Prologue
The material world, with its innumerable universes, seems limitless to us, but this is only because we are tiny living beings. Einstein in his “theory of relativity”, speaking about time and space, comes to the conclusion that the world in which we live has a subjective nature, which means that time and space can act differently, depending on the level of consciousness of the individual.
The great sages of the past, mystics and yogis, could travel through time and the endless expanses of the Universe at the speed of thought, because they knew the secrets of consciousness, hidden from mere mortals like us. That is why since ancient times in India, the cradle of the greatest mystics and yogis, treated such concepts as time and space in an Einsteinian way. Here, to this day, they revere the great ancestors who compiled the Vedas – a body of knowledge that reveals the secrets of human existence.
Someone will ask: are yogis, philosophers and theosophists the only bearers of knowledge of the mystery of being? No, the answer lies in the level of development of consciousness. Only a select few reveal the secret: Bach heard his music from space, Newton could formulate the most complex laws of the universe, using only paper and pen, Tesla learned to interact with electricity and experimented with technologies that were ahead of world progress by a good hundred years. All these people were ahead of or, to be more precise, outside of their time. They did not look at the world through the prism of generally accepted patterns and standards, but thought, and thought deeply and completely. Geniuses are like fireflies, illuminating the world in a free flight of thought.
And yet it must be admitted that their thinking was material, while the Vedic sages drew their ideas outside the world of matter. That is why the Vedas so shocked the great thinkers-materialists, revealing to them only partially, for there is no knowledge higher than Love. And the amazing nature of Love is that it comes from itself: the Vedas say that the root cause of Love is Love itself.
But someone may object: what does your lofty words or perky slogans in vegetarian magazines have to do with it? Everyone can talk about beautiful theories, but we need concrete practice. Down with controversy, give us practical advice on how to become better, how to become more perfect!
And here, dear reader, I cannot but agree with you, so I will tell a story from my personal experience that happened not so long ago. At the same time, I will share my own impressions, which may bring the practical benefits that you are counting on.
Story
I want to say that traveling in India is not new to me at all. Having visited (and more than once) various holy places, I saw a lot of things and knew a lot of people. But every time I understood very well that theory very often diverges from practice. Some people talk beautifully about spirituality, but are not very spiritual deep down, while others are more perfect on the inside, but outwardly either not interested, or too busy for various reasons, so meeting perfect individuals, even in India, is a great success.
I’m not talking about popular commercial gurus who come to “pick the buds” of fame in Russia. Agree, to describe them is just wasting precious paper, because of which the pulp and paper industry sacrifices tens of thousands of trees.
So, perhaps, it would be better to write to you about my meeting with one of the most interesting people who is a Master in his field. He is practically unknown in Russia. Mainly due to the fact that he never came to it, besides, he is not inclined to consider himself a guru, but he says this about himself: I am only trying to apply the knowledge that I received in India by the grace of my spiritual teachers, but I try all over yourself first.
And it was like this: we came to sacred Nabadwip with a group of Russian pilgrims to participate in a festival dedicated to the appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, at the same time to visit the sacred islands of Nabadwip.
For those who are not familiar with the name of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, I can only say one thing – you should learn more about this amazing personality, since with her advent the era of humanism began, and humanity gradually, step by step, comes to the idea of a single spiritual family, which is genuine, i.e. spiritual globalization,
By the word “humanity” I mean the thinking forms of homo sapiens, which in their development have gone beyond the chewing-grasping reflexes.
A trip to India is always tough. Ashrams, real ashrams – this is not a 5-star hotel: there are hard mattresses, small rooms, simple modest food without pickles and frills. Life in the ashram is a constant spiritual practice and endless social work, that is, “seva” – service. For a Russian person, this can be associated with a construction team, a pioneer camp, or even imprisonment, where everyone marches with a song, and personal life is minimized. Alas, otherwise spiritual development is too slow.
In yoga, there is such a fundamental principle: first you take an uncomfortable position, and then you get used to it and gradually begin to enjoy it. Life in the ashram is built on the same principle: one must get used to certain restrictions and inconveniences in order to taste true spiritual bliss. Still, a real ashram is for a few, it is rather difficult for a simple secular person there.
On this trip, a friend of mine from the ashram, knowing about my poor health, liver pierced by hepatitis and all the associated problems of an avid traveler, suggested that I go to a devotee who practices bhakti yoga.
This devotee is here in the holy places of Nabadwip treating people with healthy food and helping them change their lifestyle. At first I was quite skeptical, but then my friend persuaded me and we went to visit this healer-nutritionist. Meeting
The healer appeared to be quite healthy (which rarely happens with those who are engaged in healing: a shoemaker without boots, as folk wisdom says). His English, flavored with a certain melodious accent, immediately gave him a Frenchman, which in itself served as an answer to many of my questions.
After all, it’s no news to anyone that the French are the best cooks in the world. These are incredibly meticulous aesthetes who are used to understanding every detail, every little thing, while they are desperate adventurers, experimenters and extreme people. Americans, although they often make fun of them, bow their heads in front of their cuisine, culture and art. Russians are much closer in spirit to the French, here you will probably agree with me.
So, the Frenchman turned out to be a little over 50, his ideal lean figure and lively shiny eyes said that I was facing a physical education teacher, or even culture as such.
My intuition did not fail me. A friend who accompanied me introduced him by his spiritual name, which sounded like this: Brihaspati. In Vedic culture, this name speaks volumes. This is the name of the great gurus, demigods, inhabitants of the heavenly planets, and to some extent it became clear to me that it was not by chance that he received this name from his teacher.
Brihaspati studied the principles of Ayurveda in sufficient depth, conducted countless experiments on himself, and then, most importantly, integrated these principles into his unique Ayurvedic diet.
Any Ayurvedic doctor knows that with the help of proper nutrition, you can get rid of any disease. But modern Ayurveda and proper nutrition are practically incompatible things, because Indians have their own ideas about European tastes. It was here that Brihaspati was helped by his ingenious French streak of an experimental culinary specialist: every cooking is a new experiment.
The “Chef” personally selects and mixes the ingredients for his patients, applying deep Ayurvedic principles, which are based on one single goal – to bring the body into a state of balance. Brihaspati, like an alchemist, creates incredible flavors, excelling in her culinary combinations. Every time his unique creation, getting on the guest’s table, goes through complex metaphysical processes, thanks to which a person heals surprisingly quickly.
Food food strife
I’m all ears: Brihaspati tells me with a charming smile. I catch myself thinking that he is somewhat reminiscent of Pinocchio, perhaps because he has such sincere glowing eyes and a constant smile, which is an extremely rare occurrence for our brother from the “rush”.
Brihaspati begins to slowly reveal his cards. He starts with water: he transforms it with light piquant flavors and explains that water is the best medicine, the main thing is to drink it correctly with meals, and aromas are only biological stimulants that turn on appetite.
Brihaspati explains everything “on the fingers”. The body is a machine, food is gasoline. If the car is refueled with cheap gasoline, repairs will cost much more. At the same time, he quotes the Bhagavad Gita, which describes that food can be in various states: in ignorance (tama-guna) food is old and rotten, which we call canned food or smoked meats (such food is pure poison), in passion (raja-guna) – sweet, sour, salty (which causes gas, indigestion) and only blissful (satva-guna) freshly prepared and balanced food, taken in the right frame of mind and offered to the Almighty, is the very prasadam or nectar of immortality that all the great sages aspired to.
So, the first secret: there are simple combinations of ingredients and technologies, using which Brihaspati learned how to cook tasty and healthy food. Such food is selected for each individual in accordance with his physical constitution, age, set of sores and lifestyle.
In general, all food can be conditionally divided into three categories, everything is quite simple here: the first is that which is completely harmful to us; the second is what you can eat, but without any benefit; and the third category is healthy, healing food. For each type of organism, for each disease there is a specific diet. By choosing it correctly and following the recommended diet, you will save a lot of money on doctors and pills.
Secret number two: avoid catering as the greatest curse of civilization. The very process of cooking is in some ways even more important than the food itself, so the quintessence of ancient knowledge is the offering of food to the Almighty as a sacrifice. And again, Brihaspati quotes the Bhagavad-gita, which says: food prepared as an offering to the Supreme, with a pure heart and right mindset, without the flesh of slaughtered animals, in goodness, is the nectar of immortality, both for the soul and for the body.
Then I asked the question: how quickly can a person get results from proper nutrition? Brihaspati gives two answers: 1 – instantly; 2 – a tangible result comes within about 40 days, when the person himself begins to understand that seemingly incurable ailments seem to be slowly collecting things.
Brihaspati, again quoting the Bhagavad-gita, says that the human body is a temple, and the temple must be kept clean. There is inner purity, which is achieved by fasting and prayers, spiritual communication, and there is outer purity – ablution, yoga, breathing exercises and proper nutrition.
And most importantly, do not forget to walk more and use the so-called “devices” less, without which humanity has managed for thousands of years. Brihaspati reminds us that even our phones are like microwave ovens in which we fry our brains. And it’s better to use headphones, well, or turn on your mobile phone at a certain time, and on weekends try to completely forget about its existence, if not completely, then at least for a few hours.
Brihaspati, although he became interested in yoga and Sanskrit from the age of 12, insists that yogic exercises that can be done as a charge should not be very difficult. They just need to be performed correctly and try to come to a permanent regimen. He reminds that the body is a machine, and a competent driver does not overload the engine for nothing, regularly undergoes technical inspection and changes the oil on time.
Then he smiles and says: oil is one of the most important ingredients in the cooking process. From its quality and properties depends on how and what kind of substances will enter the cells of the body. Therefore, we cannot refuse oil, but cheap and low-quality oil is worse than poison. If we do not know how to use it correctly when cooking, then the result will be quite deplorable.
I am a little surprised that the essence of the secrets of Brihaspati are obvious common truths. He really does what he says and for him all this is really deep.
Fire and dishes
We are components of different elements. We have fire, water, and air. When we cook food, we also use fire, water and air. Each dish or product has its own qualities, and heat treatment can enhance or deprive them altogether. Therefore, raw foodists are so proud of the fact that they refuse fried and boiled.
However, a raw food diet is not useful for everyone, especially if a person does not understand the essence of the principles of a healthy diet. Some foods are better digested when cooked, but raw food should also be an integral part of our diet. You just need to know what goes with what, what the body easily absorbs and what not.
Brihaspati recalls that in the West, due to the popularity of “fast” food, people have almost forgotten about such a wonderful dish as soup. But a good soup is an amazing dinner that will not let us gain excess weight and will be easy to digest and assimilate. Soup is also great for lunch. At the same time, the soup should be tasty, and this is precisely the art of a great chef.
Give a person a delicious soup (the so-called “first”) and he will quickly get enough, enjoying a culinary masterpiece, respectively, leaving less room for heavy food (which we used to call the “second”).
Brihaspati tells all these things and brings one dish after another out of the kitchen, starting with small light snacks, then continues with a delicious soup made from half-cooked pureed vegetables, and in the finale serves hot. After a delicious soup and no less wonderful appetizers, you no longer want to swallow hot food all at once: willy-nilly, you begin to chew and feel in your mouth all the subtleties of taste, all the notes of spices.
Brihaspati smiles and reveals another secret: never put all the food on the table at the same time. Although man originated from God, there is still something of a monkey in him, and most likely his greedy eyes. Therefore, at first, only appetizers are served, then the initial feeling of fullness is achieved with soup, and only then a luxurious and satisfying “second” in a small amount and a modest dessert at the end, because the indiscreet one will no longer fit. In proportions, it all looks like this: 20% appetizer or salad, 30% soup, 25% second, 10% dessert, the rest water and liquid.
In the field of drinks, Brihaspati, like a real artist, has a very rich imagination and a luxurious palette: from light nutmeg or saffron water, to nut milk or lemon juice. Depending on the time of year and body type, a person should drink quite a lot, especially if they are in a hot climate. But you should not drink too cold water or boiling water – extremes lead to imbalance. Again, he quotes the Bhagavad Gita, which says that man is his own greatest enemy and best friend.
I feel that every word of Brihaspati fills me with invaluable wisdom, but I dare to ask a question with a trick: After all, everyone has karma, a predetermined fate, and one has to pay for sins, and sometimes pay with ailments. Brihaspati, flashing a smile, says that everything is not so tragic, we should not drive ourselves into a dead end of hopelessness. The world is changing and karma is also changing, every step we take towards the spiritual, every spiritual book we read cleanses us of the consequences of karma and transforms our consciousness.
Therefore, for those who want the fastest healing, Brihaspati recommends daily spiritual practices: reading the scriptures, reading the Vedas (especially the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam), yoga, pranayama, prayer, but most importantly, spiritual communication. Learn all this, apply and live your life!
I ask the following question: how could you learn all this and apply it in your life? Brihaspati smiled modestly and said: I received all spiritual knowledge from my teacher, but I understand perfectly well that water does not flow under a lying stone. If one diligently practices and studies Vedic knowledge every day, observes the regime and avoids bad association, a person can be transformed very quickly. The main thing is to clearly define the goal and motivation. It is impossible to grasp the immensity, but a person was created to comprehend the main thing, and because of ignorance, he often spends huge efforts on the secondary.
What is “the main thing”, I ask? Brihaspati continues to smile and says: you yourself understand very well – the main thing is to comprehend Krishna, the source of beauty, love and harmony.
And then he humbly adds: The Lord reveals himself to us solely through his incomprehensible merciful nature. There, in Europe, where I lived, there are too many cynics. They believe that they know everything about life, they lived everything, they knew everything, so I left there and, on the advice of my teacher, built this small ashram clinic so that people could come here, healing both body and soul.
We are still talking for a long time, exchanging compliments, discussing health, spiritual issues … and I still think how lucky I am that fate gives me communication with such amazing people.
Conclusion
This is how the picnic took place on the sidelines of the material world. Nabadwip, where the Brihaspati clinic is located, is an amazing holy place that can cure all our diseases, the main one being heart disease: the desire to endlessly consume and exploit. It is she who is the cause of all other physical and mental ailments, but unlike a simple ashram, the Brihaspati clinic is a special place where you can improve both spiritual and physical health overnight, which, believe me, is extremely rare even in India itself.
Author Srila Avadhut Maharaj (Georgy Aistov)