Problem with Modern Satva
Much of the original wisdom surrounding satva - a concept deeply rooted in ancient Indian and Eastern philosophy - has been obscured by time, modern agriculture, and global dietary trends.
Historically, regions like India and China never knew foods such as potatoes, tomatoes, chili peppers, or avocados (all extreme yin). Nor were there pharmaceuticals, tobacco, refined flours, white rice, hydrogenated seed oils, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colorings, chemical additives, or pesticide-laden produce. Dairy, too, was untouched by the antibiotics and hormones used today.
In this complex and artificial food landscape, the true essence of satvic food has become difficult to identify. Ancient texts have often been reinterpreted or diluted, and modern practitioners of Ayurveda, Unani, or even the TAO system frequently lack clarity on what constitutes true satva. An exception exists, however - macrobiotics - which offers a clearer, though not perfect, path.
Modern-Day Limitations in Defining Satva
TAO
TAO dietary philosophy traditionally avoids killing sentient life, so animals and fish are excluded. The Allium family (garlic, onions, leeks, and chives) is also discouraged, as these stimulate the mind and deepen attachment to the material world. However, many modern TAO cultivators still accept white rice, dairy, and chemically altered foods - elements inconsistent with a truly satvic approach.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda aims for metabolic balance but tends to be permissive with extreme foods like sugar, white rice, and ghee - even in chemically processed forms. Most Ayurvedic texts on satvic food provide inconsistent and overlapping food lists, often blending satvic items with modern dietary extremes. No uniform or accurate definition prevails.
Unani
Contemporary Unani places emphasis on foods' stimulating properties - both mental and physical - often advocating meat and other animal-based products. The core philosophy relies on balancing hot/cold and dry/wet qualities, but there’s limited concern for chemicalized or inorganic foods. The spiritual or energetic purity of food is rarely considered.
Macrobiotics
Macrobiotics modernizes ancient TAO teachings and stands as the most advanced among current dietary systems in approaching satva. It emphasizes organic, seasonal, and balanced foods and is free from many extremes. However, macrobiotic diets still incorporate mushrooms (a dead fungus) and baked breads containing yeast or sourdough - both considered incompatible with satvic principles due to the presence of dead microorganisms. The inclusion of the Allium family is another deviation. Still, macrobiotics remains the cleanest and most energetically aligned system in today’s context.
How Satvic Food is Formulated
True satvic food must meet three core criteria, drawing from the best of the above traditions:
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Balanced Energy: From macrobiotics, the food must possess a yin/yang balance - neither too expansive nor too contractive.
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Energetic Neutrality: From Unani, the food must avoid extremes in hot/cold and dry/wet qualities.
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Mental Clarity: From Ayurveda, food must nourish without overstimulating the mind or senses.
Only when food fulfills all three conditions can it be called satvic. And when food is truly satvic, it becomes the platform for liberation, supporting not just health but awakening - the realization of the Buddha Mind.
What Exactly Are Satvic Foods?
Importantly, only organically grown and minimally processed foods qualify as truly satvic. Here is a comprehensive and curated list, drawn from the philosophy in Sacred Holistic Health:
Whole Grains
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Brown rice, barley, wheat, oats, teff, quinoa, kamut, spelt, amaranth, millet, rye
Legumes (Pulses)
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Aduki beans, black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, dupuy lentils
Vegetables
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Sweet potato, broccoli, Hokkaido pumpkin, cauliflower, daikon, Chinese cabbage, endive, watercress, pointed cabbage, carrots, sauerkraut
Sea Vegetables
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Kombu, wakame, hiziki, arame, dulse, Irish moss
Plant-Based Proteins
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Tofu, tempeh, seitan, fu, natto, miso, tahini
Nuts
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Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pistachios
Seasonings
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Shoyu, tamari, Himalayan pink salt, mirin, umesu, umeboshi
Beverages
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Japanese kukicha (three-year twig tea), and mu tea
Fruits
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Cooked fruits (more energetically stable than raw)
Dried Fruits
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Sultanas, dates, prunes, cranberries
Oils
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Cold-pressed sesame, sunflower, olive oil
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Linseed (flax) oil - only when added raw (not heated) to foods like porridge
Supplements
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Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, adenosylcobalamin)
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Vitamin D3 (plant-based preferred)
A Simple but Powerful Tip
The less you eat, the greater the balance.
And the more regular your meals, the more satva is evident in your system.
Final Thoughts
In a world flooded with food confusion, the revival of true satvic eating is both a return and a revolution. It's a path not just toward physical wellness, but also inner stillness. The Buddha Mind, the timeless presence beyond thought, becomes more than a concept when the body is harmonized through sacred food.
Your plate becomes your practice.
Your digestion becomes your dhyana. (transformation takes place in the gut)
Your food becomes your freedom.
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