Food & Taste: A Discourse

2 months ago By Yogi Anoop

Food & Taste: A Philosophical and Scientific Discourse

Discipline and discretion are essential for spirituality. It is often observed that people use the statements of great souls or religious figures to validate their ideology, even when these statements have no authentic source. One such statement is: “Food should never be eaten for taste.” This idea sounds simple and spiritual, but if examined logically, spiritually, and scientifically, it proves to be an incomplete principle.

The Relationship Between Taste and Food: A Natural Truth

Eating is not merely an act of filling the stomach; it is a complete biological and mental process. While it is true that food is not consumed just for taste, it is equally true that food without taste is incomplete. To consider the tongue merely as a sensory organ is incorrect because its function is not just to perceive taste but also to prepare the body mentally and physically for food intake.

From a scientific perspective, taste is not just limited to sensory pleasure; it is an essential stage of the digestive process. When food touches the tongue, the taste buds activate and send signals to the brain, informing it that food is being consumed. These signals stimulate the salivary glands, increasing saliva secretion, which initiates the process of breaking down food.

If food is swallowed without experiencing its taste, the brain does not send digestive signals with the same efficiency, leading to inadequate enzyme secretion. This puts extra pressure on the digestive system and may cause stomach issues. This is why if a person is fed while asleep or unaware, their digestive system does not function properly. This is a clear scientific truth.

From a spiritual perspective, when the mind experiences something for a sufficient duration, it leads to a sense of fulfillment; otherwise, dissatisfaction remains. When food touches the tongue, its taste signals must linger in the brain for some time to induce relaxation in the nervous system and create a deep sense of satisfaction. Conversely, if food remains on the tongue for only a short time and its signals are experienced in the brain briefly, then the nervous system does not relax properly, and the level of satisfaction decreases.

Rejecting the Sense of Taste: A Violation of Nature’s Laws

Considering taste as mere physical pleasure and rejecting it altogether is an impractical ideology. The presence of taste buds on the tongue indicates that the connection between food and the brain is a natural and essential process. It is nature’s design. The ability of the tongue to perceive taste proves that this process is necessary for the body.

However, from a religious perspective, experiencing taste is considered detrimental to the attainment of brahmacharya (celibacy). But this applies specifically to unnatural, excessively spicy, and stimulating flavors.

Furthermore, the tongue plays a crucial role in temperature sensation. If a substance is too hot or too cold, the tongue immediately detects it and alerts us. This means the tongue does not just sense taste but also evaluates the overall properties of food. This process is important not only from a biological perspective but also philosophically, as it highlights the necessity of maintaining balance between the body and mind.

Taste and Self-Restraint: A Middle Path

The question arises: is attachment to taste wrong? Yes, if taste is pursued solely for sensory pleasure and a person becomes negligent about their health, it is inappropriate. However, if taste is used correctly—if one enjoys healthy and balanced food—there is no harm in it.

Here, an important observation is that when the experience of taste is prolonged, attachment to taste diminishes. In my view, attachment to taste means that the mind constantly craves it because it remains unsatisfied. This issue arises because the duration of experiencing taste is too short, preventing the brain from deeply perceiving its sensation.

A relevant message from the Bhagavad Gita states:

“Yuktāhāra-vihārasya yuktacestasya karmasu”

(One who maintains balance in diet and lifestyle is truly a yogi.)

A balanced diet does not just mean nutritional value but also the harmony of taste and health.

Any extreme view regarding food and taste is inappropriate. Neither should taste be completely rejected, nor should it be indulged in as a mere means of pleasure. Taste is an integral part of the digestive system, and its significance is scientifically proven.

If someone is asked to eat food without experiencing its taste, it would be against nature. However, if a person blindly chases taste and neglects health, it would be self-destructive. Therefore, the middle path is the best—be mindful of taste but do not become its slave.

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