November 3, 2010 Turkey
India, (Gujarat), Nov. 3:
SriSri Ravi Shankar’s address at Annam Brahm,an event that showcased 5,600 vegetarian food items. This initiative also brought to the forefront the unifying power offood. People of all religions participated in this event with the aim toshowcase the unique cuisines from different communities.
Gurudev:
“We are part of a Smashta Jeevan - An individual humanbeing is connected to the whole universe, with all its life forms. Birds,animals and the life of people should be respected. When we care for nature,nature cares for us. It makes us complete and completeness is the basis of ahuman being. We need to take care of plants and animals. One of the most divineexpressions is to plant a tree. Then we need to take care of people. Ladieswhile cooking should take out one handful of grains everyday and once a week oronce a month should feed the poor. It is said that two to three hundred yearsback, there was not even one poor or hungry person in India. Such a completeand capable country we had.
Once again we must resurrect thiscountry to that state. We should all work towards this.
Lifewithout joy,
Heartwithout compassion,
Mindwithout imagination,
AndIntellect without intuition is incomplete.
Life is all celebration. Celebrationhappens when all come together, and a society without celebration is no good.
Gujarat isfull of celebration. The amount of dance people do out here, one will hardlyfind anywhere else in the world. The whole of Gujarat rises to dance during Navratras.
We are having Diwali. Greetingeach other and singing with each other, we light the lamps on Diwali andcelebrate. A single lamp is not enough, and we have to light the lamp in everyfield. Let the light shine on spiritual, social, financial and all other fields– This is the message for Diwali. While involving in daily activities, we doget upset with each other, we get upset and we make others also upset. But howlong can you burn in that fire? Diwali is a time to drop everything and startafresh. That is why in this region, Diwali is immediately followed by the NewYear. So, on this occasion my wish for everybody is to have the light of wisdomand spirituality in their lives, and the waves of joy keep rising in allhearts.
Todayis Annam Brahma – the topic is food.It is said in all our Upanishads thatFood is Brahma, and one should honor it. Like they say "Jaisa ann vaisamann" – The state of your mind depends on your diet. Pure vegetarianfood keeps our mind perfect, intellect sharp and body fit. That is whymany scientists today are switching to vegetarianism.
We are not even aware of the hugevariety of food which is there in India. From Tripura to Kerala and Kashmir toKanyakumari, whatever type of dishes people eat, are present here today.
We offer prayers before eating. The food that we eat absorbs the vibrations.Respecting food means respecting farmers, we should always keep in mind thatthe one who is producing food should always be happy, because that is theorigin of the thought cycle. This is our beautiful tradition, with such deepscience behind. Food makes us experience the chaitanya (the consciousness), that is why it is called Brahman.
India is famous for its contribution in seven spheres. First is the varietyof clothing available. Then is the huge variety of food. After this comes Nritya and Sangeet (Dance and Music) – India is being recognized in thesefields also. Then comes tourism - PravaasUdhyog, and the I.T Industry, and of course India is making its name in thefield of Spirituality - Knowledge industry. Like this, India has made anextraordinary mark in these seven spheres. We have to popularize it. It is veryimportant today. These things should be recognized as a world heritage.
