We can eat for good health. We can eat for weight loss. We can eat for athletic performance. We can eat for weight gain. We can eat for intoxication.
But, have you considered eating for bliss?
Can what we eat, and how we eat it, support a meditative way of being? Yes.
And, this way of being is the foundation of living a 'blissful' life or one that is Spiritual uplifted.
Could what you have been eating, and the way you have been eating it, be one of the culprits for a feeling negativity in life, depression, anxiety or even pessimism towards doing meditation? Yes.
Firstly, what is bliss? ' Bliss' in this article is defined as a byproduct of living a heart centered and heart opening life that allows for deeper meditative experiences. Yes, the food we consume can effect how much 'bliss' comes from our life. Bliss is the by product of the wealth of inner life, it is ones true nature, and unfortunately this bliss is what gets obstructed by the turbulence of the mind and its cravings. The food we eat, can either produce more cravings, which contributes to a turbulent mental state edging bliss out of our lives one bite at a time, or can produce more evenness of mind which is the foundation of a blissful life. Ayurveda for spiritual upliftment is not based on bodily appeal, nor is this solely about avoiding indigestion, constipation, pain, inflammation or disease, even though this will happen. Ayurveda for Spiritual upliftment is about the next step. It is not about just fixing problems, but living a life beyond the disease story.
What I am talking about may seem like a lofty concept to some, and for those I suggest starting at the ground level of understanding the body's relationship to food and any underlining health issues you may have, so that the next step, the step you where designed to experience, a life of bliss, can come swiftly into awareness.
Mind you, this is not drug induced bliss and not any gratification felt from deprivation or binging.
In the 'Practical Ayurveda' model, you understand your body type, and then you have a food list of items to avoid and edibles to favor all on your body type ratio. This ratio is formed from, usually, a combination of 2 out of the 3 Doshas- Vata Pitta Kapha.
Now that this is understood, lets explore what 'eating for bliss' might look like...
Eating for bliss is synonymous with the thought 'eating to live, not living to eat.'
Each edible is thoughtfully introduced into the body with awareness.
Awareness is a fundamental concept in ' eating for bliss.' You see the food and you consciously eat- with full awareness on the food and how the food is interacting with your body. You get feedback from your body on when you have eaten to satisfaction, which is when you are at 80% stomach capacity.
80% capacity allows for the food to be properly assimilated, but more importantly allows for you to still remain mentally alert. You will be feeling a sensation of satiation and lightness cohabitating.
Ayurveda has much on this subject that are beyond the scope of this blog post.
Just as Ayurveda has the three Doshas -Vata Pitta and Kapha. Ayurveda in context of eating for bliss is more concerned with these things called the 'three gunas' > Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
These gunas contribute to our psycho-physiological state of well being.
Along with Awareness and eating Sattvic foods, one's sense of Bliss in life will increase.
Sattva is characterized as purity and lightness.
Rajas is characterized as activity and agitation.
Tamas is character as dullness and lethargy.
Sattvic foods are fresh, mildly spiced and easily digestible foods. Eating slowly and consciously.
Foods that contribute to harmony, balance, creativity, openness, intelligence, clairty and peace.
> Ex: Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, nuts, grains legumes, honey, ghee, saffron.
Rajasic foods are heavily spiced, acidic, and fried. Eating fast.
Foods that contribute to excitement, anxitety,agitation, impatience, overactivity and movement.
> Ex:Spicy food, onions, garlic, fired food, pickled, and stimulating foods that contain s=caffeine.
Tamasic foods are heavy, processed, and dulling. Over eating.
Foods that contribute to inertia, megative thinking, depressin, delusion, and inactivity.
> Ex: red meat, alcohol, tobacco, frozen food, stale/old/processed and canned foods.
Ayurveda for Spiritual upliftment, is about eating for bliss. Consuming Sattvic food with maximum awareness, and eating only until 80% of stomach capacity is met. This along with proper daily routine will support a blissful life with less mental-emotional turbulence that supports one's meditation practice.
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