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Eating right extends far beyond what's on the menu Part 1 — Students discover: 'You are what you eat' Maharishi University of Management (M.U.M.) is on the leading edge of university cuisine. This enlightened university provides its students with a rich and nourishing international menu consisting of food grown in accord with ancient Vedic principles to uphold strong and positive thinking in accord with Total Natural Law. M.U.M has recently redesigned its menu offerings in response to a comprehensive survey of students that was initiated by the new director of Food Services, Don Bowman. The introduction of a new five-week menu cycle includes overall variety. The survey found that Indian and Italian cuisines were the most requested, followed by Chinese, Thai, and Greek. Sushi, a Japanese dish made with rice and sea vegetable was also requested by a majority. This menu sounds remarkably delicious for university cuisine. The truth is that the extensive variety of menu choices enjoyed by students at Maharishi University of Management is just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to the well-planned international menu, students savour nourishing organic food, and as much as possible, food that is grown according to Maharishi Vedic Organic principles. The fruits and vegetables are grown in nearby greenhouses according to Vedic principles of agriculture, which enliven Natural Law within the plant. Maharishi Vedic Organic fruits and vegetables offer the most positive influences for nourishing a person’s health and well-being. Why so much attention on food? The reason is that food has a significant effect on one’s consciousness and thoughts. Thoughts, in turn, influence one’s actions. Students are beginning to realize that eating high quality food brings them a boost for a happy, healthy, successful life. In his book, ‘The Science of Being and The Art of Living’, His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi discusses the importance of food, pointing out: ‘Food has a very great influence on the mind because it is what we eat and drink that goes to make the blood, which sustains the nervous system. Therefore the quality of food has a great deal to do with the quality of mind.’ Maharishi also explains that not only is the quality of food important, but also the way the food was earned, the tendencies of the cook, and the consciousness of the farmer growing the food. It may be surprising to the western mind, accustomed to fast food restaurants and pre-packaged foods, that such subtle factors as the consciousness and behaviour of the breadwinner, the cook, and the farmer directly affect the mind of the person who eats the food. In the ‘Science of Being and Art of Living’, Maharishi points out that every thought and action has an influence in the entire universe, spreading out in waves similar to the ripples created by dropping a pebble in a quiet pond. This understanding of the interrelatedness of all life is supported by both modern science and by ancient Vedic Science. Both sciences describe a unified field of intelligence and energy at the foundation of all existence. This Unified Field of Consciousness is the home of all the Laws of Nature, which give expression to the whole universe and maintain its evolution. From the perspective of unity, everything is connected to everything else as vibrations within the Unified Field. Everything—every thought, speech, and action—influences the whole. In the case of the quality of the food and how it is earned, Maharishi describes how these subtle influences affect the mind of the one who eats it. He says: ‘When a man earns his livelihood by righteous means, then the food has a good influence on the mind. If, for example, a man commits a theft or earns his living by illegal or unrighteous means, the quality of the food that is bought from that earning produces those qualities in the mind. ‘The tendencies of the cook who prepared the meals also affect the food; likewise, the tendencies of the mind or the quality of thoughts at the time of eating the food affect it and have a corresponding influence on the quality of mind that is produced by the food.’ This explains why so many people prefer their mother’s home cooking to that of a fine restaurant. They are naturally aware of the subtle influence of the cook’s love and awareness on the food. Maharishi’s explanation also gives insight into some of the problems facing society today. It stirs the question, ‘Could behavioural problems in students and adults, perhaps even disharmony and war, be partly related to the food people eat?’ It is important for food to be grown, obtained, and cooked in a way that enlivens the positive qualities of Total Natural Law in the food and in its eater. Since the quality of food, and how it is produced, create a strong influence on the mind of a population, Maharishi has enlivened the ancient practice and principles of Vedic Agriculture. By producing high quality food, Vedic Agriculture helps civilization return to the highest level of life—life free from problems, life in accord with Total Natural Law. Through Maharishi Vedic Organic Agriculture, the food is grown in such a way that Natural Law is enlivened, and this evolutionary influence is passed on to the one who eats it. The principles of Maharishi Vedic Agriculture also uphold that one should eat fresh produce, grown as close to home as possible. In addition, Maharishi has mentioned that the mental attitude and thoughts at the time one eats directly affects the influence the food produces. Thus, it is important not to eat when upset; and to eat in a silent atmosphere, or one filled with pleasing conversation. Meals taken in front of the television and the 6 o’clock news may not bring the desired influence. Maharishi Ayur-Veda, the ancient science of health and longevity, provides additional points for food to create the best quality of mind: Eat freshly cooked food, avoiding stale food or leftovers. Also, avoid genetically modified food, since the genetic code in an organism is the perfect sequence of Nature’s intelligence for that organism to develop. Using human intelligence to alter Cosmic Intelligence brings trouble. In keeping with the ancient tradition of all religions, Maharishi recommends that a prayer be said before eating, in order to set the right attitude for eating. He has suggested the following prayer: ‘In Thy fullness my Lord The fullness and richness of the cuisine offered to the students at Maharishi University of Management is certainly worthy of gratitude. Copyright © 2007 Global Good News(sm) Service
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