Pure Vegetarianism

Pure vegetarianism combines the physical nourishment of a healthy vegetarian diet with the spiritual nourishment that comes from acknowledging our dependency on God and the blessings of Mother Earth.

Rooted in Hindu tradition, the spiritual dimension of pure vegetarianism has meaning for people of all faiths. Simply put, before we eat our food, we offer it to God in thanksgiving. The food is then pure, karma-free, and spiritually nourishing. Hindus call this food prasada, or the mercy of God.

Pure vegetarianism springs from the belief that the kind of food we eat affects our spiritual consciousness and subsequent behaviors. According to the Bhagavad-Gita, the scripture of Indian spirituality, foods in the mode of goodness—vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, legumes, sugar, and pure milk products—can be sanctified, or offered in sacrifice.

Conversely, meat, fish, and eggs, as well as a few vegetarian items, classified in the modes of passion and ignorance, should not be offered to God. Garlic and onions, for example, are not offered to God because, despite their medicinal benefits, they are polluting to the mind and create objectionable odors. If the food we eat is prepared by people devoid of spiritual consciousness (e.g., unhappy employees working in a dirty food factory), we are sure to absorb unwelcome mental energies. For this reason, pure vegetarians avoid such foods in favor of foods prepared with fresh, natural ingredients.

The following principles are essential to the preparation of pure vegetarian food:

• Clean hands and work area - This is the most important principle: nothing impure should be offered to God.
  
• A humble and devotional attitude - Refrain from tasting the food while preparing it. Reflect on the food as a blessing from the Lord; respect that blessing, and be happy.
  
• The offering - You have prepared the food not only for your own enjoyment, but for the pleasure of God; you are now ready to make your offering.
  
• Prayers and mantras - The simplest form of offering is to pray, "My dear Lord, please accept this humble offering of food."

During the meal, reflect on the spiritual quality of prasadam . . . remember that it is the Lord's blessing that frees one from the effects of bad karma. Above all, enjoy.