The body is the temple of the soul

The body is the temple of the soul, and as such needs outer nourishment as much as our soul needs inner nourishment. Purifying and strengthening the body through good eating habits and regular exercise complements purifying and strengthening your inner life through prayer and meditation.

As explained in Sri Chinmoy Answers, Part 29,  The body is like a temple and the soul or inner reality is like the shrine inside the body-temple. If the temple does not have a shrine, then we cannot appreciate the temple. Again, if we do not keep the temple in good condition, then how can we take proper care of the shrine?

For many, dietary extremes are not sustainable for long periods of time, but consistently eating well balances those times when it is simply not possible to ‘say no’ to any number of delicious, but probably not particularly health inducing foods.

Nutrition Essentials

The essentials of a healthy diet are water, carbohydrates, fats and proteins eaten in moderation. While the complexities of nutrition and metabolic processes can be baffling and beyond the scope of this discussion, a nutritious, diverse and balanced diet chosen from these four food groups goes a long way to naturally supplying your body with much needed vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, enzymes,  phytochemicals,  antioxidants, essential fatty acids, fibre and amino acids.

Natural supplements supply additional support, particularly if the food you consume is not organic, and is grown in soil leached of nutrients and/or has been chemically treated. However, supplements, including natural herbal products, can be potent and potentially toxic if over used. Educate yourself on those supplements or food groups you wish to take consistently or over the long term. The general outline below of nutrition essentials for vegetarians are simple suggestions but in no way replace professional advice. Before embarking on dietary changes or supplemental therapies, always consult a health care professional to ensure optimal health and optimal usage of any kind of supplement.