The human body is sacred – the veritable tabernacle of the divine spirit which inhabits it. It is a solemn duty of mankind to develop, protect and preserve it from pollution, unnecessary wastage and weakness.
Knowing that I am different from the body, I need not neglect the body. It is a vehicle that I use to transact with the world. It is the temple which houses the Pure Self within.
Hanuman, the devotee of Rama, said: When I identify myself with the body, O Lord, I am Thy creature, eternally separate from Thee. When I identify myself with the soul, I am a spark of that Divine Fire which Thou art. But when I identify myself with the Atman, I and Thou art one.
The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.
Meat gives strength to the body, many people say... But the elephant - one of the biggest and strongest animals in the world - is a pure vegetarian.
While fasting detoxifies the body, silence purifies speech and brings rest to the chattering mind, and meditation takes you deep into your own being.
Our body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.
Fast regularly and help the body heal itself and stay well. Give all of your organs a rest. Fasting can help reverse the aging process, and if we use it correctly, we will live longer, happier lives.
