Wisdom from the Himalayas | The Sage’s Secrets to a Clean Body and Mind
Hey there, beautiful souls! Welcome back to Philosophies for Life, the podcast where we dive deep into ancient wisdom and modern insights to help you live a more fulfilling, vibrant life. I’m your host, and today, we’re embarking on a transformative journey to the foothills of the Himalayas. Picture this: a serene hut nestled among towering peaks, where a wise sage, a master of Ayurveda and Yoga, offers healing to all who seek it. People travel from far and wide to learn from his teachings, to cleanse their bodies, and to renew their spirits. And today, we’re going to sit at his feet, metaphorically speaking, and uncover some profound lessons on health, vitality, and inner cleanliness—both for the body and the mind. So, grab a cozy spot, maybe a cup of herbal tea, and let’s dive into this inspiring story that just might change the way you look at your daily habits.
Our story begins with a landlord from a nearby village who approaches the sage with a problem many of us can relate to. He’s struggling with obesity and a host of ailments, all because his lifestyle involves sitting for hours on end. He confesses, “Munivar, I have delicious food at home, but I can’t enjoy it. My body feels heavy, and even moving around is a struggle. Is there a way to get healthy without working too hard?” I love this question because, let’s be honest, haven’t we all wished for a magic solution at some point? But the sage’s response is grounded in timeless wisdom. He tells the landlord, “Yes, there is a way. But first, you must remove the accumulated dirt from your body. When your body is clean from the inside, your weight will reduce, your skin will clear, and you’ll feel more energetic than ever.”
This idea of “internal cleanliness” really struck me. The sage explains how the food we eat takes different times to digest—fruits take about 3 hours, vegetables around 6, and grains a whopping 18 hours. But here’s the kicker: when we keep eating before the previous meal is fully digested, undigested food rots inside us, creating toxins, even worms! He says, “This filth sticks to the walls of our intestines, gets absorbed into our blood, and travels to every part of our body, causing diseases we name as acne, asthma, or obesity. Constipation, in fact, is the root of all ailments.” Wow. That’s a powerful image, isn’t it? It’s like our body becomes a dumping ground when we don’t give it the time or care it needs.
Let’s pause on a quote from the sage that I found incredibly profound: “This body of ours is a perfect design, a precious gift from nature. We must return it to Mother Nature as clean and healthy as it was given to us.” Isn’t that beautiful? It’s a reminder that our body isn’t just a vessel; it’s a sacred trust. We’re stewards of this incredible gift, and it’s our responsibility to nurture it. This ties into so many spiritual traditions that view the body as a temple. Whether it’s the yogic teachings of India or even biblical references to the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, the message is clear: honor what you’ve been given.
Now, let’s reflect on this philosophically for a moment. The sage’s teachings aren’t just about physical health; they point to a deeper truth about life itself. Just as undigested food creates filth in our bodies, unprocessed emotions, unresolved conflicts, or toxic thoughts can clutter our minds and spirits. Think about it—how often do we “overeat” mentally by taking on too much stress, scrolling endlessly on social media, or replaying old grudges? Just like the body needs time to cleanse, our minds need space to heal. This holistic view of cleanliness—body, mind, and soul—resonates with the Ayurvedic principle of balance and harmony. It’s not enough to eat right if your mind is in turmoil. True health is an inside-out process.
So, how do we apply this wisdom practically? The sage offers some incredible, actionable advice to the landlord—and to us. First, he recommends fasting for 16 hours a day. Now, before you panic, hear me out. He explains that this isn’t about starvation; it’s about giving your body’s life force a break from digesting food so it can focus on internal repair. Imagine this life force as a quiet, powerful healer within you. When you eat constantly, it’s busy breaking down food. But when you fast, it gets to work on deeper healing—removing toxins, breaking down kidney stones, even mending broken bones. He suggests a simple approach: if you finish dinner by 8 PM, don’t eat until noon the next day. If that feels tough, start with 14 hours and build up. You can sip juice or coconut water in the morning to ease into it. The point is to create space for healing.
Second, the sage talks about diet. He advises including 40-50% live food—think fruits, vegetables, sprouts—foods that haven’t been cooked to death. He warns against heavy, processed, or stale food, quoting ancient texts that say food turns tamasic, or lifeless, after sitting for more than 3 hours. And third, he emphasizes movement and massage. A good oil massage a few times a week boosts circulation, helping your body flush out waste. Physical work or exercise, even something as simple as a brisk walk, lets toxins escape through sweat. These aren’t just health tips; they’re life principles. They remind us to prioritize what’s natural, to give ourselves rest, and to keep moving forward—literally and figuratively.
Let me share a quick personal story here. A few years ago, I was feeling sluggish, mentally and physically. I was eating all the time—snacking mindlessly—and I felt like my energy was just… gone. Then I stumbled upon intermittent fasting, much like what the sage describes. I started with a 12-hour window, and slowly moved to 16. And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy at first. My stomach growled, my mind whined. But after a week or two, I felt lighter, clearer, more focused. It was like I’d decluttered my body and my mind at the same time. So, I encourage you to try this. Start small. Maybe just finish dinner a bit earlier tonight and delay breakfast by an hour tomorrow. See how it feels.
As we wrap up, let’s circle back to the sage’s core message: cleanliness—inside and out—is the foundation of health and happiness. Whether it’s the food we eat, the thoughts we think, or the emotions we hold, we must give ourselves the time and space to process and release what no longer serves us. Remember the sage’s words: our body is a gift from nature. Let’s treat it with the reverence it deserves. I want to leave you with a little challenge this week. Pick one of the sage’s tips—whether it’s fasting for a few extra hours, adding more live foods to your plate, or even just taking a mindful walk to sweat out the stress. Notice how it shifts your energy. And hey, if you’re curious to dive deeper into wellness wisdom like this, I highly recommend checking out audiobooks on platforms like Kuku FM. I’ve been listening to one called Improve Your Digestive System with Yoga, and it’s packed with insights like these. Knowledge is power, friends, so keep feeding your mind with good stuff.
Thank you for joining me on this journey to the Himalayas today. I hope the sage’s teachings have inspired you to look at your body and mind with fresh eyes. Until next time, keep seeking wisdom, keep nurturing yourself, and remember—you are a sacred design. Take care, and I’ll see you in the next episode of Philosophies for Life. Namaste.