A Master's Insights into the Spiritual Nature of Foods

by Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters)

A Master's Insights

The ancient yoga teaching stated that the food a person eats affects his state of consciousness. Paramhansa Yogananda (author of the world-renowned The Autobiography of a Yogi), in his wide range of teachings, explained that specific spiritual influences are inherent in certain foods. Such influences include cereal for strength of character; beets for material vigor; maple syrup for mental freshness. We have selected 20 essences, prepared for maximum effectiveness from the blossoms of fruits and vegetables corresponding to their spiritual qualities. The method of preparation and recommendations for how to use these essences are included later on.

According to ancient yoga tradition, the universe expresses three fundamental qualities or gunas, depending on the degree of clarity with which they express the original, Pure Consciousness out of which all things were manifested. In Sanskrit those qualities were named tamo guna (that which is dulling to the consciousness), rajo guna (which activates the mind), and sattwa guna (which clarifies and uplifts the understanding).

How Food Affects Consciousness

Certain foods were described as being tamasic because the effect they have on our awareness is stultifying. Others were considered rajasic because they tend to make one restless and over-active. For mental and spiritual happiness, the foods most highly recommended were sattwic, because they exert a calming and uplifting influence on one's consciousness.

For a well-balanced and happy life, foods with a tamasic influence should either be kept to a minimum or eliminated altogether. One should moderate his intake of rajasic foods. Foods that help to induce calmness and mental upliftment should preponderate in the diet of people seeking inner peace. Modern life, however, is essentially restless and ego-centered. For people who must cope with worldly attitudes around them, or who have many outward demands made on their time and energy, Yogananda recommended that some rajasic foods be included in the diet. For them, a measure of rajas will help them to deal effectively with the restlessness in their environment.

Tamasic foods include all those which have a deadening or stupefying effect on the mind-foods such as alcoholic beverages and certain drugs, whether medical or hallucinogenic. Foods are tamasic also when they are lifeless, perhaps because they've been "cooked to death," or have simply become stale, losing their vitality. Tamasic foods include also those which are too pungent, which is to say those with a strong, sharp taste. Excessively heavy foods, finally, which emphasize bulk rather than vitality, are also considered tamasic.

Rajasic foods include spicy foods such as mustard, onions, garlic, chili peppers, hot sauces, and other foods that have an irritating or over-stimulating effect on the body, and especially on the nervous system.

Sattwic foods are those which are calming to the nerves. They include especially fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

Yogananda specified further that certain foods-as we stated above-exert not only a sattwic influence generally, but also help to develop specific spiritual qualities. Of fruits and vegetables that are produced from blossoms, cherries help to develop a cheerful nature; grapes, to develop love in the heart. To develop specific spiritual qualities one should consume especially foods that are imbued with those spiritual vibrations.

To eat heavily, however, even if one's diet is otherwise sattwic, can have a tamasic influence, since excessive bulk darkens the mind rather than uplifting or energizing it.

Particularly important is the consciousness a person holds while eating. Important also is the consciousness with which the food is cooked or otherwise readied for the table. Even unspiritual food can be spiritualized by a cheerful, uplifted state of mind while one eats.

The Spiritual Power of Flowers

It takes time to reap the full benefit from even the best of foods. In the present age, with its exaggerated restlessness, people are impatient for results. The most effective and immediate way of obtaining such results is in their essential form, abstracted from the blossoms of the corresponding fruit or vegetable.

Thus, we have concentrated these spiritual influences into 20 essential infusions. Two or three drops taken several times a day (the first time on awaking; the last before going to bed) can greatly increase the spiritual power of these foods.

An interesting aspect of these wonderful essences is that they have also been found to help animals. Animals, in fact, respond more spontaneously because there is no "placebo effect" due to doubts or other mental reservations. Indeed, the immediacy with which animals respond has been so amazing that we plan to make these essences for animals available very soon.

A fruit's essence is most highly concentrated in the blossom from which the fruit appears. Yogananda's Spirit-in-Nature Essences are made from the blossoms-which would be impossible to do from the fruits themselves-and contain in potent form the spiritual quality of each food.

A major benefit of these essences is that they affect their users without bloating their stomachs! (How many cherries, after all, would one need to become appreciably more cheerful? or grapes, to become more loving? Their sheer bulk might have a tamasic, rather than sattwic, effect!)

These essences act with or without our affirming their spiritual qualities. Their effectiveness is greatly enhanced, however, when combined with specific affirmations, uttered out loud or mentally with concentration, will power, and energy. The suggested affirmations are phrased so as to be compatible with the quality of each essence, and to resonate with it rhythmically. The effectiveness of these essences is thereby greatly increased.

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