Cooking with compassion

The spiritual element

“As a person eats, so he thinks.

As a person thinks, so he acts.

As a person acts, so he is.”

So how do I get the passion for cooking with compassion at the Brahma Kumaris encourages individuals to take a more spiritual approach to all aspects of life including food.  Whilst modern science tends to take a technician’s approach and see the molecules, chemical compounds and nutrients that feed the body, a more spiritual, holistic perspective also places a sacred significance on what we eat, seeing how its energy can touch, heal and sustain the soul as well. The body needs sustenance, but so does the soul; we must absorb, assimilate and integrate spiritual energy as well as physical. 

We believe that non-violence is an essential characteristic of the spiritually-awakened individual and that the essence of the human soul is peace, tranquillity and love. If the internal workings of the soul are disturbed, then meditative serenity eludes the individual. 

Whatever food is eaten has an effect on the mind, in a subtle form of the way in which alcohol or intoxicating drugs can dramatically alter mood and judgment. When a person becomes more aware of the spiritual aspect of his or her identity, the relationship between body and soul takes on a new meaning and greater importance. The awakened inner eye of the soul gives birth to a higher sensitivity and greater awareness, revealing aspects that were previously unfelt or unknown. Subtle energies become very real and the individual is able to perceive very clearly whether something taken into the body is conducive to or inconsistent with the overall well-being of body and soul, intuitively preferring what is right.

With this perspective, food may then be placed in one of three categories. Pure (or ‘sattwic’) food constitutes the staples of a yogic diet. It includes fruit, grains, beans, seeds, sprouts, most vegetables, dairy products and a moderate amount of spices and herbs. Then there is stimulating (or ‘rajsic’) food, which may be consumed in moderation, and includes coffee, tea, colas, vinegar, radishes, spices and watermelon. Finally there are impure (or ‘tamsic’) items, such as tobacco, alcohol, nonprescription drugs, all meat, fish, fowl, eggs, stale food and also garlic, onions and chives. These should all be completely avoided. Ordinarily onions and garlic are recommended to non-vegetarians as blood purifiers and to help counteract the build-up of harmful animal fat and cholesterol. However, the healthy vegetarian is not in need of such protection and the spiritually perceptive meditator will be aware that they tend to arouse anxiety and irritation – passions which retard serenity and peace of mind.

The purer one’s diet, the more the emotions remain in a state of equilibrium, bringing tranquillity to the consciousness and greater clarity to the mind and intellect.

Here are some of the recipes from the recent Cooking Workshop we held at the Global Cooperation House.