Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
Every individual's physical body is composed of countless cells. These
cells
are of two kinds: protozoic and metazoic. Thus all parts of the human body
are composed of these two types of cell. In another sense the entire human
structure can be regarded as one metazoic cell.
Each of these cells has its individual structure, mind, soul, but the
cells
mind are different from the human mind. The minds of the metazoic cells
are
more developed than those of the protozoic cells. The human being is
composed of these cells. But the human mind is more developed than the
cell
mind. The human being is the unit microcosm plus a collection of both the
protozoic and metazoic cells which make up the individual. Therefore the
human mind is the collective mind.
Just as the Macrocosmic Mind is inseparably associated with each and every
entity of this universe, similarly, the unit mind also is inseparably
related to all its composite parts. And, similarly, in the unit mind
there
exists a system of co-relation between itself and its composite parts. The
cells as a composite part of the being, also have a collective relation
with
it.
Generally, a cell lives about 21 days and then dies, giving place to new
cells. When one rubs a certain part of the body, some cells come off, even
when the body remains covered all over. Actually, this is a process of
'net
environmental cells', and is not always environmental dirt, but in most
cases it is the ac***ulation of hundreds of dead cells.
Cells, generally grow out of light, air, water, and the food we eat. The
nature of food and drink has its effects upon the cells, and consequently
also influences the human mind. Obviously each and every spiritual
aspirant
should be very cautious in selecting food. Suppose a person takes static
food (food that dulls the mind). As a result, after a certain period,
static cells will grow and exercise a static influence on the spiritual
aspirant's mind so, human beings must select sentient food (food that is
good for the mind) or mutative food (food not necessarily bad for the mind
but may have some stimulating or similar effect) according to time, place
and person. This will lead to the birth of sentient cells. The increase in
the number of sentient cells will produce a love for spiritual practice
and
help in attaining psychic equilibrium and equipoise leading to immense
spiritual elevation.
After about 21 days the old cells die and new ones grow. But in old age
due
to the defect in cells, the smoothness and the lustre of the face
disappears
and the skin becomes wrinkled. The different parts of the body weaken.
That's why experienced physicians advise complete rest for a minimum of 21
days meaning thereby that within that period as a result of rest and good
food new cells will be produced and the ailing person will regain their
physical and mental energy.
It is superfluous to say that cells are living beings and as a result of
transformation few lives together have found existence in the human body.
And in the future through gradual evolution a cell mind develops into a
human mind. The aura or effulgence radiated from a human body is the
collective effulgence of all its composite cells. In old age many cells of
the body become very weak resulting in the effulgence dimini****ng. Even a
young person suffering from a disease loses the lustre of the body. In
the
human face alone there are millions of cells. When a person gets angry a
greater quantity of blood suddenly ac***ulates in the face. As a result,
many cells die. An angry face looks red due to extreme blood ac***ulation.
A
murderer or a cruel person can be easily recognised by their facial
expression.
As a result of sentient food and regular spiritual practice cells of the
human body also become sentient. Naturally, an effulgence emanates from
those cells creating an aura around the spiritualist's physical body. That
is why many pictures show certain so-called gods or goddesses with radiant
auras. If cells are affected by food and water, and if the nature of cells
affects the nature of the human mind, obviously human beings should eat
the
correct diet because food and mind are closely related to each other. Any
food item, whether good or bad must not be taken indiscriminately because
it
may lead to mental degeneration. Sincere spiritual aspirants (sadhakas)
must
follow the dictum: a sentient diet produces a sentient body.
Thus only that food should be eaten which is helpful in keeping the body
and
mind sentient. Very often people eat food without knowing its intrinsic
value. All the objects of the world are dominated by one of the three
principles - sentient, mutative, and static. According to its intrinsic
nature food is divided into the same three categories.
Sentient Food - That food which is conducive to physical and mental
wellbeing. It produces sentient cells. Examples of sentient food are rice,
wheat, barley, all kinds of pulses, milk and milk products.
Mutative Food - Food which is good for the body and may or may not be good
for the mind, but certainly not harmful.
Static Food - Food which is harmful for the mind and may or may not be
good
for the body. Onion, garlic, wine, stale and rotten food, meat of large
animals such as cows and buffaloes, other meats, are static. As are many
items such as mushrooms and fungi, that have their origin from decomposed
stuff. Similarly, the milk of a cow who has just given birth, white
eggplant, "khesari" pulses, "puin" mustard leaves are examples of static
food.
Shrii Shrii Anandamurti
Ranchi 14/2/70
(From Tattva Kaomudii - II)
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