Page 3 - Healthy Living

Be Healthy – Stay happy

Ancient wisdom from the Bhagavad-gita

kāmasya nendriya-prītir / lābho jīveta yāvata

jīvasya tattva-jijñāsa / nārtho yaś ceha karmabhiḥ (SB 1.2.10)

Life’s desires should never be directed toward sense gratification. One should desire only a healthy life, or self-preservation,
since a human being is meant for inquiry about the Absolute Truth. Nothing else should be the goal of one’s works.

Step #1 - Lifestyle reorganization

The Vedic lifestyle is ideal for maintaining health, vitality and a positive attitude based on tangible spiritual enlightenment. The
following list of regulated daily practices exemplify the Vedic lifestyle:

a-Early to bed and early to rise makes a person healthy, happy and wise. Sleep before 10 PM at night and wake up 1.5 hours
before sunrise.
b-Eating at regulated times. It takes at least four hours to digest food. If one snacks between meals the digestive process is dis-
rupted causing health problems like acid reflux, constipation, colorectal cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and
dysentery. The last meal should be before 6 PM so that one can finish the digestion by 10 PM at night. Going to bed with a
full stomach may inhibit restorative sleep and affect brain health. After food is digested one can experience a very restful and
rejuvenating sleep for six hours and wake up refreshed and energized.

c-Followers of the Vedas fast at least two days a month called Ekadasi – eleven days after the full moon and eleven days after
the new moon. These two days are very auspicious for spiritual advancement and health. There are additional fast days for
auspicious holy holidays. If one calculates all the fast days for Vedic dharma, there are over 31 every year. The benefits derived
from fasting follow: promotes blood sugar control by reducing insulin resistance, better health by fighting Inflammation, heart
health by improving blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, which can may improve brain function and prevent
neuro-degenerative disorders, weight loss by limiting calorie intake and boosting metabolism, increases growth hormone secre-
tion, which Is vital for growth, metabolism, and muscle strength, may delay aging and extend longevity.

c-Waking up early in morning at Brahma Muhurta, one and one-half hours before sunrise. This is very good for physical and
spiritual health because the very early morning hours are ideal for spiritual endeavors such as mantra meditation, study, as-
sisting in morning worship at the temple, hearing uplifting lectures on Vedic philosophy from the Bhagavad-gita and engaging
other acts of devotional service.
d-Bathing at least twice a day. Maintaining good physical and mental hygiene by following four do’s and four don’ts: No meat,
fish, poultry or eggs – no intoxication including coffee and tea – no illicit sex meaning no sex outside of marriage – no gambling
or philosophical speculation. One replaces the previous four degrading activities with four enlightening habits such as eating
only sanctified food, prasadam - vegetarian food prepared for Lord Krishna. The proper human diet consists of food grains,
beans and lentils, vegetables, fruits, nuts, milk and raw honey or cooked down sugar cane juice. Daily hearing and discussing
Vedic knowledge presented in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam texts. Chanting the great mantra Hare Krishna Hare
Krishna Krishna Krishna Hara Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. The three words Hare Krishna and Rama
when chanting together in the mantra confer the meaning, Oh Dear Radha and Krishna please protect me so that I may engage
always in your service.

e-Drinking purified water free of fluoride, chlorine and other contaminates.

f-Avoiding all foods containing pesticides, preservatives, colors, etc.

Step #2 - Learn the value of preserving vital fluids

Children should be taught after the age of five how to restrain the senses and the mind. As the child grows the body produces