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THE YOGI DIET by James  Morgante

THE YOGI DIET

Spirituality and the Question of Vegetarianism

by James Morgante

Pub Date: March 15th, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-692-77599-8
Publisher: CreateSpace

Spirituality and diet harmonize in this celestial nutritional guide.  

Dedicated to “Lady Wisdom,” a sage deity symbolizing goodness of heart and spiritual purity, the manual introduces theories that consider the traditions of ancient India and other lands while exploring vegetarianism with a holistic mindset. The book, begun three decades ago as a master’s degree thesis in holistic psychology, also examines what health advocate Morgante (Lazarus, Come Forth!, 2006) calls the “new carbohydrate foods of the agricultural revolution.” These are grains essential to a vegetarian diet but that have received criticism for their inclusion in many regimens. The author’s mindful analysis begins with Hinduism and the dietary teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita. A follow-up section surveys other religious and spiritual teachings of the East and West and their dietary preferences and correlations to veganism. These links prove both informational and illuminating, especially for readers unfamiliar with the wide diversity of faiths Morgante profiles. Also intriguing is the material on macrobiotic philosophies and comparative food pyramids. Consistently throughout the book, the issue of meat consumption is discussed with relation to both spiritual cohesiveness and dietary healthfulness. While both sides of the issue are fully addressed, balance and “the benefits of animal foods” seem to have the edge. Elsewhere, the author thoughtfully dissects the potentials of three major dietary types and their positive and negative advantages for spirituality. An intensive chapter on carbohydrates fleshes out theories on weight loss and low-fat and calorie-restrictive diets and how a properly nourished physical body provides the most receptive vessel for full spiritual bloom and future growth. Mostly targeted toward religious and spiritual individuals, low-carb advocates, and vegans, the book disseminates the many benefits of adopting a vegetarian diet and recognizing a larger devotional meaning within this subculture. Low-carbohydrate and vegetarian proponents should indeed find the work’s emphasis on striking a balance between consuming animal foods with the vegetal useful as well. Cultivating optimum nourishment for both the mind and the body is the prime takeaway for readers of any persuasion.  

Fervent food for thought for those particularly symphonized with their spiritual sides.