Soul Food

Since 2002 this interest has found expression in my role as a cook for the Christchurch Sri Chinmoy Centre enterprise - The Lotus-Heart. The Lotus-Heart is a vegetarian restaurant operated by students of Sri Chinmoy and based on his philosophy of love, oneness and self-giving. My interest in cooking, Ayurveda and meditation have culminated in this article.

For most of us, eating is a large part of our lives. The food that we take into our bodies gives us energy and builds and nourishes the body by providing the necessary proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. But from a spiritual perspective the food that we eat also makes up our thoughts and emotions. Different foods that we eat can impart bliss, satisfaction and harmony or anger, irritability and lethargy. Such being the case the quality of the food that we eat and the spirit in which we prepare and serve the food is vital to create sound physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

The first step in conscious food preparation is sourcing fresh foods that are as close as possible to their natural state. Organic and locally grown fruits, vegetables, grains and pulses provide all the nutrients needed for a healthy and strong body and a calm and clear mind. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are the tastiest and healthiest and provide vitamins and minerals that are especially beneficial for that particular season.

It is important to prepare foods in a clean and organised environment. The cook must be in a positive and peaceful mood. The most important quality that the cook must have is love - love for cooking, love for the utensils and equipment and most importantly love for the people you are cooking for.

The manner in which the food is served and the mood in which it is taken is greatly affects the way that we feel. To create harmonious thoughts meals must be served attractively in a clean and pure environment. Eating while in a happy and peaceful frame of mind stimulates digestion and promotes positivity in the being. It is beneficial to eat either in solitude or with friends and family and without distractions such as tv and never to eat when angry or distressed. Taking time to give thanks for the gift of the food on the table is the optimum way to begin a meal.

Meditation master Sri Chinmoy places utmost importance on food and it's preparation. He advocates a vegetarian diet for those practising meditation and yoga. "In my teachings" he says "the vegetarian diet plays a most important role. In order to become pure, a vegetarian diet helps us considerably. Purity is of paramount importance in our spiritual life. This purity we must establish in the physical, the vital and the mental. When we eat meat, fish and so forth, the aggressive, animal consciousness enters into us. Our nerves become agitated; we unconsciously become restless and aggressive. The mild qualities of vegetables, on the other hand, help us to establish in our inner life as well as in our outer life, the qualities of sweetness, softness, simplicity and purity."

Students of Sri Chinmoy throughout the world over have established restaurants, cafes and health food stores based on Sri Chinmoy's philosophy. Sri Chinmoy's integral approach to life has a strong emphasis on physical fitness. He sees the body as a temple and an unparalleled vehicle for the soul. In this light the food which we eat plays an important part in keeping the body temple fit and strong. At all of his restaurants the staff pray and meditate before and after their work, and practise spirituality in their daily life and it is in this spirit that the food is prepared and offered.

• For links to a selection of enterprises operated by Sri Chinmoy's students around the world, please visit Sri Chinmoy Centre Links - Part 2.