I have never read or heard that you can eat your way to enlightenment!  However, there is more and more research on the importance of eating vital, nutritious food to create a strong healthy physiology.

Is health necessary for the growth of enlightenment? First, let me present my definition of enlightenment: the most natural state of life whereby one is living one’s full potential and enjoying 100% of the inner spiritual content of life along with 100% of the outer joys of life.

It is important to understand that enlightenment is not just a mood or mental state. Higher states of consciousness have actual physical correlates, including increased brainwave coherence, faster recovery from stress, and—ultimately—the stress-free functioning of the nervous system.

Living one’s full potential = a stress-free physiology.

The mind and body need to be strong and flexible in order to integrate the whole range of experience in higher states of consciousness. Thus, the growth of enlightenment is very closely tied to the development of better health.

Food for health and enlightenment

Vital food is essential for health. You would never know this from observing people eating in the food court of a mall or airport. Millions are either unwittingly or habitually consuming things detrimental to their health on a daily basis.

Although it seems obvious to me that sugar-filled, genetically modified, highly processed, pesticide-ridden food is responsible for our epidemics of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer, many people still do not see the link between diet and health. On the other hand, there are many people living in “food deserts” who may want to eat healthy foods, but do not have access to fresh vegetables and fruit in their neighborhoods.

What if we all grew up eating healthy food? There are many places in the world where people live a long life, with very little disease. They enjoy good health throughout their life, even when over a hundred years old! Anthropologists attribute this prolonged healthy lifespan to a balanced, nutritious, locally-grown diet, among other factors.

If you are a health advocate or trying to eat healthier in your own life, I am sure you have heard of the importance of eating organic non-gmo foods. You have also probably enjoyed trying the “superfoods”—goji berries, mulberries, acai, blueberries, fresh cow’s milk, kale, leafy green vegetables, etc.  These foods are rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, and enzymes, and have many other health-giving properties. There are “brain foods” such as coconut oil, a good source of energy that also helps to prevent neurodegenerative diseases including dementia and Alzheimers.

Every week there seems to be a new diet or superfood that is thought to be beneficial to health. The main thing is to eat a balanced diet, in a harmonious atmosphere, and to listen to your body. People who practice Transcendental Meditation find that as their stress starts to dissolve, they naturally make healthier food choices and are able to listen more to what their body needs.

Meditation for health and enlightenment

If you add the practice of meditation into your daily routine, you will be feeding your life with more and more joy, increasing health and well-being, and growing in the values of enlightenment day by day.

Profound neurophysiological changes can take place with meditation. The deep rest gained during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique allows the body to naturally dissolve stress and strain. This leads to better health and the development of total brain functioning. The research on Transcendental Meditation shows dramatic results for developing one’s full potential.

CONCLUSION

We may not be able to attain enlightenment just by eating well, but doing so will help us to live a longer, happier life. There are so many healthy, tasty foods that are available today, so eat what you enjoy and be sure to enjoy when you eat!

The brain is our vehicle in experiencing anything, so whatever we can do to keep it running smoothly is a no-brainer. By developing your brain’s full potential through meditation and a healthy diet, you can enjoy living your life to its fullest in growing enlightenment.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the reply section below.

Health and Happiness,

Ann