Shining World ComPASSion AWArd

Be Vegan, Make PeaceSpiritual TipsSimplify Life:A Way to Improve Our Spiritual PracticeSpoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Cancún, Mexico, December 15, 2010(Originally in English) (DVD#945)Fruits are good foryou. Fruit or juice,fruit juice. And it’svery acceptable for thebody. We eat cookedfood because we are used toit. Since we were babies, everyone gave us thiskind of food, and then we got used to it. Evenmeat and fish, we were not born to eat them, butwe got used to them. So it’s better that we trainour new habit, that’s all. Even at home, if youwant. Nothing’s forbidden by me or in our group,except anything that causes suffering to others,animals or humans. But it has been many yearsnow, so it’s about time that we grow up. I alsogrow up. We grow up together.And then we change a little, to betterhabits, to a more simple life. Because evennormally when I am at home, I don’t eat that muchlike here. But they cook a lot, and it’s good alsobecause I entertain the guests like the journalists,and just show them it’s really very abundant,and that even vegan food is tasty. They say theylike it, and they’re going to be vegan from thattime on already. But for me now, if I eat so muchlike that, I feel very, very tired. It’s almost like asacrifice. So later, if we have to entertain people,we push out those who still like to eat cookedfood, to sit with them. Those who are very willingto sacrifice. (Master and everyone laugh.)Fruit is very good for the body. It’s acceptedeasily, without any defense. You can eat fruit anddrink juice and things like that. But go slow, goslow. Even though fruits are more acceptable to ourbody’s defense system than vegetables, don’t go soquick. Don’t go too fast or extremely. Maybe threedays fruit and two days cooked food, or two daysother food, two days fruit, and then slowly. Or oneday a week and then slowly two days, three days.Like that, so the body has more time to adjust.Maybe it’s safer. Listen to your body’s demand also.If no good, the food is always still there for you.(Master and everyone laugh.) No problem. Just eatsimply. Simplify life, so you’ll have more time tomeditate. Because mostly we cook in the morningor at noon, when it’s the best time for meditation.I think you can understand now. When people firstget initiation, I just tell them to be vegetarian, andthey’re already saying, “No. How?” But now I thinkyou’re grown up, and I think you can understandwhat I am saying better.Yes, I’m sure you understand. You’regrown up now. I don’t need to baby-feed youanymore. Also, now that we have a lot of brothersand sisters, we have this supporting energyand atmosphere, so that you can accept new,better ideas, a better lifestyle, and better habits.Remember, I taught you how to breathe. Twentytimes, 30 times, or 50 times a day like that, it’s fine.It’s also giving you extra energy and nutrition.Remember before, I taught you to breathe indeeply and out before your meditation, a longtime ago. This is also very helpful to your healthand a long, long life, and it’s extra nutrition. At thetime of initiation, I say take a deep breath in andout before you meditate. Use that also, every timeyou remember, not just before meditation. Later,you’ll take a longer deep breath in and longer out.The more you do, it becomes a habit. So that willhelp you also.44 The Supreme Master Ching Hai News No. 209