves of foods. It was discovered that foods with the highest vibration (measured between 4,500-10,000 angstrom) were primarily plant based such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and grains. The lowest on the scale were meat and other animal products including margarine, alcohol and refined sugars. The higher the vibration, the higher the energy which means healthy foods make a big difference on our energy states and has a profound impact on our spiritual health.

 

This is why many people after eating animal foods feel lethargic. This is due to inertia caused by consuming tamastic foods which inevitably leads to disease and other harmful effects. Conversely, plant based foods (not processed) are more sattvic in nature, which consist of higher vibrations and in turn makes the mind more calm and tranquil, preparing your body as a temple and vehicle for self-knowledge. There is also less pleasure and satisfaction that comes with eating whole foods. This makes the seeker clear headed and allows one to hold concentration levels for longer periods of time.

 

In order to expose the self, the mind needs to be one-pointed and fixed for a long duration.  If it’s always dull, agitated and diverging its attention elsewhere constantly due to desire (which includes consuming foods that are highly pleasurable), you will never reveal the inner experience the knowledge of Vedanta points to, although this is something that does not necessarily apply to those who are qualified and can easily go into samadhi due to a highly purified mind.

 

We are all on different paths of our journey which will inevitably reveal the pure self (whether in this life or after many more lifetimes). This means not everyone will be able to adhere to this diet due to personal circumstances (whatever it may be). We should however do our best to follow ahimsa to create the least amount of pain as possible (which applies to all sentient beings), which in turn will help foster a deeper connection within. Many people often dismiss a plant based diet due to selfish reasons. It may not be convenient for them to follow because of the lack of effort and willingness to change. This is also a consequence of what is currently being consumed which promotes inertia and laziness. One must conquer tamas with rajas which thereby promotes effort and activity to follow the right path. With effort, one can eat more sattvic foods to promote purity and light, thereby removing rajas with sattva. This will help awaken you to the interconnectedness of nature.  The more purified the mind becomes from this inner connection (complimented with other spiritual practices), the more you will be able to receive intermittent glimpses of the self which gradually leads to liberation.

 

We must also not be too overly critical about strict rules and guidelines to follow, as non-attachment is also a deeper and more impactful practice of exposing the inner self (but which will be of no use, if one’s mind is always diverging amongst dual phenomena due to desire). Oftentimes, many people critique others, forming hatred, bias and judgement which only reinforces or strengthens the ego --this is counterproductive to spiritual growth. We must not judge other’s habits. Weaken the ego enough to know that everything is already perfect, but wise enough to know that only through actions will destiny unfold. The more you continue with your spiritual practices (which includes controlling desires by consuming the right foods conducive to purity), the more we will begin to see life with an equal eye and behold a clearer view. You will begin to see yourself in all beings.

 

In reality, everything is one and so our actions must first align with this inner understanding before one can truly experience the end-goal which all practices aim to reveal.

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