What to Eat on the spiritual path: Don't Listen to Anyone!
There's a lot of noise out there about what constitutes a "spiritual diet." From ancient wisdom traditions to modern wellness gurus, everyone seems to have an opinion, often conflicting. But what if the truest guidance for your spiritual nourishment comes from within, rather than from external voices? What if the very act of seeking an outside authority on this matter distracts us from the deeper truth?
This isn't to say that mindful eating isn't important. Indeed, our physical vessel is a temple, and what we consume can certainly impact our energy, clarity, and overall well-being. However, the spiritual diet we're exploring today transcends mere macronutrients and calorie counts. It's about discerning the whispers of your own inner wisdom, rather than getting caught in the cacophony of others' beliefs.
Ancient Roots: Dietary Laws and Their Evolving Purpose
For millennia, various spiritual traditions have incorporated specific dietary guidelines, often rooted in foundational texts. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the Jewish Law (Torah) lays out detailed instructions regarding what to eat and what to avoid, reflecting an evolving understanding of humanity's relationship with creation and the Divine.
Early in creation, the divine instruction for sustenance was clear and singular:
"And God said, 'See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.'" (Genesis 1:29, NRSVUE)
This initial decree established a plant-based diet for humanity, a picture of original harmony and a direct provision from the Creator. Later, after the Great Flood, a significant shift in dietary allowance occurred, reflecting a new covenant and a different relationship between humanity and the animal kingdom:
"Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything." (Genesis 9:3, ESV)
This expansion of permissible foods introduced a new dynamic, indicating a world changed and a broadened scope for human sustenance. Following this, the Mosaic Law, exemplified by the dietary restrictions found in Leviticus regarding clean and unclean animals, provided further detailed frameworks for a people's relationship with the Divine and with each other:
"You shall not eat any abomination. These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep." (Deuteronomy 14:3-5, ESV)
These historical dietary approaches, given by divine decree, provided a comprehensive framework. They fostered a sense of community, identity, and often, health, in an ancient world without modern sanitation or medical knowledge. They encouraged intentionality around food, distinguishing between the sacred and the profane, and elevating the act of eating beyond mere sustenance.
However, as spiritual understanding evolved, so too did the interpretation of these laws. The New Testament, for instance, often emphasizes the spirit of the law over the letter, pointing to a shift from external observance to internal transformation. This evolution hints at a deeper truth: while external guidelines can be a valuable starting point, true spiritual nourishment ultimately emanates from within. The progression from Genesis to the later laws shows a divine conversation with humanity, adapting as understanding deepens.
"All Things Are Lawful... But Not All Things Are Helpful"
The New Testament, too, offers profound insights into personal discernment and the nature of true freedom, particularly in matters of food and drink. While it doesn't lay out a specific "spiritual diet" in modern terms, it emphasizes the importance of conscience and the spirit over rigid rules, offering a vital bridge from the letter of the law to its deeper purpose.
"‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up." (1 Corinthians 10:23, ESV)
This verse is a powerful reminder that while we may have the freedom to eat anything, the true measure of our choices lies in their helpfulness and their ability to build us up, both physically and spiritually. It encourages us to move beyond mere legality or adherence to rules and instead consider the impact of our choices on our overall well-being and our spiritual growth. This principle applies not just to food, but to all aspects of our lives, calling us to a higher standard of conscious living.
"For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, NRSVUE)
Here, Paul clearly states that the essence of the Kingdom of God—our spiritual walk—is not about what we eat or drink. It's about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This liberates us from the tyranny of external dietary dictates and brings us back to the heart of the matter: our inner state and our connection to the Divine. While initial dietary laws might have guided outward behavior, the ultimate aim is an inward transformation that manifests as peace and joy, regardless of the menu. This shift from external observance to internal experience is crucial for a truly profound spiritual diet.
The Inner Teacher: Your Only True Guide
Building upon this rich historical context, A Course in Miracles consistently emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit as our internal guide, urging us to look within for answers rather than to the external world. It reminds us that truth resides not in rigid dietary dogma, but in our direct connection to our own inner wisdom.
"The Holy Spirit is the Answer to every problem that you think you've found. He is the Way to truth, the Teacher of God's Word, and the Defender of His Sons." (A Course in Miracles, Text, Chapter 14, Section I, Paragraph 1)
This profound teaching applies directly to our exploration of a spiritual diet. While the historical dietary laws provided a foundational understanding of discipline and intention, we are now encouraged to attune to our own internal guidance. What truly nourishes you? What makes your body feel vibrant and alive? What choices align with peace and well-being, rather than guilt or obligation? The Holy Spirit guides us not to a universal menu, but to our unique path of well-being, acknowledging that individual needs and circumstances are paramount.
The "I AM" Presence and Personal Revelation
The teachings of the St. Germain I AM Series powerfully echo this theme of individual authority and the inherent wisdom within each of us. The "I AM" Presence is our individualized connection to the Divine, a source of unwavering truth that is unique to each soul.
"I AM the Presence of God in action! I AM the ruling intelligence within this form, and the controlling power of all things in my world." (St. Germain, Unveiled Mysteries, Chapter 1)
When it comes to your spiritual diet, this translates to recognizing that You, the ‘I AM’ God Presence are the "ruling intelligence" in your own body and life. While we can appreciate the historical and cultural significance of ancient dietary laws, no one outside of you possesses the complete blueprint for your optimal well-being. This doesn't mean ignoring sound nutritional principles, but it does mean filtering all external information through the lens of your own "I AM" Presence. Does it resonate with your inner knowing? Does it bring you closer to a feeling of wholeness and vitality? The "I AM" Presence empowers you to move beyond inherited or externally imposed rules to a place of conscious, self-directed choice, deeply personal and truly sovereign.
In Volume 3 of the "I AM" Discourses, St. Germain sheds crucial light on the origin of disturbances within the body, linking them directly to our inner state and the ungoverned use of our thoughts and feelings. He states:
"The uncontrolled, ungoverned use of thought and feeling has brought about all kinds of discord, sickness and distress."
This powerful insight reveals that what truly impacts our physical well-being goes far beyond mere food choices. It points to the intimate connection between our mental and emotional states and the health of our body. A "spiritual diet" in this context extends to the purity of our thoughts, the harmony of our emotions, and the conscious direction of our energy. When we use the "I AM" Presence to qualify our being with perfection, we actively participate in creating a state of physical well-being. This includes listening and learning about It’s dietary guidance for your perfect health.
Trust Your Inner Guidance: A Practical Approach
So, what does this all mean for your spiritual diet? It means turning inward, with sincerity and an open heart, using ancient wisdom as a foundational backdrop but not a restrictive blueprint for your unique path.
Acknowledge the Legacy: Understand that ancient dietary laws, whether from the Torah, the early Genesis commands, or other traditions, served a vital purpose in their time. They teach us about discipline, intentionality, and respect for our bodies as sacred vessels, guiding us toward mindful choices.
Listen to Your Body: Pay profound attention to how different foods make you feel. Do they energize you or weigh you down? Do they create clarity or fogginess? Your body is an incredible feedback system, constantly communicating its needs and subtle reactions.
Observe Your Intentions: Why are you choosing to eat what you eat? Is it out of genuine love and self-care, or out of fear, obligation, or a desire to conform to someone else's idea of "spiritual" perfection? Authenticity is key.
Release the Dogma: While external guidelines can be a useful starting point, let go of the need for an external authority to tell you what's ultimately right for you. Every person is wonderfully unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The spirit of the law, which is love and well-being, transcends the rigid letter.
Embrace Experimentation: Don't be afraid to gently try different approaches and observe what genuinely nourishes your body and spirit. This is a personal journey of discovery and refinement, not a fixed destination with a prescribed meal plan.
Focus on Peace and Joy: Ultimately, a truly spiritual diet contributes to your inner peace and joy. If a particular way of eating causes stress, anxiety, guilt, or judgment, it's likely not serving your highest good, regardless of its supposed "spiritual" benefits. True spiritual alignment brings an expansive sense of ease and lightness.
In the end, the most profound spiritual diet is one of self-trust, discerning wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to listening to the gentle, yet powerfully authoritative, guidance of your own inner wisdom. So, don't listen to anyone—except the divine wisdom within you. It knows exactly what you need for your highest good.
