Food as a Gift
Hinduism places such great emphasis on the role of food that it has been called "the kitchen religion." No religious or public function is complete without the distribution of food, especially prasada (food offered to God).
There are many complex rules regarding the preparation and consumption of food. Vaishnavism has developed a sophisticated theology, which classifies all eatables according to the three gunas. Meat is usually shunned as it is considered tamasic, influenced by darkness. Shaivites observe fewer dietary restrictions and Shaktas are usually inclined towards meat, traditionally obtained from animal sacrifice. Although some Hindus eat meat, almost all avoid beef out of respect for the cow
India has developed a vast vegetarian cuisine, beyond the imagination of most Westerners, who often picture vegetarians eating little more than nuts, fruit, and salad. Milk products are considered essential to a vegetarian diet and ghee (clarified butter) is a widely used frying medium. Spices provide taste, aid digestion and promote good health. A typical meal consists of several preparations, but most often the main meal, at lunchtime, will consist of rice, sabji, dahl and chapattis.
Food plays an important role in worship, and the food offered to the deities (prasad) is thought to bestow considerable religious merit, purifying body, mind and spirit. Temple cooks are usually brahmanas and follow strict standards of personal cleanliness. There is widespread belief that the consciousness of the cook enters the food and influences the mind of the eater. Taking prasada that has been cooked and offered with devotion inclines the mind towards spirituality.
The prasad that has been on the altar is especially sacred, and is handed out to worshippers, either by the priest at the shrine or as worshippers leave the mandir. Prasad is also served in the form of a full meal, especially on festival days. Many Hindus have an altar at home and offer their food before eating
According to the ancient Indian culture, food is not just what you put in your mouth, but all that enters through your senses.
The subtle part of the food you eat feed your mind, whereas the gross part feed your body.
The subtle part carries the energy (Prana or Chi) which comes from the food. For instance a killed animal, may carry such energy content to your mind. As we know from physics, energy can be converted into many forms, and in psychology emotions are a form of energy that our mind can process. In case of that animal, these emotions may include fear, axiety and anger. This subtle aspect is usually ignored in western cultures dominated by a rational and mechanical approaches to life, and is particularly important since it clarify the role of the mind, and its link to the sensorial body. As we know, sensorial feedback can convey either positive or negative experiences, depending on the status of the mind which operate through the senses. And being the mind a bundle of desires and fears humans are mostly compelled to act based on their desires and fears. In Indian culture thoughts are the seed of words, which in turn will manifest into actions. Therefore to keep these three in harmony, is an absolute priority in order to balance our mental and physical health.
For instance by watching Thamasic movies (eg, obscene or creepy) you tune your mind to act at the same level. The same happen with Rajasic movies or pictures (eg. violent or greedy ) . It's probably not a coincidence that violence and depression exploded with the introduction of Internet, and mass media communications. According to Indian culture, thoughts emerging while cooking, can be absorbed as subtle energy by the food, and hence transmitted from one person to another. Watching the news while eating, or arguing around unpleasant topics is also not recommended, as these will add to our meal as unwanted ingredients, causing unbalance or distress.
The ear is a sensory channel that feed the mind. By listening to constructive and positive discussions we can learn how to improve ourselves, and others. If used in a negative way, we'll be prompted to abuse others.
Touch is also capable of expressing love, respect, gratitude or to be involved with negative actions which may harm others.
In Indian culture, the tongue is an organ of action , and all cultures advise to talk softly and trying to avoid harming others.
The nose is capable to sense aromas, and if used in a positive way, can help improving psychological conditions like depression, and together with taste, is supporting the digestion of food.
Overall, we should respect our senses, or they could send our body-mind complex out of balance.
