Common man is hardly aware of the effect of “internal purity” of food on body and mind. We meticulously take care of the external, physical cleanliness of food, overlooking the fact, that its internal purity is much more necessary than its physical purity. In fact, food products subtly absorb thoughts/traits of persons handling these for long periods. (Repeated right or wrong thinking becomes a part of habit, ultimately developing into a trait of the person.) The imprints of these thoughts/traits on the edibles created by the bioelectric transmissions of associated persons are carried over to the body and mind of its consumer.
The “internal purity” of food is maximally affected by the morality of its cook. Research tells us that maximum discharge of human bioelectricity takes place through the tips of fingers. Foodstuff repeatedly touched by bare hands and fingers cannot remain unaffected by the good or bad traits of the cook. It is true, that that while heating, many such internal impurities are removed. Nevertheless heating does not purify the food in totality.
Physical contact is not the only factor responsible for the internal impurity of food. Thoughts are also propagated through sight while looking at things. (Hypnotists and mesmerists utilize this property of transmission of thoughts. The famous saying ‘ Love at first sight‘ too illustrates this phenomenon.)
Food is man’s favorite subject. Food products easily attract man. When one casts a glance on the edibles kept on the plate of a neighbor, the thoughts of the onlooker are also transmitted to these edibles. Food served reluctantly or by a person in an unhappy state of mind would decidedly make its consumer sick. Experience tells us that foodstuff forcibly snatched from somebody, or consumed alone in the company of several onlookers, too carries with it no less harmful elements than a poison, causing stomach disorders; in extreme cases, even vomiting. For this reason, it is advisable to take one’s meals in seclusion.
However, there is no harm in sharing the table with persons having similar moral values, or with members of one’s own family; since in these cases, there exists empathy of mutual trust and welfare. However, sharing meals in the same plate or consuming leftover food is a very dirty practice. One may justify it as an expression of intimacy, but it is extremely harmful for psychic health of the consumer.
A simple inexpensive ordinary food prepared with loving thoughts and care, and served by family members is much more nutritious and satisfying than the cookies and delicacies acquired from a departmental store. The great Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata narrate the incidents of Lords Rama and Krishna accepting simple edibles offered by the poor, turning down invitations by kings. When Rama greatly appreciated the jungle berries offered by Shabari and Krishna praised the preparation of leafy vegetables served by Vidur, they did not do so merely to honor their hosts. They knew that the love and devotion of their hosts had enhanced the internal purity of the food manifold.
Persons consuming food prepared in hotels and restaurants for long periods are often found complaining about digestive problems. They ascribe the reason for these disorders to the quality of food, whereas, as discussed earlier, the problem lies elsewhere. The motive of the owners of such establishments is to have maximum profit by minimum investments on their product. Lesser consumption by their customer ensures greater savings. In other words, for a greater profit they expect the customer to eat less and pay more. Such a motive disturbs the internal purity of food, creating stomach disorders for the consumer.
In market places, sometimes sweets and cookies and other delicious edibles are displayed in glass showcases. Many onlookers feel tempted, but for some reason or the other, do not, or cannot, purchase these articles. Little children and individuals, who cannot afford to buy these, particularly watch these edibles with a craving. The waves of such suppressed desires of many persons continue to accumulate on these food items, making them unworthy of consumption. Whatever be their nutritional value, repeated consumption of commercial products so displayed makes one sick. For this very reason a natural food is considered more beneficial for health than a processed food handled by many persons and displayed in a showcase.
Knowledgeable Hindus are particularly cautious about the subtle contamination of food by people coming in its contact. (The concept of ‘untouchability‘ is an unfortunate misinterpretation of this phenomenon. As a matter of fact, for attaining maximum purity of mind, Hindus engaged in higher pursuits of spirituality avoid taking food handled or prepared by persons of unknown morality. For this very reason, they also do not share food with strangers.)
How to ensure internal purity of food before consumption?
By taking a few simple precautions, one can ensure the internal purity of food. They are as follows:
1. While taking meals avoid using metal tableware used by other persons: Metal table wares absorb bioelectric charges and retain these for longer periods. Hence, when taking meals at the residence of a person having different values of morality than one’s own, it is advisable to avoid metal tableware. (For this reason, in India, for community feasts, disposable bio-friendly plates, saucers, cups, tumblers and pitchers prepared from leaves and pottery are used.)
2. Ensure internal purity of the place of eating: On account of frequent exposures to the bioelectric fields of other persons, exposed parts of the body, face and hands are particularly susceptible to greater pollution. Besides, the tips of fingers discharge and receive bioelectric current to a greater extent than other parts of the body. Hence washing face and hands before taking meals safeguards the internal purity of food.
3. Since fire/heat neutralizes foreign bioelectric charges to a great extent, the environment around the kitchen (having burners and ovens) is naturally more purified. Hence the area around the kitchen is a better place for taking meals.
4. Clothes too carry foreign deleterious bioelectric charges likely to affect the internal purity of food. It is therefore advisable to wear minimum clothes while taking meals.
5. Persons serving food items should not touch them with bare hands. Touching a liquid food is most harmful, since liquids absorb bioelectric charges faster than solid food. Wherever necessary,tongs and spoons should be used for service.
6. Self-prepared food has maximum purity. Next to it is the food cooked by friends, wellwishers and persons having identity of values with one’s own. Knowledgeable persons engaged in pursuits of spirituality are particularly careful about the internal purity of their meals. Madam Blavatsky of Theosophical Society used to advise people to let very few persons handle their food and water containers.
7. The cook and attendants should preferably be asked to partake their meals beforehand, lest their cravings become associated with the food being prepared or served.
8. If required to share meals with persons having different values, one should preferably partake only dry food products, since these absorb little extraneous charges and also take a longer time in reacting to bioelectric fields.
9. Milk or its liquid-products should never be accepted for personal consumption from persons of unknown morality. These absorb bioelectric charges much more than water. The deleterious bioelectric charges of food grains and other edible products are purified by heating. However, if the latter have been forcefully or unethically acquired or received by begging, the charges associated with the feelings of their erstwhile rightful owners are not wiped out even after being subjected to heat treatment.
10. Non-vegetarian food products can never have internal purity. Whatever external treatment an animal product is subjected to, it retains deleterious bioelectric charges produced by the stress and agony experienced by the animal, when it was killed. The consumer of non-vegetarian food cannot escape the harmful psychological effects (such as stress and agony) of these residual charges permanently absorbed by the product. Even milk forcefully acquired from cattle carries such charges.
Note: Quite a few influences harmful for the internal purity of food can be effectively removed by power of will. Before picking up the first morsel take a spoonful of water in the left hand and dipping the fingers of the right hand in it sprinkle a few drops around the plates containing the food. Closing eyes, pray, “O God! Please purify this food by removing from it all undesirable constituents and make it nourishing.” Believe that your prayer has been answered and the food has been supplemented with nutrients for physical, mental and emotional health. Reciting Gayatri Mantra three times before consuming meals has a similar nourishing effect on food.
Akhand Jyoti Magazine May June 2014