Bitter or Sweet?
When you think about nutrition, you may focus on learning about what’s heathy or how to get enough protein. In Ayurveda, everything has a unique make-up. Whatever you eat has an effect on your digestion, emotions, mental state, energy, and awareness. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates generally have a madhura rasa or sweet taste Sweet foods protect our reserves and provide calm and ease to the mind and body. It’s not unusual to crave sweet foods after long exerting work days to restore lost energy. Many greens like dandelion, arugula, cilantro, or aloe and many herbal medicines have a tikta rasa or bitter taste. Bitter foods lighten and clarify the mind and body.
Modern diets are overwhelmed with rich and building sweet foods like bread, meat, fish, and dairy. If we eat too much of these foods, the channels in the body clog up and the mind becomes cloudy and obscured. It builds ama or toxic waste. We attach to emotions and addictions and act in habitual ways. On the other hand, bitters are very common in traditional diets. In India, there is fenugreek, bitter melon, guar, or jamun. My grandfather used to drink bitter melon juice everyday to help with his diabetes and my uncle would have jamun fruit in the summers to counterbalance a hot heavy meal. Bitters don’t taste good, but the bitter taste will break down the body’s tissues and cleanse the channels. Bitter foods will clear ama or toxic waste. The bitter taste cleanses and dries out the overproduction of saliva on the tongue to help reduce our desire and cravings and withdraw the senses. Fasting has this similar effect. Withdrawing from our outer lives can feel uncomfortable but ultimately it clarifies perception and awakens our consciousness.
When I took a summer class in India, there was a handful of classmates from America. It was extremely hot, but many of them would not drink enough water, forget to eat on time, and persist on going out at night. The next day they would complain about how unwell they felt. One day, we were sitting at an indoor coffee shop. In India, the waiters will stand close by. My classmate yelled at a male waiter, “Why are you standing so close? I can pour my own coffee!” I tried to explain to her that in India, that’s how all waiters are and it’s nothing personal. After we left, my classmate fell and injured her ankle. When the doctor came to visit her, she impatiently screamed “Is that needle clean?! What are you going to do to me?!”
At this point, I was tired of meditating others’ emotions and drama-even if I felt sorry for them. The doctor remained patient and hospitable at first, but eventually he had to ask her to calm down. He later reprimanded everyone for not drinking enough water, not eating properly, and staying out late. Although my classmates were initially taken aback, I was very thankful for the doctor’s honesty! For the rest of the trip, my classmates prioritized drinking water, eating on time, and staying home to rest. I hoped they realized that their choices were causing their own physical and emotional problems.
When someone gives us some bitter truth, it may not feel good but ultimately it clarifies our obscurations so we avoid harming ourselves in the future.
That coming fall semester, I was back in the US. I worked in refugee clinics. The families were exhausted and fatigued from their travel and adjustment. Without fail, the moms would wake up early and bring homemade food for their little ones to eat during visits to the doctors’ office or the welfare office. After long days of appointments, every family would invite us caseworkers for tea and biscuits in their homes. They were so thankful for our help. When we stayed for tea, the families would ask questions to us about America. Despite their struggles, they rarely complained!
When we seemingly have less comfort, we can’t hand off responsibilities. We are actually forced to adapt and adjust according to our environment, and so we learn some really valuable skills in regulating our selves and emotions.
The right amount of sweetness does offer ease and protection. AND the right amount of bitterness brings forth discomfort but ultimately less obscurations and more clarity.