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Thread: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

  1. #21
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    Re: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

    Vannakkam Yajvan:

    Clearly there are various takes on this within the vast array of philosophies we call of Hinduism. Bhisma wasn't speaking for all Hindus, as there is no such thing. For me, once again, it boils down to an individual's own perception on the matter. I have no problem with anyone fasting, or not fasting. I do have a problem with gluttony, which I believe is more what the yama is about. Avoidance of gluttony.

    Aum namasivaya

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    Re: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

    hari o
    ~~~~~~

    namasté EM,
    thank you for your note.

    Clearly there are various takes on this within the vast array of philosophies we call of Hinduism
    I am not certain to which post you are referring ( assume its post 20), but please offer some other views I am eager to hear them.

    Bhisma wasn't speaking for all Hindus, as there is no such thing
    If you are talking about the last post referring to Śvetaketu then it is not bisma talking but Śvetaketu's father āruṇi-ji.

    There are many words that come from the ved that do in fact speak for sanātana dharma in whole; I will be happy to give you several examples if you wish.

    it boils down to an individual's own perception on the matter. I have no problem with anyone fasting, or not fasting


    I too have no problem with a person's selection. My point which I offered was the connection to the mind and it's inability to pursue knowledge when fasting becomes excessive. This was the question I posted in post 6, and thought prudent to answer in post 20.

    praṇām
    यतसà¥à¤¤à¥à¤µà¤‚ शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṠśivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

  3. #23
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    Re: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

    Vannakkam Yajvanji:

    Sorry for any misunderstandings here. I am not very knowledgeable on scripture. Certainly not eh popular Gita. Certainly not like yourself. Frankly, I can often not follow your posts when they are strung together, so jumping around back to other posts is something I don't have the energy or desire to do. Yet I feel no need for clarification.

    As for the mind's 'inability' to pursue knowledge when fasting, my own experience has been different. In my view, the type of knowledge shifts, but it is still knowledge. Indeed I found clarity in fasting. Of course you have the right to differ.

    Aum Namasivaya

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    Re: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

    Actually studies have shown that as long as the body is not "Starvation" fasting that it can be very healthy.

    "Through evolution, the body became very efficient at storing energy and handling situations when no food was available. For many centuries, fasting was probably a normal occurrence for most people, and the body adapted to it. It is estimated that even very thin people can survive for 40 days or more without food. The body has a special mechanism that is initiated when no food is eaten. Fasting is not starvation, but rather the body's burning of stored energy. Starvation occurs when the body no longer has any stored energy and begins using essential tissues such as organs for an energy source. Therapeutic fasts are stopped long before this happens."

    "Many physiological changes occur in the body during fasting. During the first day or so, the body uses its glycogen reserves, the sugars that are the basic energy supply. After these are depleted, the body begins using fat. However, the brain, which has high fuel requirements, still needs glucose (sugars converted from glycogen). To obtain glucose for the brain, the body begins to break down muscle tissue during the second day of the fast. Thus, during fasting some muscle loss will occur. To fuel the brain, the body would need to burn over a pound of muscle a day, but the body has developed another way to create energy that saves important muscle mass. This protein-sparing process is called ketosis, which occurs during the third day of a fast for men and the second day for women. In this highly efficient state, the liver begins converting stored fat and other nonessential tissues into ketones, which can be used by the brain, muscles, and heart as energy. It is at this point in the fast that sensations of hunger generally go away, and many people experience normal or even increased energy levels. Hormone levels and certain functions become more stable in this state as well. "

    http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/fasting

    It is obvious that we are speaking of two separate types of fasting. One which is detrimental to our body and organs. One is very healthy as long as we have natural reserves. The brain gets plenty of energy either from eating food or eating our stored fat reserves...it's simply no different.

    As one who fasts multiple times a year. Some have been almost two months at a time. I can tell you that in this modern era things are much easier to accomplish. I take numerous multi vitamins throughout my fasts...and liquids that help me with my potassium issue.

    Truly sodium and potassium are the killers on extended fasts.

    I can only speak for my own experience with this and none others. But, my brain is on constant high speed. Even to sleep it takes much effort. So if fasting causes brain lag...well then no wonder it makes things more clear for me.

    This brain remembers the paragraphs of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales...I can recite it in old English. I learned this in 12th grade back in 1989. My mind is full of such nonesense...every single person I ever met is inside this brain...every story...song...

    God help me...but it's true.

    For me...fasting is one of the only times that I slow down. I have greatly benefitted my whole life from this activity.

    I do not recomend it for everyone, my husband for example. He's about 129 pounds and 6'4. He has absolutely no reserves for fasting.

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    Re: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

    hari o
    ~~~~~~

    namasté EM,


    Quote Originally Posted by Eastern Mind View Post
    Vannakkam Yajvanji:

    Sorry for any misunderstandings here. I am not very knowledgeable on scripture. Certainly not eh popular Gita. Certainly not like yourself. Frankly, I can often not follow your posts when they are strung together, so jumping around back to other posts is something I don't have the energy or desire to do. Yet I feel no need for clarification.

    As for the mind's 'inability' to pursue knowledge when fasting, my own experience has been different. In my view, the type of knowledge shifts, but it is still knowledge. Indeed I found clarity in fasting. Of course you have the right to differ. Aum Namasivaya
    I too have found fasting rewarding when done for a day or so. I also have found Friday's work the best for me. I found clarity of thinking that accompanies the fast, yet I have never pursued a long fast of 3 or more days. Yet after day one , I think additional days would not be difficult, as the desire for food has subsided.

    Also, my references to the śāstra-s are for the sake of insight. I am not the expert. I look to the wise as those who have a better handle on the human condition then I.

    On many occasions I have found what was written incongruent with my experiences... but over time and a second look at the wisdom, found my POV off-base as I did not comprehend the knowledge sufficiently. Hence a higher level of respect is paid to the śāstra-s and āgama-s.

    praṇām
    यतसà¥à¤¤à¥à¤µà¤‚ शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṠśivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

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    Re: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

    Quote Originally Posted by Eastern Mind View Post
    Vannakkam isavasya:

    It is really the simple things to change first. There are certain things that are harder. Going off coca-cola will have more to do with the caffeine withdrawal than the sugar. Such companies put addictive substances in their products just to get you hooked. Harder things would be replacing white rice with the more nutritional brown rice.

    ----
    Namaste All

    That is an observation i second.

    I was deeply into study of Homeopathic Materia Medica, which describes effects of ingestion many many chemicals, plants, metals, poisons etc. I happened to note the contents of Coca Cola (which I unfortunately like) and saw two compounds: Phosphoric Acid and Natrum Carbonate. Anyone who has read the materia medica will have noted the nature of these compounds to generate Euphoria and also replenish exhaustion of sexual debilitation. In fact these two are homeopathic drugs to counter efffects of excessive masturbation and treat depression. Long term use of these compounds will produce just these symptoms in users.

    Indeed these two compounds, more than the caffeine, are the hidden addictive components in Coca Cola and other aerated soft drinks. I have a feeling that such addictive items that generate feelings of Euphoria etc. are also present in all kinds of fast foods.

    Om Namah Shivaya
    That which is without letters (parts) is the Fourth, beyond apprehension through ordinary means, the cessation of the phenomenal world, the auspicious and the non-dual. Thus Om is certainly the Self. He who knows thus enters the Self by the Self.

  7. #27
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    Re: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

    Vannakkam Atanu:

    I'm not sure about those two compounds here in North America. Out of curiousity, my daughter and I tried the Indian version of 7-Up. It was far sweeter than the stuff they use here. I'll have to look into it. I'm sure the companies will adjust to the local customs. Interesting indeed. Totally unscrupulous if you ask me. Of course the old ingredient in Coke was cocaine, hence the name. I forget when they took that stuff out of it.

    Aum Namasivaya

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    Re: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

    Namaste EM,

    Quote Originally Posted by Eastern Mind View Post
    I'm sure the companies will adjust to the local customs.
    No, it is not "adjusting", my friend ! It is sheer commericialism with earning profit as the sole aim without having any concern for public health ... as the law enforcing agencies or the laws itself are not too strong in a developing country like India !

    OM
    "Om Namo Bhagvate Vaasudevaye"

  9. #29
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    Re: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

    Vannakkam Devotee:

    Yes, I should have put 'adjust' in quotes. I totally agree. And the range of harmful things go from food to pesticides to asbestos and many more. When one country passes a law, the executives just say, "Well, I guess we'll have to find a new market."

    My government just let an expansion of a large asbestos mine go ahead, after having it stopped years ago. An investigative documentary here showed clearly that it was being exported to India and there it had basically no safety standards at all. Of course the company denied it, despite footage of the working conditions. I'm embarrassed to be Canadian for that one.. and others. We could get going on who manufactures weaponry as well. Profit is the motivator. To think there used to be a more egalitarian time where maximising free time for everyone was the motivator.

    Aum Namasivaya
    Last edited by Eastern Mind; 04 July 2010 at 09:41 AM. Reason: change word

  10. #30
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    Re: Yama 9, Mitahara, Moderate appetite

    Sadly, what you say is true, EM ! For these multinationals, the people of developing nations are just means of milking money.

    OM
    "Om Namo Bhagvate Vaasudevaye"

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