Pourquoi manger végétarien ? | Sadhguru avec Tiffany Haddish, Keri Hilson, Chakabars

The speaker emphasizes that if one seeks to become sensitive and perceptive to life, the type of food consumed becomes very important. Observing the body, it naturally thrives on vegetarian or plant-based foods. In India, about 38% of the population is purely vegetarian, a figure that was closer to 60% about 50 years ago. The decline is attributed to Western-trained doctors advising people that meat was necessary for nourishment. Despite this, meat consumption in India, even among non-vegetarians, is often just a side dish. The rationale for vegetarianism is linked to a shift from survival-focused living to seeking deeper meaning and inner development. When survival is no longer the primary concern, people start to look inwards. Historically, India's rich land allowed for easy survival, which led people to explore spirituality and inner awareness. In this context, they realized the significance of what they eat. The speaker explains that if the goal is purely physical strength, like a bull, then meat consumption might be considered. However, to enhance sensitivity, perception, and the ability to perceive beyond normal limits, the input into the system (food) is crucial. The key is to consume foods that pass through the digestive system with minimal resistance and effort. Comparing digestion times, raw meat takes 70-72 hours to pass through the human system, cooked meat takes 50-52 hours, cooked vegetables 24-30 hours, raw vegetables 12-15 hours, and fruits only 1.5-3 hours. The human digestive tract, being 5-6 times the length of the body, is more akin to that of herbivores (5-6 times body length) than carnivores (3 times body length), making it less suitable for efficient meat digestion. Therefore, people began to identify foods that leave minimal residue and pass through the system quickly. In yogic practices, it's important for the stomach to be empty within 2-3 hours after eating, even if one doesn't eat immediately. At the yoga center, people typically eat only two meals a day, at 10 AM and 7 PM. The speaker personally eats only one meal, usually around 4:30-5:00 PM, which provides energy for 24 hours. The speaker advises against turning food into a philosophy or religious process, but rather to observe what the body truly needs and thrives on. The body naturally feels "very well and at ease" with vegetarian or plant-based foods, which are easier to process daily, leading to greater flexibility and comfort. Historically, when survival was paramount, hunting and eating meat was natural. However, with settled societies and agriculture, people could cultivate food and began to observe their bodies more closely. As life shifted from mere survival to the pursuit of higher perception and experience, vegetarianism naturally emerged as a suitable process. This shift, the speaker concludes, is bound to happen everywhere as humanity evolves.