Empty Stomach Empty Mind

1 month ago By Yogi Anoop

Empty Stomach, Empty Intestines, Empty Mind: The Key to True Health

Disciple: Guruji, you said, “An empty stomach, empty intestines, and an empty mind are essential.” But it seems very difficult to achieve. How can we understand this and apply it to our lives?

Yogi Anoop: My dear disciple, it is true that achieving the state of an empty stomach, empty intestines, and an empty mind seems difficult in today’s world. However, this difficulty arises only because of the illusions and habits we have created for ourselves. The natural state of the body and mind is such that they can heal completely only when they are clean, calm, and inactive. This essentially means that there should be no ongoing digestive or excretory processes in the body, and the mind should be free of thoughts. This state is what leads to pure, restorative sleep and can also be achieved in deep meditation. In this profound rest, the body finds the power to heal itself.

The Connection Between Science and Philosophy

Every organ in our body functions according to its natural rhythm. During the day, the body is engaged in digesting food, generating energy, and performing various activities. Night, however, is meant to be the time for repair and rejuvenation of the body and mind. But our unhealthy lifestyles often reverse this natural cycle.

At night, people tend to fill their stomachs with heavy meals, believing it will help them sleep better. The fullness of the stomach does induce a slight sensation of sedation because digestion naturally triggers drowsiness. However, this habit puts excessive strain on the body and mind. A full stomach keeps the digestive process active even during sleep, and vital organs like the liver remain overworked. This denies the body and brain the complete rest they need. Consequently, those who sleep immediately after eating often experience vivid dreams and wake up with issues like acid reflux.

The Impact of a Full Stomach and a Busy Mind

The science of the body reveals that if the intestines are full of waste and the stomach is full of food, the body can never truly enter a state of relaxation. The processes of digestion and excretion continue to consume the body’s energy and resources, leading only to exhaustion.

Moreover, when the stomach and intestines are burdened, the mind also cannot reach a state of rest. A mind crowded with thoughts remains overly active at night, making it incapable of following the body’s natural rhythms. As a result, most people lose the natural inclination to empty their bowels at night. Instead, their intestines hold onto the waste, causing problems like constipation and long-term digestive disorders.

The Secret of Sleep with an Empty Stomach and Intestines

When we go to bed with an empty stomach and clean intestines, the body and mind enter a complete “recovery mode.” During this state, there are no interruptions from digestion or excretion. This activates the body’s natural healing process. The mind, relieved from the pressures of the body, enters a restful state, while the body, free of the weight of food and waste, settles into complete relaxation. In this state, the mind and body function independently without interfering with each other, achieving perfect harmony.

From a philosophical perspective, when the body and mind become inactive, the connection between the mind and body automatically dissolves. This is the true state of rest, known as yoga nidra or deep sleep. In this state, the mind ceases to exist, and the soul resides fully in its true self.

Steps to Return to the Natural State

To achieve this state, discipline is essential. Follow these practices to bring your body and mind into alignment:

1. Eat a Light and Early Dinner: Finish your meal at least 2-3 hours before bedtime, and make it light and easily digestible. Avoid heavy meals that keep your digestive system active throughout the night. During the day, fulfill all your cravings for food, but as night approaches, begin calming your senses and preparing for rest. Experience the relaxation of loosening your muscles and letting go of tension.

2. Cultivate the Habit of Nighttime Bowel Movements: Gradually train yourself to empty your bowels before bed. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and include fiber-rich foods in your diet.

3. Calm Your Thoughts: Practice meditation or pranayama before sleeping. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to empty your mind of unnecessary thoughts. Seek guidance from an experienced guru if needed.

4. Avoid Digital Devices Before Bed: Spending time on screens keeps the mind overly active. Turn off all digital devices at least an hour before bedtime.

5. Observe Your Daily Habits: Pay attention to how your daytime behaviors and routines affect your sleep at night. Make gradual, positive changes to your lifestyle.

The True Purpose of Emptiness

Understand, my disciple, that the purpose of “emptiness” is not merely to relax the body but to allow its organs, which remain occupied throughout the day, to rest. This enables the body and mind to function in their natural rhythm. This is the state referred to in yoga and meditation as “effortless samadhi,” where every organ performs according to its innate nature.

The person who learns the art of sleeping with an empty stomach, empty intestines, and an empty mind not only experiences deep and restorative sleep but also paves the way for long-term health of the body and mind.

Remember, that true health is only possible when the body and mind return to their natural states. This practice may seem difficult initially, but with time, it will become a part of your life. This discipline will fill every aspect of your life with peace, health, and stability.

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