CONTROL OF THE PALATE

During a recent visit to a high school in Arlington, Virginia, President Obama was asked to name the one person, living or dead, with whom he would choose to dine if given the opportunity. He quickly responded by naming Mahatma Gandhi, the renowned spiritual and political leader of India who was assassinated in 1948. Obama noted that the meal would probably be a small one, as Gandhi was known not to eat very much.

This comment by the president intrigued me, and caused me to look further into the dietary philosophy of Gandhi. A strict vegetarian, he was initially trained as a barrister in London. (The great ones are always lawyers, aren't they?) In later years, he wrote about the importance of establishing complete "control of the palate." Gandhi advocated the idea of having a common kitchen "with acceptable food of which we may take only a limited quantity with contented and thankful mind."

In Yeravda Mandir, Gandhi made the following observations about dietary self-discipline and overcoming the natural tendency toward overeating:

--"We must not be thinking of food all the twenty-four hours of the day...We must resolutely set our faces against mere indulgence."

--"Most of us, instead of keeping the organs of sense under control, become their slaves...The body is injured every time that one overeats, and the injury can be partially repaired only by fasting."

--"Food has to be taken as we take medicine, that is, without thinking whether it is palatable or otherwise, and only in quantities limited to the needs of the body."

--"Parents, out of false affection, give their children a variety of foods, ruin their constitution, and create in them artificial tastes. When they grow up, they have diseased bodies and perverted tastes. The evil consequences of this early indulgence dog us at every step; we waste much money and fall an easy prey to the medicine man."

--"We have to give up many things that we have been enjoying, as they are not needed for nutrition. And one who thus gives up a multitude of eatables will acquire self-control in the natural course of things."

Thought-provoking ideas, aren't they? Gandhi penned these words about overindulgence almost eighty years ago. Imagine what he would have to say about the portions that are routinely served in our culture today, not to mention the availability of unhealthy fast food. If we believe that our bodies are temples, or if we just want to keep them healthy for as long as possible, we would be wise to remember Gandhi's advice. Like him, we should strive for control of the palate.

JONESIN' AROUND

     --I think that I jinxed the Reds with my last post.  They haven't won a game since!  But I still haven't lost my optimism.  They are an exciting and fun team to watch.  Last night, young Johnny Cueto was on the mound for the Reds.  I love the way this guy throws.  He's full of life on the hill.  Watch out!  The Reds are coming on, I tell you. 

     --After watching the Reds lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers last night, I finished the novel Gone, by Lisa Gardner.  It was the first Gardner book that I had read, and I did enjoy it.  It had some enjoyable plot twists.  One thing kind of bothered me, though.  She overused the phrase, "in the good-news department."   This phrase was used numerous times in both the narration and in the dialogue.  At first I was kind of amused by it, but then it became something of a distraction to me.  Still, I would recommend the book for its entertainment value.  I'll award it three out of five Js:   JJJ

     --Not to get too much into politics here, but I thought that the fist bump between Barack and Michelle Obama was a really neat moment.  It seemed to be a display of genuine euphoria and celebration.  Maybe I relate to it because Obama and I happen to be the same age, and the fist bump is a gesture that I have used many times to display affection and celebration with another person.  So it must be cool, right?