Food Philosophy

When I was 11, I became a vegetarian. My reasons were that I did not like the thought of animals dying to feed me, when there were plenty of other food alternatives. As well animal ethic and moral, my older sisters, Emma and Lauren, were vegetarian showing me how easy it was to make the change. Mum and Dad were pretty good about it, and sometimes cooked special meals for us.

Throughout Intermediate and High school I always did school speeches about the vegetarian diet and animal rights. But in all my readings I had never heard anyone speak about vegetiarianism and consciousness, the subtle effects that foods can have on your nerves, until I came across to the Sri Chinmoy Centre. I find this approach to vegetarianism most unique and from my own experiences very true.

Spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy from the age of 12 (after the passing of both of his parents) was raised in an Ashram, or spiritual community, where meat and fish were forbidden. As a young boy, Sri Chinmoy, who had a remarkable capacity for meditation and deep insights, quickly felt the relationship between the world of meditation, consciousness and diet. The close connection between the inner worlds and outer worlds. Sri Chinmoy comments on vegetarianism:

"At the age of twelve I became a strict vegetarian. Being a vegetarian is not part of the tradition that I follow, and it is not essential for the spiritual life. However, I do feel that it can be of considerable help to us."

"If we eat meat and fish, then the restless and aggressive qualities of the animal kingdom will enter into us. If our minds or other parts of our being are restless and aggressive, then we cannot have powerful and peaceful meditations. But if we eat only vegetables, then the mild qualities of the vegetable kingdom will enter into us and we will find it easier to have high and deep meditations. Therefore, being a vegetarian can be of considerable benefit to a seeker."

"But I cannot say that if someone is not a strict vegetarian, he will not have high experiences or that God-realisation will always remain a far cry. No, it is not true. In the past there were great spiritual figures who ate meat and fish; even now there are spiritual figures who do so, and their lofty experiences and sublime realisations cannot be questioned. But I feel that it is good for people to adopt in their lives anything that can help them make fast, faster, fastest progress. A vegetarian diet is of benefit to a sincere God-seeker, but it is not essential."