| When it comes to spiritual enlightenment there are | | | | not need the same amount of food and energy, it is |
| far more fundamental requirements than the eating | | | | unwise to give up meat and fish all at once, for the |
| or not eating meat. And within the Buddhist way, it is | | | | abrupt-withdrawal may bring about illness and put an |
| not a simple matter of should or should not. As one's | | | | end to your ability to meditate. Introduce any dietary |
| spiritual practice deepens, subconscious fears and | | | | changes gradually, giving the body's chemistry time to |
| compulsive habits will gradually fade, and the | | | | adjust. |
| body-mind acquires an increasingly keen sensitivity, so | | | | The truth is that we are injured more by angry, and |
| that you will naturally develop a preference for | | | | greedy thoughts then by insufficient quantities of |
| vegetarian food. | | | | protein or vitamins. Meditation through focusing and |
| There is much to be said for simple diets. Most | | | | controlling the mind strengthens concentration and |
| people overeat, and the observation of Seneca that | | | | purifies the emotions enabling one to eventually |
| men do not die naturally but kill themselves with | | | | remove any harmful thoughts. The truly healthy |
| knives and forks is as true today as it was in his | | | | person is one who has developed this capacity, has |
| time. No one who is troubled by indigestion, or similar | | | | seen into the true nature of things, and is able to |
| ailments resulting from eating too much or even too | | | | adapt to the environment around them. Ultimately, |
| rich a food can carry on effectively practising Zen. | | | | behind all illness lies spiritual unease. |
| Until you reach an enlightened point where you do | | | | |