Yogic Thoughts on Food

Yogic Thoughts on Food
The first limb of The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is yama and the very first point of yama isahimsa, non harming of yourself and others.  Many yogis apply this to their diet by not harming their bodies by ingesting unhealthy foods and also by choosing to be vegetarian so as to not harm another creature.  Yoga's holistic perspective also enlightens us to realize that anything strong enough to preserve food for an ungodly amount of time is likely harmful.
While I'm not sure I could ever fully commit to becoming 100% vegetarian myself (turkey sandwiches are my staple!), I do think that the baby steps towards this concept are very significant.  I'm trying to eat less meat throughout my week.  Americans greatly compromise their health by mistakenly thinking we need meat with every meal.  If I can cut back to only eating meat 2 or 3 times a week, or even deciding on a hard-boiled egg (unfertilized, never would've been born anyway) instead of a hamburger, then I am making tremendous progress.
The fabulous thing about yoga is the absence of judgement.  We all have our own journeys, are curious about different things, and will move in the direction of change when we are ready.
Peace & veggies.


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The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
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Samadhi

8. SAMADHI: the eighth limb of The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
Absolute bliss.  Pure contemplation.  Superconsciousness where you and the universe are one.  Existing.  Enlightenment.  Paramahansa Yoganananda called it the state of God-Union.
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Dhyana

7. DHYANA:  the seventh limb of The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
Uninterrupted meditation without an object.  Meditation is not unconsciousness or nothingness.  It is acute awareness and unity with the universe.  The calm achieved in meditation infects all areas of your life with positive light.

Yama

1. YAMA: the first limb of The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
Yama is social behavior, how you treat other people and your environment. Apply the golden rule.  There are 5 yamas.

• Nonviolence (ahimsa).  Do not harm any creature in thought or deed. Including insects.  Compassion for all creatures.  Refrain from gossip and practice patience, kindness, and tolerance.
• Truth & Honesty (satya).  Do not lie or cheat.  Refrain from deception. Live with integrity, sincerity, and clarity. Seek your dharma, your purpose.
• Non-stealing (asteya).  Do not steal material objects or intangibles such as attention or credit.
• Non-lust (brahmacharya).  Avoid meaningless sexual encounters.  See divinity in all.  Moderation in our actions.
• Non-possessiveness; non-greediness (aparigraha).  Identify, deconstruct, and cleanse yourself from greed and hoarding.  Make your life simple.

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
This eightfold path of yoga describes the Hatha yoga we practice today:

1. Yama- non-violence, truth, non-stealing, non-lust, non-possessiveness, honesty
2. Niyama- purity, contentment, austerity, study of sacred text, awareness of divine
3. Asana- postures, exercise positions
4. Pranayama- life force or energy
5. Pratyahara- withdrawal of the senses
6. Dharana- concentration
7. Dhyana- uninterrupted meditation
8. Samadhi- absolute bliss, enlightenment

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Patanjali

Patanjali, a humble physician, lived sometime between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D. and is considered the father of modern yoga.  He compiled 195 sutras or concise aphorisms called The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, which is a fundamental text on the system of yoga, yet it does not describe postures or exercises.  Rather, it is a guide to help you cultivate body, mind, spiritual awareness, achieve a meditation practice, and ultimately attain enlightenment.

Sutras 500 - 100 B.C.

SUTRAS 500-100 B.C
Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew.  Sutras sew meaning together.
It outlines classical understanding of the mind.
196 sutras = threads of yogic wisdom
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