One lump or two? Before throwing the toys out of the pram. We started refusing to eat tolli with sugar in it, over 20 years ago. It was not received that well by those in the centre at the time and those who followed, yet they not only got used to the idea but benefited themselves. There was this idea that this stuff was some sort of wonder food, sacred sweets, something you must take like medicine or you wont grow up to be a big strong yogi. I will keep an open mind on whether I have ever had a spiritual lift from eating food, I think so.
Anyway, let us get down to basics; sugar as a sex substitute. A substance which can make people say and do strange things even. Emotional disturbance. Doesn't sound ideal, or feel it, after that initial 1 minute hype thing. If you eat a fair bit outwith the centre, the effect from eating sugar at the centre will be far less than for someone like myself who has not bought a bag of sugar for a very long time.
As far as I am aware, there have been changes in the area of diet within BKs over the years, as the body may have been treated with some disrespect in the past. Ah yes, Maya, and the need for comfort eating, filling the void with food. We can do worse I guess, but it seems like an area which needs more attention, without fanatisism and fettish.
I came to the conclusion that it was effecting my behaviour to some degree, which is not that welcome during stints of yogic life. If we consider the effect it has on the behaviour of children, then I cannot accept that it will not effect adults to some degree, especially ones who just happen to be attempting to tap into subtle states of mind, very subtle. There is also the possibility of a genetic aspect and the effect of sugar on different genetic types. It may not effect some as much as others.
As with any drug, the body becomes immune and so greater doses are required and of course we get used to doing things while on the stuff, doing silly things even, subtly of course. There is loads of sugar in many things naturally without adding.
Being a yogi and eating a vegetarian macrobiotic diet, the ultimate lifestyle if the balance can be struck. On the other hand, let us consider an individual who comes on to the path, becomes celibate etc and follows the routine. This in itself is a big change in anyone's life. Many coming on to the path will change their diet to some degree also, something which alone we should do, ideally over a 6 month - 2 year period, depending on the previous diet.
If we change too quick, we can end up winding up the spring, which can rebound eventually. We are talking about life changes, so we should consider the extreme changes that may be going on and whether we are going too fast. We become Clark Kent when the Yoga is going good and it is all easy, it may also cause illusions of changing in an instant as we wind up the spring, yet I cannot at the same time condone eating bad food. Slow change. Life change.
So, I have left Gyan, and can eat anything I like. It doesn't matter any more. Hmm. Whether on the path or not, I feel better when my diet is good no matter what my lifestyle. The combination of lifestyle changes is therefore something we should consider when approaching the path.
Higher quality sugars such as fresh fruit and Malt syrups are useful alternatives, though it is sugar none the less so we can over do it. You will find that, after thinking that you have found an alternative to sugar in fructose, you will realise that it is similar to sugar in effect. It could be used as a stepping stone, as with honey, from sugar to malt (grain) syrups.
One could argue that BKs have renounced enough and need some sort of release, drug even, and I won't argue, so it comes down to the individual to choose their own path as the principles don't go into things like, the effects of sugar. We certainly need to have a treat of some sort at times, though, that sugar hit does not come to mind.
Another point is the differing effects that sugar may have on male and female and its use within the BK's. Veg oil, and refined wheat / flour are another two questionable, "send me off to sleep" ingredients. The combination of them all can be a bit much, for yogi's at least. (Now, where did I put that gulab ladu thingy?). My least favourite Toli was always that slate of raw sugar with a few sesame seeds in it, an insult to the taste buds, not to mention the teeth.
Anyway, let us get down to basics; sugar as a sex substitute. A substance which can make people say and do strange things even. Emotional disturbance. Doesn't sound ideal, or feel it, after that initial 1 minute hype thing. If you eat a fair bit outwith the centre, the effect from eating sugar at the centre will be far less than for someone like myself who has not bought a bag of sugar for a very long time.
As far as I am aware, there have been changes in the area of diet within BKs over the years, as the body may have been treated with some disrespect in the past. Ah yes, Maya, and the need for comfort eating, filling the void with food. We can do worse I guess, but it seems like an area which needs more attention, without fanatisism and fettish.
I came to the conclusion that it was effecting my behaviour to some degree, which is not that welcome during stints of yogic life. If we consider the effect it has on the behaviour of children, then I cannot accept that it will not effect adults to some degree, especially ones who just happen to be attempting to tap into subtle states of mind, very subtle. There is also the possibility of a genetic aspect and the effect of sugar on different genetic types. It may not effect some as much as others.
As with any drug, the body becomes immune and so greater doses are required and of course we get used to doing things while on the stuff, doing silly things even, subtly of course. There is loads of sugar in many things naturally without adding.
Being a yogi and eating a vegetarian macrobiotic diet, the ultimate lifestyle if the balance can be struck. On the other hand, let us consider an individual who comes on to the path, becomes celibate etc and follows the routine. This in itself is a big change in anyone's life. Many coming on to the path will change their diet to some degree also, something which alone we should do, ideally over a 6 month - 2 year period, depending on the previous diet.
If we change too quick, we can end up winding up the spring, which can rebound eventually. We are talking about life changes, so we should consider the extreme changes that may be going on and whether we are going too fast. We become Clark Kent when the Yoga is going good and it is all easy, it may also cause illusions of changing in an instant as we wind up the spring, yet I cannot at the same time condone eating bad food. Slow change. Life change.
So, I have left Gyan, and can eat anything I like. It doesn't matter any more. Hmm. Whether on the path or not, I feel better when my diet is good no matter what my lifestyle. The combination of lifestyle changes is therefore something we should consider when approaching the path.
Higher quality sugars such as fresh fruit and Malt syrups are useful alternatives, though it is sugar none the less so we can over do it. You will find that, after thinking that you have found an alternative to sugar in fructose, you will realise that it is similar to sugar in effect. It could be used as a stepping stone, as with honey, from sugar to malt (grain) syrups.
One could argue that BKs have renounced enough and need some sort of release, drug even, and I won't argue, so it comes down to the individual to choose their own path as the principles don't go into things like, the effects of sugar. We certainly need to have a treat of some sort at times, though, that sugar hit does not come to mind.
Another point is the differing effects that sugar may have on male and female and its use within the BK's. Veg oil, and refined wheat / flour are another two questionable, "send me off to sleep" ingredients. The combination of them all can be a bit much, for yogi's at least. (Now, where did I put that gulab ladu thingy?). My least favourite Toli was always that slate of raw sugar with a few sesame seeds in it, an insult to the taste buds, not to mention the teeth.