The Awakening/path And Health And Fitness

[step1]

Hello ladies and gents.

 

I know there is a lot of hype in the yoga world about eating clean and looking after your body but often these lifestyles are a part of fitting a role and forming an identity (egoic) rather than actually being for a genuine concern for your physical welfare..

 

I would like to know from those of you that have been on this path for a while, what your views have become on health and fitness and whether you have become more or less conscious of looking after your body. 

 

I guess this is also a question about drive and motivation...  Do you still have the drive and motivation to do things that you had when you were more identified with your ego?

[vizual]

It is not so much that I have been deliberately been eating healthier since I have gone on the path. It's more that I see more easily though the illusion of the rush that sugary/fatty/salty foods give me. The taste of food itself has become more important than the illusive effects they give my body, so there are less cravings for junkfood and more inclination towards more wholesome foods. I really taste the nutritional emptiness in junkfood more now than I used to.

Just eating 'clean' foods won't really make you more spiritual, that's just an imagination of the ego. I think by becoming more spiritual you have less cravings toward empty calories which just give you a bodily rush and effect.

[Pierre]

A lot of shit you eat affects your energy and your mood, and lowers your level of awareness. So I'd say, yes, it's bloody important.

As to exercise, apart from making you healthy it connects you with the body. Which is also essential. We don't want a disincarnate spirituality.

[Azrael]

1 hour ago, step1 said:

Do you still have the drive and motivation to do things that you had when you were more identified with your ego?

For the first 8 months doing enlightenment work I didn't change my eating habits or my sport routine. Going on this path doesn't mean you stop all your negative habits, be all good and live like a monk.

However, for me it just seems that if the time comes where you want to make some changes it is way easier because you can see through your addiction, you can see that it is shallow and then it's maybe easier to stay on track.

I personally try to tackle one to three healthy habits a year, so that I develop over time a very good lifestyle. However, I always keep space for the real bad stuff so that I can just overeat with crap sometimes, to stupid things and see it's beauty on the one hand but also it's shallowness on the other.

Meditating a lot will increase your "will power" like nuts.  I stopped smoking, biting my finger nails, following a sport routine with not much problems and so on.

[Daryn]

This is a great topic.  From my experience there is a strong relationship between the "Path"and Health and Fitness.

I have been meditating pretty hardcore over the past 2.5 years.  I used to drink quite a bit.  Last year I went 8 months without a single drink and did not even miss it which for me is off the charts.  I now have the odd drink of wine for enjoyment but don't feel the need to get sloshed like I used to.  

I am of the belief that I drank as a way to numb down my "monkey mind".

As I meditate and practice mindfulness I notice that my monkey mind is becoming toned down own its own which is a good feeling.

I also know that there has been studies that suggest that meditators often develop  a higher tolerance for pain.  I have been finding that when I meditate I have really good workouts (running, cycling, yoga, weights).  I am finding I can really push myself further than I have in the past.  I am 45 now and in better shape than I was in my 20s.

There is a strong link in my experience between the Path and physical wellness.

[step1]

Great replies, thank you