Page 26 - All India Magazine Jul-2025

Greed (for Food)
Greed for anything concerning physical consciousness, so-
called necessities and comfort of whatever nature — this is one
of the most serious obstacles to sadhana.
Each little satisfaction you get through greed is one step
backward from the goal.
When you have a desire you are governed by the thing you
desire, it takes possession of your mind and your life, and you
become a slave. If you have greed for food you are no more the
master of food, it is the food that masters you.
A sadhak must eat to satisfy the needs of his body and not
to meet the demands of his greed.
*
If you prefer the pleasures of the palate to the union with
the Divine, it is your own look-out and I have nothing to say,
except that I do not approve, but each one must be free to
choose whether he will rise above his lower nature or sink down
in the material pit. My help is always for those who choose the
higher path.
*
It is an inner attitude of freedom from attachment and from
greed for food and desire of the palate that is needed, not un-
due diminution of the quantity taken or any self-starvation.
One must take sufficient food for the maintenance of the body
and its strength and health, but without attachment or desire.
*
It would be a hundred times more effective to never waste food
than to cut down one meal as a show and to eat more before
and after.
A strong, ardent, sincere campaign against the waste of
food is essential and full-heartedly I approve of it.
Let the inmates of the Ashram show their goodwill and col-
laboration in never eating more than they can digest and never

26 All India Magazine, July 2025