Since food is so central to everyone’s life, it is only natural that it is among the most effective mediums to initiate a change in consciousness. When a person is living consciously, they will do so in all their thoughts and actions. Their lives will be consistent and in harmony with their environment. And, living consciously begins with conscious eating. The adage “you are what you eat,” has never been more true in the United States. As Americans struggle with poor health and obesity, our national consciousness exudes an air of both arrogance and apathy.

Food is the most basic necessity of life. Its purpose is to nourish the body, mind, and soul. Food should, therefore, give life and cleanse the body and uplift the spirit. Our organization, Food for Life Global, is based upon India’s Vedic tradition. This tradition says that food that is old, decomposed, and consisting of dead flesh will pollute the body and consciousness. Food that is fresh, alive, and nutritious will, on the other hand, enrich the body, cleanse the mind, and satisfy the soul. Such foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains.

Food speak all languages

Food also has the unique power to bring people together. All of us have had the experience of sitting down to a meal cooked with love and felt an immediate transformation of consciousness. When prepared with love, food can speak any language. Such food has the ability to break down barriers, turn anger into love, fear into trust, and ignorance into enlightenment. Promoting a culture of non-violence also includes kindness to animals. Animals have emotions and are living, breathing, conscious beings just like humans. Recognizing this fact is the basis of a truly humane society, or one in which the equality of all beings is recognized.

Food for Life Global has tried to put all of these principles into practice by becoming the world’s largest vegetarian food relief organization. It provides vegetarian meals to the disadvantaged, malnourished, and victims of disaster (natural or manmade) wherever there is a need in the world. For example, in 2006, more than 70,000 people from 40 villages were adversely affected by floods in Sri Mayapur, India. With limited funds and resources, Food for Life Global volunteers were able to distribute hot vegetarian meals and offer medical assistance despite the organization’s own facilities being damaged.

Food for Life Global has projects in over 50 countries and currently distributes more than 1,000,000 meals daily. When we recognize the equality of all beings, it becomes natural to share the bounty of the Earth with others and to give up our selfish tendencies.

World Hunger

World hunger is a case in point. The issue is not a lack of food resources, but their inequitable distribution. A former UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) secretary-general, Dr. Kay Killingsworth, agreed when he stated that the problem was not insufficient food production but that “food does not reach the needy.” This point is further highlighted when we consider that more than one third of all grain produced in the world is being fed to cattle and other livestock.

The Power of the Plate

Besides paying attention to these inequalities, the truly conscious person is socially responsible, honors the environment, and treats their body as a temple. Consuming junk food is not only harmful to the body and one’s consciousness, but also a vote of support for large corporations that exploit the environment. Conscious people live their lives in full awareness of their connection to their surroundings. Such spiritual perspectives are the foundation of India's Vedic culture of hospitality. By becoming aware of our human responsibility to maintain and protect the environment and other forms of life, we will learn to love our brethren and not to exploit them. This journey begins with food. Never underestimate the power of the plate. What you put on your table is both a political statement and a mirror of who you really are.

Paul Rodney Turner
Director, Food for Life Global

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