Page 139 - Extinguishment of self, in search of dhamma

say that each person requires different amount of food. She said that we should eat fully. In the past, practitioners used to dish out a lot of rice—eating a lot more rice than side dishes. There were some side dishes, but a lot of rice. They were okay! Some people dished out a lot (of rice), could they nish it all off? Why did they dish out so much? Perhaps their stomach capacity was greater. Some people dished out very little, some dished out a lot—in order to have strength to practice dhamma. But, too much food is also not conducive to dhamma practice. This is the thing that we need to consider—too much food, then when we sit down (to meditate), we fall asleep. This is a xed formula.
I asked a doctor: How come I feel so sleepy after a meal? That is the nature of our body—it needs rest, so that the body can absorb and use the nutrients. I follow a doctor’s diet plan. At the beginning, I felt sleepy soon (after the meal). Some food helps us to rest—there is no need to use sleeping pills—for example, tendons. But, we must rest in order to prepare ourselves to practice dhamma, not to prepare to sleep. Rest, a little, alternately (Translator’s note: With practicing dhamma)—so that we will have the energy to contemplate natural conditions. But, our seniors are diligent, refusing to rest and work all day. Do this and that all day—very diligent.
I am lucky: For example, these areas of garden and trees, Yome Song helps to look after and to manage
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