F.: When the “I AM THAT” is understood, abidance happens as the Absolute for the remainder of the manifestation. Prior to that, when the “I AM” is understood, abidance happens as the re-purified consciousness. And for millions and millions of years, humankind survived by living within the framework of that Original Understanding and by eating and behaving naturally. For those millions and millions of years, humankind survived with no need at all for dentists, doctors, pharmacists, therapists, self-help groups, self-help books, spiritual movements, religion, or step programs. How? They functioned quite well by behaving naturally and by eating plant foods that provided proper nutrition that prevented the type of organ-malfunctioning that today generates OCD, bi-polar conditions, anxiety, depression, and the host of other disorders that underfunctioning organs produce or contribute to. They functioned quite well by knowing intuitively what should be eaten and what should not be eaten. They functioned quite well by not having a lifestyle that required working so much that prepared foods were thought to be necessary. How effectively was humankind able to live under the auspices of the brain, The Original Understanding, and the intuitive, sixth sense only? Well enough to survive for millions and millions of years without schooling, without instructional texts, without "holy" texts, without "how-to" manuals, without attending daily or weekly meetings to get this or get that, without seeking meaning or purpose, and without an unquenchable desire to accumulate.
The intuitive sense was so developed that a human could close his/her eyes, could be handed a plant, and could know whether it was edible or poisonous. I only know two humans who are in touch with their intuitive sense to that degree today. Today, most hold poisonous foods in their hands throughout the day and they eat that food throughout the day without any regard for the negative impact on bodily organs which, when harmed as a result of eating such poison, negatively impact the organism physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The intuitive sense was so developed that a human could close his/her eyes, could be handed a plant, and could know whether it was edible or poisonous. I only know two humans who are in touch with their intuitive sense to that degree today. Today, most hold poisonous foods in their hands throughout the day and they eat that food throughout the day without any regard for the negative impact on bodily organs which, when harmed as a result of eating such poison, negatively impact the organism physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Again, since the Advaita teaching begins with an invitation to dis-identify with the body, why discuss taking care of the body? Because it is a natural function if the consciousness is manifested. Would one suggest that birds should stop flying away from the threatening presence of humans entering their environment, or is that just a natural function that should be seen as totally natural? This discussion is consistent with all of the Advaita teachings that are set forth via the Nisarga (Natural) Yoga understanding which points out that being in touch with reality allows all things to happen naturally. If in touch with reality—if truly sane—eating also happens in a natural fashion. “Eating disorders”—eating unnaturally and behaving unnaturally around food—are totally modern.
Imagine trying to explain this scenario to a family living on a veldt several hundred thousand years ago: “The men worked diligently today to capture game and brought it home for us to eat. The rest of us foraged for green plants and berries to accompany the meat. We worked hard to get our food, we worked to prepare the food, we enjoyed eating our food, and now we know that the sustenance we longed for will guarantee that we shall be nourished for several days. The only thing left for me to do now is to go gag myself and puke.” Only when concepts have been introduced, only when enculturation warps the pure consciousness, and only when images are given more value then truth does insane, unnatural conduct happen. And when insane, unnatural conduct happens, only then do some come forth with magical and supernatural approaches that are supposed to treat the unnatural conduct.
Is it becoming clear, just how much insanity is involved with food choices and food-related behaviors? Is it becoming clear why Realization is (1) about being restored to sanity, why it is (2) about being in touch with reality, why it (3) leads to the abandonment of unnatural thinking and unnatural living, why it (4) leads to the abandonment of supernatural (magical) thinking and supernatural living and why it (5) results in natural living instead? Is it becoming clear that all manifestation of the conscious-energy involves plant food? Is it clearer that the body is nothing more than an arrangement of elements that happens in conjunction with eating plant food (or eating animals that ate plants)? Is it becoming clear, therefore, why being in touch with reality also results in eating—and behaving—in a natural fashion, whether that means eating natural plants or eating meat that has not been bastardized with additives? Is it becoming clearer why those seeking peace and sanity must not only focus on being free of the faulty programming and conditioning that bastardize the consciousness but must also address the bastardization of foods that corrupt the body organs which affect not only the physiological functioning of the body but also impact the mental and emotional states as well? Please enter the silence of contemplation. [To be continued]
Imagine trying to explain this scenario to a family living on a veldt several hundred thousand years ago: “The men worked diligently today to capture game and brought it home for us to eat. The rest of us foraged for green plants and berries to accompany the meat. We worked hard to get our food, we worked to prepare the food, we enjoyed eating our food, and now we know that the sustenance we longed for will guarantee that we shall be nourished for several days. The only thing left for me to do now is to go gag myself and puke.” Only when concepts have been introduced, only when enculturation warps the pure consciousness, and only when images are given more value then truth does insane, unnatural conduct happen. And when insane, unnatural conduct happens, only then do some come forth with magical and supernatural approaches that are supposed to treat the unnatural conduct.
Is it becoming clear, just how much insanity is involved with food choices and food-related behaviors? Is it becoming clear why Realization is (1) about being restored to sanity, why it is (2) about being in touch with reality, why it (3) leads to the abandonment of unnatural thinking and unnatural living, why it (4) leads to the abandonment of supernatural (magical) thinking and supernatural living and why it (5) results in natural living instead? Is it becoming clear that all manifestation of the conscious-energy involves plant food? Is it clearer that the body is nothing more than an arrangement of elements that happens in conjunction with eating plant food (or eating animals that ate plants)? Is it becoming clear, therefore, why being in touch with reality also results in eating—and behaving—in a natural fashion, whether that means eating natural plants or eating meat that has not been bastardized with additives? Is it becoming clearer why those seeking peace and sanity must not only focus on being free of the faulty programming and conditioning that bastardize the consciousness but must also address the bastardization of foods that corrupt the body organs which affect not only the physiological functioning of the body but also impact the mental and emotional states as well? Please enter the silence of contemplation. [To be continued]
