Is eating meat bad for spirituality?
Question
It is possible to practice brahmacharya if you eat meat and is that the reason why meat is prohibited for yogis, its a brahmacharya related reason?
At the same time some religious saints from diverse religions ate meat even in Buddhism or Jesus.
Thanks
Answer
1. Meat being highly Rajasic in nature has the tendency to irritate the mind and cause aggression. It can easily stimulate the senses, awakening sexual urges. It needs much physical activity to be properly digested & assimilated. Hence it is suitable for those indulging in strenuous physical work. Under lack of such activity, it becomes toxic within the system causing mental and physical ill health. It is hence not preferred by the Yogi.
2. The mind of a saint cab be known only after becoming one. A realized saint eats whatever is available without being affected by its taste, smell or composition. He absorbs the Prana (essence) within food, all the time being completely detached from taste or lack of it. He can live eating the bark of a tree, the root of a plant, leaves, grass or meat. None of these matter as he see's the one Brahman (cosmic being) underlining everything, himself having merged into it. This is not the case with the aspirant Brahmachari who is in the realm of ignorance and who hence has to follow certain rules till he goes beyond them.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)