THIS DOCUMENT IS PUBLISHED IN 1926 BEFORE KRISHNAMURTI DISSOLVES THE ORDER OF THE STAR OF THE EAST AND BREAK AWAY AS AN INDEPENDENT PERSON. LATER HE ADVISED HIS READERS TO NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO HIS WRITINGS BEFORE 1933 AS THEY WERE ‘PATCH WORK’ AND NOT REFLECTIVE OF HIS MORE MATURE WORK.

J. Krishnamurti, 1926

Self-Preparation - Messages to the International Self-Preparation Group

From the Chapter: Care of the Physical Body

Physical. I have already said that those of us who are aspiring to tread the Path should possess bodies which are capable of responding to the higher and nobler vibrations. The eating of flesh is magnetically impure, and invariably coarsens our physical bodies, and deadens their capacity to respond to the higher vibrations. By eating meat, we place one more barrier in the way of our becoming fit instruments of the Great Teacher, and it is our duty in this Group to discover with care all the obstacles which stand in our way, and to remove them ruthlessly.

            Therefore, I would urge every mem­ber of this Group to consider this first step. When once they have arrived at the unalterable decision to give up meat, they should set about to find out‑‑each with a view to his own case‑‑the best course to follow in order to achieve their purpose. It is known, that vegetarianism, taken up unwisely and precipitately, is dangerous to the body. I suggest, therefore, that those who are in doubt, should consult a dietetist who has firm vegetarian convictions, and who can, if possible, supervise the patient in the transition period. If this is not practi­cable, I would suggest the reading of a good book on vegetarian dietetics, such as Right Food, by Charles C. Froude, B.Sc., published by Malmquist of New York; or Maintaining Health, by R. C. Alsaker, M.D., published by the Lowrey Marden Corporation; or Kellog's The New Dietetics; or Dr. Paul Carton's wonderful book on health, written in French. It is far better to have a good and reliable book, which one can study and apply intelligently to oneself, than to have an unreliable doctor whose knowledge of dietetics is out of date.  

            Personally, having been a vegetarian all my life, and having lived a great part of my life in countries where vegetarianism is considered a foolish fad, I have suffered a great deal, and what I have learned is from personal experience.

            I should like to mention some rules which I myself have found useful, and which are, I think, generally applicable.

            1. Never over‑eat.

            2. Masticate thoroughly, especially the starches.

            3. Avoid devitalized foods, such as white or polished rice, white flour, white sugar, and their combinations, such as cakes, candies, or sweet pies and tinned foods.

            4. The most common error which vegetarians commit is the excessive use of starches in their diet. Let two‑thirds of your food during the day consist of fruit and vegetables. In cold climates, use more starch.

            5. Have enough protein in your food to take the place of meat. Milk and all its by‑products, eggs, nuts, fresh peas, and a moderate amount of lentils, all these provide the necessary protein.

            6. Avoid all excess of stimulants, whether coffee, tea, or chocolate, or dishes with spices or vinegar as an ingredient in dressings.

            7. Use only a moderate amount of salt in the kitchen, and none at the table.

            8. Do not mix acids with starches or sugar at the same meal.

            9. Eat as little as possible of fried foods.

            10. Do not have too much variety at one meal.

            11. Avoid desserts.

            12. Avoid giving eggs to young, children.

            13. Eat some raw food every day (of course this does not mean that you should eat raw starch).

            14. Let there be an interval of three hours between each meal.

            15. In case of illness, especially colds and fevers, eat as little as possible; still better, do not eat at all, with the exception of fruit or fruit juice, unmixed with sugar.

            16. Use commonsense.

            These comparatively simple rules, which I have drawn up with the help of an experienced dietetist, may be carefully studied and followed until they become a part of one's life. Being of a general character, they can be adapted to meet the requirements of the varying individual constitutions. It should be well understood that, when one adheres to a strict and sensible regime at home, one can with impunity, and perhaps with relief, indulge in an occasional violation of these rules if one happens to be a polite guest. I need not here mention the importance of daily exercise, fresh air, and hygiene, but I would like to point out the necessity of relaxing the mind as well as the body once a day, if only for five minutes. By this I mean that one should lie down, fully stretched out and away from everyone. We have over‑civilized our food and violated natural laws. We have become so self‑indulgent that, instead of looking upon food as one of the elements in the care of the body, many, and indeed the majority, consider eating as one of the main pleasures of life.