Brief Summary
This Think Right podcast features Subah and Harshvardhan Saraf, founders of the Satvic Movement, along with spiritual mentor Sister BK Shivani. They discuss the Satvic lifestyle, its impact on health and well-being, and how it can lead to a more compassionate and fulfilling life. The conversation covers the seven habits of a Satvic lifestyle, including detoxification, wholesome plant-based eating, quality sleep, movement, nourishing relationships, living with purpose, and surrender.
- The Satvic lifestyle is more than just food; it's a holistic approach to well-being.
- Small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements in health and mindset.
- The ultimate goal is to shift from rajas and tamas to a state of sattva, characterized by goodness, compassion, and fearlessness.
Introduction to the Satvic Movement
The Think Right podcast introduces Subah and Harshvardhan Saraf, the couple behind the Satvic movement, which promotes plant-based diets and holistic practices. They have garnered a large following and aim to inspire a youth revolution focused on health and well-being. Sister BK Shivani, a spiritual mentor, joins to provide guidance and spiritual wisdom.
Becoming a 'Satvic Couple': The Origin Story
Subah and Harshvardhan share their personal journeys with health issues since childhood, including PCOD, thyroid imbalance, sinusitis, and psoriasis. They discovered that changing their food and lifestyle could heal these problems, leading them to abandon medicines. Inspired by their transformation, they started sharing this knowledge, eventually meeting and joining forces to create the Satvic movement. Their shared purpose and friendship have been key to their success in spreading this message.
The Importance of Collective Vision
Harshvardhan emphasizes the strength of their partnership, highlighting their shared vision and friendship. Sister Shivani explains that couples come together to create a lasting impact on the world. She notes that their Satvic lifestyle and good sanskars (habits) enable them to work together harmoniously. Disagreements are resolved by focusing on what benefits the community and their shared purpose, demonstrating that a higher purpose makes personal sacrifices feel meaningful.
Understanding the Satvic Lifestyle
Subah clarifies that the Satvic lifestyle is more than just avoiding onion and garlic; it's about moving from rajas (passion) and tamas (ignorance) to sattva (goodness). She illustrates this with a story of three people encountering a mango tree, each representing sattva, rajas, and tamas in their actions and intentions. The goal is to cultivate compassion, love, and fearlessness by adopting practices that promote a state of sattva.
Detoxification: The First Step to a Satvic Lifestyle
Harshvardhan introduces detoxification as the first of seven habits in the Satvic lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of cleansing the body from within. Sister Shivani explains that toxicity extends beyond the physical to include lower vibrational energies like ego and manipulation. She stresses that shifting to a higher vibration through practices like mindfulness and meditation is essential. Food plays a crucial role in this shift, affecting behavior and thoughts.
The Connection Between Gut Health and Mental Well-being
Subah and Sister Shivani discuss the link between physical and mental clarity through detoxification. Sister Shivani emphasizes that gut health and mental well-being are interconnected, and neglecting one affects the other. She advises individuals to focus on personal change and observe the resulting shifts in feelings and energy levels, rather than comparing themselves to others.
Living, Wholesome, and Plant-Based Food
Subah explains the second habit: eating food that is living, wholesome, and plant-based. Living food comes straight from the farm, rots with time, and lacks TV commercials, indicating it retains life energy. Wholesome food is eaten with minimal human interference, like corn in its purest form versus refined corn syrup. Sister Shivani encourages experimentation to experience the benefits of healthy eating, emphasizing that what digests quickly is good for the gut and mind.
The Truth About Onions and Garlic
Subah clarifies that onions and garlic are not inherently "bad" but are stimulants that increase desire and can destabilize the mind. She explains that many spiritual traditions advise against them because they promote constant craving. Sister Shivani adds that on days of higher vibration, like during Pooja or Navratri, these foods are traditionally avoided. She suggests experimenting to see how one feels with and without them.
The Importance of Plant-Based Eating
Subah advocates for plant-based eating, explaining that food has energy and vibration. Consuming meat means ingesting the suffering and pain experienced by animals in factory farms. She and Harshvardhan share their experiences visiting dairy farms, revealing the harsh conditions and the use of oxytocin injections to force milk production. This practice transfers stress hormones to those who consume the milk.
The Environmental Impact of Food Choices
Subah highlights the sustainability of a plant-based diet, noting that animal agriculture contributes to deforestation, water waste, and methane emissions. Sister Shivani emphasizes compassion and the interconnectedness of all living beings. She encourages viewers to research dairy farms and consider the ethical implications of their food choices.
The Power of Sleep
Harshvardhan discusses the third habit: sleeping like a baby. He cites research showing that adequate sleep significantly boosts the immune system. Sister Shivani advises creating a calming bedtime routine, including switching off screens, meditating, and journaling to release emotions. She emphasizes the importance of deep sleep for energizing the body and mind.
Celebrating Movement
Harshvardhan introduces the fourth habit: celebrating movement. He contrasts today's sedentary lifestyle with the active lives of our ancestors. He emphasizes that movement is a celebration of the body's aliveness, not a punishment. Regular movement boosts digestion, cleanses the body, and releases happy hormones, improving mental health.
Nourishing Relationships Through Listening
Harshvardhan shares the fifth habit: nourishing relationships. He emphasizes the importance of truly listening to others without interrupting, advising, or judging. This practice builds trust and allows relationships to thrive. He shares anecdotes illustrating how active listening can resolve conflicts and deepen connections.
Living with a Purpose Worth Jumping Out of Bed For
Subah introduces the sixth habit: living with a purpose worth jumping out of bed for. She encourages aligning one's professional life with their innate strengths (Swa-Dharma) to find joy and fulfillment. Sister Shivani advises changing one's mindset about work, focusing on gratitude and the intention to serve others.
Living in the Mode of Surrender
Harshvardhan presents the seventh habit: living in the mode of surrender. This involves trusting that everything happens for a reason and that a higher power is guiding us. This perspective helps us to avoid getting entangled in negative emotions and to approach challenges with a smile.
Practical Steps and Eye Exercises
The speakers summarize the seven habits and emphasize that even small steps can lead to significant changes. Harshvardhan shares eye exercises that helped him get rid of his eyeglasses, demonstrating a practical technique for improving health.
Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Sister Shivani concludes by encouraging listeners to start with just one habit and practice it consistently. She emphasizes that this lifestyle change will not only improve physical health but also transform the state of mind and relationships. She encourages viewers to experiment and experience the benefits firsthand.
