Meditation food is clean, pure, and whole. In Ayurveda, there are many different layers of food, taste, and energies to identify what is considered clean, pure, and whole. The 3 Gunas are the key in helping us identify meditation foods.
This article will briefly explain the 3-gunas and then share specific meditation foods for you to live in alignment with your highest self.
3 Gunas in Ayurveda
The 3 Gunas in Ayurveda are present in everything: food, humans, and objects. Thus, it is important to identify the 3 Gunas when planning to eat meditation food, as sattvic food will be ideal for a meditative/yogic lifestyle.
Sattva – The Guna of Harmony
Sattva is pure clarity. It inspires the formation of mind and senses and quality of goodness, joy, and satisfaction. This state is what many yogis seek and why food that is sattva is also excellent meditation food. Sattva allows clear thinking, clear channels, and optimal bodily functioning, allowing optimal alignment during meditations. So by eating sattva-containing foods, you’re lessening the distraction of ingesting harmful foods, so your meditation can become more peaceful.
Rajas – The Guna of Passion
Rajas carry’s a bit more turbulence. It inspires the formation of the organs of action and action of the mind. Feelings of attachment, desire, and possible manipulation are present. The mind may be sharp and quickened with thoughts, causing a distraction. Foods such as caffeine, onions, and garlic could increase rajas and would not be ideal meditation food. If your mind is distracted, meditation becomes more difficult.
Tamas – The Guna of Darkness
Tamas manifests as a state of ignorance or resistance and prevents all beings from seeing reality. It is inertia, laziness, impurity, and a sense of darkness. There is a complete disconnect, which is not ideal when seeking to improve your meditation practice. Tamas-type food such as canned food, frozen food, alcohol, meat, or dairy can cause significant fogginess and distraction for the mind and body, disconnecting you from a blissful meditation.
Sattva Meditation Food
The idea behind meditation food is to eat in alignment with what is most pure. Sattva food contains the highest prana and therefore is the best meditation food for a yogic life. Here is a list of sattva meditation food. This list is not comprehensive. It is best to choose what is local, fresh, and organic when possible. When in doubt, meditation food will be fresh and whole food.
Whole Grains
- Basmati rice
- Barley
- Wheat
- Amaranth
- Buckwheat
- Millet
- Oats
- Quinoa
- Teff
- Spelt
Fruit
- Mangos
- Apples
- Grapes
- Citrus fruits
- Melons
- Berries
- Figs
- Dragonfruit
- Kiwifruit
- Oranges
- Pineapple
- Plums
- Pomegranates
- Raisins
Vegetables
- Swiss chard
- Kale
- Spinach
- Cucumber
- Cilantro
- Potatoes
- Dark leafy greens
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Bamboo shoots
- Bok choy
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Lotus root
Spices
- Anise
- Black pepper
- Basil
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
- Cilantro
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Fennel
- Dill
- Ginger
- Mint
- Mustard seed
- Turmeric
- Vanilla bean
Legumes
Be sure to soak overnight and combined with spices for optimal digestion.
- Mung dal
- Tofu
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
- Bean sprouts
Sweeteners
- Fresh honey
- Maple syrup
- Molasses
- Jaggery
Nuts
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Brazil nuts
- Coconut
- Hazelnut
- Macadamia nuts
- Pine nuts
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Pistachios
- Sesame seeds
Oils
- Coconut oil
- Ghee
- Sesame oil
- Olive oil
- Almond oil
A pure sattva remedy that amplifies meditation is Chyawanprash. Chyawanprash is a time-tested ayurvedic remedy that contains powerful health- and brain-boosting herbs like bacopa that will sharpen your clarity and focus and increase the body, mind, and spirit connection for divine meditation practice.
Clare Michalik, Ayurvedic Practitioner.
