I read in some book that there are not such a division as vegetarian or non-vegetarian food in classic yogic practice. Instead they use definition such as sattvic, rajastic and tamasic food. Does anyone know anything about it?
Meat is mainly rajasic. What might reccomend it’s useage in tamasic states of weakness. Sometimes you need to give an umph to those instinctive forces to have something to work with.
Yes, but I’ve seeing some yogis (for example, Dr. Phulgenda Sinha) says that even meat can be prepared in the way to be sattvic… and vegetables can be prepared the way that they became rajasic or tamasic… That’s why I’m confused:) But this sounds very reasonable to me and I’m just wondering if it seems reasonable to others, that in yogic diet the most important thing is the way of food preparation but not vegetarian name of the food.
Also, does vegetarian diet excludes all animal fats and products?
I’m trying to link… since In Christian Orthodox tradition monthly fasting before the Christmas assumes deprivation from all animal foods (meat, eggs, milk ).
Thank you
Anastasia
Hello Anastasia.
I’m uncertain exactly what you are asking.
It is important to lend context to the process of discernment as a yoga student.
What was appropriate for a man who had renounced all possessions and was living for years in a cave may (or may not) be appropriate for you.
When looking at Ayurveda, yes there are classifications of foods and their general effects on human beings. Once again however, it is important to note that the only things that matters is the effect on the student in question. In this case, you.
Some people need to consume meat. Some people need to avoid dairy. No person needs everything and there is no one-size-fits-all concept in yoga otherwise there’d be no yoga present in yoga.
If you’d like to expound on the question I believe the replies will be more helpful.
gordon
[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;26087]Hello Anastasia.
I’m uncertain exactly what you are asking.
It is important to lend context to the process of discernment as a yoga student.
What was appropriate for a man who had renounced all possessions and was living for years in a cave may (or may not) be appropriate for you.
When looking at Ayurveda, yes there are classifications of foods and their general effects on human beings. Once again however, it is important to note that the only things that matters is the effect on the student in question. In this case, you.
Some people need to consume meat. Some people need to avoid dairy. No person needs everything and there is no one-size-fits-all concept in yoga otherwise there’d be no yoga present in yoga.
If you’d like to expound on the question I believe the replies will be more helpful.
gordon[/QUOTE]
I think your reply was as helpful as it can get. Gret words mate, thank you
I see you have a quote by Iyengar in your signature, read pg 37 of Light on Yoga.
‘The practitioner of yoga has to adopt a vegetarian diet, in order to attain one pointed attention and spiritual evolution.’ B.K.S. Iyengar
Swami Sivananda also wrote on the subject of vegetarianism in yogic life.
If people have overloaded Pingala nadi, they need more proteins, coming from the meat.