Jain Spirit 2003 10 No 16

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 26

Q&A
So in one sense people are talking about vegetarianism as a method of healthy living, but you are going one step beyond vegetarianism, and also talking about naturalism.
Even if you are a vegetarian, what you eat is food, and as we desire food we sin. When we do this we definitely exploit. When we exploit other people that is a normal trend, but when food is eliminated from you then all desire is eliminated; you are lighter, carry less luggage, have more comfort and your travel is a pleasure. If people are educated in the right way, then more and more desires are lifted from them. If you want to enjoy real life with mental peace you have to slowly eliminate your desires and with the principle of atap and atapana of Lord Mahavir, anyone can easily do it.
What is the role of water?
After the sun, water is the next element of tremendous energy. It is the water that we are actually eating. The body is made up of 75-80% of water. If we analyse our day-to-day intake of whatever we eat, everything carries more than 50% water. Actually, it is the water that we are eating. Water definitely is a noq al-Hiraratan Manek must for the body and it is the main source of energy, intal
Do you feel related to the plants that seem to be fasting all the time, because they depend purely on water and solar energy? Do you feel a kinship with plants and trees?
Turry
Definitely, the only difference between human beings and plants being that we are not walking barefoot as Lord Mahavir did. If we walk barefoot that means we are touching the earth through the heels of out feet. This is akin to the plant root; it is the only thing we are lacking. If we walk barefoot, similarly to what the plants manufacture in energy from the roots is food for us; we are drawing energy from the earth into our body. This is the only difference between man and plants. The moment you start walking barefoot on earth you are in affinity with plants.
How do you feel today?
Jam ni 31
I feel totally neutral - complete equanimity. In my life there is nothing like happiness or sorrow. Everything is a neutral thing for me. I don't consider myself as a doer in the events that are taking place around my life. I am only a witness to the events that are taking place. I am least affected by joy or sorrow in my life. That never touches or affects me now.
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Jain Spirit September November 2003
Do you ever feel tired?
No, I never feel tired. I have no fatigue because of the sun energy. Fatigue has totally disappeared from me. Sometimes, I give three or four lectures a day and never get tired. The word 'fatigue' is not in my dictionary.
What about sleep?
I sleep very little. People sleep due to fatigue. The moment fatigue goes, sleep goes too. Lord Mahavir has given three important principles hunger has to disappear, sleep has to disappear, and we should only pass on good messages to humanity. These three things you must achieve and then the path to moksha is very easy. So it is not only the food that should be eliminated but even sleep has to disappear.
Why are you not a monk?
I am not a monk in the traditional way of putting on some robes. As Lord Mahavir said, it is not the dress that matters it is the way you live. It is only the inner spirit, the principles of austerity, the desire-less person, that is what is remarkable. It does not mean that you have to go in the traditional way. I do not want to be identified because of my dress, but only because of my deeds.
So you never married?
I am married; I am like anyone else. I have a son, a daughter and grandsons.
What diet would you
recommend?
As far as possible, people should remain only on raw food, no cooking is necessary. Boiled or baked vegetables and grains should be avoided. This is the best way because by heating at high temperatures the sun energy is completely lost and no nutrition is left in the food. If you want to take in fully the benefits of nutrition in the different varieties of food then cooking is to be totally avoided.
our los W Hiraratan Manek lives in Florida and India. He can be contacted at hiraratanmanek@yahoo.com
Photo: Atul K.Shah