Food for celibacy

Hello Amit,

Trust you are keeping well, Coming to your query,

Q: What is the right food for a celibate?
A: Till one succeeds in a complete year of absolute celibacy, it is best to stay clear of all foods which stimulate the senses. These include onion, garlic, chilly, hot and pungent additives, egg and meat. A celibate must give up alcohol, tobacco and related addictions completely and permanently for life. After one crosses a year of unbroken celibacy and has attained a certain amount of 'Siddhi' as regards to the conservation and transmutation of semen, one can relax these strict food regulations to some extent based on the spiritual level one has attained.

Vegetarianism is the best method to progress in celibacy. Non-vegetarian food is designed for a body that indulges in exceedingly strenuous physical activity such as professional sports, weight lifting etc.. and even in this domain, there have been people who have vouched for the amazing benefits and merits they have achieved further to going vegetarian. The aim of the celibate is to maintain a sound body and mind so he can focus his energies towards Brahmacharya. Regularly eating meat will not aid in the formation of a calm, clear, serene and tranquil mind which is so very necessary and will instead produce much aggression, passion and irritation. Consuming much meat will make it nonviable for the celibate to indulge in consistent spiritual activity to clear his mind of his past delusive tendencies.

A Brahmachari should take simple, wholesome, sumptuous, nutritious and easily digestible light food which does not load his stomach and cause lethargy and stupor. Milk, buttermilk, pure ghee, limited quantities of butter, fresh fruits and vegetables, dry fruits and whole wheat products are the foods that are most suited and advised for rapid progress in celibacy. Those who have a craving for a particular kind of food and find it very tough to give up the craving, can indulge in the food they like once a week and stay strict to the rules for the remaining six days. This way, they will develop control over their palate and eventually overcome the craving.

One very effective food technique to help one succeed in celibacy is to restrict dinner to only milk, fresh fruit and an assortment of raw veggies in the form of a green salad at night. This is a dinner menu that I have personally been following and gives great benefits. The body is in a state of rest at night and does not require high protein/ carbohydrate foods. Limiting dinner to fresh fruit and veggies will rest the digestive system and help it effectively process food eaten during the day.

Trust this helps
God bless and have a nice day
Dhananjay :-)