SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM

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VOL V No.1                                                                          Winter 2006

 

Our Mission

evolution  n.. a gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form

revolution n.  a sudden or momentous change in a situation

As we look around us it is painfully clear that the Earth and its inhabitants are out of balance.  While we have all the knowledge and resources we need to be a healthy, peaceful and progressive society, we are plagued with debilitating diseases of the mind, the body and the spirit.  The air is polluted, the soil is sick, many species are disappearing from the Earth, our youth are troubled and dispirited, and nations war against each other.  If we are going to stop the chaos and bring any kind of balance back to our lives and our planet, it will require a (r)evolution.  There are many people all over the world who are already engaged in this (r)evolution.  The mission of this newsletter is to share with you some ideas that may help to further advance it. 

 

Contents

Aparigraha: A New Economic Paradigm for a Culture of Peace by Vyasa....page 1

Food and Behavior (cont.) by Mirabai…………………………….………….....page 2

Community Supported Agriculture Thrives Year Round  by Lakshmi…..…...page 3

Headlines from Shanti Yoga   by Durga………………………………...……...page 3

 

 

APARIGRAHA: A NEW ECONOMIC PARADIGM FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE  by Vyasa

 

A recent invitation to a conference in India, prompted us to prepare a paper based on the work we had done so far.

The theme of the conference was: "Economics of Non-violence and the vision of a sustainable world", with the following sub-themes:
1. Economics of Non-violence and Sustainability,  

2. Globalization vs. Galloping Poverty 3.Spiritual Foundation for Developing a New Model of Economic System  

4. Indian Ancient Model of Economic System-Is it relevant today? 

5. A Healthy and Educated Society as the key to Economic Prosperity,  

6. Convergence of Values- Spiritual, Political & Economic

The conference, organized by the ANUVRAT GLOBAL ORGANIZATION  (ANUVIBHA), took place in New Delhi between December 5^th and 7^th 2005.

 

Eszter Szabo, one of the members of the group working on the project traveled to India and did a very successful presentation on the second day of the conference,

 

Given that the project is not fully developed, the focus of the paper was on the philosophical approach to the problem of economics. Therefore, the conclusion of the paper offers a redefinition of economics.

 

As you have read in our previous newsletters, the conclusion at which the working team arrived was that, given the foundation on which the economic system is based is essentially destructive in nature and leading to violence, our proposal has to be an economic system that promotes PEACE through nonviolence, that is the essence of Global Coalition for Peace.

 

The new definition of economics reads as follows.

Economy is a normative Social Science for managing this planet's abundant natural, human, and manufactured resources in such a way as to guarantee that the basic ‘needs’ of all beings on the planet (i.e., food, shelter, clothing, means for subsistence, -including, for animals and plants, a sound habitat--) are met, thus ensuring not only their physical, but also mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being.

Thus the means for each being's evolution must be provided, recognizing that while diversity implies that the basic needs and preconditions for evolution must be slightly different in each individual case, there are certain ‘needs’ which may be said to be universal in providing for a dignified life. It is understood that through economics humans are responsible for managing creation as the Creator's Stewards.

 

Since the fundamental purpose of economics is to provide the means to live, the economic system should be devoid of any elements destructive of life, not only because such elements are wrong in themselves, but because they are an inherent contradiction in the system, and will eventually bring about its collapse.

 

Instead the means employed in this science must be consistent with the end, i.e. must be sustainable, ecologically sound and respectful of the inherent worth of all life, and therefore based on cooperation and dharma (the rule of action) or ethical responsibility. The two main principles on which this economic paradigm is based are Ahimsa (nonviolence) and Aparigraha (non greed).

 

FOOD AND BEHAVIOR (cont.)
by Mirabai

 

Eight-year-old Lisa was a seemingly healthy child, well behaved at home and no trouble to her teachers at school; but some days she could read and write and some days she could not.  One night her grandma took her out to a restaurant where Lisa had a cheese sandwich and a chocolate shake, a meal that was loaded with preservatives, yellow dyes, gums and sugar.  The next morning Lisa could not write her name or the numbers 1 to 20.  She reflected some of the letters and digits and found the two digit numbers to be impossible.  But the following morning she sat down and knocked it all off without a hitch.  Lisa’s parents, who had some experience with food-related mental health issues, put her on a strict diet which avoids preservatives, additives and colors.  Lisa’s dyslexia disappeared. 

 

Lisa’s sensitivity to certain chemicals in food is far from an isolated case.  The relationship between food and brain function is becoming ever more apparent as our food supply becomes more and more polluted with artificial chemicals and overly processed foods. Just as some people are highly allergic to certain foods while others can eat them without a problem, the chemicals in our food seem to have a greater affect on the brain function and behavior of some people than on others.  But those who are greatly affected apparently constitute a growing segment of the population and, while many scientists still scoff at the notion of a cause and affect relationship between diet and behavior, the increasing body of evidence derived from scientifically controlled studies is getting hard to ignore.

 

Although some of Stephen Schoenthaler’s work has been criticized for allegedly improper research methods, his findings are astounding.  Schoenthaler, a criminal justice professor at California State University started researching the relationship between food and behavior in the early 1980’s.  Schoenthaler has supervised numerous studies on nutrition and behavior in adult and juvenile correctional facilities as well as 803 public schools in low-income school systems in New York City. 

 

In the public schools a change to a healthier menu resulted in a rise in the number of students passing their final exams from 11% below the national average to 5% above the average.  The number of learning disabled children in the schools involved dropped by 41% within one year.  This is an amazing statistic.

 

Findings in the detention centers might be considered even more impressive. In one study involving 8000 teenage offenders in nine correctional facilities, the diets, which were high in sugar and other refined carbohydrates, were replaced by diets high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The menu changes were attributed to budget cuts so the residents would not know that they were involved in an experiment.  During the year that the diet changes were in place, violent incidents decreased by almost half.  Regardless of whether or not Schoenthaler used placebos or always chose his subjects at random (standard scientific procedures) it would be hard to deny the obvious relationship between nutrition and behavior as illustrated by his work.

 

People wonder why our public schools are failing miserably.  Despite the impressive findings of the above studies and others, results are often ignored and even dismissed by the scientific community as well as those who have the authority to make permanent changes in the menus at the institutions involved.  Why is this so?  We will attempt to answer this question and continue to examine this critical situation in forthcoming issues of Food for Peace and (R)evolution.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE THRIVES YEAR- ROUND     by Lakshmi

 

After a slow start and an expectation of 50-60 members, the Spiritual Food  CSA has grown to 105 members for the Winter/Spring season with drop-offs  in 3 locations around the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  Winter fare will include amongst other things greenhouse greens, fresh citrus and  apples, root crops, lacto-fermented vegetables, oats, bread, dried fruit,  yogurt and cheese from Maryland, Pennsylvania and other biodynamic and  organic farms. 

 

Even though products are limited , we believe that maintaining a year round supply of quality food and relationships with farmers is critical.  The work of the CSA is for health, for the earth, for farmers and the commun-ity.  It also contributes to a desperately needed shift in the economic system away from the mentality of scarcity and competition to one of abundance and sharing.  If we radically take care of the planet as  these farmers are doing, instead of destroying it and exhausting its resources as some others are doing, there will be more than enough for  everyone on the planet.

 

We are liberating ourselves not only from health risk for our families but from the supply and demand game that harms everybody except for a few  speculators or investors. 

 

We are contributing to create a world that is more fair not only in relationships between the people involved but also with the planet that supports our existence.

 

This is our 4th Winter and 9th year all together thanks to the spirit of  Community, mutual Support and excellent Agriculture!

 

HEADLINES FROM SHANTI YOGA  by Durga

 

The ashram welcomes two new residents: Gauri (Carmen Monico) and Laura Gubisch.  Gauri has a very strong commitment to her practice, as well as enthusiasm for community life, and a gift for Thai Yoga massage; Laura has a strong interest in energy work, and is a good model of cooperation, having both humility, confidence, and kindness. Welcome to them both!

 

After many years of effort, ashramite Ganesha (Richard Miller) earned his doctoral degree in Music Theory. Completing the thesis was a milestone in his personal growth, one he credits to the influence of our Guru, Vyasa, and the structure provided by the ashram. Sharanam Ganesha 3~

 

For the first time, Shanti Yoga is offering a yoga class just for boys. Over the years there have been several classes for children, but they were overwhelmingly attended by girls. This class has a different format and material specifically suited to boys’ needs. The second session starts in January.

 

Kinderyoga is also starting again after a few years’ hiatus. These classes are part of Shanti Yoga’s mission to promote peace in the world by raising children with spiritual disciplines.

The School of Life had the biggest celebration in its history recently, honoring the attainment of three degrees by 10 members, and welcoming new friends.

 

Hanuman (John Mutzberg), Kali (Iris Alvarez), Lakshmi (Linette Landa) and Mirabai (Rose Lord) were the first members ever to attain the degree of Artisan. Ganesha (Richard Miller), Saraswati (Jennifer Moulden) and Durga (Amy Finnegan) attained the Worker Degree. Anne Dowling attained the degree of Helper and gained her spiritual name, Parvati. Cristina and Eugenio Peral/Jimenez became Aspirants, and were welcomed with a beautiful and very special ceremony. Cira Canelas, Lora Gordon, Jasmin Knauer, Gauri (Carmen Monico) and Marta Piedad Restrepo are new to the School of Life as Neophytes for about a year. They will then have the option to become Aspirants. Several other members renewed their vows to the spiritual world and the community. May all members progress in joy and peace along their spiritual paths.