Source: Question & Answers from The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi Edited by David Godman.

[Ravishankar.G]

Dear All,

Mrs. Piggot.: What diet is suitable for a person engaged in spiritual practice?
Sri Ramana Maharshi: Sattvic food in moderate quantities.

Mrs. Piggot.: What food is sattvic?
Sri Ramana Maharshi: Bread, fruit, vegetables, milk and such things.

Mrs. Piggot.: Some people in the North eat fish. Is that permissible?

To this question Bhagavan did not reply. He was always reluctant to criticise others and this question was inviting him either to do so or to change what he had said.

Sri Ramana Maharshi: What do you mean by ‘strength of mind’?
Mrs. P.: The power to eliminate worldly attachment.

Sri Ramana Maharshi: The quality of one’s food influences the mind. The mind feeds on the food consumed.

Mrs. P.: Really! But how can Europeans accommodate themselves to sattvic food?

Sri Ramana Maharshi: (turning to Mr. Evans-Wentz) You have been taking our food. Does it inconvenience you at all?

E.W.: No, because I am accustomed to it.

Sri Ramana Maharshi: Custom is only an adjustment to environment. It is the mind that matters. The fact is that the mind has been trained to find certain foods good and palatable. The necessary food value is obtainable in vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food; only the mind desires the sort of food that it is used to and which it considers palatable.

Devotee: Can fasting help towards Realisation?
Sri Ramana Maharshi: Yes, but it is only a temporary help. It is mental fasting that is the real aid. Fasting is not an end in itself. There must be spiritual development at the same time. Absolute fasting weakens the mind too and leaves you without sufficient strength for the spiritual quest. Therefore eat in moderation and continue the quest.

Devotee: They say that ten days after breaking a month’s fast the mind becomes pure and steady and remains so forever.
Sri Ramana Maharshi: Yes, but only if the spiritual quest has been kept up right through the fast.

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Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
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