Quick Revision from the last session:
- Ceiling on desires was introduced by Swami in 1983
- Its purpose was to improve welfare of mankind & to put brakes on harmful desires & practices
- It is the 9th point in 9 point code of conduct prescribed by Bhagawan
We identified that there are 4 main components to ceiling on desires. Namely:
- Curb on wastage of money
- Do not waste food
- Do not waste energy
- Do not waste time
In the last session we spent fair bit of time on the first aspect – Curb on the wastage of money. Today we continue further
Swami made a very powerful statement that ” If you waste food, you betray those people who are denied food. So do not waste food “
Q1 a) What do you understand by this statement and what precautions can we take in our day to day lives to ensure that we adhere to Swami’s teachings ?
b) What advice can you give to a youngster who approaches you to know more about Swami’s ideals on food ?
YOU MAY ANSWER BOTH THESE QUESTIONS TOGETHER AS THEY ARE INTER RELATED
- Good food is constantly wasted instead of giving to someone who is hungry.
- If you feed someone who is hungry, you will make them happy. This in turn will increase your own happiness.
- Food is God. You cannot survive without food. Your body is made up of food
- Wasting food amounts to wasting divine energy
- Wasting food is bad karma
General advice
- Make food prayers your daily routine before consuming food
- Regulate your food intake, take the right amount in your plate
- Eat Satwik food because the food you consume will influence your thoughts and ultimately your health
- Avoid very spicy food
- Take away, street foods and restaurant foods must be controlled because you have no idea how that food has been cooked and under what hygiene conditions.
- Eat freshly cooked meals as opposed to processed and ready made supermarket meals
- Smoking and alcoholic drinks should be avoided as it is harmful to your health
- Meat eating should be given up as this promotes animal tendencies
- Do not cook excessive food compared to your actual requirements
- If you do end up with excess food, consider donating to charity/homeless or share it amongst your friends’ neighbours or relatives.
QUIZ
During a Divine Discourse given in 1984, Swami declared: “There is the program
connected with ‘Ceiling on Desires’… You must realize that this program has not been
launched to raise funds… The objective of this program is to prevent waste of money,
time, food or other resources and to use all these for the welfare of the people.”
According to Swami, “The seva program is intended only to provide you with
opportunities to make your lives sacred and worthwhile. It is to ……………………..”
- Inculcate a sense of belonging in society.
- Promote unity amongst the participants of the program.
- Develop the spirit of sacrifice.
- Nurture more love for Nature and God.
QUIZ
With regard to parents offering money for education, Swami advises students thus:
“Never waste money. If you waste money, it amounts to …………….”
- Wasting your education.
- Wasting the blood of your parents.
- Wasting your character.
- Wasting security for a prosperous future.
QUIZ
During a Divine Discourse given in 1985, Swami gives very sound advice: “A man
should own only as much wealth as is essential. It is…………………………….
- Like the size of his pocket
- Like the size of his shoes
- Like rain in a dry season
- Like God’s grace which is unlimited.
QUIZ
According to Swami, “Our primary objective should be to recognize the nature of time and utilize it in a sacred manner.
” Swami also alerts us: “Any work, which has no specific….………………means wasting time “
- Purpose or use in daily life.
- Direction towards our spiritual growth
- Aim towards earning money righteously.
- Desire towards gaining respect.
QUIZ
According to Swami, “In one’s life, the years ………………… are the most precious. This is the period when all of one’s faculties and energies are at their peak. Hence one should strive to make the best use of this period”
- Four to Seven
- Eight to Fifteen
- Sixteen to Thirty
- Thirty to Forty
QUIZ
According to Swami, “You should partake of only sacred food. Only then you will have sacred feelings. For sacred thoughts and sacred deeds, sacred food is essential. To have sacred feelings apart from partaking of sacred food, you also need to have ……………..”
- Respect for all vegetation
- Sense of Discrimination
- Sacred Vision
- Sacred Actions
