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Hatha Yoga: The Yogi Philosophy of Physical Well-Being1804
To one who has emancipated himself from the thrall of appetite, the
respective sensations of Hunger and Appetite are quite different and
readily distinguished one from the other, and the mind of such a one readily
grasps the precise meaning of each term. But to the ordinary “civilized” man
“Hunger” means the source of appetite and “Appetite” the result of hunger.
Both words are misused. We must illustrate this by familiar examples.
Let us take Thirst, for instance. All of us know the sensation of a good,
natural thirst, which calls for a draught of cool water. It is felt in the mouth
and throat, and can be satisfied only with that which Nature intended for
it—cool water. Now, this natural thirst is akin to natural Hunger.
How different is this natural thirst from the craving which one acquires
for sweetened, flavored soda-water, ice-cream soda, ginger ale, “pop,” “soft
drinks,” etc., etc. And how different from the thirst (?) which one feels for
beer, alcoholic liquors, etc., after the taste has once been acquired. Do you
begin to see what we mean?
We hear people say that they are “so thirsty” for a glass of soda-water; or
others say that they are “thirsty” for a drink of whisky. Now, if these people
were really thirsty, or, in other words, if Nature was really calling for fluids,
pure water would be just what they would first seek for, and pure water
would be the thing which would best gratify the thirst. But, no! water will not
satisfy this soda-water or whisky thirst. Why? Simply because it is a craving
of an appetite which is not a natural thirst, but which is, on the contrary,
an abnormal appetite—a perverted taste. The appetite has been created—
the habit acquired—and it is asserting the mastery. You will notice that the
victims of these abnormal “thirsts” will occasionally experience a real thirst,
at which time water alone will be sought, and the tipple of the appetite not
thought of. Just think a moment—is not this so with you? This is not a lecture
directed against the fancy drink habit, or a temperance sermon, but just
an illustration of the difference between a natural instinct and an acquired
habit, or appetite. Appetite is an acquired habit of eating or drinking, and
has but little to do with real hunger or thirst.