LDS Yogis: Diet

This is the second post in my LDS Yogis series, meant to demystify the idea of yoga for Latter-day Saints.  In this post, I discuss what yogis and Mormons are and are NOT suppose to eat (specifically regarding meat).

Ahiṃsā vs. Word of Wisdom

For some schools of hatha yoga, the issue of vegetarianism is a central tenant, while for others it hardly receives mention.  For the majority of yoga practitioners, diet is a less of a dictated set of laws to be followed and more of a deeply-personal way to draw closer to the divine.  For others, it is also a cultural issue regarding how we treat the other beings on our planet.  Similarly, in the LDS faith, we have been given a doctrinal code of health referred to as the Word of Wisdom for our own physical, mental, social and spiritual benefit, as well as a way to show respect the gifts God has created for us.

Both in yoga and in the LDS faith, disagreements on the morality of what is permissible to eat can result in heated confrontations and confusion.  In yoga, the argument against a meat-inclusive-diet is usually based upon the concept of ahiṃsā (nonviolence) from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.  The word ahiṃsā is derived from the Sanskrit root hiṃs – to strike; hiṃsā is injury or harm, a-hiṃsā (the opposite of hiṃsā), i.e., to cause no injury, or do no harm.  Ahiṃsā is also referred to as nonviolence, and it applies to all living things—including animals from which beef is derived.

For Latter-day Saints, the diet controversy is less of a moral issue, and more about proper observance of God's modern instruction to man.  In favor of a plant-based diet, D&C 89:14-15 states:

All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger [emphasis added].

3 Categories of Observance

Generally speaking, yogis and Mormons share three common world views regarding diet:

1. Letter of the Law 
2. Spirit of the Law 
3. Relaxed Disciple

1. Letter of the Law (I must follow with exactness.)

In the strictest moral sense, some yogis define ahimsa as non-violence and therefore believe that taking any form of life to benefit one's own is a violent act.  Some yoga practitioners go so far as to wear masks and sweep the ground in front of them to avoid taking the lives of insects.

For many Christians, this concern is typically resolved by interpreting God's allowance for man's use of animals found in Genesis.  Still, some members of the LDS faith desire to observe the Word of Wisdom according to their own "exact" interpretations.  Families I know who experiment with this more-pharisaical approach rely on personal revelation to direct their diets.  They see the Lord's Word of Wisdom not as a law per se, but rather as a principle with a promise, and given for the "weakest of all saints" (D&C 89:3).  They therefore understand that not everyone is commanded to practice to the same degree as they do.  Nevertheless, they are always ready to share specific, diet-related blessings they have witnessed in their lives.

2. Spirit of the Law (I try my best under the circumstances.)

Other yogis interpret ahiṃsā as non-injury, and view the world as inherently containing acts of violence; they're unavoidable.  For those of this school of thought, it is not the act itself that is important, it is the intent behind the act.  E.g., Cutting the umbilical cord on a baby or defending your self or loves ones from attack, or chemotherapy—doing damage with the intent to save life.  Latter-day Saints who follow this same world view are often familiar with the specific teachings of the Word of Wisdom, but may have a less-stringent interpretation of them, or afford allowances based on circumstance.  E.g., eating a steak served at a special dinner party. Or consuming an energy drink to help you stay awake on the road.

3. Relaxed Disciple (I "do me" with recommendations in mind.)

For the majority of less-strict yogis, the choice of how to eat is not-so-much a moral or spiritual argument, but rather a matter of health and physical contentment.  They know that certain types of diets are healthier than others and can directly affect the quality of one's life. Therefore these disciples avoid eating anything that may be a serious detriment to their health or happiness.

Likewise, more-relaxed Latter-day Saints choose to observe the more-explicit tenants of the Word of Wisdom (such as completely avoiding illicit drugs, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, but may have their own views on alternative coffees & teas). They are often willing to "experiment" with everything else to find out what "works for them."  While not emphasized by modern-day prophets, even these Saints—however—may feel the need to reduce their amount of sugar intake because they can see its negative affect on their lives.  But they won't bat an eye if they still need to enjoy their daily Coke.

To Which Category Would You Assign Yourself?

It seems to me that there are 3 factors that primarily impact one's attitude towards diet:

1. one's sensitivity to spiritual revelation, 
2. one's willingness to act upon spiritual revelation, and 
3. the perceived needs of one's physical body. 

The practice of yoga can help you become more in tune with yourself in each of these three areas.  Speaking from personal experience, I feel like mindfully paying attention to the temple of my body and mind helps to quiet the trivial distractions of daily life, allowing me to have easier access to the voice of inspiration/revelation.  Additionally, holding a painful yoga pose helps me to strengthen my willpower by doing something my natural man does not find natural—like acting on spiritual revelation. Finally, as I have practiced yoga, I found that I am more aware of how my body feels and how my diet affects my body.  I believe that as I continue to increase my sensitivity to the precious gift of my body, I will move naturally gravitate toward the best choices for myself.