Yard [034] : Less is More

Dear Friends,

Namaste!

Lord Krishna, who conceived Yoga and is known as “Yogeshwar” (the God of Yoga) has stated the role of Yogic Lifestyle unequivocally “in destroying all sorrow”. He has given the following four cornerstones of the Yogic Lifestyle:

1. Eating (“Ahar” in His words)
2. Routine Activities (“Vihar”)
3. Recreation (“Cheshta”)
4. Productive Work (“Karma”)

We cannot hope to survive for long without performance of all of the above. For effective and efficient performance (that “destroys all sorrow”), Lord Krishna has given the guidance that it be done in “Yukta” manner. (“Yukta” in this context means “Correct/appropriate/moderate/balanced or as per the guidelines stated in the science of Yoga).

Yogic Lifestyle is all about creating the right equilibrium among the four aspects mentioned above. And after talking about two key aspects of Yogic Lifestyle (Being Friendly and Breathing Right), we have started exploring what Eating in “Yukta” fashion is all about.

So let’s get down to the first all-important axiom in the art and science of Yukta Eating – “Less is More”!

We have all seen how a washing machine operates. We put clothes into the machine. We put some detergent as well. Rest of the space is taken up by water AND AIR!!

We switch the machine on and the detergent mixes with water and air and the clothes are soaked and turned and churned for some time till all the dirt is separated and washed down the drain.

What will happen if we overstuff the machine with clothes alone? Obviously the space for water, air and detergent will become cramped and the washing will be anything but effective. What will happen if we pour too much water into the machine? The detergent will get diluted and again the ‘washed’ clothes will be anything but clean. What will happen if the entire machine is filled to the brim only with clothes and water? It will not have enough room for turning and churning the clothes and the soil will not be separated from the clothes to be put down the drain. What will happen if there is too much air in the machine (the machine is virtually devoid of water and clothes)? The capacity of the machine will be grossly under-utilized. What is worse, strong chemicals in the detergent (assuming we do not or cannot reduce quantity of the detergent) will, over a period of time, damage the machine!

For “Yukta” washing to take place, the quantity (we will talk about quality later) of clothes, water, air and detergent inside the machine has to be just right!

Similarly, for our digestive system to work at its efficient best, we must ensure that the amounts of food, water, air and digestive juices inside our stomach are just right! Only then will it digest the food properly, assimilate the useful part in the entire body and leave waste matter to the excretory system for throwing out (‘soil down the drain’). But this is easier said than done and poses a few questions answering which straightaway will not be out of place!

First of all, what is ‘food’? Anything we eat (“Khadya”) or drink (“Peya”) or lick (“Lehya”) or suck (“Choshya”) that is not purely water is treated by the body as ‘food’.

Secondly, can we control the amount of air or digestive juices inside our stomach? No, we cannot. Therefore, let’s concentrate on what we can control, viz. the food and the water!

Thirdly, are we talking about the food and water consumed during the entire day or in one sitting? Just like the washing machine, we are talking about a single lot and not the usage of the machine throughout the day – or the week!

Fourthly, how much food and water to put into our stomach in one go? The guideline is like this. If the stomach were to be equally divided into four parts, two parts must be full with food, one with water and the remaining one part with air. The digestive juices, automatically secreted by the body and used in the process of digestion, will then do their job and nourish the body.

But how do we know that the food we have eaten will occupy only two quarters and not more (or less)? That guideline has also been provided to us by Mother Nature. The amount of food we eat in one go should not ideally spill over if we were to hold it in the cup that our two palms can form together!

Usually we end up eating more because there is a delay between the intake of food and the feeling of satiation it communicates to our nervous system!So, rather than eating until we feel fully satiated, we would do well to look at our palms and remember the washing machine!!

Cheers!