Food: Not Just Form — It Is Energy in Motion!

*A Thought Beyond Vegetarianism and Non-Vegetarianism*

As the sacred month of Shravan begins, conversations about food often come alive:

Should we eat vegetarian or non-vegetarian?

Organic or chemically grown?

Raw or cooked?

But most of these conversations remain confined within a narrow frame —

they focus only on the form of food.

What is it made of? How does it taste? What are its ingredients?

*But the real question is much deeper:*

Instead of only asking “What is the food?”

we must ask: “What is the food bringing into us?”

Because food is not just a material substance —

food is a form of energy.

*Food Is Energy – A Scientific and Spiritual Truth*

“Energy can neither be created nor destroyed — it only transforms.”

When we consume food:

• We are absorbing a specific form of energy,

• and that energy is transformed into our body, thoughts, emotions, and consciousness.

The way this transformation occurs depends on the nature and source of that food.

For instance:

• Vegetables, fruits, and grains generally carry natural and gentle energy.

• But processed, chemically treated, or violently sourced food often carries tension, aggression, and heaviness.

*So the real question is: What energy are we absorbing?*

Instead of endlessly debating vegetarianism vs. non-vegetarianism,

let us ask the deeper question:

*What kind of energy lies behind the food we consume?*

This depends on:

• How the food was produced or sourced

• What emotions were involved during its preparation or acquisition

• Under what conditions the food was grown or harvested

• Whether it involved violence or fear (like slaughter)

• And how the food was stored, transported, and handled

When food is born of violence, fear, stress, or greed —

that vibration remains within it.

And that’s what we unconsciously take in.

*The Yogic Perspective*

Yoga emphasizes:

*Let your food be sattvic — calm, pure, and life-giving.*

Because food doesn’t just affect your physical health —

it affects your mind, emotional state, and inner clarity.

*Our Behavior Reflects Our Food – A Subtle Truth*

We judge people based on their behavior, choices, or attitude.

But we seldom ask:

*Why is this person behaving this way?*

One answer is subtle, yet powerful:

*It depends on the kind of food they’ve consumed over time.*

Our ancient scriptures say:

“Āhāra-śuddhau sattva-śuddhiḥ, sattva-śuddhau dhruvā smṛtiḥ,

smṛti-lambhe sarva-granthīnām vipramokṣaḥ.”

(Chāndogya Upanishad 7.26.2)

Meaning:

• When food is pure, the mind becomes pure.

• When the mind is pure, awareness becomes stable.

• And when awareness stabilizes, all inner knots and emotional blocks dissolve.

The Manusmriti too says:

“Annam hi prāṇinām prāṇaḥ”

*Food is the very life-force of all living beings.*

So the way you think, act, and feel —

is deeply shaped by what you’ve been feeding yourself, physically and energetically.

*As is your food, so is your nature;*

*As is your nature, so is your behavior.*

This is why food should be examined not only through the lens of health or taste,

but through the wisdom of both psychology and spirituality.

*Food Is Vibration — Not Just Matter*

• A simple bite of rice, when offered with love, gratitude, and purity,

becomes deeply nourishing and sattvic.

• The same food, when eaten in haste, anger, or stress,

even if nutritious, may carry far less energetic value.

*More Important Than What You Eat Is How You Eat*

Many people today overeat or eat mindlessly.

They often fall into what we may call “false eating.”

What does that mean?

– Eating not out of hunger, but out of restlessness

– Eating for taste, out of habit, or boredom

– Eating to suppress emotions or avoid inner silence

This kind of eating is disconnected from awareness.

There is:

• No presence,

• No gratitude,

• And no relationship with the food itself.

*To relate with food means:*

To be aware of its origin,

to recognize the energy it carries,

and to accept it with mindfulness and humility.

*The Pre-Meal Prayer — A Gesture of Gratitude*

In Indian culture, it is customary to pause and offer a moment of prayer before eating.

Whether it is:

“Brahmārpaṇam Brahma Havih…”

or

“Vadani Kaval Ghetaa, Naam Ghyaa Shrihari Che…”

Or even a simple, heartfelt “Thank you” from within —

these words carry profound energy.

This prayer is for:

• The farmer who toiled in sun and rain

• The soil and water that gave life to the crops

• The cook who prepared it with care

• The Divine force we call the giver of nourishment

• And for every being whose effort brought this meal to our plate

This moment of prayer reminds us of the entire chain of energy behind our food —

and invites us to honor it with grateful awareness.

In today’s age of fast food and fast life,

this simple pause can elevate us to a higher state of consciousness.

The Indian View — *Food Is Pūrṇabrahma* (The Absolute Itself)

Indian wisdom calls food Pūrṇabrahma — the complete Divine.

Why?

Because food is not just a source of nutrition —

it is the seed of our strength, our values, and our inner light.

*We are what we eat*

From our cells to our thoughts,

from our habits to our higher intentions —

all are born of what we consume.

Conclusion

• Food is not a material substance — it is energy in motion.

• The debate is not just vegetarian vs. non-vegetarian —

the deeper question is:

What energy and intention does this food carry?

• Food is never just swallowed —

it becomes part of who we are.

And therefore:

*Food is not just sustenance — it is awakened consciousness.*

And that is why…

Food is *Pūrṇabrahma*

A Reflection by

Jayant Joshi