Satwic Diet

 

Two weeks ago, we had our first group discussion.  The chosen topic of discussion was based on the 10 satwic points (listed at the bottom), each one of which displayed the reoccurring theme of theme of purity.  A summary of our discussion on the following topic is listed below in a format of the questions asked and the group responses that were formulated.  Note, the following discussion has been broken down into two parts and will conclude next week (March 16''th)

 

DISCUSSION SUMMARY

QUESTION:
Pictures of leaders during the time of independence were kept in peoples houses.  Is it alright to have pictures of movie stars etc, these days?

 

GROUP ANSWER:
Posters of movie stars and items of that nature such as consistently playing music in the room may cause distractions.  As a result, it is important to keep your room in a simple manner and in a way that does not distract you.  Basically, applying the phrase "Simple is golden."   

 

QUESTION:
It is hard to control all the senses.  Life tends to become too boring and too restricted.  It is especially difficult for youth as many of their friends care only to have a good time and use their senses as a source for bringing them pleasure.  Is it even worth implementing such a spartan way of life?

 

GROUP ANSWER:
Disciplining oneself and gaining control over the senses, is a difficult task, especially when one sets out to improve his/her character.  However, if one is able to persevere and is able to gain greater control over the senses, then they will ultimately lead a happier and more peaceful life in the end.  So in conclusion, it is definitely worthwhile that youth make the effort needed to gain mastery over the senses.

"The joy in being the master of the senses is far greater than being a slave to them"
- Swami

 

QUESTION:
Can I do a job that I enjoy even though it does not necessary help society directly?

 

GROUP ANSWER:
Any work you carry out whole heartedly and dedicated to god is fine.
Swami says what is important in this matter is that the work one carries out in his/her profession should be carried out with purity of heart.  

   

QUESTION:
What kind of books can we read?  Only Sai Literature?

 

GROUP ANSWER:
We can read books that have interest to us.  For example, one youth gave the example of how he likes to read books about Military Weapons that have been used throughout history.  The group concluded that this is completely fine, but one must have control of the   senses and a purity of the mind.

 

QUESTION:
Why is eating meat considered bad in our society but it is okay in other societies?  Are those who eat meat lower than us and should they be looked down upon?

 

GROUP ANSWER:
Today there are so many animals that are being killed on a grand scale and in such a cruel manner (Eg. Slaughter houses) that it is not right to support such actions by consuming such meat.  In addition, numerous chemicals are given to animals that are not healthy for the human body.  Swami says you should do everything you can to eat pure food.  If you can't do that then offer food to god.  With regards to the second part of the question, Swami says that everyone is equal and we do not have a right to judge anyone.  Other societies have different cultural traditions which we should respect and not form a bias towards.
             
       In addition we learned that food is taken in from all the 5 senses.  True fasting is not only about refraining from eating food but also about consuming food that is satwic, as it is this food that allows one to develop purity of mind, which is ultimately needed to gain control of the senses.

 

 

 

Review of 10 Satwic Points

 

First: The first is purity of the place in which one lives. It is necessary to fill the room in which one resides or studies with a satwic atmosphere. The pictures or other objects you see should fill you with peace and pure thoughts. Objects which arouse agitation and bad thoughts should have no place. The room should be clean and free from anything that is impure.

 

Second: In the family in which you live, there should be mutual understanding and cooperation, and a sense of harmony. There should be no discord in the family that will create a bad atmosphere. A harmonious atmosphere will give you true peace of mind.

 

Third: The need for satwic food. This means that none of the edible items should be excessively sour, bitter or hot. You should eschew rajasic food like fish or meat. Even good satwic food should not be taken in excess. Some people consume so much of satwic food that even though it is satwa, it develops rajasic qualities. It is only satwic when you sit for the meal with a light stomach and get up from it with a light stomach! If you sit with a light stomach and get up with a weighty stomach, it becomes ramona.

 

Fourth: Whatever fluids you take should also be satwic. You should not drink whatever water is available. It should be pure water. Alcoholic splits should be eschewed.

 

Fifth: Satwic thoughts and feelings are of great importance. Students tend to neglect this factor. Only if your thoughts and feelings are pure, can you get the full benefit of a clean room, a good family and pure food.

 

Sixth: If you want to develop satwic feelings and thoughts, your vision must be pure. All Srishti (creation) is based upon drishti (sight). It is only when you have wrong vision that you have wrong thoughts. You must look upon every elderly woman as your mother and all women who are younger as your sisters. When you are filled with such pure thoughts, you will have pure feelings. It is because you are students, you have to be told this. Imagine how offended you will feel if someone looks at your mother or sister with an evil eye. Realizing this, you have to entertain pure feelings towards other women. You should not commit the sort of offences which you will not tolerate in others.

 

Seventh: Whatever books you read or whatever you write should be pure. This is the Sadhana relating to study--Sahitya Satwika. If you read or write that which is not pure, it warps your mind. A good book makes for a good mind. Any book you may study about Physics or Chemistry or other subjects, does not affect your character. But books which are literary, are not always good literature. If improper books are prescribed for study, treat them as mere text-books and do not attach any high value to them as guides for life.

 

Eighth: Pure Satwic service. With regard to service, you have to decide what is satwic and what is rajasic. We go and clean streets, build roads in villages or dig wells and do them all as a service to the community. But the kind of service which we do should give real happiness to the people. In the name of 'Social work' you go to a hospital and approach a patient. This is not real service. Any person whom you wish to serve, you should regard as an embodiment of the Divine. Going to the help of the destitute and the neglected is rendering service to God. Narayana has two forms: one is 'Lakshmi Narayana', the other is 'Daridra Narayana'. This 'Lakshmi-Narayana' is full of wealth. He is able to help any number of people. He will be able to get many persons to serve him. But, for 'Daridra Narayana' there is nobody to serve him. It is to such persons that we should do satwic service.

 

Ninth: Sadhana. This is spiritual discipline. This must be satwa. Some people do Hatha Yoga. Some strive to develop the Kundalini Sakthi. Some invoke evil spirits, to do harm to others. These forms of sadhana are not sadhana at all. The individual is Chith (Consciousness), God is Sath (The Eternal Absolute). When Sath and Chith combine, you have Ananda. Sath-Chith-Ananda. Only the sadhana undertaken to realize Satchidananda is true sadhana. Where is this Sath? This Sath, the Divine, is in everybody. So, you must be prepared to serve everybody, regarding everyone as the Divine. You may have normal relationship with your kith and kin. There is nothing wrong in this. You must perform sadhana in the spirit that the One pervades the many. In this process, you must cultivate the feeling of Love. There is no higher sadhana than the cultivation of Love!

 

Tenth: Your occupation or profession. What is the kind of work you should take up? It should be work which can benefit the nation, the community. The nation enables you to earn a living. You must see what you can give to the nation, in return. You must ask yourself: "What is the service, what is the help I can do for the community?" You must see that there is no untruth in any work you do, no unfairness, no fraud, no evil motive.