Food, Place and Friends … Important drivers in Life Journey of a Seeker

Three elements which have major influence in formation of habits and life style during the course of our life journey are our choice of Food, Place and Friends … this message from one of the spiritual leaders struck me deeply and became an area of reflection over the past few years.

I vividly remember elders in our family were very particular about Food we used to eat. Emphasis was to have sattvik food with larger intake of fruits and nutrition and strict vegetarian diet. A ritual to offer food to God as an offering (Bhog) to get positive vibrations is to make “Prasad”. A mantra is recited to invoke the subtle presence of the chosen deity or Guru with a belief that offered food becomes prasad. It was also a ritual to mix all the cooked items offered to God in a larger quantity which was prepared for all family members. I noticed this kind of ritual in the canteen of Sri Aurobindo Ashram and other places of spiritual importance in all parts of India. 

Visiting different Places in India and abroad, as part of trips for professional and personal reasons, I could feel a clear difference in the feelings I got when visiting places of spiritual importance and places which were mainly for business intent. This is probably due to the presence or absence of the psychic connect, which was prominent in places of spiritual importance. I could feel a special attraction and sense of joy when visiting Pondicherry, Rishikesh, Rameshwaram and Ayodhya and Vrindavan, wherein are the subtle presence of spiritual masters as they spent major part of their life journey in spiritual practices for self-realization and also preaching to seekers. This could be because the energy is centered around the heart or head centre with positive vibrations. 

Choice of Friends (Sakha) is the 3rd important element as we spend most of the time in waking consciousness with friends’ community, sharing experiences, spending quality time. It is also true that acquaintances / relationships centred around rajasik and tamasik aspects in the objective world of daily life interactions have led many to unpleasant situations and strife and stress whereas friendships centered around the sattvik focus do bring positivity and blissful moments. I can relate with my acquaintances in personal and social life which nurtured with time into long lasting friendships and still generate positive vibes and have helped in self-rejuvenation. I can count such Friends in Pondicherry, Santiniketan and Lucknow and my Engineering college batchmates of hostel days, which are still fresh and help to share our good and challenging times. 

Let’s be conscious about Food, Places we visit / spend time in and Friends we nurture for a joyful and peaceful journey.

- Pranav Srivastava (India)

 

 

 

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