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The very essence of all forms of Yoga-Dharma is
meditation. With any activity that is done in Yoga, whether doing any of
the asanas, pranayama, study of scriptures, etc., these activities are only
considered to be Yoga in the true sense of the word when we are in a
simultaneous meditative state while performing them. Thus, if you are
performing an asana (Yoga pose) to technical perfection, but without awareness, you are not
doing Yoga in any real sense. If on the other hand, your attempt to do an
asana is far from perfect, but you are in complete concentration, struggling
with sincerity and devotion to God as you are struggling to perform the asana, then, and only then, are you
truly doing
Yoga. For Yoga is meditation. Yoga is about what the mind and
consciousness does...not just what the body
does.
The ancient Classical Yoga tradition had
God-realization as its highest goal. Authentic Yoga is also sometimes known as the Prapatti
Marga, or the
path of complete self-surrender to the grace of God. One of the unique features of
this form of authentic Yoga
spirituality is the concept of Prasada-Meditation. The Sanskrit word "prasada" is literally translated
as "mercy," or "grace." Specifically, prasada refers to the
divine grace of
God. Everything we do, are and think should be done in a consciousness of
dedication to the
Absolute, with love and devotion (bhakti). Such a state of active
devotional meditation will
ensure that we make continued progress on the spiritual path and in our own
individual Yoga practice. For the Yogi (practitioner of Yoga), this
meditative practice of devotional
surrender is all encompassing, and is extended even to the preparing and eating of food.
With Prasada-Meditation, we make the preparing of food, the offering of food
to God with devotion, and the eating of the food offered, into a powerful
devotional meditation. If, as a meditative discipline, we can offer
our food to God with devotion before eating it, not only are we not
implicated in the karma involved in acquiring the food, but we can actually make
spiritual progress by eating the offered food. Our devotion, and God’s
grace, subtly transforms the food offered from material nutrition to spiritual mercy (prasada).
Guidelines
Before we can offer any food to God, however, we must first follow some
important guidelines while preparing the food. First, God only accepts
purely vegetarian offerings - offerings that are acquired without pain and
suffering on the part of any creature. So, we have to strictly avoid cooking any meat
(including chicken; a bird is not a vegetable!), fish and eggs. Second, we can’t
offer any onions, garlic or mushrooms. This may seem like an odd proscription;
but the Vedic scriptures, as well as the ancient natural medicinal system of Ayurveda, explain that these
foods excite the more passionate elements of the human psycho-physical
constitution. Third (and this can sometimes be tough), we must not taste the
food before it is offered to God. The preparing of prasada is done as an active
devotional meditation. So the goal is to prepare delicious foods, not with our own
satisfaction in mind, but thinking only of the satisfaction of God. Therefore,
He should be the first to "taste" the fruits of our labors. Keeping this meditative goal in mind, it is important to have an atmosphere in our
kitchen that is conducive to creating a meditative and devotional state. We should be in a
calm, peaceful and contemplative frame of mind while preparing food for God,
thinking to ourselves as we prepare the food that we are acting for God's
satisfaction, and not just our own.
Finally, as in any spiritual endeavor, it is important to maintain a
high standard of cleanliness while preparing, cooking, and offering the food. The
kitchen, utensils and foods used should be clean. We ourselves also should be clean
and bathed before beginning Prasada-Meditation, or any other meditation
for that matter.
If
we can follow all of the above guidelines and, most importantly, maintain a
meditative consciousness of love and devotion for God as we are performing these
activities, then God will gladly
accept our offering.
How To Offer Food to God
It is helpful if you have an altar already set up somewhere in your home,
apartment or
dorm. On this altar should be either a sacred image or a picture of God in any of His sacred forms. For example, an image of any of His
incarnations - Rama, Krishna, Narasingha - or any other form, such as Srinathaji
or Venkateshvara,
is fine. In addition, you can include images of your guru, saints, or other
devas or devis on your altar - Durga, Ganesha, Sarasvati, etc. Images of God,
however, should be the central focal-point of any altar used for
meditation. If you don’t have
an altar, then placing a simple image of God somewhere special will
do. When the food is ready, take a sampling of each preparation, along with a
glass or cup of water, and place them all on a special plate that is used only
for offering food to God. This plate must never be used for any other
purpose than offering food in Prasada-Meditation. Place the plate of food before the sacred image.
Offer a little incense to God. Then, in a meditative and
devotional state of mind, sit with eyes closed in meditation and recite several sacred mantras. One such mantra which
is highly effective is:
Om Namo Narayanaya
After chanting this mantra for some time,
then remain in silent prayer for 5 - 10 minutes and request the Lord to accept
your offering. After you have offered the food in this way, the food that you
have cooked is now sanctified and considered to be prasada, food transformed
into the grace of God. By partaking in such food, we show our devotion to God,
and thus make spiritual advancement. The food on the the plate should be re-merged
into the food in the pots. Having thanked the Lord for accepting your offering,
the prasada can now be eaten. The food should also be eaten with
meditative awareness, peacefully and respectfully. While eating the prasada, please always be
conscious and aware that you are partaking in the special grace of God. Eat with reverence, and enjoy!
About the Author
 Dr. Frank Morales,
Ph.D. (Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya) earned both a doctorate and a Masters degree in Languages
and Cultures of Asia from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Previously, Dr. Morales earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Theology
from Loyola University Chicago. His fields of expertise
include Philosophy of Religion, Hindu Studies, Sanskrit, History
of Religion, Comparative Theology, Contemporary South Asian
Politics, and the interface between Hinduism and modernity.
Dr. Morales is currently recognized as one of the nation’s
leading authorities on Hindu philosophy and religion, as well as
South Asian studies. In addition to directing his own
institute (The Center for the Study of Religion and Civilization),
Dr. Morales works in conjunction with several educational
institutes and think tanks globally. Dr. Morales maintains a
very demanding schedule consisting of lecturing, consulting and
writing. Dr. Morales has been a guest lecturer at over two
dozen major universities throughout the USA, including Cornell,
Northwestern, Illinois Institute of Technology, and University of
Virginia. In addition, Dr. Morales has served as a South
Asian affairs consultant for such corporations as Ford Motor
Company, Lucent Technologies, Goodwin Procter Law Firm, and the
Global Health Corporation. His first book, “Experiencing
Truth: The Vedic Way of Knowing God”, is scheduled for
publication in 2006. In addition to his academic duties, Dr.
Morales has been a practicing orthodox Hindu for 30 years, and is
an ordained Hindu priest. The practice of Yoga and
meditation are of central importance in his life. His
website is www.dharmacentral.com.
"Dr.
Frank Morales represents the Sankalpa [the will] of the Hindu
people and the cause of Sanatana Dharma. I urge all Hindus
everywhere to give him your full support, assistance, and
encouragement in his crucial work. He needs and deserves our help."
- Dr. David Frawley (Oct. 14, 2007)
Annapurna - the goddess of food
If you would like further information about Prasada Meditation, please contact Dharma
Central at (608) 280-8375 or e-mail at info@dharmacentral.com
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