The Yogi Diet: Spirituality and the Question of Vegetarianism

Part spiritual investigation and part nutrition guide, this scattered book from Morgante (Lazarus, Come Forth!) considers the spiritual nature of health, dieting, and vegetarianism. Using the Hindu sattva of harmony, balance, and sympathy, Morgante offers an academic and immersive comparison of vegetarianism to omnivorous diets as part of a holistic approach that “nourishes all dimensions of the human being simultaneously.” Morgante considers nutritional effects on spiritual development which he divides into three categories: mind, body, and spirit. For nourishing the mind, he highlights what he sees as the connection between mental clarity and food quality, nutrients, vitamins, and toxins. For nourishing the body, he discusses the advantages and disadvantages of low-carb, low-fat, and low-calorie diets, and explains how he believes that diet helps the body transform the spiritual self. Finally, he explores various religious doctrines concerning vegetarianism—particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—and helps readers consider what (if any) role vegetarianism should play in one’s life; Morgante ends up leaning toward a diet that includes meat. The spiritual facets of his thesis provide convincing food for thought for anyone interested in the spirituality of diet. (BookLife)