Q: Which one will really be helpful during the communication process? Culture/art, religion or science?
Krishna: Okay, today I will reveal the truth. And this is what my experience tells me.
I tried culture plus science.
I tried religion plus science.
And compared them with only science, not the subject but the science of nature, universe.
I realized the science of nature and the universe is the strongest of all while driving human behaviour.
I will give an example. Tell people that eating lots of chillies and spicy food is not good for their health.
Tell them that eating chilli can cause intestinal distress in some people. The symptoms may include abdominal pain, a burning sensation in your gut, cramps, and painful diarrhea. This is more common in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Eating them may also cause indigestion, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or a burning sensation, particularly for people with acid reflux or other digestion problems like ulcers or dyspepsia. Unpleasant symptoms are more common if you eat a lot of the spiciest varieties.
People don't listen! If they get the symptoms, they just take antacids and continue with their eating habits.
Image source: Shutterstock
Then try telling people what Lord Krishna told them in Bhagavad Gita.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 17, Verse 9
कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिन: |
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दु:खशोकामयप्रदा: || 9||
kaṭv-amla-lavaṇāty-uṣhṇa- tīkṣhṇa-rūkṣha-vidāhinaḥ
āhārā rājasasyeṣhṭā duḥkha-śhokāmaya-pradāḥ
Bhagavad Gita 17.9, which says that ati-uṣhṇa, tīkṣhṇa, and vidāhinaḥ foods produce distress, sorrow, and poor health. These terms refer to the most extremely spicy, fiery hot foods, which inflame Rajoguna.
BG 17.9: Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry, and full of chillies, are dear to persons in the mode of passion. Such foods produce pain, grief, and disease.
When vegetarian foods are cooked with excessive chilies, sugar, salt, etc. they become rājasic. While describing them, the word “very” can be added to all the adjectives used. Thus, rājasic foods are very bitter, very sour, very salty, very hot, very pungent, very dry, full of chillies, etc. They produce ill-health, agitation, and despair. Persons in the mode of passion find such foods attractive, but those in the mode of goodness find them disgusting. The purpose of eating is not to relish bliss through the palate, but to keep the body healthy and strong. As the old adage states: “Eat to live; do not live to eat.” Thus, the wise partake of foods that are conducive to good health, and have a peaceable impact upon the mind i.e., sāttvic foods.
Even if people are highly religious most of them won't listen. They give alternate explanations and excuses. They think it is not that big a sin to eat hot and spicy food! They just continue with their eating habits.
Why?
It is because of the science of nature and the universe!
Spicy Food Can Cause a “High”. As our body responds to the burn of capsaicin, it releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This surge of dopamine contributes to the pleasurable sensations we experience while eating spicy food, further cementing our craving for that unique heat.
While they don’t lead to a physiological addiction like drugs, the pleasurable response they trigger can result in a psychological craving.
As we savor the heat, the dopamine we get from the kick of spice creates a sense of satisfaction. And while this pleasurable response can lead to a desire for more, it’s a psychological yearning rather than a true addiction. That’s why, unlike substance addiction, peoples' cravings for spicy food is moderate and pleasurable.
That is why people go for it.
In order to make people stop it, their minds have to be trained vigorously to surmount the pleasure of eating chillies and strong spices.
Or we will have to provide alternatives to them for people to stop eating strong chillies, or any other addictive things. Tell them to eat them, but in moderation. Then only we will succeed.
It is difficult to escape biology/biochemistry. Because the science of nature and the universe is the strongest of all forces.
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