There is more to food than just nutrients and calories. It has energy, vibrations

Cchimpanzees, when they fight, often settle their relationship by kissing. Pigs, when sleeping, like to cuddle close, nose to nose. To greet other pigs they know, they blow their noses, especially in the way we humans used to shake hands. In the 1990s, a remarkable study was conducted by zoologist Stanley Curtis. He trained pigs to play a video game using a joystick. Remarkably, these pigs not only mastered the game but also progressed from one difficulty level to another.

On the other hand, sheep show an amazing memory. They can recognize and remember people’s faces for years. They are also known to form strong bonds between mothers and their lambs. Lambs, especially when they are young, love to play and can be seen playing, jumping and running around the fields—just like children on the playground.

Fish, even though they are very far from us, have a happy social life. They communicate with sounds, body movements and chemical signals that we cannot even see. And believe it or not, some fish choose one mate and stick with it for life. Together, they protect their home and help each other when danger approaches.

You may be wondering why we are delving into the animal world in a book that focuses on health and happiness. This is because there is a widespread belief that animals may not have deep emotions like us. Some may say that they are ‘senseless’ or ‘senseless’ beings who do not feel things. But is it really so? Could it be that they are also opinionated? With the power of hearing and perception?

I understand that this is a different issue and opinions can vary greatly, but my heart says that they are not the vague people that society may have led us to believe. Sure, they may not be as smart as us, but they sure are they have many similar feelings, bonds and the feelings we make.

What Does Death Feel Like?

Just as animals feel pleasure and happiness, they also feel pain and fear. When we researched this issue, we understood the life of these animals. In the next few paragraphs, we would like to share some details. Although it may be difficult to face the truth of them all, we will share enough for you to know.

Everything we talk about has been extensively written about and included in various videos on the internet.

In a factory farm, animals are trapped in small cages or cages, where they cannot move. They have to defecate in the same place where they sleep and spend their days. Here, they are also pumped with synthetic growth hormones, which push them to grow unusually large. Why? You can ask. The bigger they are, the bigger the meat products, and as a result, the higher their market value.

Once they are old enough, they are loaded onto trucks and taken to the slaughterhouse. When the truck reaches the target, the animals do not get off the truck. Why? Because they know what’s coming next. They know they are heading towards their inevitable destination death. So, the workers often use electric sticks to force them out of the truck.

Some animals, such as pigs and cows, watch their peers die in front of them, and increase their anxiety as their time approaches. Soon, when it’s their turn, they move on a conveyor belt and hanging overhead (while they are aware). There, they see a bolt gun or a knife approaching, ready to cut them to pieces. Just thinking about this event can worry many of us. But, in such a situation, what does emotion do Do you think the animal passes? Fear, panic, intense anger, pain, depression, and fatigue. Isn’t that right?

As soon as their meat comes out of the slaughterhouse, it is cut into pieces, sent to supermarkets and sold as food.

Is There More to Food Than Nutrients?

Does the food have calories, protein and nutrients? Or is there something more to it? No, food is not passive. Each food has a certain energy, a certain vibration.

Now, when we eat the meat of tortured animals, we are not only consuming the animal, but we still have their stress, their fear, their fatigue and the anger that they went through before they were killed. The more we use this negative energy, the more time, it manifests itself within us in the form of stress, frustration, violence and illness.

This does not mean that eating meat will make you unhappy or confused, as there are many factors that contribute to our mental health. However, it is important to note that your food is more powerful than its physical properties and nutrients. If food comes from the pain area and suffering, can affect you in ways that are not immediately apparent.

There is an old saying in Indian culture: ‘Jaisa ann, waisa mann.’ This translates to, ‘Like your food, so is your mind’, suggesting that the type of food we eat has an impact on our thoughts and feelings.

As you read all of this, you may feel a whirlwind of emotions. Maybe it’s because we all grew up with certain habits, customs and beliefs about our food, and when these are challenged, it can destroy the foundation of our identity. For some of us, this can stir up a lot of emotions, sometimes leading to defensiveness or aggression, with every new detail raising more questions.

It is natural to feel that way when faced with such a revelation. We are all on our own individual journeys, and it is okay to take your time, process these issues, and decide how you feel. Remember, you don’t have to change anything you don’t feel ready to do.

This excerpt from Subah and Harshvardhan Saraf’s ‘The Satvic Revolution: 7 Life-Changing Habits to Discover Peak Health and Joy’ is published with permission from Penguin Random House India.