Spiritual Qualities of Foods; Paramahansa Yogananda

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Spiritual qualities of food according to the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda in “Healing Techniques with Divine Will”

fruits citrus: fade melancholy stimulate the brain
apples/pears: peace and tranquility
bananas: calm and humility
Berries: purity of thought
Cherries: joy
coconut: spirituality give them tenderness sweetness.
Figs: soften up a sense of to strict discipline
Grapes: devotion
peaches altruism concern for others
pineapple security and its self control
dignity strawberries
raspberries for goodness

vegetables
avocados for good memory
courage for beets
corn: mental vitality
calmness lettuce
spinach simplicity
tomatoes mental strength

dried fruits
almonds: life force; sexual self-control
peanut: elimination strength overall
pineapples & cashews: harmonious development of the body
pistachios: brain development, memory

other foods
cow milk: enthusiasm, fresh, spiritual, energy
Egg yolk, energy, externally directed
Honey self-control
arroz, afabilidad
whole cereal: strength of character
whole wheat: firmness in principles.

[mccoy]

The above is interesting but I believe that the subtleties are lost until we reach a very high degree of spiritual advancement.

The guna qualities are probably more immediately applicable to most individuals, no matter what the advancement level.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

The above is interesting but I believe that the subtleties are lost until we reach a very high degree of spiritual advancement.

The guna qualities are probably more immediately applicable to most individuals, no matter what the advancement level.

I get your point about the gunas. But I also have found that the general vibrational frequencies we let affect our aura of food, environmental stimulation, reading and people in our life add much to the spiritual experiences and general uplifting and draining affects on our consciousness. In the meantime (until we our in higher ages or raise our own consciousness) we constantly need to stop look and listen to those who have more sensitivity on such matters.

[mccoy]

Of course I stop and listen to everything the Masters say, but I also apply my God-, and Masters- given discrimination.

When younger, I listened blindly to the Masters.

Now, I understand that their message has a collective quality and an individual quality. The latter must be adjusted to one's individual makeup since God made the universe extremely varied and the variety of human beings is a reflection of that.

To sum it up, when eating fresh and tasty fruit, I often feel spiritual vibrations stimulating the brain, thru the neurological signal of the taste buds which responds to that particular congenial taste. The astral brain understands the Sattva coming from that food.

Conversely, when eating bananas, pears, berries, and coconuts, I do not discern any of the mental qualities Yogananda associated with them. Of course, it is my lack of adequate spiritual perception, but that's why I say it's very, very subtle.

Fresh mangos, Sicilian oranges, and greenish but not overripe bananas, do not miss to beneficially stimulate my mind, just the taste, before the inception of digestion, and I can clearly feel it because the thoughts are boosted upwards into spiritual territory. Powerful sattva. Even though I lack proper spiritual advancement, I can feel that power.

...And I can feel the rajasic power of some foods, whereas I steer very clear from the food I recognize as tamasic, if I chance to eat it I often cannot ingest it and have to spit it out.

Sorry for this quick off-topic, from the spiritual qualities to the guna qualities.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

I just think it important to recognize the importance of for instance avocados, which may have a cumulative impact on our lives over years. We may not notice it at first but after awhile we find friends or acquaintances having a different perspective on event’s because of their memory retention of what has transpired. Avocados are helpful for a good memory and also pistachios. Paramahansa Yogananda also recommended a memory stimulant drink in the lessons; orange juice with a few chopped almonds and a teaspoon or so of honey.

~ Jitendra

[Jitendra Hydonus]

I also remember reading in the SRF lessons that maple syrup and citrus fruits stimulate the brain. While caffeine from coffee and tea dull the brain.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Research shows that cognitive levels drop with iron deficiency. In fact, when iron levels in the blood drop, concentration and attentiveness are affected almost immediately. Getting iron levels restored to a normal range can improve concentration and boost cognitive performance.
Iron: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions - Verywell Heal…
www.verywellhealth.com/iron-supplements-benefits-4178814

Pistachios: one half cup with shells…. 6% of your need for iron.

From Yogananda’s list above;

dried fruits
almonds: life force; sexual self-control
peanut: elimination strength overall
pineapples & cashews: harmonious development of the body
pistachios: brain development, memory

From Yogananda’s list above; avocados

Do Avocados Improve Memory?

The short answer is yes – avocados help improve cognitive function. Eating them will boost your memory and concentration, but also your attention levels and processing speed. If you want to improve your overall cognitive health, incorporating avocados into your diet can be very beneficial.
Do Avocados Improve Memory? The Facts - Avocado Buddy
avocadobuddy.com/benefits/do-avocados-improve-memoryy/

[mccoy]

...While caffeine from coffee and tea dull the brain.

I do not remember that. It would be true if caffeine is ingested in excess, with high concentrations being above about 300 mg per day on average. But such an excess would not be the primary cause of the brain dullness, rather it would often disrupt the ideal sleep architecture in such a way that the brain functions would not be optimized.

Caffeine is rajasic and moderate rajas is very useful outside an Ashram, but after 12 AM or 2 PM it may become unhealthy, for the above reason.

Also, some qualities of coffee, the ones I'm consuming now, light roast, high altitude, arabica variety, have mixed rajasic and sattvic qualities.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

...While caffeine from coffee and tea dull the brain.

I do not remember that. It would be true if caffeine is ingested in excess, with high concentrations being above about 300 mg per day on average. But such an excess would not be the primary cause of the brain dullness, rather it would often disrupt the ideal sleep architecture in such a way that the brain functions would not be optimized.

Caffeine is rajasic and moderate rajas is very useful outside an Ashram, but after 12 AM or 2 PM it may become unhealthy, for the above reason.

Also, some qualities of coffee, the ones I'm consuming now, light roast, high altitude, arabica variety, have mixed rajasic and sattvic qualities.

Yes it took me a while to admit my love for coffee and face off this issue with myself and others but I believe it is important to be honest even if we don’t live up to all our expectations.

I had some of these issues with Eric recently on political issues. When people make fun of people who sacrificed their life for freedom and democracy, it just got too much for me. And Trump has not just done that once but numerous times. And that element is still strong  in this country (United Clones).

But this issue is comparatively mild. I’m quite sure of what I read Lucca but I’ll provide the info when I read it again. After reading it in the lessons I actually went to an SRF monk to discuss the matter. I told him that I could hardly stay awake without some stimulant, driving a truck as much as 11 hours with one half hour break. And when I was driving a van, I had to drive sometimes 15 hours or more.

He advised me to attempt balancing out the caffeine with some energization exercises. Sometimes we have service that requires us to stay awake and alert. It can be dangerous to relax while providing such services. I recognize that many dietitians promote the benefits of coffee and caffeine but Paramahansa Yogananda’s advice was to curb the use of stimulants in preference to increase brain function. And that they dull memory and other functions of the brain.

Wow 😮…. What a temptation… see below

[attachment deleted by admin]

[mccoy]

I recognize that many dietitians promote the benefits of coffee and caffeine but Paramahansa Yogananda’s advice was to curb the use of stimulants in preference to increase brain function. And that they dull memory and other functions of the brain.

Maybe it depends on the context. Stimulants may mean amphetamines, which at first improve brain functions but in the long run may have adverse effects. Caffeine in excess may provide similar side effects, if milder.

I'll have to consult Sthal's treatise on psychopharmacology. I remember the final effect of coffee is a greater flow of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Which may feel good at first, maybe bad in the long run.

Hubermann the neurologist explained very clearly the collateral effects of excessive caffeine. the advised upper threshold is 300 mg per day, 2-3 typical American coffees probably. 

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Spiritual qualities of food according to the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda in “Healing Techniques with Divine Will”

fruits citrus: fade melancholy stimulate the brain
apples/pears: peace and tranquility
bananas: calm and humility
Berries: purity of thought
Cherries: joy
coconut: spirituality give them tenderness sweetness.
Figs: soften up a sense of to strict discipline
Grapes: devotion
peaches altruism concern for others
pineapple security and its self control
dignity strawberries
raspberries for goodness

vegetables
avocados for good memory
courage for beets
corn: mental vitality
calmness lettuce
spinach simplicity
tomatoes mental strength

dried fruits
almonds: life force; sexual self-control
peanut: elimination strength overall
pineapples & cashews: harmonious development of the body
pistachios: brain development, memory

other foods
cow milk: enthusiasm, fresh, spiritual, energy
Egg yolk, energy, externally directed
Honey self-control
arroz, afabilidad
whole cereal: strength of character
whole wheat: firmness in principles.

You may want to look at this list again Eric.
Specifically; pistachios and avocados.

Hiya Steve and mccoy,

I like this thread thanks guys. Let's talk about what practices you do to increase your concentration and memory recall?

And Steve, I should caution you- yogi is good tea but be weary of tea bags which are full of microplastics and other harmful contaminants. For optimal results buy loose leaf tea.

Cheers ~

Research shows that cognitive levels drop with iron deficiency. In fact, when iron levels in the blood drop, concentration and attentiveness are affected almost immediately. Getting iron levels restored to a normal range can improve concentration and boost cognitive performance.
Iron: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions - Verywell Heal…
www.verywellhealth.com/iron-supplements-benefits-4178814

I also remember reading in the SRF lessons that maple syrup and citrus fruits stimulate the brain. While caffeine from coffee and tea dull the brain.

I just think it important to recognize the importance of for instance avocados, which may have a cumulative impact on our lives over years. We may not notice it at first but after awhile we find friends or acquaintances having a different perspective on event’s because of their memory retention of what has transpired. Avocados are helpful for a good memory and also pistachios. Paramahansa Yogananda also recommended a memory stimulant drink in the lessons; orange juice with a few chopped almonds and a teaspoon or so of honey.

~ Jitendra

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Masters are able to look into people and food and see what their vibrations emit and then know how people and food affect us and our vibrations.

[weboflife]

For the first time in my life my iron levels dropped dramatically last year on 2 occasions. The first time was very noticeable. I needed to have a lunchtime sleep every day, I was so run down and yes had trouble even thinking clearly. This happened early in th year the first time. Followed by a sudden drop in B12 to near zero. I had other long term symptoms too, a chronic cough, sneezing, insatiable itchiness.

At first doctor blamed my being vegetarian. I asked him to review my iron levels over the years. He then saw that they had always been good. So he blamed my age and said as we get older the body can't extract enough iron out of vegetables and legumes. Sounded like a cop out to me. He advised me to eat meat. I told him that wasn't an option.

I ended up going through multiple tests and seeing a specialist who took a lot of money but had no answers. My own research since suggests Covid being responsible for long term coughing and sneezing - widely reported, Covid for ongoing insomnia which is widely reported, and strangely enough there is a body of evidence that the Covid vaccines can cause iron deficiencies. No answer to the B12 drop but I'm firing on all cylinders presently so I gratefully accept the blessings of health.

As for coffee, its something I may one day try to overcome but not now. I was at a Convocation week with some monks last year and at least one of them seemed to relish his coffee. A very senior monk.

[mccoy]

In such cases, when causes have been singled out, it is easy to intervene by taking supplements. You have been in a way lucky (so to speak) that your deficiencies stood out and are easily taken care of.

The causes may be many, I agree that Covid19 may be one of them, I would keep monitoring my blood for a while.

Vegetarian and even vegan diets are not necessarily devoid of iron, but it is always better to check one's nutritional status, by tracking the diet components and blood analyses.

I myself take a single pill of iron per week, as a precautional measure.

And, B12, your doctor is right in that with age it tends to be less absorbed, but the drop should have been gradual not sudden. I take some intermittent B12 supplementation as well.

Coffee: a rajasic beverage that should be handled with care, but it is not always pure rajas. The commercial varieties, those sold in bars here in Italy, are bitter and burnt and are a mix of rajas and tamas.

I discovered that so called specialty coffees can be a mix of rajas and sattva, they are aromatic, with tinges of fruit acidity an flower fragrances. Many of'em come from Colombia, where Steve is presently staying.

My advise: Do not consume after 1 or 2 PM, do not consume too much.