Date: 24 Dec 2012 21:19:57 -0000
From: "Shivadayal Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Baba Story: Eating Sweets Is Not Good For Health
Baba
Namaskar,
After holding DMC in Kullu (HP) in November 1979, Baba returned back to Delhi where He was staying. Many dadas were also in Delhi as Baba was doing reporting and related works.
Upon His return, some margiis offered sweets to Baba. Baba Himself was not eating sweets those days, so He graciously blessed those sweets and told that they should be distributed among all His children as prasad.
SES DADA WAS VERY BUSY
SES dada Krpadhiishananda was extremely busy that morning and late in completing his routine. He was not ready yet to eat. So when the cook brought out the tray of sweets / prasad, dadaji was eying them with greed. Dadaji thought that all the sweets would all be gone by the time he completed his personal duties. So SES dada took a large bagful of prasad - 50% of the total - and stashed it away for himself. Because SES dada was the in-charge, the cook did not say anything. But Dadaji took so much that many of the margiis who had gathered there did not get to have any sweets at all.
Later on when he finished his duties etc, Krpadhiishananda ate some of the prasad which he had put away, and then he kept the remainder in a secret place for later.
Baba knows everything so He was aware of the whole situation. Certainly, He knew that SES took so much sweets / prasad that many margiis did not get any prasad at all. Dadaji took so much that he would eat it in stages over the course of several days or even longer. Because of all this, Baba addressed the issue to the fore.
At midday reporting, Baba inquire to SES dada, "Where are those sweets? Have you had some prasad?"
Dada replied, "Yes Baba, I have eaten some."
"Is there more?", Baba inquired.
Dada answered, "Yes."
Then Baba started talking about the health problems that arise from eating sweets and sugar products. In total, Baba spoke for approximately 10 minutes about this.
Baba's main point was that sweets are especially bad for those above the age of 25. No matter how careful one is, Baba explained, sweets are bad for one's entire system as they invite diseases like the early onset of aging, diabetes, digestive disorders, brain diseases, and so many other serious health problems like boils, acidity etc. In addition, sweets make the blood impure and increase mental lethargy and dullness. Indeed, Baba was very adamant about the ill-effects of eating sweets.
Then Baba asked all the dadas, "Who is eating sweets on a regular basis?"
It was then found that they were all keeping various amounts of gur (refined molasses) in their personal bags. Some dadas were keeping 1kg, others had 1.5kg, and still others had 2kg. The common thread was that they were eating gur regularly. Some even proclaimed that gur was "an instant energy booster" so they would eat that first upon breaking fast.
Baba told everyone present that the various array of sweets like sugar, molasses (gur), and any other type of sweetener is not good for the human body, especially if one is over 25 years of age.
Baba warned them, "You are dedicated wholetimer workers. You must keep your body fit and your mind sharp to serve the society. If you are eating harmful foods like sweets then how are you going to fulfill your duties properly."
Hearing this, all those dadas gave their stock of gur to local needy children and vowed to keep away from all kinds of sweets.
Baba says, "One must reduce the use of raw and refined sugar." (Yogic Treatments)
By this story we can take home two key points:
1. Sweets are harmful for general health, especially for those above the age of 25. Sugar consumption invites many diseases including arthritis, obesity, the acceleration of old age, and other harmful sicknesses.
2. In collective life and at social functions, one should care for the well-being of others and not be selfish. When sweets are distributed then, one should ensure that everyone receives an ample portion. One should not just grab the whole tray for themselves.
As we know, on particular festival days, sweets are available and distributed at our Ananda Marga gatherings. Those sweets are primarily for children - for them to eat in moderate amounts under adult supervision. For those above the age of 25, sweets are quite harmful. If one does not eat sweets regularly then to have a small amount on a festival date is ok. If you are healthy then the body can tolerate a small amount of sweets on those special occasions. If one has a medical issue or is suffering from any disease, then they should avoid all sweets entirely. Best is for all sadhakas to refrain from consuming sweets completely.
The main problem is that when you eat sweets, then that excess sugar goes directly into the blood. The body treats it as poison. The pancreas plays an important role in keeping the situation under control by secreting an important hormone known as insulin. Having excess sugar in the blood is very dangerous. The kidneys and liver will be seriously damaged. If one continues to eat sweets then slowly over time, the kidneys may fail. At that point, one is forced to go on dialysis, otherwise the patient will die.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabetickidneyproblems.html
http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/diabetes/faq3.cfm
Unfortunately, many of our wts are terminally ill and suffer from diabetes - primarily because they ate a lot of sweets. We are losing many dadas. Some of you may know that Dada Keshavanandji suffers in this way. Margiis would bring sweets to Baba and Baba would only very little. Then PA Dada Keshavananda would take and eat the majority of sweet(s). That has given him terrible health concerns. Tragically, we lost two dadas in their younger years due to this disease: Ac Liilamaya Brc, and Ac Gurukrpananda Avt.
Around the globe, people eat a lot of sweets and suffer. But in place like Gujurat they eat even more. They add sweets to all their dishes and those harmful diseases - like diabetes and skin diseases - are pervasive across the population.
The conclusion is that one should be very careful when taking sweets, and seriously consider abstaining from all sugar products.
Namaskar,
at His feet
Shivadayal
The below letter contains more of Baba's teachings about reducing or eliminating one's sugar / sweets intake. Plus, it lists 141 health problems - researched by medical experts - related with eating sweets. Here are the first ten entries of that list. Thereafter there is a link to the blog post containing the entire list.
1. Sugar can suppress your immune system.
2. Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in the body.
3. Sugar can cause juvenile delinquency in children.
4. Sugar eaten during pregnancy and lactation can influence muscle force production in offspring, which can affect an individual’s ability to exercise.
5. Sugar in soda, when consumed by children, results in the children drinking less milk.
6. Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses and return them to fasting levels slower in oral contraceptive users.
7. Sugar can increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cells and tissues.
8. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, inability to concentrate and crankiness in children.
9. Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
10. Sugar reduces the body’s ability to defend against bacterial infection.
From: "Shivadayal Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Baba Story: Eating Sweets Is Not Good For Health
Baba
== BABA STORY: EATING SWEETS IS NOT GOOD FOR HEALTH ==
Namaskar,
After holding DMC in Kullu (HP) in November 1979, Baba returned back to Delhi where He was staying. Many dadas were also in Delhi as Baba was doing reporting and related works.
Upon His return, some margiis offered sweets to Baba. Baba Himself was not eating sweets those days, so He graciously blessed those sweets and told that they should be distributed among all His children as prasad.
SES DADA WAS VERY BUSY
SES dada Krpadhiishananda was extremely busy that morning and late in completing his routine. He was not ready yet to eat. So when the cook brought out the tray of sweets / prasad, dadaji was eying them with greed. Dadaji thought that all the sweets would all be gone by the time he completed his personal duties. So SES dada took a large bagful of prasad - 50% of the total - and stashed it away for himself. Because SES dada was the in-charge, the cook did not say anything. But Dadaji took so much that many of the margiis who had gathered there did not get to have any sweets at all.
Later on when he finished his duties etc, Krpadhiishananda ate some of the prasad which he had put away, and then he kept the remainder in a secret place for later.
MIDDAY REPORTING WITH BABA
Baba knows everything so He was aware of the whole situation. Certainly, He knew that SES took so much sweets / prasad that many margiis did not get any prasad at all. Dadaji took so much that he would eat it in stages over the course of several days or even longer. Because of all this, Baba addressed the issue to the fore.
At midday reporting, Baba inquire to SES dada, "Where are those sweets? Have you had some prasad?"
Dada replied, "Yes Baba, I have eaten some."
"Is there more?", Baba inquired.
Dada answered, "Yes."
Then Baba started talking about the health problems that arise from eating sweets and sugar products. In total, Baba spoke for approximately 10 minutes about this.
BABA SAYS: SWEETS ARE HARMFUL
Baba's main point was that sweets are especially bad for those above the age of 25. No matter how careful one is, Baba explained, sweets are bad for one's entire system as they invite diseases like the early onset of aging, diabetes, digestive disorders, brain diseases, and so many other serious health problems like boils, acidity etc. In addition, sweets make the blood impure and increase mental lethargy and dullness. Indeed, Baba was very adamant about the ill-effects of eating sweets.
BABA MAKES INQUIRY WITH DADAS:
ALL HAD THEIR PRIVATE STOCK OF SWEETS
ALL HAD THEIR PRIVATE STOCK OF SWEETS
Then Baba asked all the dadas, "Who is eating sweets on a regular basis?"
It was then found that they were all keeping various amounts of gur (refined molasses) in their personal bags. Some dadas were keeping 1kg, others had 1.5kg, and still others had 2kg. The common thread was that they were eating gur regularly. Some even proclaimed that gur was "an instant energy booster" so they would eat that first upon breaking fast.
Baba told everyone present that the various array of sweets like sugar, molasses (gur), and any other type of sweetener is not good for the human body, especially if one is over 25 years of age.
Baba warned them, "You are dedicated wholetimer workers. You must keep your body fit and your mind sharp to serve the society. If you are eating harmful foods like sweets then how are you going to fulfill your duties properly."
Hearing this, all those dadas gave their stock of gur to local needy children and vowed to keep away from all kinds of sweets.
Baba says, "One must reduce the use of raw and refined sugar." (Yogic Treatments)
WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS
By this story we can take home two key points:
1. Sweets are harmful for general health, especially for those above the age of 25. Sugar consumption invites many diseases including arthritis, obesity, the acceleration of old age, and other harmful sicknesses.
2. In collective life and at social functions, one should care for the well-being of others and not be selfish. When sweets are distributed then, one should ensure that everyone receives an ample portion. One should not just grab the whole tray for themselves.
SWEETS ON SELECT OCCASION SUCH AS DURING
FESTIVALS
As we know, on particular festival days, sweets are available and distributed at our Ananda Marga gatherings. Those sweets are primarily for children - for them to eat in moderate amounts under adult supervision. For those above the age of 25, sweets are quite harmful. If one does not eat sweets regularly then to have a small amount on a festival date is ok. If you are healthy then the body can tolerate a small amount of sweets on those special occasions. If one has a medical issue or is suffering from any disease, then they should avoid all sweets entirely. Best is for all sadhakas to refrain from consuming sweets completely.
The main problem is that when you eat sweets, then that excess sugar goes directly into the blood. The body treats it as poison. The pancreas plays an important role in keeping the situation under control by secreting an important hormone known as insulin. Having excess sugar in the blood is very dangerous. The kidneys and liver will be seriously damaged. If one continues to eat sweets then slowly over time, the kidneys may fail. At that point, one is forced to go on dialysis, otherwise the patient will die.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabetickidneyproblems.html
http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/diabetes/faq3.cfm
Unfortunately, many of our wts are terminally ill and suffer from diabetes - primarily because they ate a lot of sweets. We are losing many dadas. Some of you may know that Dada Keshavanandji suffers in this way. Margiis would bring sweets to Baba and Baba would only very little. Then PA Dada Keshavananda would take and eat the majority of sweet(s). That has given him terrible health concerns. Tragically, we lost two dadas in their younger years due to this disease: Ac Liilamaya Brc, and Ac Gurukrpananda Avt.
Around the globe, people eat a lot of sweets and suffer. But in place like Gujurat they eat even more. They add sweets to all their dishes and those harmful diseases - like diabetes and skin diseases - are pervasive across the population.
The conclusion is that one should be very careful when taking sweets, and seriously consider abstaining from all sugar products.
Namaskar,
at His feet
Shivadayal
Note 1: FURTHER READING ON THIS TOPIC
The below letter contains more of Baba's teachings about reducing or eliminating one's sugar / sweets intake. Plus, it lists 141 health problems - researched by medical experts - related with eating sweets. Here are the first ten entries of that list. Thereafter there is a link to the blog post containing the entire list.
1. Sugar can suppress your immune system.
2. Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in the body.
3. Sugar can cause juvenile delinquency in children.
4. Sugar eaten during pregnancy and lactation can influence muscle force production in offspring, which can affect an individual’s ability to exercise.
5. Sugar in soda, when consumed by children, results in the children drinking less milk.
6. Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses and return them to fasting levels slower in oral contraceptive users.
7. Sugar can increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cells and tissues.
8. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, inability to concentrate and crankiness in children.
9. Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
10. Sugar reduces the body’s ability to defend against bacterial infection.
PRABHAT SAMGIITA
"Esechile Prabhu ghare...varas'a'y..." (P.S. 298)
Purport:
O' Lord since ages this dry and barren earth has been waiting for Your Divine arrival. And now in the form of the roaring of the clouds and the pouring rain You have come. The heat-stricken earth has received You today with new hope.
Baba, the wings of my mind go on dancing in hundreds of tunes and melodies. The dumb have gotten the language to express themselves; and now they are running towards divinity.
Baba, by getting You today, my heart is overflowing - all the directions are swaying in Your divine effulgence. The ten directions are swaying with the effulgence of Parama Purusa.
Baba, today for me there is nothing more to do. Becoming ensconced in You, I go on seeing Your form. Baba the hunger of these three worlds, the nectar of the three worlds, all these have mingled into one.
Baba it is Your grace, today You have come and showered devotion...
Purport:
O' Lord since ages this dry and barren earth has been waiting for Your Divine arrival. And now in the form of the roaring of the clouds and the pouring rain You have come. The heat-stricken earth has received You today with new hope.
Baba, the wings of my mind go on dancing in hundreds of tunes and melodies. The dumb have gotten the language to express themselves; and now they are running towards divinity.
Baba, by getting You today, my heart is overflowing - all the directions are swaying in Your divine effulgence. The ten directions are swaying with the effulgence of Parama Purusa.
Baba, today for me there is nothing more to do. Becoming ensconced in You, I go on seeing Your form. Baba the hunger of these three worlds, the nectar of the three worlds, all these have mingled into one.
Baba it is Your grace, today You have come and showered devotion...
