Eliminate, faith, decrease, neutralize?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

in our society at times people may overdo it a bit on certain foods. Sometimes on here it has been recommended to eliminate things from a diet such as dairy. This brings up a challenge for people such as myself. Currently I do not eat meat everyday and really dont care for it a whole lot, eating meat does make it easier to eat with the family though. However, I do like dairy and things such as cereal. I really don’t feel like killing myself trying to eat a perfect diet. Done that before and don’t care to go back. However, while I do like a bit of milk, even to the excessive side, my meat intake is usually a serving every other day at most. Also, I drink quite a bit of peppermint tea, lemonade, and honey as well. If I am not mistaken those three help in releasing mucus, one of the supposed negative effects of too much dairy. Another good aspect of those three is that I like them all.

Sometimes I feel as if I try to eliminate certain foods I will set myself up for failure and put mental stress upon myself cause, “I cant have that”

Also, some people say that foods are just energy and all we are doing with them is transforming energy. Yet is it possible that sometimes we get too caught up in the food that our thinking actually makes the foods more toxic and if we just believed we could digest it well our health would be better? Isnt the power of the creator in us?

what are your thoughts on eliminating certain foods, the faith we have about eating, decreasing the amount of “negative” foods, and neutralizing certain foods with other foods.

Peace be with you
Brother Neil

#2

Don’t worry about eating a perfect diet. As you treat your body better, over time you will start wanting to eat cleaner (especially when you’re aware of the benefits).

Sometimes I feel as if I try to eliminate certain foods I will set myself up for failure and put mental stress upon myself cause, “I cant have that”

That in itself would not be a bad thing. It however isn’t necessary. The choice is yours.

Also, some people say that foods are just energy and all we are doing with them is transforming energy. Yet is it possible that sometimes we get too caught up in the food that our thinking actually makes the foods more toxic and if we just believed we could digest it well our health would be better? Isnt the power of the creator in us?

If you eat junk, your body wont have the necessary fuel to function properly. If it is actually possible to do what you say (which it may be), it is not something that is quickly achievable.

Take all of this as nothing more than opinion, that’s all it is.

#3

I think I understand you when you say that you tried to be on strict diet and don’t want to go back there. Maybe you have sort of inner conflict? Between pressure to purify yourself and increase control vs. a need to “rest and eat” (sort of letting go of control of lower needs)?

I always try to be vegetarian but I think my zeal stopped when I heard Dalai Lama saying that he eats meat. He wanted to stop at some point, but got all yellow and doctor said he should eat some meat. Since I heard that, I try to avoid meat, but I don’t bother myself too much with it and in general with diet (although I try to eat as healthy as possible).

[QUOTE=Brother Neil;32208] Also, some people say that foods are just energy and all we are doing with them is transforming energy. Yet is it possible that sometimes we get too caught up in the food that our thinking actually makes the foods more toxic and if we just believed we could digest it well our health would be better? Isnt the power of the creator in us?[/QUOTE]

I don’t think its exactly true that digestion is just transformation of energy, because food has a serious material component which causes certain effects whether we want it or not. Some vitamins can’t be synthesized in our bodies. And we need some minerals to properly function (e.g. salt). Interesting question whether our belief in “health level” of food has effect on its toxicity. I like to think I eat healthy :slight_smile:

#4

nice replies aaron and pawel, you both touched on dropping the inner conflict. definitely agree on that.

#5

[QUOTE=Brother Neil;32208]

what are your thoughts on eliminating certain foods, the faith we have about eating, decreasing the amount of “negative” foods, and neutralizing certain foods with other foods.

Peace be with you
Brother Neil[/QUOTE]

Yogi often speak about non-violence. Most of the times it became a talk about vegetarian stile of eating, brutality towards animals…etc.
Ahimsa (non-violence) should be applied to our bodies as well. and we often forget about it on the yoga mat or when trying to force our body to get or do not get certain foods.

I would say listen to your body. The body sometimes tels the truth. We need food to support its functions and our cells need different nutritions. Our celt talk to out nerves and thats how we get cravings for certain food.

I can say that my summer diet is very different from winter. I would freeze to death (or get pneumonia again) if I would eliminate meat and fatty food in the winter. In the summer though the body[U] ask for more purification[/U] and I run only on vegetables and bread.

It is harmful to eat for the [U]pleasure of the tongue[/U], as well eating while angry or while discussing business mater.

So do not worry of what you eat (I still would recommend whole food). Pay attention why do you eat (hungry or just bored) and how do you eat.
Namaste