Sahajayogis and Vegetarialism

Shri Mataji Nirmaladevi had guided the people on various matters of life including the food habits. Food has direct relevance with the body and mind of the person eating it. Hence she has guided at different points in various public programs about the food one should take, how there should be balance in eating habits etc. Following are few extracts from various speeches of Mataji Nirmaladevi.

Veg and Non Vegetarian

We are Sahaja Yogis and we understand the balance. Of course I always say that Westerners for example, maybe Australians also, should take more to carbohydrates because they eat lot of meat, so they can take to carbohydrates, but that doesn’t mean vegetarianism by any chance. I mean, to compensate. And in India I always say they must take to more meats, it will do them good. But then by no means I say that you just eat meat and nothing else. But a balance has to be found out, and once you strike it then you’ll be surprised that you’ll feel so relaxed, so much better, so much enlightened and the vibrations will flow much better than normally.(Shri Mahavira Puja, Western Australia, 28/3/91)

Now I’ll touch a point which is very important today for you people to understand about non-vegetarianism and vegetarianism. Because this subject I wanted to handle, because if they are vegetarians they can’t bear to see that Mother says it doesn't matter if you are a non-vegetarian, because it doesn’t go against your awareness. It does not. But drinking does. Drinking does go against your awareness. But not eating meat or not eating meat.

Question: Regarding movements like vegetarianism, is there a rule how we should eat?

Shri Mataji: No, in Sahaja Yoga you have to eat a balanced diet. Supposing you are a right-sided person, then you must take to vegetarian food more. If you are a left-sided person then you have to take to more right-sided food. It is a very balanced, open, fair understanding of the whole thing. It’s not hard and fast rule for something.

Question: Is it important to be a vegetarian, Mother?

Shri Mataji: Not at all. You see, in Sahaja Yoga we don’t eat animals which are bigger than us and you need not eat animals in case you are a person who requires more vegetables. So depends on your constitution. Now supposing a person who is vegetarian and gets diarrhea, he should stop. I’m not a vegetarian.(Public Program, Holland Park School, London, 27/9/2000

Then another sort of things starts, “Let us be vegetarians.” This is another madness. It’s all right if you don’t feel like eating; don’t eat. But these things are not important. The way we become vegetarians, you see. Am I going to give realization to chickens? You have to be human beings. And they are the most important thing.(Talk, Bristol, England, 9/7/80)

Question: I’d like to know if Mother is a vegetarian.

Shri Mataji: No, not at all. So, supposing I was Kali once upon a time, I had to drink the blood of these horrible devils. How could I be a vegetarian? Krishna was not a vegetarian, Rama was not a vegetarian. Don’t become vegetarians, I cannot save chickens and I cannot give them Realization. That doesn’t mean that you all the time eat meat, meat, meat. Also doesn’t mean all the time think of food. You see, I’m not bothered what I eat. If you ask me what I ate in the morning, I don’t know. There’s no fuss about food. I’m not a vegetarian. How could I be? Hindu Indians know that, that Mother can’t be a vegetarian. Krishna could not be because He had to kill so many people. And you should not be. By becoming vegetarian you won’t reach to God, I can tell you. On the contrary, you catch on the left Nabhi if you become these horrible vegetarians like the Jains we have in India. Jains, have you heard about them, Jains? They try to save even the mosquitoes and the bugs. Now, I can’t do, I can’t do anything about mosquitoes and bugs.(Public Program, Houston, Texas, USA, 6/10/81)

That's why I say sometimes that the Western people should take to less of meat, especially the red meats and beefs, and horses, and dogs - and I don't know what else you eat.[LAUGHS] Take more to vegetarian food. I'm not saying vegetarianism, you understand that. Take more to things which do not give you so much heat in the body. Even fish is very [degrading?]. So take to a life which is in a way ascetic, but don't take to these horrible health foods also. I can't tolerate them I tell you. They're not meant for human beings, but for animals I think. They churn your stomach completely, and it's horrible. This Country Store thing I took once and I said, “had enough of it!” Country Store - the whole country went into my stomach. [LAUGHS]Talk to Sahaja yogis on Mooladhara Chakra Birmingham, England, 4/4/85